The Wildcats of Exeter Read online

  ‘I was sorry to hear of the death of your colleague,’ she began, hands folded in her lap. ‘It is an appalling misfortune.’

  ‘Yes, my lady,’ said Gervase.

  ‘Where was he killed?’

  ‘We do not know. The body was found in the river, some half a mile away from the city, but we feel that it was not the scene of the crime.’

  ‘I overheard you say to my steward that there might well be a link with my husband's murder.’

  ‘That is what has brought me out here, my lady.’

  ‘I would rather not know the details,’ she said, averting her gaze.

  ‘You will not need to, my lady. Suffice it to say that there are striking similarities between the two crimes except that the one seems to have been planned and the other random.’

  ‘I hope that the sheriff will soon solve both murders.’

  ‘He has many officers involved in the inquiries,’ explained Gervase, ‘and is leading them with the utmost urgency. But it is another crime which interests me. I believe that you reported a robbery to the sheriff?’

  ‘I instructed my steward to do so.’

  ‘That is correct,’ said Tetbald, glad of the opportunity to speak. ‘I made the sheriff aware of the robbery when I came into the city yesterday to appear before you at the shire hall.’

  ‘A box was stolen, I understand.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Catherine. ‘It belonged to my husband.’

  ‘It was stolen and later found empty,’ added Tetbald.

  ‘I will answer on my own account,’ she said with a hint of reproach. ‘The theft was of my property and from my home.’

  ‘Yes, my lady,’ said Tetbald, smarting under the rebuff.

  ‘What was in the box?’ asked Gervase.

  ‘I do not know,’ she said. ‘My husband kept personal items in there and I could not find a key to open it. And it could not easily be broken into. I imagine that it may have contained important documents or even gold, for he used it like a strongbox.’

  ‘Yet it did not hold his will or any of the charters relating to his property.’

  ‘No, Master Bret. Those were kept together in a cupboard.’

  Gervase began to fish. ‘It seems strange that a wife does not know what a husband keeps locked away in a box,’ he said casually. ‘Is there anyone who would know what it contained?’

  ‘No,’ she asserted.

  ‘How can you be so sure?’

  ‘Because my husband was very secretive. He confided in nobody.’

  ‘Not even you?’

  ‘I respected his right to lock his possessions away,’ she said easily. ‘I have a strongbox of my own in which I keep things of special value.’

  ‘Jewellery, perhaps?’

  ‘Amongst other things.’

  ‘Yet that was not taken?’

  ‘No, Master Bret.’

  ‘Why was the other box taken in preference to yours?’

  ‘I have no notion.’

  ‘Could it be that the thief knew what he would find?’

  ‘No, Master Bret. I think he stole it by chance.’

  Gervase glanced around. ‘When there are so many other things of value in the house to steal, several in this room, for instance? Where was the box kept?’

  A moment's hesitation. ‘Upstairs,’ she said.

  ‘In your bedchamber?’

  ‘Close by it.’

  ‘So the thief might well have disturbed you.’

  ‘Happily, he did not,’ said Tetbald.

  ‘But the possibility was there,’ said Gervase. ‘Why take the risk of going upstairs at all when he could have taken many valuable items from the ground floor? It is puzzling, my lady. Has the house been broken into before?’

  ‘No, Master Bret.’

  ‘We have dogs to guard it,’ said Tetbald.

  ‘Why did they not alert you to the presence of an intruder? They barked loud enough when we rode up. Were they not on guard on the night of the burglary?’

  ‘They were,’ she admitted, ‘but they did not raise the alarm.’

  ‘Is that not strange?’

  ‘Very strange and very worrying.’

  ‘Have you any idea who the intruder could be?’

  ‘None.’

  ‘What about you, Tetbald?’

  ‘I am baffled.’

  ‘Yet this is a very singular thief,’ said Gervase. ‘There are guard dogs here and somehow he evades them. He finds his way around the house in the dark. And he takes only one item, even though it is in a room close to that of the lady Catherine. There can be very few men who fit that description.’ He looked from one to the other. ‘Has Engelric ever visited this house?’

  ‘Not since we took possession of it from him,’ said Catherine.

  ‘Did he protest when you did so?’

  ‘Strongly.’

  ‘The lord Nicholas had to threaten him in order to keep him off the property,’ added Tetbald. ‘Engelric was somewhat younger then. He has mellowed a great deal since that time.’

  ‘Yet he still resents the loss of this manor house?’

  Catherine was cold. ‘That is his problem.’

  ‘Does Engelric have sons?’ asked Gervase.

  ‘Two of them.’

  ‘Did they have cause to come here at any time?’

  ‘Not to my knowledge.’

  ‘But the family were your husband's sub-tenants. There were surely times when they came to pay rent or to transact business with the lord Nicholas? On such occasions, is it possible that your husband had that box with him and opened it in their presence?’

  ‘It is possible,’ she conceded.

  ‘But highly unlikely,’ said Tetbald quickly. ‘Rents were usually paid by Engelric and his sons to the estate reeve. He brought the money here and the lord Nicholas locked it away.’

  ‘In the box that was stolen?’

  ‘Perhaps.’

  ‘But you are not certain?’

  ‘We never saw that box open,’ said Catherine evenly. ‘As I told you, my husband was an intensely private man. He did not involve me in the running of his estate in any way.’

  Gervase heard a slight rancour in her voice. He also noticed that the steward had moved a step or two closer to her. There was a more overtly protective air about him now even though Catherine, calm and assured, did not seem in need of his defence.

  ‘On the day that he was killed,’ said Gervase softly, ‘your husband was returning from Exeter. Do you know why he went there?’

  ‘On business,’ said Catherine

  . ‘What was the nature of that business?’

  ‘He did not tell me.’

  ‘But I believe that he intended to call on Saewin,’ volunteered Tetbald. ‘He wanted to know when you and the other commissioners were due to arrive in the city.’

  ‘Could he not have sent a servant on such an errand?’

  ‘He could have, Master Bret. But he did not.’

  ‘He must have had other business to transact in the city?’ probed Gervase. ‘The lord Nicholas would hardly ride all that way to spend a few minutes with the town reeve. Whom else would he normally visit when he went to Exeter?’

  ‘I do not know,’ said Catherine.

  ‘Did you never ask him?’

  ‘It was not my place to do so.’

  ‘But you were his wife.’

  ‘A wife is not her husband's keeper.’

  ‘He went to Exeter alone that day. Without an escort. Was that usual?’

  Tetbald leapt in. ‘These questions are distressing the lady Catherine,’ he said warningly. ‘They show a grave lack of consideration on your part, Master Bret.’

  ‘I am sorry. I did not mean to cause offence.’

  ‘The lord Nicholas did sometimes ride into the city alone. He was careless of danger. The wood through which he had to ride has harboured robbers in the past but he ignored the threat. If that is all you wish to know,’ he said, trying to ease their guest on his way, ‘I am sure
that the lady Catherine would appreciate being left alone now. It is still only a matter of days since the lord Nicholas was killed. You must surely see that you are trespassing on her grief.’

  ‘Let me be the judge of that,’ she said with a reproving glance.

  ‘The doctor advised rest, my lady.’

  ‘I know what the doctor advised, Tetbald. But I am the only person who knows how I feel. Master Bret will not leave until he has asked the main question which brought him here. And so I will answer it honestly,’ she said, turning back to Gervase. ‘Well?’

  ‘Does the name Asa mean anything to you?’

  ‘It does.’

  ‘Were you aware of her friendship with your husband?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Did you ever see any letters which she may have written to him?’

  ‘No,’ she said with a sneer, ‘but I would be surprised if the woman was able to write. I understand that her talents lie elsewhere.’

  ‘When he rode into Exeter for the last time,’ said Gervase, choosing his words with care, ‘is it at all possible that the lord Nicholas might have wished to visit her?’

  ‘Yes,’ she snapped. ‘It is. But now that you have forced me to confess that, you are welcome to leave my house. Or is it your intention to inflict further humiliation upon me, Master Bret?’

  When Ralph Delchard and his men finally reached the castle, they were hungry and fatigued. The journey from Tavistock was taxing. Ralph was not pleased to find Canon Hubert waiting for him inside the gate.

  ‘What news, my lord?’ he said eagerly.

  ‘We are weary from travel, Hubert. That is the news.’

  ‘Was no arrest made?’

  ‘None was necessary.’ Ralph dismounted and let one of his men lead the horse away to the stables. ‘Walter Baderon was not involved in the murder of the lord Hervey.’

  ‘But you told me that you believed he was.’

  ‘I was wrong.’

  ‘So the journey was a waste of time?’

  ‘Not at all, Hubert. I was sure that Baderon had valuable information to give us. And so he did – when I persuaded him to part with it. After such a long ride, I was in no mood to be baulked.’

  ‘What did he tell you?’

  ‘That will become clear in time.’

  ‘But I wish to know now,’ said Hubert. ‘I want to be able to take some comfort back to the cathedral. Bishop Osbern is disturbed, Dean Jerome is frankly alarmed and Brother Simon is in fear of his life. The whole community is in need of reassurance. May I give it to them?’

  ‘Not yet, Hubert.’

  ‘There must be something that you can tell me.’

  ‘There is.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Whoever else is in danger, it is not Brother Simon.’

  ‘What …’

  ‘Just convey the good tidings to him,’ said Ralph with a yawn. ‘You will have to excuse me now. I must go to my wife. Golde will have been worried by my long absence.’

  ‘But you have told me nothing to console me.’

  ‘That was not the purpose of my visit to Tavistock.’

  Ralph left him mouthing protestations and lurched wearily across the courtyard. When he reached the keep, he needed to put a steadying hand against the wall as he ascended the stairs. He opened the door of his apartment and gave his wife a tired smile.

  ‘Ralph!’ she said, struggling to get up from the bed.

  ‘Rest, my love. Think of your ankle.’

  ‘It is fine now. I can walk on it again.’

  She threw herself into his arms and kissed him warmly. After a long embrace, she led him across the chamber so that he could sit down. Ralph slumped heavily into the oak chair.

  ‘You look exhausted,’ she said solicitously.

  ‘Then my looks do not belie my condition.’

  ‘Was the journey worthwhile?’

  ‘I believe so.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘I will explain at another time,’ he said. ‘When I have strength enough to do so. First, tell me what has been going on here. Has the sheriff made any headway in his investigations?’

  ‘Not as far as I know.’

  ‘What of Gervase?’

  ‘He told me that he was going to the lord Nicholas's manor house.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He did not say, Ralph.’

  ‘Gervase rarely does anything without a good reason.’ He removed his helm and she took it from him. ‘Now, my love. Let me hear about your accident again.’

  ‘But that is old news, Ralph.’

  ‘Not since I spoke with Walter Baderon. Where was it that the horse threw you? Near the East Gate?’

  ‘Yes. Berold will confirm the exact spot.’

  ‘I will make him take me there, Golde.’

  ‘For what purpose?’

  ‘To satisfy my curiosity.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘I will tell you when I have been there. Remind me, my love. Your horse took fright and suddenly reared, you say?’

  ‘Yes, Ralph.’

  ‘Did it hear a noise or see something which frightened it?’

  ‘I do not know. It happened so quickly.’

  ‘And Berold came to your rescue?’

  ‘Immediately.’

  ‘Yet I seem to remember your telling me that he was not pleased to take you to view the siege tunnel. Why was that?’

  ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Then I will ask him directly,’ he said. ‘Before I do that, I need to shave this beard from my face and put some food into my belly.’

  ‘What you most need is some sleep.’

  ‘That will have to wait.’

  ‘But you are sagging with fatigue.’

  ‘I cannot sleep while there is a murderer at liberty,’ he said, making an effort to sit upright. ‘Hervey de Marigny was a good friend. I owe it to him to keep on the tail of his killer and I cannot do that if I am slumbering in that bed. I merely wanted to let you know that I had returned before I go to find Baldwin.’

  ‘That was very considerate,’ she said.

  ‘I wished to see my wife.’

  ‘Well, she is delighted to see you safely returned.’ She hugged him again and he revived enough to rise to his feet. Holding her by the shoulders, he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

  ‘What has been happening in my absence?’ he wondered.

  ‘Very little.’

  ‘No more visits from Bishop Osbern?’

  ‘He is far too busy at the cathedral.’

  ‘So what have you been doing, Golde?’

  ‘I have spent most of my time in here.’

  ‘What about the lady Albreda? Has she been to see you again?’

  ‘No, Ralph. I was able to visit her apartment.’

  ‘Why did you do that?’

  A look of guilt came into her eyes. Ralph saw it at once.

  When he returned to the city, he sent his escort back to the castle and headed straight for Saewin's house. Gervase Bret was in time to catch the reeve as he was coming out of his front door. He remained in the saddle as he spoke to him. ‘One moment, Saewin. I need your help.’

  ‘I will be happy to give it to you, Master Bret.’

  ‘Does Engelric reside in the city?’

  ‘Only until this dispute is settled. He is too old to ride back and forth to Exeter so he chose to stay here with a friend.’

  ‘Do you know the place?’

  ‘Very well.’

  ‘Advise me how to reach it.’

  ‘I will do more than that,’ said Saewin obligingly. ‘I will conduct you there myself. It is difficult to find and you may well get lost.’

  ‘Then I accept your offer,’ said Gervase, dismounting to fall in beside him as they set off in the direction of the High Street. ‘Have all the claimants been advised of the delay?’

  ‘Yes, Master Bret.’

  ‘Did you speak with them personally?’

  ‘Only w
ith three of them.’

  ‘Who were they?’

  ‘The abbot of Tavistock, the lady Loretta and Engelric'

  ‘You did not call on Asa, then?’

  ‘No,’ he said smoothly. ‘I sent a man to deliver the news to Asa and a second one to explain to Tetbald why the proceedings were postponed.’

  ‘I know. I have just visited him and the lady Catherine.’

  ‘You saw her?’ said the other in surprise.

  ‘We conversed at some length.’

  ‘Why did you ride all that way, Master Bret?’

  ‘To ask a few questions of her and her steward.’

  ‘In connection with the dispute?’

  ‘Indirectly.’

  Saewin was worried. ‘Does that mean that you and the other commissioners have already come to a decision?’ he said. ‘Were you visiting the lady Catherine in order to give her some sort of unofficial confirmation?’

  ‘That was not the purpose of my errand.’

  ‘But her claim must surely be the strongest. I dare say Tetbald presented it to good effect at the shire hall yesterday? I am told that he is an able speaker.’

  ‘By whom?’

  ‘Tetbald himself for one,’ said Saewin with a smile. ‘He is not the most modest of individuals. Did he impress you with his advocacy?’

  ‘Why do you wish to know?’

  ‘No reason, Master Bret.’

  ‘Then I have no reason to answer your enquiry,’ said Gervase with a meaningful glance at him. ‘Let us put Tetbald aside for a while and turn to Asa. You did not see her yesterday, then?’

  ‘No. I told you. I sent a messenger.’

  ‘Did you call on her for any other reason?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  ‘How well do you know Asa?’

  ‘I had never met her until this dispute began.’

  ‘So it was not she who asked you to find out how the lady Catherine's claim had been received by us?’

  Saewin flinched slightly. ‘No, Master Bret.’

  ‘Who did?’

  ‘Nobody.’

  ‘Are you quite certain?’

  ‘Yes. I am the town reeve. I must be impartial in such matters.’

  ‘I am glad that you remember that, Saewin.’

  Gervase wondered why the man was lying to him. Honest and reliable before, the reeve was showing hints of darker qualities. They walked in silence for a while until a stray thought brought Gervase to a halt. Saewin stopped to look enquiringly at him.