Lamentation

The carpenter’s workshop was at the rear of the hall, a large, well-equipped room smelling of resin and sawdust. A short, powerfully built man with regular features only half-visible through a luxurious growth of reddish hair and beard was sawing a plank, while his young apprentice — like his master, wearing a white apron emblazoned with the Queen’s badge — was planing another piece of wood at an adjacent table. They stopped working and bowed as we entered. At the back of the workshop I noticed a set of locksmith’s tools on a bench.

‘Master Barwic?’ I asked.

‘I am.’ He looked a little apprehensive, I thought, at the sight of my lawyer’s robe with its own Queen’s badge. But then he would know of the theft, and that he might be under suspicion.

‘I am Matthew Shardlake, Serjeant at Law. I am enquiring for Lord Parr into the loss of a jewel belonging to the Queen, which she values greatly.’ I turned to the apprentice, who was small and thin, a complete contrast to poor Elias. ‘Does this boy help you with lock-making?’

‘No, sir.’ He gave the boy an unfavourable look. ‘I have enough trouble training him up on the carpentry side.’

I looked at the lad. ‘You may leave us.’ Barwic stood, hands on the table, frowning a little as the boy scurried from the room. ‘I heard of the jewel’s loss, sir. I think someone must have stolen the key.’

I shook my head. ‘Impossible. The Queen wore the key round her neck at all times.’ I saw his eyes widen; he had not known that. ‘Come,’ I said. ‘I would like you to see the chest.’

‘It is here?’

‘In one of the rooms nearby.’

We led Barwic to the chamber, where he examined the chest carefully. ‘Yes, I made this lock, and fitted it to the chest, back in the spring.’ I gave him the key and he studied it. ‘Yes, this is it.’

‘And you made no copies?’ Barak asked.

Barwic frowned, obviously annoyed at being questioned by someone junior. ‘On the Queen’s instructions,’ he answered. ‘It was unusual, but those were her majesty’s orders. The chest was brought to my workshop. The lock was as old as the chest, though serviceable enough. I made the new lock and key, tested them, then took the key and chest back to Whitehall by myself, as instructed. I gave the key directly into the hands of Lord Parr.’

‘Normally, though, you would make a spare key, in case the original was lost?’

‘Yes, and send both keys to the Chamberlain.’ His calmness deserted him and his voice rose. ‘I did as I was ordered, sir, simply that.’

‘I have to question everyone connected with this chest,’ I answered mildly.

‘I am a senior craftsman.’ Barwic rallied a little. ‘I was Chairman of the Carpenters’ Guild last year, responsible for its part in all the ceremonies and processions, and raising troops for the war.’

I nodded slowly. ‘An honourable duty. Did you know what was kept in the chest?’

‘They told me jewels and personal possessions. Sir, if you are accusing me-’

‘I accuse you of nothing, good Master Barwic.’

‘Ay, well, I am not used to being questioned like this.’ He spread his hands. ‘Perhaps someone was able to make an impression of the Queen’s key. If so, they could open the lock, if the duplicate were made carefully enough. Someone in that great warren, the Queen’s household. Surely she did not wear it all the time. I am a man of honest reputation, sir,’ he added. ‘Ask all who know me. A simple carpenter in his workshop.’

‘Like Our Lord himself,’ Barak said, straight-faced.

Barak accompanied me back out into the courtyard, the guard assigned us walking a little behind. ‘Jesu,’ Barak said. ‘All that just to clothe a few women.’

‘More than a few, I think. The ladies are granted the cloth, but pay for the work themselves.’

He stood rocking on his heels. ‘That cofferer, he looked worried.’

‘Yes. And he was Chairman of his guild last year. That’s an expensive business, as he said.’

‘He’ll be well paid in this job.’

‘It would be an expense, even so. And with the value of money falling, and all the taxes to pay for the war that are due this year, everyone has to be careful. He may have need of money.’ I slowed. ‘Could he have made a second copy for someone else? He did not know the Queen wore the only key constantly round her neck.’ I considered. ‘I think we’ll let him sweat a little.’

‘It would be a dangerous matter, stealing from the Queen. He’d hang if he was caught.’

‘We both know the things people are capable of risking for the sake of money. Especially those who have gained status and wish to keep it.’

Barak looked at me askance. ‘You said we’ll let him sweat a little.’

‘A slip of the tongue, I’m sorry. I told you, I just wanted your help with the chest and lock.’

He looked around the courtyard. Another cart was unloading. ‘Jesu,’ he said again, ‘all this to keep fine clothes on the backs of great ladies. Just as well we didn’t bring Tamasin. We’d never have got her out.’

‘Remember she doesn’t know you’re here. And would be displeased if she did.’

‘I won’t forget. What do you want to see the embroiderer for?’