A Murdered Peace

“No. Is that it?”

“We have the right, as the king’s officers, to search your house for the miscreants,” he said, beginning to slur his words.

“And then we’ll be done with you? Good,” she said, not waiting for an answer. “Come. Quickly now.” She clapped her hands at them, making Lille and Ghent bark as if eager to proceed. “I want to get back to bed.”

Clearly the two had forgotten their fear of the dogs – until the deep-chested barks.

“The dogs–” Sawyer began.

“No bargaining,” said Kate, motioning the men to rise. “First, hand over all weapons to Jennet. I will have no incidents in my home. She will return them to you out on the street.”

“You already have my dagger,” Parr snapped.

“Not the one in your boot.” Jennet held out her hand, grinning at his surprise.

“Come now, both of you,” said Kate. “I’ll grow testy if you keep me up much longer.”

Once Jennet was satisfied that the men were unarmed, Kate told Matt to bring a lantern. She ordered Lille and Ghent to accompany Jennet behind the men, and Kate and Matt led the way out of the hall and up the steps, calling to the lagging men to follow them. Her room, the girls’ room, Phillip’s room.

“Where are the children?”

“Oh, do be serious. They are too young to commit treason, surely,” said Kate, shooing them back across the landing and down the steps, round the corner and back to the kitchen, where she invited them to peer down the barrels if they so pleased. Then, quickly, out into the garden and into the garden shed. “And our garderobe. Please, I pray you, peer in. You never know who might be squatting in there.”

And then they were out on the street.

“What about the shop front?” asked Sawyer.

“What about it?”

“It is never open.”

“It awaits two sempsters.” Jennet and Sister Dina – as soon as Kate found a replacement cook. “Shall I inform you when they are open for business? Purse makers – decorated alms purses. Are you in the market for some? When I have some to show you I’ll send you word at – where are your lodgings?”

Neither man responded. No matter, Jennet would have one of her helpers track them.

“Well, you might ask your host to recommend a good laundress for that stain on your jacket. If you let blood set it will destroy the brocade.” Kate bobbed her head at the pair. “Perhaps I owe you my thanks. I shall not find traitors on my doorstep now you’ve made a nuisance of yourselves. But if I find you on my property again, I’ll not restrain my hounds.” She waved them off, greeting the night watchman who was passing, warning him to keep an eye on the drunken knaves she’d found wandering in her garden.

Jennet slipped out into the shadows. So she meant to track them herself.

Back in the kitchen Kate slumped against the wall, catching her breath.

“Berend and Lady Margery. They know they are in the city.” She closed her eyes, whispering a prayer.

“They are no match for Berend,” said Matt, “or for us. I’m not worried.”

“Whether or not to worry depends upon who they really are,” said Kate, opening her eyes as Jennet returned.

“You do not look triumphant,” said Kate.

Matt gave a low whistle. “They managed to lose you?”

Jennet cursed. “It was clear from the start they aren’t as foolish as they pretended.”

“Nor are we,” said Kate. But she was so on edge that a noise at the door had her holding her breath, half expecting Berend to saunter into the kitchen. But it was only Lille and Ghent returning from a last check of the yard. “I had hoped they might at least lead you to Carl.”

“I believe he is dead,” Jennet said. “While we awaited the intruders one of my eyes and ears came to tell me of a body found in a ditch outside Micklegate Bar the morning after Carl disappeared. A bald man of no distinction. He’s been taken to a small chapel out past Ben Coffey’s blacksmith shop where the priest buries those found along the road. It might be anyone, but such a coincidence? I will go on the morrow.”

“No, I will go,” said Kate.

All three bowed their heads.

Kate sat up sharp, still on edge from the night watch despite a few hours of sleep. “What is it? What’s happened?”

Jennet sat on the edge of the bed. “Trouble. One of my lads says Merek’s been murdered.”

Berend’s summoner. “When? Where?”

“An alley near the market. Sounds as if it was about the time Parr and Sawyer were here, so if it was them they had a very busy night. The night watch were milling about, so my lad could not get too close. But he says there is a great deal of blood, and the men were saying the spice seller had been stabbed, and his throat slit.”

Kate looked toward the window while she thought. Parr was certainly bloodied, but could the pair be so cool as to murder a man, try to wash out the blood, and then come to annoy her? Dangerous enemies, if so. If not them, who? Lionel? Merek had been prying into his affairs. Horner? He had clearly been uneasy about something when he had met with Merek in the market. Berend? No, please no, not him. She saw soft gray light through the chinks in the shutters. Not yet dawn. “Merek seemed a man with no shortage of enemies.” She stepped onto the cold floor. “I want to see him. I doubt they will move him before sunrise.”