A Conspiracy of Wolves

Owen gave him a moment with the memory, then said, ‘So Paul did take his dogs into the forest, despite their not being lawed–’

‘I – yes, as a boy he did. Bartolf came to some agreement with the steward. The three of them loved to be out there in the forest.’

Owen let that be for now. ‘What do you know of Galbot’s background?’

‘Galbot? Paul’s servant? Nothing.’ John paused. ‘Oh, I see.’

‘I must consider every possibility. As you do in a business deal.’

‘Of course. Of course.’ A moment of quiet. ‘My sweet daughter – God help her, I pray this has not jeopardized the babe in her womb. A child will help her heal, I know it will. She has prayed for one for so long, as had Hoban.’ His voice broke with emotion, and Braithwaite drank down the bowl only to refill it.

Owen rose. ‘Perhaps your son was right. It is no time to be troubling your family. You will wish to ready yourself to depart. I believe Dame Janet and Dame Elaine await us.’

‘You are to escort us?’

Owen told him of the precautions, the bailiffs’ men along the route, Stephen staying here, Ned at the Swanns’, he and Alfred at the church.

‘Is all that necessary?’

‘Even more so now. The killing of Tempest must be treated as a threat to your son.’

Braithwaite paled. ‘A threat to Paul? I had not thought–’ He crossed himself.

It was clear that he found Owen’s suggestion likely to be true. That he should so quickly realize the implication, without argument – yes, there was something there.

‘I am grateful,’ said Braithwaite as he rose and put a hand on Owen’s arm. ‘You will attend the mass? And you must come to dinner in my daughter’s home afterwards, you and Dame Lucie. Your wife has been such a blessing for my Muriel. And young Alisoun, of course, she is so good with her. My wife has nothing but good to say of her. Will you come?’

Owen had planned to be out on watch, but it would be useful to observe the family as the wine and ale flowed. Surely Lucie would agree. ‘We would be honored.’

‘God bless you, Captain. And now you are quite right, my manservant must tidy me.’ He walked Owen out into the hall. ‘So all of this – these deaths are all of a piece?’

‘Did you ever doubt it?’

‘I prayed it was not so. Help us, Captain. Find the monsters who have destroyed our happiness.’

Destroyed our happiness. Curious how the Braithwaites had taken charge, though it was Olyf who had lost father and brother. It was not for Owen to judge. But Paul Braithwaite’s behavior – that was Owen’s concern. Did he fear he might be a suspect merely because he owned dogs, or was it something more?

He noticed Olyf and Adam Tirwhit standing with Janet and Elaine, all clearly irked to be left waiting for the master of the house.

Greeting them, he asked Dame Olyf if he might speak with her. ‘I promise to be brief.’

Frowning as she fussed with a flowing sleeve on her silk gown, Olyf led Owen to the far corner of the hall.

‘Forgive me for intruding on your grief,’ said Owen.

‘Dame Janet and I are retaining you to investigate the murders of my father and brother, Captain. You need not apologize.’

He bowed to her courtesy. ‘I could not help but notice that when Paul said he never took his dogs into the forest, he glanced at you. I wondered why.’

‘Paul? Did he?’ Her look was far away.

‘I thought perhaps because you knew about the blinding of his boyhood dog?’

‘His–? What has that poor creature to do with the murders of my father and brother?’ Her tone was sharp, but her expression wary, one might even say fearful.

‘Did you witness the attack?’

‘Why should you think so? And why should you care?’

‘Do you recall who attacked his hound?’

‘You are not thinking that the person, so long ago …’ She shook her head. ‘If I was there, I cannot remember. We did our best to avoid the men who lurked in the woods.’

‘So it was a man?’

A silken shrug. ‘I told you, I don’t remember.’

‘According to John Braithwaite, your father arranged for the forest steward to look the other way regarding Paul’s dogs in Galtres.’

‘Well, yes, as long as he kept them on leads. He disliked going anywhere without a pair of them.’

‘So when the one was attacked, there was another?’

‘What? I’ve no idea, Captain. As I said–’

‘No counter-attack by the hound’s companion?’

‘I said I have no memory of it.’ She was angry now.

‘On the night you found your father, did you see a man and a dog out beyond the archway, in the street?’

‘I recall no one. Now I must go bury my kinsmen, Captain.’ With a sweep of her skirts, she turned from him and hurried across the room.

He followed, assuring her companions that John would not be long. ‘I must see to a few things,’ he said, ‘but I will be at the church.’ He must tell Ned about the latest violence, and send word to Lucie of their invitation.