The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) by John Pilkington (i am malala young readers edition .txt) 📕

‘Parson Woollard,’ I said, as the notion occurred. ‘I had almost forgotten… what’s the nature of your relations with him?’

Humphreys stirred. ‘What do you mean, relations?’ he muttered. ‘I had none, save slight acquaintance.’

‘The funeral,’ I said. ‘By Susanna Cobbett’s grave… I watched you when no-one else did. I saw how you smiled, as I know something of Woollard’s practices. Tell me - was he another of Cobbett’s wicked circle?’

There was a moment, then the man let out a bitter laugh, more like a bark.

‘He would sorely have liked to be,’ he spat. ‘That fool… he was naught but Cobbett’s instrument, kept to do his bidding with promises that would never be honoured. You speak of a circle? There was none, but the landlord and I…’

On a sudden he reared himself, tugging at his bonds as if he could tear them asunder.

‘Enough!’ He shouted. ‘I’ve told all, and put my head in the noose – and I swear to God, death will be a release! Now take me away from here, or throw me in the whoreson pool to drown – for I no longer care a fig!’

And those were the last words I would hear him speak.

***

To return to Thirldon after such a day, with its air of tranquillity, was a blessed relief.

It was evening, and I had done all that I could do: delivered Humphreys to the prison in Worcester, and sworn out a warrant against him for the murder of Ned Berritt. I would write a report, I told the sergeant-at-arms, and send copies to all those I could think of including Standish. Having rid ourselves of our burden, my servants and I rode out of the city, crossed the bridge and took the homeward road with lighter hearts. Within the hour I was at supper, tired and saddened, but ready to tell Hester what had occurred. Childers, for once, was not present. Pleading an aching head, he had excused himself and gone to bed. Hester offered to send a supper to his chamber, but he had refused.

‘The girls are abed too,’ she said, as we sat with cups of sack. ‘They have been together all day.’

‘Did you speak with them?’

‘A little. On one thing, they are both adamant: they will never return to Ebbfield. Jane swore to me that if we tried to send her home, she would run away. While Alison assured me that she would rather die.’

I heaved a sigh: somehow, I had to tell the sisters what had befallen Susanna, since they appeared to be uncertain. It would be one of the hardest things I had to do.

‘They’ll stay here for the present, of course,’ I said. ‘But in time, other arrangements must follow. Perhaps they can be made Wards of Court.’

‘They spoke of relatives in Gloucester,’ Hester said. ‘On their mother’s side, I should say.’

‘Yet in the meantime, I must inform Cobbett of their whereabouts,’ I told her. ‘I can’t delay it any longer - indeed, he may know already.’

She nodded, and reached out to place her hand on mine. ‘This has been an ordeal for you. I fear I was not always approving of your actions, but you have brought justice for Susanna.’

‘Not yet,’ I answered, with a shake of my head. ‘Bringing a charge of murder against a man like Giles Cobbett will not be easy. The only witness is Humphreys, and I cannot count on him when the matter comes to trial – assuming it does. The wretch has nothing left to lose.’

‘Can you be certain that Humphreys was the only witness?’ Hester queried. ‘Surely there were servants who saw him depart, with the body shrouded as it was?’

I gave a snort. ‘They wouldn’t dare go against him - not even the nurse. She worships the man, from what I can see.’

We were silent then, each of us pondering the matter, whereupon on a sudden, I thought of Boyd. It was four days since I had last seen him, though it seemed longer.

‘See now, why should I not press for a new inquest, on Susanna?’ I said. ‘New evidence has emerged which Childers and I can swear to. Boyd and I could go to Standish and demand it – if he refused, I could threaten to go over his head.’

Despite my weariness, I had brightened somewhat. Should Standish be unwilling to entertain the notion, it would look suspicious. I knew he favoured Cobbett, hence he might appear to be trying to cover up his daughter’s death. But given what we now knew…

‘I suppose you are right,’ Hester said then. ‘And, if you would hear my counsel, it would be to cease going off on any further missions of dubious legality - questioning people and so forth - and let the law prevail. In short, put aside your feelings concerning Standish, and take the whole matter to him.’

I met her gaze, but on a sudden I was filled with doubt. Given my relations with the Justice, matters could easily turn unpleasant, even ending in disarray. Though I knew I could count on Boyd as a voice of reason, if he would be my witness.

‘Well, you too are right,’ I said at last. ‘I’ll send messages first thing tomorrow, and be in Worcester by mid-day…’ I sighed. ‘After I have told Jane and Alison what I’ve uncovered.’

‘We will tell them together,’ Hester said.

TWENTY

The next day, I had barely left Thirldon on my way to Worcester when a new resolve formed: I would go once again to the Guildhall to visit Agnes Mason.

Despite all that had happened – or indeed, because of all that had happened – I had a strong desire to see her. In primis, I would inform her that matters were