‘And then in London, he goes to the Tower.’
‘Ay.’
‘Well, let us not think of that.’
We went outside. It was a relief to smell fresh air. Many others from the Progress had taken advantage of the break in the endless bad weather to take a walk, and I saw a group of the lawyers’ clerks coming towards us, including the fellow who had mocked me at the lodging house. I frowned and averted my face as they passed.
‘Master Shardlake!’ I jerked round at the sound of my name. If they dared to call after me in the street -. But my brow cleared as I saw it was Sergeant Leacon who had addressed me. He was dressed in civilian clothes, a blue doublet and hose. With his blond hair and athletic frame he looked a handsome fellow.
‘Sergeant. How are you? You remember Master Wrenne?’
‘I do, sir.’ He bowed to Giles.
‘You are out of uniform, sergeant?’
‘Ay, I am off duty. I have come out for a walk, since for once it is not pissing with rain.’
‘We too. Walk with us,’ I added, for I saw that he wished to speak to me. ‘Any news on your parents’ case?’
‘Nothing good, sir. My uncle, that was helping my parents with their paperwork, he has had a stroke.’
‘I am sorry to hear it.’
‘Sir, will you still help us, when we return to London? If I can get my parents to come there?’ There was a look of desperate appeal in his blue eyes.
‘I will. Bring them to Lincoln’s Inn.’
‘They fret, for I do not know when we will get back. I have a place on the boat.’
‘Have you?’
‘Ay. To help guard Broderick. But heaven knows when it will leave.’
‘Have you seen him?’ I asked. ‘How is he?’
Leacon shook his head. ‘The castle gaolers have charge of him now. I know he was racked, but they had to stop because he was so weak. Perhaps Radwinter did him a good turn, keeping him locked up and in ill-health in that carriage all the way to Hull.’
‘Ay, maybe.’
We had been walking through the narrow streets leading down to the Hull River. It was tidal and seabirds foraged among the town rubbish on the mudflats, struggling to keep their balance in the wind.
‘I had best get back,’ Sergeant Leacon said.
‘Tell your parents not to despair, I will help them if I can.’ I watched as he turned a corner. ‘I got them into this mess in the first place.’ I said to Giles.
‘How was that?’
I told him.
‘Don’t blame yourself,’ he said. ‘Blame the greedy men of spoil who descended on the monks’ lands like vultures.’
‘The monks could be hard landlords too.’
‘Not up here.’
I did not reply.
‘Come,’ he said. ‘The library is this way.’
He led me to a street of well-kept four-storey houses, and knocked at a door. A servant admitted us into a well-appointed hall, then to a large room filled with shelves where three or four black-robed lawyers sat reading casebooks and making notes at tables. One, a little middle-aged fellow, rose from his place and came to greet us.
‘Brother Wrenne! Is this the lawyer from London tha told me of?’
‘It is indeed. Brother Shardlake. Matthew, this is Brother Hal Davies, whose house this is and who had the splendid idea of turning this room into a library. And his fees to users are light, he makes no profit, it all goes to the upkeep.’
‘I got a medal from the city for it,’ Brother Davies said cheerfully. I liked his looks. He had an open face for a lawyer. ‘You must come and visit the library while you are stuck here.’
‘I would like to.’
‘I fear you may be in Hull some while. This strong southeasterly is unusual in October. Even the Hanse merchants are wary of crossing the German Ocean just now.’
‘How long do you think it might last?’
He inclined his head. ‘It is hard to say with these autumn gales. It could end tomorrow, or go on another fortnight. But divert yourselves here when you will. And for now, will you take a glass of wine with me?’
WE PASSED A PLEASANT HOUR with Brother Davies. At the end of it Wrenne was looking tired, and readily agreed to my suggestion that we return to the inn. The rain had held off, and I wondered whether the weather might be about to change. Yet I had been disappointed in that hope many times these last few days.
As we turned into Lowgate I saw a group of young courtiers ambling along. They were walking down the middle of the street, making the locals step aside. My heart sank a little as I recognized Master Dereham and, a little behind him, Culpeper. Culpeper met my eye and then, without a word, left the group and vanished up a side-street. Dereham saw it, looked at me and frowned. I took Wrenne’s arm and hurried him past the group, but a voice called after me. ‘Hey there! You, the crookback lawyer!’
A couple of the courtiers laughed. I turned slowly. Master Dereham had left the group and was strolling towards me, hands on hips in an arrogant gesture. He stopped and waved me over. Reluctantly, I crossed to where he stood. He looked me over coldly.
‘You again. I’m surprised you dare show your face about town after the arse you made of yourself at Fulford.’
‘Have you business with me, sir?’ I asked.
He spoke quietly. ‘What have you done to Master Culpeper, lawyer, that he flees at the sight of you?’
‘Who is Master Culpeper?’ I asked calmly, though my heart was thudding fast.
He narrowed his eyes. ‘And who was it coming out of the Queen’s tent at Howlme? You, sir, and a young man and woman. Take care whom you meddle with, sir.’
I had not realized he had been there too. ‘We had official business,’ I said.
‘Had you now?’
I stared back at him. He was naught but a young jackanapes for all his finery. He might be the Queen’s secretary but she would not like him asking these questions of me. It worried me, though, the link he made between us: Culpeper, the Queen and I. He gave me a long stare, then turned away. I blew out my cheeks with relief as I stepped back to where Wrenne was.
‘Come,” I said, then added, ‘Oh, no,’ beneath my breath; for now I saw Sir Richard Rich walking up the road, attended by a little gaggle of armed servants. He motioned me over with an imperious gesture. I felt suddenly angry at these people who could make me walk to and fro with a wave of their hands. What insults would Rich have for me in his turn?
He wore his cold little smile. ‘Master Shardlake. The pies you have your fingers in. What business have you with the Queen’s secretary?’
‘Nothing of importance, Sir Richard. He just wanted to remind me of what happened at Fulford.’
Rich’s smile broadened. ‘Ah, yes, that.’ Then his face went cold and hard. ‘There is one pie I still want you to take your finger out of.’
‘The Bealknap case.’
‘Yes.’ His cold grey eyes fixed mine. ‘This will be my last civil request.’
‘No, Sir Richard,’ I told him.
He set his lips, took a deep breath. ‘All right. I will give you fifty pounds to advise the London Guildhall to drop it. I know you are in need of money. Your father’s estate.’
‘No, Sir Richard.’
‘Very well.’ He nodded twice, then smiled again. ‘In that case you may soon find that your life takes a nasty turn.’
‘Do you threaten me with violence, sir?’ I made myself speak boldly.
His cruel, knowing smile reminded me of the one Maleverer had given me. ‘It is not violence I threaten. But there are other things I can do.’
‘Persuade clients to leave me, as you did before?’
‘Not that, no. Master Shardlake, you know what powers I have. I do not threaten lightly. Now. Will you drop the Bealknap case?’
‘No, Sir Richard.’
‘Very well.’ He nodded, smiled again, and turned away.
THAT EVENING WRENNE and I sat together over a glass of wine. Tamasin had come to visit Barak and I had made myself scarce. Faint moans and thuds came through the walls. Wrenne smiled. ‘I suppose what they are doing should be called sinful, and you should tell Barak so as his employer.’