Dark Fire (66 page)

‘Very well. I feel the same.’

‘I wish there was some news.’

‘Maybe there is a letter at Lincoln’s Inn. We should go and see.’

He studied me. ‘You
did
want the earl to win, didn’t you? Always you call him Cromwell, and with such an edge on your voice sometimes.’

‘Yes. I didn’t want him to have Greek Fire but I don’t want him overthrown. Norfolk would be a worse master. So I’m not quite like Lady Honor, who doesn’t much care
either way.’ I hesitated. ‘I suspected her, you know, there in the warehouse. When they mentioned an aristocrat being behind all this. When Norfolk came in it was almost a
relief.’ I sighed. ‘I wish I could have found the answer sooner. Saved some of those lives.’

‘Two of us against those ravening beasts of Norfolk’s? It’s a wonder
we’re
even alive. You should take more credit. For that and for bringing justice to
Elizabeth.’

‘Perhaps.’

We both looked round at the chilling sound of chains scraping along the floor. Another trail of ragged felons was led across the hall, dirty and trembling, accompanied by frowning constables. We
smelt the gaol’s reek as they passed, then the courthouse door closed behind them. We stood silently a moment. I thought of the hanging cart, of justice and injustice and how the two were not
always easy to tell apart. Then we turned and went slowly out to the street, glad to be out of that place.

A
T
C
HANCERY
L
ANE
there was no message from Cromwell. Skelly was at his copying, still peering painfully
at his papers but with less of an anxious air now. Godfrey, though, was gone. I went into his office to find a pile of papers stacked neatly on his desk, a note addressed to me on top.

I sighed. ‘So that’s that,’ I said. I looked through the cases. Everything was meticulously in order, notes left for me summarizing what needed to be done. Then I went through
to the outer office. Barak was sitting looking out of the window, his face gloomy. I sat beside him; my legs were still tired. I felt a spurt of irritation at Cromwell for keeping us waiting. But
Barak was right, we were small fry.

‘That arsehole’s here,’ he said, nodding to where Stephen Bealknap was crossing the quadrangle. He looked tense, his thin shoulders hunched. He stopped at some noise, casting a
fearful glance around him.

I laughed. ‘Let us put him out of his misery.’

Barak accompanied me into the courtyard. Seeing us, Bealknap hastened over. ‘Brother Shardlake, is there any news?’ There was a look of appeal in the rogue’s pale eyes.

‘You need fear no more, Bealknap,’ I said with a smile. ‘The issue of Greek Fire is settled. You are quite safe.’

His shoulders relaxed and he sighed with relief. ‘What happened?’ he asked, his eyes suddenly eager with curiosity. ‘Who was behind it all? Does Lord Cromwell have Greek
Fire?’

I raised a hand. ‘Those matters remain confidential, Brother. All I can say is that you may resume your normal life in safety.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘And the case about my houses? You’ll be dropping that now you know of Sir Richard’s interest?’ I reflected it had taken no more than a minute for
Bealknap’s predatory instincts to reassert themselves.

‘Why, no,’ I replied. ‘I am still instructed by the Common Council. I shall be going to Chancery.’ And Cromwell, I gambled, would not stand in my way. He owed me too
much.

Bealknap drew himself up, frowning. ‘You would take a fellow barrister to court! That is dishonourable – I shall make sure it is known. Brother, you do not need to do this,’ he
added in sudden exasperation. ‘The system works to all our advantage and there is much gold to be made with little effort if one chooses the easy path.’

I thought of those hovels, the people made to use that stinking cesspit, the neighbouring houses spoiled. And all the houses like it, mushrooming all over London from the shells of the old
monasteries.

‘You are a son of sin and death, Bealknap,’ I said. ‘And I shall fight you every way I can.’

I turned as Barak nudged my arm. A man was running towards us from the gate, red-faced. It was Joseph. He reached us and stopped, taking deep whooping breaths. I felt a terrible
apprehension.

‘Elizabeth—’ I asked.

He shook his head. ‘She is safe at my lodgings. But in the City, I heard—’

‘What?’

He took a shuddering breath. ‘Lord Cromwell has fallen!’

‘What!’

‘It has just been announced. He was arrested at the council table early this morning, for treason. He is taken to the Tower. They say his goods have been seized, you know what that
means.’

‘Attainder,’ I said. My lips felt heavy, bloodless. ‘He’ll be condemned unheard.’

‘They say the Duke of Norfolk himself ripped the seal of office from his neck. Arrested at the council table itself ! All his associates are being arrested too, Wyatt’s been
taken!’

I took Joseph’s shoulder and led him away. Bealknap stood goggle-eyed for a moment, then turned and hastened to the hall to spread the news.

‘I thought you should know at once, sir.’ Joseph said. ‘After what you told me this morning, I thought – you may be in danger—’

I turned to Barak. ‘But our message! Grey said he had it. It should be Norfolk that’s arrested—’

‘Master Grey?’ Joseph asked. ‘The earl’s secretary?’

‘Yes. What of him?’

‘They’re saying he’s turned his coat, given evidence against the earl. Half his people have. And no one stood in his favour at the council, not even Cranmer.’ He clenched
his fists. ‘The rogues.’

‘Grey!’ Barak whispered. ‘The bastard. He never even gave the message to Hanfold. It was him all along, feeding news of our doings to our enemies.’

‘I’ve known Grey years.’ I laughed bitterly. ‘I thought it couldn’t possibly be him, but oh, Barak, when we were wondering who was working against us we should have
thought of someone at the court, someone in that great cesspit.’ I leaned against the wall, overcome. ‘We’ve failed after all. And Norfolk’s won.’

Barak looked at me intently. ‘And we’re in the shit.’

‘A
RE YOU QUITE SURE
of this?’ I asked Joseph. My heart was racing almost as hard as when I had taken the
poison.

‘Yes. It was the talk of the streets when I left Newgate.’ He bit his lip. ‘It is terrible.’

‘What was the mood?’

‘Most seemed pleased, saying they were glad the earl had gone. After all he has done for true religion. But others were frightened, wondering what would happen now.’

‘Any word of the Duke of Norfolk?’

‘No, none.’

I looked at Barak. ‘So he hasn’t been given Cromwell’s place, or not yet.’

‘Treason,’ Joseph said incredulously. ‘What could that mean, treason? No one could have served the king more faithfully—’

‘It’s just an excuse,’ I said bitterly. ‘An excuse to get him out of the way, bundle him into the Tower. If he’s attainted before parliament there won’t need
to be a trial.’

‘He’s fallen off the tightrope of the king’s pleasure at last,’ Barak said, more slowly and seriously than I had ever heard him speak. ‘He always feared he would.
But he didn’t see the end coming; in the end that little shit Grey saw how the wind was blowing more clearly than my master.’ He looked at me seriously. His face was pale, he was
shocked, but he kept a clear mind. ‘We have to get out of here,’ he said quickly, ‘both of us. If they’re arresting the earl’s associates, it would be the ideal
opportunity for Norfolk to put us out of the way before we tell any tales.’

‘Tales?’ Joseph asked. ‘What tales?’

‘Better you don’t know,’ I replied. I stared out of the window at the gatehouse, imagining riders coming through the gates and leading us away too, to the Tower. But more
likely it would be a knife thrust in the dark from some ruffian like Toky. I turned back to Barak.

‘You’re right, Jack, it’s not safe for us in London. Grey. By God – he started as a lawyer.’

‘And learned to dissemble.’ Barak frowned. ‘Why didn’t he kill Kytchyn and Goodwife Gristwood? He knew where they were.’

‘He was almost the only one who did. If they’d been killed the trail would have led back to him. Besides, they’d told us all they knew. I hope they will be safe now, given what
they know too.’

Barak shook his head. ‘We can’t hang around to find out.’

‘But where will you both go?’ Joseph asked.

‘I’ve got people who’ll keep me safe over in Essex,’ Barak replied. He turned to me. ‘You could go to your father’s place – at Lichfield isn’t
it?’

I nodded. ‘Yes, that’s safest. It looks like I will have a sojourn in the country after all. Joseph, you should leave. Better you are not seen with us.’

Joseph was looking at the gate, where a messenger in the king’s livery was dismounting. He ran across the courtyard to the hall. ‘They’re bringing the news to the
lawyers,’ I said.

‘I’m off,’ Barak said.

‘Are you fit enough?’

‘Ay.’

He stared at me with those keen dark eyes, then reached out and shook my hand. To my surprise his eyes were moist. ‘We gave them a good run, eh?’ he said. ‘We did all we
could?’

I returned his grip. ‘Yes. We did. Thank you, Barak, for everything.’

He nodded, then turned and walked rapidly away across the yard, pulling his cap down low. The messenger had disappeared into the chapel. I felt alone, unprotected. I sat down again.

‘Are you truly in danger, Master Shardlake?’ Joseph asked quietly.

‘I could be. I shall leave now, go home and pack some things, then ride out. There is just one visit I have to make before I go.’ I shook his hand. ‘Go, Joseph, now. Take
Elizabeth and your brother to Essex.’

He shook my hand firmly. ‘Thank you, sir, for everything. I shall never forget what you have done.’

I nodded. I could think of no words.

‘If anyone asks, I’ll say I don’t know where you’ve gone.’

‘That would be best. Thank you, Joseph.’

A bell began ringing through the misty morning, calling the members of the Inn to hear the news. A puzzled throng of lawyers appeared, crossing to the chapel. I saw Bealknap darting among them,
announcing the news, his face flushed with pleasure at knowing before everyone else. I stood a moment, gathering all the reserves of strength I had left, then went back to my chambers.

I
LEFT
S
KELLY SOME
money and instructions to refer Godfrey’s and my cases to barristers I trusted with the work. I told him
I did not know how long I would be away. Then I slipped out while everyone was in the chapel and walked quickly home. Joan was out; she had taken Simon with her on some errand. The house was still
and empty in the quiet morning. I was glad I did not have to explain this latest disruption to her.

I took some money from the store in my room, leaving the rest for her with a note. Then I went out to the stable. Barak’s mare Sukey was already gone, but Genesis was standing quietly in
his stall. I patted him. ‘Well, I think we may be stuck with each other. Lord Cromwell will not be wanting you back.’

And then, quite suddenly, it all overwhelmed me. I thought of my first meeting with Cromwell, at a dinner for reformers more than fifteen years before. I remembered his keenness for reform, his
powerful mind, the forcefulness and energy that had held me in thrall. Then the years of power, his patronage of my work and afterwards my disillusion with his ruthlessness and brutality. My break
with him three years before and now my failure to save him at the end. Perhaps no one could have saved him after the Cleves debacle, but I laid my head against the horse’s flank and wept for
him. I thought of that great man of power, now locked in the Tower, where he had sent so many of his foes.