‘Dereham. That makes no sense.’

I looked at him seriously. ‘If they use harsh methods I don’t think I can hold out, Jack. They’ve taken Radwinter for questioning. When I heard the key in the lock I thought it was my turn.’ I groaned. ‘I’ve even been tempted to call the turnkey and spill everything, about the Queen and Culpeper and about Blaybourne for good measure. But that means danger for you and Tamasin too.’ I looked at him bleakly.

He nodded slowly, bit his lip. ‘I don’t understand this,’ he said quietly. ‘What do they think connects you to Dereham?’

I told him how Rich had seen us leave the Queen’s tent, seen Dereham accost me later in Hull. ‘This is Rich’s doing, he and Maleverer.’ I was thinking quickly now. ‘There must have been some suspicion of Dereham already; maybe they’ve got the wrong man or maybe the Queen has been even more stupid than we thought.’

‘Dereham too?’

‘Yes. I think Rich got Maleverer to tell Cranmer, got me put here for questioning.’

‘That’s a strange way to proceed. Surely it would make more sense just to have you taken before Cranmer for questioning, especially as you’re under his patronage.’

‘I think they’ve told him some lie, said there’s more against me than there is.’ I pondered, my mind was growing rational again now Barak was there. ‘If I’m shut up in here with my reputation ruined, the Guildhall are more likely to drop the Bealknap case. I think that is what is behind all this – it fits with Rich’s threats and Maleverer’s sly grins.’

‘Maybe.’

‘Listen, go to the Guildhall and ask for Master Vervey, he is one of the Common Council attorneys and a good fellow. Find if there has been any approach made by Rich’s men about the Bealknap case. If I am right and Rich is behind this, there will have been.’

‘All right.’

‘Then get that information to Cranmer. Get to Hampton Court. Bribe anyone you need to, you know where my money is kept. If Cranmer is being used he won’t like it. Put in a word for Radwinter too, say he is out of his wits and I do not think he killed Broderick.’

Barak smiled and shook his head. ‘You’d help that rogue?’

‘I’ll help anyone wrongly accused, even him.’

He essayed a joke. ‘Without a fee?’

‘Ay. Poor man’s plea. Pro bono, for the common good.’ I laughed again, bitterly.

‘Who did kill Broderick?’

‘Someone on that ship’s manifest, who was at Howlme when Jennet Marlin died. Tell Cranmer that as well if you get the chance.’

‘Do you still suspect Leacon? He came up to me after you were taken, said he was sorry to have to arrest you but he had his orders.’

‘Perhaps. I wonder if that story of his parents’ land was even true.’ I paused, and when I spoke again my voice shook. ‘Get me out of here, Jack, for pity’s sake. They showed me what they did to Bernard Locke. He was broken.’ I gave a shuddering sigh. ‘He was executed this morning.’

Barak got up, looking resolute now he had a clear course of action. ‘I’ll go straight to the Common Council, then I’ll cozen an entry into Hampton Court. There’s a man at Whitehall owes me a favour from when I worked for Lord Cromwell. And I’ll get Tamasin to fetch the things you need, she is waiting outside the Tower Gates.’ He hesitated. ‘I didn’t want her to see inside this place.’

‘No. Of course not. That is good of her.’

‘She sends her prayers.’

‘Give her my thanks. You were right,’ I continued, ‘when you warned me not to take Rich’s threats over the Bealknap case lightly. But – I thought I had gained the advantage, as a lawyer I could not drop it. And so he put me here.’ I gave Barak a doleful smile. ‘Will you say, I told you so?’

‘No. Yours was the path of integrity.’ He rose suddenly and took my hand in both of his. ‘’Tis unbearable to see you like this,’ he burst out.

‘Then we are truly friends again?’

‘Ay.’ He made an essay at another joke. ‘Though you didn’t need to go to these lengths to win me round.’ He gripped my hand harder. I winced.

‘Careful,’ I said. ‘That manacle is tight, the skin’s rubbed raw.’

‘Sorry.’ He stepped away, looking at the gyve with distaste.

‘You are still limping,’ I said.

‘I manage.’

I looked at him. ‘Get to Hampton Court, Jack. For Jesu’s sake, get to Cranmer. But be careful.’

Chapter Forty-three

ALL THE REST OF that long day I waited in the cell, hoping for further news, though I knew the tasks I had set Barak would take time. I remembered the bells we had heard along the river yesterday – was it only yesterday? – that Tamasin told me were ringing as part of special services the King had ordered to celebrate the happiness of his fifth marriage. He must not yet know the suspicions about Catherine. Cranmer would need strong evidence before he dared tell the King.

RADWINTER RETURNED early in the afternoon. I was relieved to see that he did not seem to have been hurt. He was in a filthy temper though. He sat on his bed, muttering to himself so furiously that spittle gathered at the edges of his mouth. I shuddered at the sight. At one point he looked up, glared at me and said, ‘The torture, they’ve promised me the torture tomorrow, though I’ve told them all. They can’t see it’s the truth. See, Father, they break the rules! You were wrong, the rules may be made by God but men put them into action, and they break them!’ He stopped then and gave that strange impish giggle I had heard yesterday. ‘You are not my father, I know that. You’re the soft hunchback lawyer. You do not understand anything.’ Then he turned his head away.

As the light began to fail our door was unlocked again and the young turnkey appeared. He carried three clean blankets and a neatly folded set of clothes, on top of which were some bread and cheese and fruit. He laid them down on the bed. ‘A girl left these for you.’ He gave me a lascivious grin. ‘Tasty little blonde. She your doxy?’

‘No.’

He looked at Radwinter, who had turned to stare at the wall when he saw the turnkey had not come for him. ‘He is not well,’ I said quietly. ‘In his mind.’

‘Ay, we’ve had a laugh with him, saying he’ll fetch the King and Cranmer down on us. But when he sees what’s in store for him tomorrow, that’ll shock him back into his wits soon enough. Always does. Goodnight then, matey.’ He slammed the door shut.

I tore a hunk off the bread and a lump of cheese. They tasted good. I had not realized how hungry I was. ‘Radwin-ter,’ I called. ‘Do you want some?’

He turned round and I saw he had been weeping. ‘No,’ he said and looked at me. ‘They still say I killed Broderick.’

‘I believe you did not.’

‘Who did then?’

‘I do not know. But I do not think it was you.’

He looked at me hard. Something seemed to change in his eyes, the madness returning. ‘Who cares what you think?’ he spat out with renewed viciousness.

‘No one.’

‘Soft hunchback fool.’ He turned away again.

‘Dear Jesu,’ I muttered under my breath, ‘save us both from this.’

A SECOND NIGHT in the cell, less cold under the blankets Tamasin had brought but no less full of terror. Radwinter muttered and cried out in his sleep. The rain stopped then began again, harder than ever, hissing like some furious animal. Another grey dawn took shape outside and I got up, wincing at the stiffness in my limbs, making the chains clank. I ate the last of the food. Where was Barak? Had he found anything out at the Guildhall? Had he made it to Hampton Court?

They came early that morning, their keys rattling in the lock. Both turnkeys. ‘Come on,’ the fat one said cheerfully to Radwinter. ‘You’re wanted.’