Tombland

‘Have you ever heard the phrase, “A man may wear two faces under one hood”?’ Perhaps he protested the cause a little too loudly. Perhaps he’s the one who betrayed Miles, and perhaps it’s that rather than losing his parents that’s driving him mazed. It’s just a thought, Master Shardlake.’ Vowell looked over the now empty camping ground and continued quietly. ‘Strange, isn’t it, how easy it can be to change people’s loyalties. Take young men who’ve lived and fought together for weeks, then set up a game with no prize other than a pig’s bladder, and there they are kicking and beating the shit out of each other.’

He had given me much to think on as I returned to our huts with the others. I had never considered that Toby Lockswood must have had acquaintance with those who governed Norfolk; it seemed they included Richard Southwell and John Flowerdew. He had never spoken of any other cases when he worked for me. And I thought, If he had business connections to Richard Southwell and John Flowerdew, could that even be a link to the death of Edith?

* * *

I HAD HOPED TO discuss this with Barak and Nicholas in the evening, but after a merry dinner around the campfire, with people still laughing over the mock joust, and Natty red with embarrassment as people asked if his balls were still in working order, a messenger arrived from St Michael’s Chapel with a letter for Barak. He took a horn-lamp and disappeared into our hut. After a while I went to join him. In the dim light of the lamp his face was serious. He held a letter in his hand.

‘Are you all right?’ I asked.

For answer he passed me the letter. It was from Tamasin, written for her in Guy’s shaky hand. At least, I thought, my old friend still lived. The letter was short, and desperate; it was addressed to the only place Tamasin knew, the Blue Boar in Norwich, now blown to pieces:

Husband,

Still I hear nothing from you, and begin to fear you are dead. I hear many of the camps have gone down now, and there has been much violence in the Western counties. Everywhere in London the atmosphere is fearful, men have been arrested for speaking in favour of the rebellion, and a constable came to ask me if I knew your whereabouts, since it is known around the law courts that you went to the Norfolk Assizes and never returned. All our money is gone now, and I have had to ask Guy, who remains ill, for a loan, or the children and I would starve. Little George constantly asks when you will be returning, and his voice becomes more anxious every day. I hear a great army is being gathered to put down the Norfolk rebels.

I do not know if you will get this letter, but if so I beg you, on my knees, knowing my pride and forwardness in the past have offended you, return to me, return to me.

Barak said quietly, ‘Kett’s set up a proper organization in Norwich now to deal with incoming letters. One of his men brought it. He said getting a letter back would be another matter, there are indeed watchers everywhere in London, and if the letter were found and it became known I was here, Tamasin could be arrested.’ He looked at me, his eyes desperate. ‘I have to get back to her.’

Chapter Seventy-two

I called Nicholas inside. Barak handed him Tamasin’s letter, then unstrapped his artificial hand and threw it across the hut, lifting his sleeve and rubbing the ugly stump. ‘This is killing me,’ he said. ‘Tammy would rub oil into it every night, never a word of complaint though she had the children to see to.’ He shook his head. ‘I can’t abandon her. Yet I gave my oath. I’m bound to Kett, even if I’m not much use as a fighting man with one fucking hand. Can I leave just as this army is coming? Word is that Warwick’s already on his way to Cambridge, to meet what’s left of Northampton’s army.’

I asked, ‘What would happen if you were caught trying to flee?’