Tombland

He bowed his head again and spoke quietly. ‘The gaoler says the judge has ordered those sentenced to death to suffer the short drop.’

‘So Judge Gatchet said at the opening of the Assizes.’

Boleyn looked up. ‘Will he be trying the case?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe him, or Reynberd, or even both, given its controversial nature.’

He was silent a moment. I thought that now, at last, he would explain where he was that night, but he only said, ‘I hear you can hang strangling twenty minutes before you die.’

‘Not always so long as that.’

He took a deep breath. ‘Very well, then, how should I conduct myself at the trial?’

‘Criminal cases are short, it should not last more than half an hour. Answer the judges’ questions truthfully and honestly. The coroner will give evidence about finding the body, then the constable who discovered the axe and the boots in Midnight’s stable.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Gawen Reynolds and your sons have decided to appear, and no doubt will say that Edith was of good character, while you are not.’

He closed his eyes, then exhaled sharply. It struck me that in an odd way it signified his last breaking of any link with his sons. He said quietly, ‘And Isabella will be my only witness.’

‘Her evidence that you are a good husband will be important. But I am calling Simon Scambler to give evidence about the stolen key, and your steward, Chawry. Do you think he will also say you were a good master?’

‘I’m sure he would. But Chawry never knew Edith; he has only worked for me five years.’

‘And I will also give evidence, though I am not allowed to represent you, about the stolen key and the locksmith – though that is, I fear, only hearsay which the judge may not allow. If the coroner’s examination of the body uncovers evidence that he was murdered, which I should find out shortly, that will help us. And I will give evidence that I visited the site of Edith’s murder and saw how hard it would be for one man to do what was done alone. But the fundamental point which I shall make, and which you should make too, is that to leave the body publicly displayed would be a mad act for you, placing suspicion on you and ending your marriage to Isabella.’

‘That is clear,’ Boleyn said, a new strength in his voice. ‘I shall do all you say.’

I took a deep breath. ‘One more very important thing I must tell you. I did not mention it before, because I was ordered not to.’ I looked at him sternly. ‘Also because, to be frank, I had hoped that facing trial, you might still change your story about your whereabouts that evening of the murder.’

‘There is nothing to change.’

‘Very well. It is this. If you should be found guilty, the Lady Elizabeth has instructed me to apply immediately for a pardon. I have a letter signed by her. She will grease the wheels with money.’

He stared at me, his eyes wide while I continued. ‘I have no doubt that the Lady Elizabeth’s name would be enough to grant a stay of execution if it came to it, but I cannot guarantee a pardon will be granted. Elizabeth is still in bad odour with the Protector after the Seymour affair, her brother the King sees her seldom, while as for her sister Mary –’ I did not need to finish the sentence.

I had expected Boleyn to be angry with me for concealing this news, but he only nodded. ‘Then perhaps I was wrong,’ he said quietly.

‘What do you mean?’

‘When I was married to Edith, and the twins were growing up, I felt my family was under a curse, perhaps some evil lingering from Anne Boleyn’s execution. When I married Isabella, I forgot such notions, but then this happened.’ He sighed. ‘Perhaps Anne Boleyn’s daughter will save me after all.’

‘There will certainly be hope.’ I remembered that according to Peter Bone, Edith too had talked of a curse.

He smiled sadly. ‘I see your reasons for not telling me about the pardon before. Hoping I would confide in you that I was out that night. You are very much the lawyer, Master Shardlake, are you not?’

‘Yes. That sometimes lays hard courses upon us.’

He held out his hand for me to shake.

I spent some time going over how he should comport himself in court, and call witnesses – this would be his job as I could not represent him. He seemed attentive and alert. At the end I said quietly, ‘I shall see you tomorrow. Have courage.’

‘I shall. After what you have told me I may even say prayers tonight. I turned my face from God, you see, thinking him my enemy.’

I left Boleyn, and walked slowly upstairs and out into the sunshine, blinking. Nicholas stood waiting for me, his face grave.

‘Well?’ I asked.

‘They examined the body yesterday. There were no wounds, and his lungs were full of water. Snockstobe drowned.’

‘He would, if he was pushed in.’

‘The inquest will be next week, and the clerk told me death by misadventure will almost certainly be the verdict.’

‘So another door closes on us,’ I said quietly. I thought again of Boleyn and Edith, each believing they were under a curse.

* * *