Coincidence

  More hours passed.

  The tide was rising once again, the hissing of the rain getting louder. I had heard of cells in the riverside gaols flooding at high tides, prisoners drowning. I half hoped that would happen, watched with a mixture of fear and anticipation for water to start lapping over the window. I started at the sound of the key in the lock again, whirling round with a gasp of fear. Was it my turn now?

  Barak stood in the doorway, the young gaoler behind him. He looked exhausted. I jumped up and ran to him, grasping his arms, all reserve forgotten. ‘Jack, Jack, thank God!’

  He reddened with embarrassment at this unprecedented show of affection. He reddened further as he saw my chains. He took my arm gently. ‘Come, sir, sit down.’ He led me to my bed and turned to the gaoler. ‘Half an hour, yes?’

  ‘Ay. Half an hour for sixpence. Let me know if you’re bringing anything in, and I’ll tell you the tariff.’ He went out, locking us in. Barak sat on Radwinter’s bed. I knew from his weary anxious face that he had no good news for me.

  ‘That’s Radwinter’s bed,’ I said with a hysterical little laugh.

  ‘Radwinter? They’ve kept him with you?’

  ‘Ay. He is out of his wits, Jack, and I’ll be out of mine if I’m here much longer. They’ve taken him away, Jesu knows what they are doing to him. I do not have the stomach for this.’

  ‘What man has? God’s wounds, you look rough. Is there anything I can bring you?’

  ‘Blankets and dry clothes. I need them desperately.’ My voice caught on the words and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. ‘And some decent food. I’ll pay you later.’

  ‘I’ll sort it out.’

  ‘Thank you. Jesu, it is good to see you. Talk to me, help me remind myself there is still a world beyond here. Have you gone to my house?’

  ‘Ay. I thought it best for us all to stay there. Tamasin is helping look after Master Wrenne.’ He hesitated. ‘Sir, he is not well at all, poor old fellow. He almost collapsed when we reached Chancery Lane. He had to be put to bed.’

  ‘I feared he was in a bad way.’ I looked at Barak. ‘Is this the end for him?’

  ‘I think he just needs rest. The voyage was too much for him.’

  ‘Does Joan know where I am?’

  ‘We thought it best not to tell her. We said you had business at Whitehall, had told us to stay at Chancery Lane and look after Master Wrenne till you returned.’

  ‘Good.’ We sat silent for a moment. ‘Listen to that rain,’ I said.

  ‘Ay. Apparently the weather has been bad in London, hasn’t stopped raining for a fortnight. You know the orchard behind your house, that the Inn authorities have pulled up for new building?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Now the trees have gone it is a sea of mud. You know it slopes down towards the wall of your garden. Well, it’s flooding, there’s a little pond building up by the far wall. Hasn’t come under the wall yet, but it could flood the garden. Joan showed me.’

  I did not reply, I could not focus on what he was saying. He was silent for a moment then said, ‘I spent yesterday and this morning trying to find out what this is about. I’ve been round my old contacts at Whitehall, but they don’t know anything. The King’s been back at Hampton Court some days, he’s not been to London. They say there’s something going on down there, something big. All the chief men are there, including Cranmer.’

  ‘The Prince’s illness?’

  ‘No, he’s better they say. I’m thinking of trying to get a pass to Hampton Court. What have they told you?’

  I looked at the door, then leaned forward. ‘Speak quiet now, I think they may listen at the door. It is about the Queen.’ I told him what Sir Jacob had said about Dereham.

  ‘Dereham. That makes no sense.’

  I looked at him seriously. ‘If they use harsh methods I don’t think I can hold out, Jack. They’ve taken Radwinter for questioning. When I heard the key in the lock I thought it was my turn.’ I groaned. ‘I’ve even been tempted to call the turnkey and spill everything, about the Queen and Culpeper and about Blaybourne for good measure. But that means danger for you and Tamasin too.’ I looked at him bleakly.

  He nodded slowly, bit his lip. ‘I don’t understand this,’ he said quietly. ‘What do they think connects you to Dereham?’

  I told him how Rich had seen us leave the Queen’s tent, seen Dereham accost me later in Hull. ‘This is Rich’s doing, he and Maleverer.’ I was thinking quickly now. ‘There must have been some suspicion of Dereham already; maybe they’ve got the wrong man or maybe the Queen has been even more stupid than we thought.’

  ‘Dereham too?’

  ‘Yes. I think Rich got Maleverer to tell Cranmer, got me put here for questioning.’

  ‘That’s a strange way to proceed. Surely it would make more sense just to have you taken before Cranmer for questioning, especially as you’re under his patronage.’

  ‘I think they’ve told him some lie, said there’s more against me than there is.’ I pondered, my mind was growing rational again now Barak was there. ‘If I’m shut up in here with my reputation ruined, the Guildhall are more likely to drop the Bealknap case. I think that is what is behind all this – it fits with Rich’s threats and Maleverer’s sly grins.’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘Listen, go to the Guildhall and ask for Master Vervey, he is one of the Common Council attorneys and a good fellow. Find if there has been any approach made by Rich’s men about the Bealknap case. If I am right and Rich is behind this, there will have been.’

  ‘All right.’

  ‘Then get that information to Cranmer. Get to Hampton Court. Bribe anyone you need to, you know where my money is kept. If Cranmer is being used he won’t like it. Put in a word for Radwinter too, say he is out of his wits and I do not think he killed Broderick.’

  Barak smiled and shook his head. ‘You’d help that rogue?’

  ‘I’ll help anyone wrongly accused, even him.’

  He essayed a joke. ‘Without a fee?’

  ‘Ay. Poor man’s plea. Pro bono, for the common good.’ I laughed again, bitterly.

  ‘Who did kill Broderick?’

  ‘Someone on that ship’s manifest, who was at Howlme when Jennet Marlin died. Tell Cranmer that as well if you get the chance.’

  ‘Do you still suspect Leacon? He came up to me after you were taken, said he was sorry to have to arrest you but he had his orders.’

  ‘Perhaps. I wonder if that story of his parents’ land was even true.’ I paused, and when I spoke again my voice shook. ‘Get me out of here, Jack, for pity’s sake. They showed me what they did to Bernard Locke. He was broken.’ I gave a shuddering sigh. ‘He was executed this morning.’

  Barak got up, looking resolute now he had a clear course of action. ‘I’ll go straight to the Common Council, then I’ll cozen an entry into Hampton Court. There’s a man at Whitehall owes me a favour from when I worked for Lord Cromwell. And I’ll get Tamasin to fetch the things you need, she is waiting outside the Tower Gates.’ He hesitated. ‘I didn’t want her to see inside this place.’

  ‘No. Of course not. That is good of her.’

  ‘She sends her prayers.’

  ‘Give her my thanks. You were right,’ I continued, ‘when you warned me not to take Rich’s threats over the Bealknap case lightly. But – I thought I had gained the advantage, as a lawyer I could not drop it. And so he put me here.’ I gave Barak a doleful smile. ‘Will you say, I told you so?’

  ‘No. Yours was the path of integrity.’ He rose suddenly and took my hand in both of his. ‘’Tis unbearable to see you like this,’ he burst out.

  ‘Then we are truly friends again?’

  ‘Ay.’ He made an essay at another joke. ‘Though you didn’t need to go to these lengths to win me round.’ He gripped my hand harder. I winced.

  ‘Careful,’ I said. ‘That manacle is tight, the skin’s rubbed raw.’

  ‘Sorry.’ He stepped away, looking at the gyve with distaste.


  ‘You are still limping,’ I said.

  ‘I manage.’

  I looked at him. ‘Get to Hampton Court, Jack. For Jesu’s sake, get to Cranmer. But be careful.’

  Chapter Forty-three

  ALL THE REST OF that long day I waited in the cell, hoping for further news, though I knew the tasks I had set Barak would take time. I remembered the bells we had heard along the river yesterday – was it only yesterday? – that Tamasin told me were ringing as part of special services the King had ordered to celebrate the happiness of his fifth marriage. He must not yet know the suspicions about Catherine. Cranmer would need strong evidence before he dared tell the King.

  RADWINTER RETURNED early in the afternoon. I was relieved to see that he did not seem to have been hurt. He was in a filthy temper though. He sat on his bed, muttering to himself so furiously that spittle gathered at the edges of his mouth. I shuddered at the sight. At one point he looked up, glared at me and said, ‘The torture, they’ve promised me the torture tomorrow, though I’ve told them all. They can’t see it’s the truth. See, Father, they break the rules! You were wrong, the rules may be made by God but men put them into action, and they break them!’ He stopped then and gave that strange impish giggle I had heard yesterday. ‘You are not my father, I know that. You’re the soft hunchback lawyer. You do not understand anything.’ Then he turned his head away.

  As the light began to fail our door was unlocked again and the young turnkey appeared. He carried three clean blankets and a neatly folded set of clothes, on top of which were some bread and cheese and fruit. He laid them down on the bed. ‘A girl left these for you.’ He gave me a lascivious grin. ‘Tasty little blonde. She your doxy?’

  ‘No.’

  He looked at Radwinter, who had turned to stare at the wall when he saw the turnkey had not come for him. ‘He is not well,’ I said quietly. ‘In his mind.’

  ‘Ay, we’ve had a laugh with him, saying he’ll fetch the King and Cranmer down on us. But when he sees what’s in store for him tomorrow, that’ll shock him back into his wits soon enough. Always does. Goodnight then, matey.’ He slammed the door shut.

  I tore a hunk off the bread and a lump of cheese. They tasted good. I had not realized how hungry I was. ‘Radwin-ter,’ I called. ‘Do you want some?’

  He turned round and I saw he had been weeping. ‘No,’ he said and looked at me. ‘They still say I killed Broderick.’

  ‘I believe you did not.’

  ‘Who did then?’

  ‘I do not know. But I do not think it was you.’

  He looked at me hard. Something seemed to change in his eyes, the madness returning. ‘Who cares what you think?’ he spat out with renewed viciousness.

  ‘No one.’

  ‘Soft hunchback fool.’ He turned away again.

  ‘Dear Jesu,’ I muttered under my breath, ‘save us both from this.’

  A SECOND NIGHT in the cell, less cold under the blankets Tamasin had brought but no less full of terror. Radwinter muttered and cried out in his sleep. The rain stopped then began again, harder than ever, hissing like some furious animal. Another grey dawn took shape outside and I got up, wincing at the stiffness in my limbs, making the chains clank. I ate the last of the food. Where was Barak? Had he found anything out at the Guildhall? Had he made it to Hampton Court?

  They came early that morning, their keys rattling in the lock. Both turnkeys. ‘Come on,’ the fat one said cheerfully to Radwinter. ‘You’re wanted.’

  THEY CAME BACK for me two hours later. ‘Time to see Sir Jacob,’ the fat one said. ‘Now, you’re not going to be any trouble, are you?’ he coaxed ominously. ‘It’s just questions this time.’

  I let them lead me out to the central area where the desk was. Beyond, I could see the barred door that led up to the White Tower. A soldier was waiting there. The young turnkey nodded to him. ‘This one for the deputy warden,’ he said. The soldier took my arm as the turnkey opened the door to the staircase. The soldier indicated I should walk ahead. I stumbled and clanked my way up the narrow staircase.

  I heard a murmur of male voices ahead and felt shame and horror at the prospect of being marched past the soldiers in the Great Hall again, limping, in chains, unwashed. But the soldier led me past the entrance to the hall, up a further flight to another floor with large unbarred windows and fresh rushes on the floor. He stopped before a door and knocked. Sir Jacob’s voice called, ‘Come in.’

  It was a light chamber, the walls painted yellow. Tables were covered with papers organized in neat piles. Maleverer’s offices, I remembered, had always looked chaotic.

  A window streaked with rain showed Tower Green, where people walked to and fro. Sir Jacob, wearing a black doublet and white shirt, sat behind a desk. He looked at me seriously.

  ‘This is your one chance to answer my questions truthfully.’ He spoke quietly. ‘If you fail to satisfy me, what is being done to Radwinter now will be done to you. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes, Sir Jacob.’ My heart was beating fast and again I suppressed the urge to blurt out everything I knew about the Queen. But I would not betray Barak and Tamasin, not while there was still a chance Barak could get to Cranmer, get me out of here.

  ‘The Queen was placed under confinement yesterday,’ Sir Jacob said, ‘following information received by Archbishop Cranmer that before her marriage she had dalliance with Francis Dereham, whom she appointed her secretary in York. There may be a precontract of marriage between them, and as a lawyer you know what difficulties that may cause in her marriage to the King.’

  I was silent for a moment, shocked. Then I said, ‘I know nothing of this, sir. I scarce know Dereham. Sir, I believe I may know how this has come about.’

  He nodded. I spoke rapidly, telling him of Rich’s animus against me over the Bealknap case, how he had seen me leave the Queen’s tent and, later, seen Dereham speak to me. I repeated the lie I had told Rich when he saw Dereham talking to me in Hull, that Dereham had seen me at Fulford and used our meeting in the street to make further mock of me. I hesitated before saying that and from a quick intense flicker of Sir Jacob’s eyes I saw he had noticed. He was an experienced interrogator. He consulted a paper on his desk, then rapped, ‘What was your business with the Queen at Howlme?’

  It was as well I worked in a profession where you needed to think on your feet. ‘It concerned one of her servants, Tamasin Reedbourne. She has a – a relationship with my assistant, Master Barak. She was in some trouble with Lady Rochford over it.’

  He frowned, then laughed, again the schoolmaster who has caught out an errant pupil. ‘The Queen was concerned with the morals of one of her servants?’ he asked incredulously.

  ‘Sir Jacob,’ I said quickly, ‘those are the only things Sir Richard Rich could have knowledge of. I cannot believe I have been brought here solely on those grounds.’

  ‘This matter could not be more serious. I have a report from Sir William Maleverer that a senior official’s servant overheard you in the refectory, telling Francis Dereham that if he could get into the Queen’s drawers it would serve the King right for the way he treated you at Fulford.’

  ‘That is a complete lie.’ I almost shouted my denial. ‘And I would guess the official who employs the servant is Sir Richard Rich.’

  That knowing smile again. ‘It is not. He is a clerk for Master Simon Craike of the Harbingers’ Office.’

  ‘Craike is in Rich’s pay. Question the servant, sir. I beg you. Archbishop Cranmer has been fed false information by Rich.’

  ‘I told you, the report was from Sir William Maleverer.’

  ‘I believe he is in league with Rich. Please sir,’ I begged. ‘Please question this servant of Craike’s.’ How Craike had betrayed me. Rich must have put the pressure on.

  Sir Jacob referred quickly to another paper. ‘Master Barak and Mistress Reedbourne. They brought you food and clothes yesterday. The turnkey reports you and Barak spoke quietly, as though you did not wish to be overheard
.’

  ‘Would not you, sir, in my position?’

  ‘I am hardly likely to be.’

  ‘Sir, could you not enquire of the servant? It would take just a little time. I have already been here two days. Another day . . .’

  Sir Jacob sat and thought, tapping a fingernail against his thin lips. I felt hope rising in my breast. Then he shook his head.

  ‘No. I am not satisfied. You are keeping things back, I feel it.’

  ‘Sir Jacob —’

  ‘No!’ He spoke sharply, waved an angry hand at me. ‘You have had your chance. You will go back to your cell. There you will see what has happened to Radwinter, and perhaps tomorrow when you are taken to where he has been you will have the sense to speak the truth before they really start work.’

  My jaw dropped in horror. ‘Sir Jacob, please, a day —’

  ‘No. When it comes to making a recalcitrant man spill the truth, there is no better means than the torture.’

  I WAS MARCHED DOWN the stairs again, past the hall where the soldiers talked and laughed and light spilled into the dark stairway, down again to the darkness and damp; through the barred door again and back into the hands of the young turnkey. The fat turnkey was there too. He smiled and shook his head.

  ‘Down to the chamber tomorrow, is it? I see it in your face. My advice is to spill all you know as soon as you get in. Your pal Radwinter didn’t, and he’s in a sorry state.’

  ‘See his mouth, Ted?’ the young man said cheerily.

  ‘Ay. They must have used the vice on his teeth. He won’t be doing any chewing for a while.’ The fat turnkey shook his head again. ‘Come on, matey, back in the cell you go.’ He grasped my arm.

  ‘Has – has there been any word for me?’ I asked. ‘From my friend?’

  ‘No, nothing.’ He began leading me away. ‘There’s no point hoping,’ he said as we approached the cell. ‘Best just resolve to make a clean breast before they get properly started tomorrow.’ He turned the key in the lock. ‘Take my word for it, I’ve seen – oh fuck!’ He yelled suddenly, letting go my arm.