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Authors: Susanna Gregory
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going to remain undiscovered for long. And why pick on us, anyway?’
‘Could it be anything to do with the College–hostel dispute?’ asked Bartholomew. ‘It would represent a rather horrible turn
in the rivalry, but having a murdered taverneron our property will certainly not endear us to the town. It may even encourage them to attack us.’
‘I cannot believe that is the answer,’ said Michael, although with more hope than conviction. ‘Because it
would
represent a rather horrible turn – one that is not in keeping with carts on roofs, cunningly balanced boats, or filling halls
with roosting chickens. We shall bear it in mind, but I feel certain you are wrong.’ He sighed tiredly. ‘You had better inspect
Drax’s corpse again now.’
‘Why?’ Bartholomew wanted to return to his teaching. ‘I have already told you all I can.’
‘I doubt you conducted a thorough examination with Ayera and Thelnetham snorting their disapproval behind you,’ said Michael
tartly. ‘So you will go to St Michael’s Church and do it properly. And if you refuse, I shall withhold the fee you will be
paid as my Corpse Examiner.’
The threat was both unfair and unkind. As Corpse Examiner, Bartholomew was paid three pennies for every cadaver he assessed,
and he needed the money badly, because prices had risen sharply since the beginning of winter. Michael knew he was struggling
to buy the medicines necessary for those of his patients who could not afford their own.
‘I will not be able to tell you anything else,’ he grumbled, as they walked up St Michael’s Lane. ‘And you should think of
Drax’s wife. It would be dreadful if someone like Yffi got there with the news first, because I doubt he has a gentle way
with words.’
‘I know,’ replied Michael. ‘So you can paw the cadaver, while I visit the widow.’
‘We saw her earlier today,’ said Bartholomew, sorry for the unpleasant shock she was about to receive. ‘She is a friend of
Emma’s granddaughter – Odelina – and was at Emma’s house.’
‘So she was.’ Michael’s eyes narrowed. ‘So I had better ask whether she stayed there all morning. It would not be the first
time a wife dispatched an unloved husband, after all.’
‘You cannot investigate this case,’ said Bartholomew, seeing the monk had the bit between his teeth. ‘Drax was not a scholar,
and there is nothing to indicate he died on University property, either.
Ergo
, his death falls under Dick Tulyet’s jurisdiction. He is the Sheriff.’
‘Dick will have far more important business to attend,’ predicted Michael. ‘Besides, Drax was found in my College, so I have
a right to find out what happened to him.’
‘Actually, Dick told me only last week that there is not much to do these days, because Emma has frightened all the petty
criminals away. He spends all his time on administration, and he is bored. You may find he is less willing to relinquish the
matter than you think.’
‘Then we shall have to work together. However, I would rather work with you than him, and—’
‘No,’ said Bartholomew firmly. ‘I do not have time, especially with Emma summoning me every time she feels a twinge in her
jaws.’
‘You cannot be that busy,’ argued Michael. ‘Two new physicians arrived in Cambridge a few weeks ago and relieved you of some
of your patients. You should have plenty of spare time.’
‘It is a bad winter, Brother. Even with Gyseburne and Meryfeld here, we can barely keep up with the demand for consultations.’
‘You can find the time to help me. You must, because this concerns your College – your
home
. But here we are at the High Street, where you turn right to the church, and I turn left for the Drax mansion. I shall expect
your report later.’
* * *
St Michael’s was a pretty building with a low, squat tower and a huge chancel. It was a peaceful place, because its thick
walls muted the din of the busy street
‘Could it be anything to do with the College–hostel dispute?’ asked Bartholomew. ‘It would represent a rather horrible turn
in the rivalry, but having a murdered taverneron our property will certainly not endear us to the town. It may even encourage them to attack us.’
‘I cannot believe that is the answer,’ said Michael, although with more hope than conviction. ‘Because it
would
represent a rather horrible turn – one that is not in keeping with carts on roofs, cunningly balanced boats, or filling halls
with roosting chickens. We shall bear it in mind, but I feel certain you are wrong.’ He sighed tiredly. ‘You had better inspect
Drax’s corpse again now.’
‘Why?’ Bartholomew wanted to return to his teaching. ‘I have already told you all I can.’
‘I doubt you conducted a thorough examination with Ayera and Thelnetham snorting their disapproval behind you,’ said Michael
tartly. ‘So you will go to St Michael’s Church and do it properly. And if you refuse, I shall withhold the fee you will be
paid as my Corpse Examiner.’
The threat was both unfair and unkind. As Corpse Examiner, Bartholomew was paid three pennies for every cadaver he assessed,
and he needed the money badly, because prices had risen sharply since the beginning of winter. Michael knew he was struggling
to buy the medicines necessary for those of his patients who could not afford their own.
‘I will not be able to tell you anything else,’ he grumbled, as they walked up St Michael’s Lane. ‘And you should think of
Drax’s wife. It would be dreadful if someone like Yffi got there with the news first, because I doubt he has a gentle way
with words.’
‘I know,’ replied Michael. ‘So you can paw the cadaver, while I visit the widow.’
‘We saw her earlier today,’ said Bartholomew, sorry for the unpleasant shock she was about to receive. ‘She is a friend of
Emma’s granddaughter – Odelina – and was at Emma’s house.’
‘So she was.’ Michael’s eyes narrowed. ‘So I had better ask whether she stayed there all morning. It would not be the first
time a wife dispatched an unloved husband, after all.’
‘You cannot investigate this case,’ said Bartholomew, seeing the monk had the bit between his teeth. ‘Drax was not a scholar,
and there is nothing to indicate he died on University property, either.
Ergo
, his death falls under Dick Tulyet’s jurisdiction. He is the Sheriff.’
‘Dick will have far more important business to attend,’ predicted Michael. ‘Besides, Drax was found in my College, so I have
a right to find out what happened to him.’
‘Actually, Dick told me only last week that there is not much to do these days, because Emma has frightened all the petty
criminals away. He spends all his time on administration, and he is bored. You may find he is less willing to relinquish the
matter than you think.’
‘Then we shall have to work together. However, I would rather work with you than him, and—’
‘No,’ said Bartholomew firmly. ‘I do not have time, especially with Emma summoning me every time she feels a twinge in her
jaws.’
‘You cannot be that busy,’ argued Michael. ‘Two new physicians arrived in Cambridge a few weeks ago and relieved you of some
of your patients. You should have plenty of spare time.’
‘It is a bad winter, Brother. Even with Gyseburne and Meryfeld here, we can barely keep up with the demand for consultations.’
‘You can find the time to help me. You must, because this concerns your College – your
home
. But here we are at the High Street, where you turn right to the church, and I turn left for the Drax mansion. I shall expect
your report later.’
* * *
St Michael’s was a pretty building with a low, squat tower and a huge chancel. It was a peaceful place, because its thick
walls muted the din of the busy street
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