The Nuntius Peregrinus gave a deep sigh.
‘Ecclesiastical politics, then? This gift would not have pleased Abbot Ségdae. It seems that you should be thinking along those lines as the gift has disappeared.’
Fidelma caught the suspicious tone in his voice.
‘Do you imply that Abbot Ségdae might be involved in this matter?’ she asked.
The Nuntius spread his hands.
‘If, as you suggest, the theft of the reliquary box was somehow a motive for the murder of Dabhóc, then Abbot Ségdae is a prime suspect because of the very reason that you have now pointed out.’
‘Who, apart from you, knew the nature of the gift? I mean, knew that it was not only a reliquary box but the nature of the relics inside?’ Eadulf asked.
‘I had thought only Abbot Dabhóc and perhaps his servant, young Brother Gillucán, knew. All I knew was it contained the relics of the Blessed Patrick’s disciple and his successor.’
Fidelma was silent for a moment. As the Nuntius pointed out, she had given the very reason why Abbot Ségdae could be regarded as a prime suspect. Yet he was her brother’s friend and adviser and, indeed, had performed her wedding ceremony. But such a bribe as Ard Macha was offering to Rome was certainly not in Imleach’s nor Ségdae’s best interests.
‘When did you learn that the reliquary box had been stolen?’ Eadulf was asking.
‘When?’ The Nuntius screwed up his face as if to help his memory. ‘I think it was just after the murder, but I can’t be sure. Someone was talking about the abbot’s chamber being searched.’
‘Who was that?’
‘I don’t recall…no, wait! It must have been Brother Chilperic, the steward.’
There came the toll of a bell. The Nuntius rose quickly.
‘Ah, we are called for the evening meal.’
Fidelma could not help noticing that he looked slightly relieved.
‘Surely, Peregrinus, if the reliquary box was not in Abbot Dabhóc’s room, the logical thing would be that it was being taken care of by his steward-Brother Gillucán?’
‘Oh yes, that was the first idea.’ The Nuntius coughed. ‘Brother Gillucán was questioned about that-but he denied knowledge.’
‘By whom was he questioned?’
‘I presume that Brother Chilperic spoke with him.’
Fidelma and Eadulf now rose from their seats.
‘You’ve been most helpful, Nuntius Peregrinus,’ Fidelma said. ‘I hope we may continue to have your full support to resolve this matter, and that before long you will be able to take our findings to our friend, the Venerable Gelasius, in Rome.’
‘As I said previously, I am sure he will be delighted to know that you have been instrumental in investigating this matter. My prime task is to ensure that, in spite of these setbacks, this council meets and discusses the matters that the Holy Father has placed before them.’ He added: ‘It is good to talk with you again, Fidelma, although I was hoping that we would be able to reminisce about the times in Rome.’
He nodded to Brother Eadulf then turned to join his silent custodes and those moving in the direction of the refectory.
Fidelma and Eadulf followed at a more leisurely pace.
‘What do we do now?’ Eadulf asked. ‘Do we confront Abbot Ségdae with the claim that he had a good reason to kill Dabhóc and steal this reliquary box?’
Fidelma shook her head.
‘We will leave Abbot Ségdae alone for a while-at least so far as that matter is concerned. I can’t help feeling that Ségdae, even if he were capable of such a crime, would not commit it in such a complicated way. He does not possess such a devious mind. Anyway, first let us enjoy the evening meal.’
Chapter Eleven
They entered the scriptorium to find Brother Sigeric ready and waiting for them in the darkness. They stood together without speaking for a long while, listening until they were assured that slumber had overtaken the brethren of the abbey and all was quiet. Then Brother Sigeric lit a lantern.
‘Do you have the plan of the Domus Femini?’ Fidelma asked, keeping her voice to a whisper.
The young scribe nodded and produced the piece of papyrus, which he spread on the table. He quickly explained to Fidelma how to follow the route to what had been Sister Valretrade’s quarters.
‘The plan is as accurate as I can make it,’ Brother Sigeric went on. ‘I told you that Valretrade’s chamber was across the courtyard almost opposite mine and we used to signal one another by candlelight. In order to help you, I have left a candle alight in my window. You can check that, and when you are directly opposite then you should be in Valretrade’s chamber. Now, come with me and I will show you the entrance to the Domus Femini.’
‘A moment, Brother,’ intervened Eadulf as a thought occurred to him. ‘You say this passage is used by the members of the women’s community to come to the chapel?’
‘Don’t worry.’ Brother Sigeric understood what was on his mind. ‘No one will be about now. Anyway, it is not really a passage, as you shall see. It is a way through a maze of underground vaults. There are plenty of areas where one could hide if anyone did come along unexpectedly.’
‘It is too late to start worrying about discovery now,’ Fidelma told Eadulf. ‘Let us go.’
Brother Sigeric extinguished his lantern. From the scriptorium they went out into the moonlit courtyard which separated the main abbey building from the chapel. Crossing the courtyard, the moon was bright enough to guide them. It was obvious that Brother Sigeric knew the way and at one stage Fidelma whispered to him not to proceed so quickly. Inside the chapel, he paused. There was a small light burning by the door which was always left alight as a symbol of the eternal spirit. Brother Sigeric simply took the candle from his lantern and lit it again before proceeding to a door at the rear of the chapel. He pulled back a bolt, swiftly and silently. The door opened onto a flight of wooden steps, which plunged into utter blackness below. Here he bade Fidelma and Eadulf halt while he moved down into the darkness. They could hear him descend until they saw only a wisp of light. A few moments later, he returned with the comforting glow of the lantern.
‘All is clear-come on.’ Holding the lantern high, Brother Sigeric motioned them to follow him downwards but not before asking Eadulf to draw the door closed behind him.
At the foot of the stairs they paused.
The smell was of that curious mixture of earth and decay that Fidelma associated with the catacombs of Rome where she had been lucky to survive. It was very cold and damp.
‘They say that before the abbey was built, this was an old necropolis of Augustodunum, the burial place of the Romans,’ explained Brother Sigeric in a whisper.
The area was not completely dark. In the gloom they could see arches and pillars spreading every few metres, supporting the vaulted roof above them. Among these were tombs, some made of marble and others of stone.
‘How far does this underground world spread?’ asked Eadulf with a shiver.
‘It seems to spread under the whole abbey,’ replied Brother Sigeric. ‘Come, follow me.’
He set off through the maze of arches and tombs, moving with confidence, having trodden the path many times, and appeared unconcerned at the various deceptive side turns and byways. Fidelma quickly realised that if they did not have a guide, they would be hopelessly lost in moments.
‘Are there only two entrances and exits from this dark maze?’ she asked. ‘I have never seen the like of this outside the catacombs of Rome.’
‘There is a third exit, but that is all,’ Brother Sigeric said.