A Mortal Bane(143)

“You think this is funny?” Bell snarled. “If you don’t like rough sex, don’t take money from perverts.”

“Sex!” Magdalene exclaimed, thoroughly exasperated. “Is that all you think of? Is that creature dressed for sex? Don’t be a jackass. The only thing he pointed at me was a knife.” Then she shrugged. ‘This is no time for your fancies. I think we may have our murderer. He told me he knew Baldassare did not have the pouch when he entered the church, because he had seen him.” She turned to Letice. “Get some stockings, love, so we can tie him up.”

“No, I did not. I did not,” the man wailed. “I am at fault because it was by my design that Baldassare came to the church, but I did not kill him.”

No one answered that. While Bell stood guard, Letice fetched several stockings from the ragbag and then pulled off the man’s cloak. A sharp prod with Bell’s sword made the sobbing creature put his hands behind his back; Letice tied them fast, then his feet.

“This is the second man we have tied up in a week,” Ella said. “I do not like it.”

“No, there is no reason for you to like it,” Magdalene replied. “I do not like it, either. It is really nothing to do with us. It is because of the trouble in St. Mary Overy church, and I hope that is now ended. You can go back to bed, love.”

“But what has Richard de Beaumeis to do with the trouble in St. Mary Overy?”

[page]“Beaumeis?” Magdalene and Bell said together.

“I have seen the back of his head often enough to know it,” Ella said, and added with uncharacteristic severity, “He is a silly man and very selfish. Often he did not wait for me but only took his own pleasure, even when I explained that he would enjoy it more if he waited.”

Bell choked. Magdalene said, “Then he was punished, for he spoiled his own joy.”

“I hope you will not let him come again,” Ella said, turning away. “He always wanted more and said the price was too high for what I gave him.”

“No, love,” Magdalene said, and handed Sabina to Letice, who signed that she would sit with her; Magdalene nodded and Letice took Sabina into her chamber. Turning back to Ella, Magdalene said, “He will not come again. And I am going to close your door so our voices will not trouble you.”

Ella yawned. “Good. All that scrubbing in the church has made my arms ache. I really want to sleep.”

When she was closed in, Magdalene turned to Bell, who was starting to shiver. With another appreciative smile, she suggested—somewhat reluctantly—that he should dress and take Beaumeis to the bishop’s house. Beaumeis immediately began to squirm and object. Bell whacked him with the flat of his sword and he subsided into sobbing.

“He must be questioned,” Magdalene said, raising her voice over Beaumeis’s whining protests, “but before witnesses who would have credence. What court, specially a Church court, would accept testimony from an excommunicated whore? And there must be two witnesses.”

Bell grimaced, but he could not deny what she said. “I will take him,” he agreed, started to turn away, and then shook his head, frowning. “No, you must come too. Other churchmen might not be willing to hear you, but Winchester will listen, and you know this little rat better than we do.”

Magdalene started to protest and Bell held up a hand. “Not tonight. I do not think the bishop would be pleased to be wakened for what could easily wait for morning. Come to Winchester’s house tomorrow morning soon after Prime. I know he must reconsecrate the church tomorrow, which will make a very full day for him because he has other business that cannot be put aside, but he must eat, too, so he will be able to squeeze us in while he breaks his fast.”