A Summer of Discontent

‘Not necessarily,’ argued Michael. ‘Robert was wandering about there, so why could others not have been, too?’

‘That is an interesting point. I wonder whether the killer spoke to Robert first and learned why he was in the vineyard hunting for William, instead of gorging himself in the refectory.’

Michael mused for a moment. ‘But that assumes that Robert knew the killer. It also assumes that the killer was someone from outside the priory — all the monks inside had been party to the unedifying scene in the refectory, and knew perfectly well why Robert was out and about.’

‘William did not,’ said Bartholomew. ‘He was not eating his second breakfast when you interrogated Thomas, and would have no idea why Robert should be hunting for him.’

‘No,’ agreed Michael. ‘He would not.’

‘My explanation also supposes that the killer gained access to the vineyards with ease. They are surrounded by formidable walls on three sides and by priory buildings on the other. There are four gates, but all are kept locked and only the Steeple Gate has a guard who will undo it for you.’

‘The culprit broke in, then,’ said Michael. ‘Perhaps the previous night.’

‘Or he has a key. You borrowed one easily enough when you wanted to use it the other day.’

‘Damn!’ muttered Michael softly. ‘There are a number of the wretched things, and every monk here is aware that they are hanging on hooks in the chapter house. This is not a priory that restricts every movement of its members, and we all know that we are permitted to leave the precincts on occasion if necessary — as long as we do not abuse the privilege.’

‘So, a count of the keys will tell us nothing, then?’ asked Bartholomew. ‘What about asking if anyone is aware who borrowed them recently?’

‘That would tell us nothing, either,’ said Michael gloomily. ‘I know for a fact that Henry has had one for years, so that he can go out to hunt for medicinal herbs when he needs them, and there are others who also hoard them for their personal convenience — Robert for example, and Thomas and Symon.’

‘Robert had one? Then perhaps the killer stole it from him,’ suggested Bartholomew.

Michael sighed. ‘If we start asking about keys, we will waste a lot of time and possibly end up accusing someone who is innocent. It is too difficult an avenue of investigation, and it will be too easy for the killer to lie.’

‘I do not understand how the killer took Robert’s body from the vineyard and dumped it in the Quay with no one seeing what he was doing,’ said Bartholomew. ‘It was not dark, and this is a busy city.’

‘That is simple to answer, although I am surprised you need me to point it out. It is market day, and even if you have nothing to sell or to buy, it is the most important day of the week for Ely folk. Everyone gathers in the marketplace to chat and exchange information. It is safe to assume that the killer would be unlikely to meet anyone near the water.’

‘But even so, it is a brave man who risks being seen by a merchant glancing out of his window, or by an apprentice on an errand for his master. This is a lively place, and to expect the Quay to be deserted at that time of the day is unreasonable.’

‘Nevertheless, it is what happened. You examined the body yourself, and you were the one who pointed out the vine leaves. Since the corpse did not walk to the water itself, it must have been taken there.’

‘I suppose it is possible that Robert was killed on the Quay — not in the vineyard — and then his body was rolled into the water,’ said Bartholomew, casting around for plausible solutions.

‘Why would Robert have been at the Quay? He was searching the priory grounds for William, not looking for fish. And anyway, what about the leaves you found on his clothes? They were from vines, and they mean he was in the vineyard.’

‘But they do not mean that he was killed in the vineyard. And suppose he was not searching for William at all? Suppose he was at the Quay for some other reason?’

‘Damn it all! I wish I had not questioned Thomas — then he would not be in the infirmary, and Robert would not be in the cathedral with a slashed neck.’

‘How do you know that? Robert might have gone to his death today regardless of anything you could have done, while I have already told you that Thomas was ripe for a seizure.’

‘God’s blood, Matt! When I agreed to investigate this case, I had no idea it would lead to all this. I am tempted to grab my horse and ride back to Cambridge today, where at least I understand the scholars and their ways.’

‘And what about de Lisle? He will not appreciate being abandoned while a charge of murder hangs over his head.’

‘No, he will not,’ said Michael. ‘But I am at a loss as how to make any progress. There is Thomas, who declined to tell us whom he was meeting or what was passed to him in that white package. There is William, who convinced Tysilia she is his sister and then persuaded her to spy on Blanche for him. Now he has fled.’