A Conspiracy of Wolves

‘I learned something that might be of interest,’ Geoffrey said as they made their way through the gate, guarded now by one of the servants. ‘The cook told me of a man and a large dog or wolf watching the house a few days ago.’

‘Standing in the Fenton yard?’ Owen asked.

‘Ah. You’ve already heard.’

The Fenton garden again. Because the family was away? It was next to the Swann home? The owners were kin to the steward of Galtres? ‘Would he recognize the man?’ Owen asked.

‘Said he saw his back.’

Owen cursed under his breath. ‘Did you tell this to Hempe?’

Geoffrey laughed. ‘That half-wit?’

‘He is no half-wit, my friend. And this is his investigation.’

‘He may believe it is his investigation, but mark me, Owen, the Braithwaites and the council will insist you take the lead.’

‘He’s right, Da,’ said Jasper. ‘When Dame Janet was departing with Dame Olyf she said as much, she would speak with the mayor and aldermen on the morrow, see that they offered you whatever you asked to solve the two murders.’

So everyone connected the deaths of father and son, even before hearing of the clawing.

Tom greeted them at the tavern door with a request to send Bess home. ‘She went to warn Lucie why you would be late home.’

Owen was grateful. In the confusion, he had forgotten she would have at least expected Jasper to return earlier.

Tom nodded. ‘She went for a favor and stayed for herself, it seems. I’d be grateful if you would tell her I want to lock up now.’

It was wise to lock up tonight. The city gates had been locked hours ago. Bartolf’s murderers were near, within the walls.

Geoffrey bid them goodnight and disappeared into the tavern. ‘He’ll tell you all he’s learned for the price of a pint of your best,’ Owen told Tom. ‘Though you might want to wait for Bess, else he’ll insist on two.’

Owen felt a weariness descend as he and Jasper crossed the tavern yard toward home.

5 Between the Wolf and the Dog

An oil lamp placed between them on the window seat illuminated the two friends, Lucie slender and upright, her long braid a plumb line down her straight back, Bess sitting cross-legged in a nest of cushions, her sleeves pushed up to reveal muscular arms, a beribboned white cap insufficient to contain her wiry and abundant red hair, some escaping to curl against her damp neck. The two keeping watch together – a familiar sight. They both turned as he and Jasper stepped into the hall.

‘My prayers are answered.’ Lucie rose to embrace first Owen, then Jasper. ‘You are both home, safe and sound.’

Bess bade them good night, saying she must see to Tom. Now the tavern was shut for the night he must get some sleep, morning would come soon enough with all the chores to do for those biding at the inn and those who would gather early to hear the latest about the night’s tragedy. She made a face at Jasper’s offer to escort her through the yard. ‘And how would you defend me, I wonder, with you about to topple with fatigue? Perhaps it is I who should escort you to your chamber above the shop.’

But the lad was hungry, as was Owen, and Lucie sat with them by the kitchen fire while they ate bowls of stew Kate had warmed for them. Lucie assured them that Bess had told her enough for now, best that they save the rest for the morrow. ‘It is sleep you need now, not stirring up.’

But Owen had a question for Jasper that could not wait, for the lad might forget details by morning. ‘When you came through the yards, did you see anyone?’

Jasper rubbed his eyes. ‘Two drunks coming from the York Tavern, holding each other up.’

‘Who?’

Yawning, Jasper shrugged. ‘I paid them no heed. They were pissing drunk, and it was dark.’

‘You had a lantern. Think, son.’

Jasper shrank into himself. ‘I didn’t look at them. How could I know it might be important?’

‘I did not expect it of you, son, I merely hoped. What of Alisoun? Do you think she might have noticed?’

‘She asked if I’d marked how they smelled. Like drunks!’ Jasper rolled his eyes, but then he seemed to think more of it. ‘To be honest, I tried not to smell them. But Alisoun did. And then she seemed uneasy the moment she entered Fenton’s garden, long before I smelled anything. Now I wonder – did the drunks reek of blood? I did not ask her.’

‘I will.’

Jasper nodded. ‘There is something – but I might just be telling tales.’

‘You can trust me,’ Owen urged.

Jasper raked a hand through his fair hair. ‘Before you send someone round to the barbers, you might talk to Alisoun again. I think she lied to you, Da.’

‘About what?’ Owen asked. ‘The salve?’

‘At least the pouch. It’s hers. I recognize it.’

‘Alisoun’s? How do you know?’

‘I was with her when she found the piece of leather. We competed for the best story about how it came to bear that mark.’ Jasper suddenly looked stricken by his betrayal. ‘Perhaps you asked about the salve, not the pouch?’

‘Is that true?’ Lucie asked Owen. ‘Might she not have noticed it?’