The Counterfeit Crank (15 page)

‘Dorothea is stronger than you think,’ said Anne. ‘We talked for hours while you were away. She spoke about her childhood, such as it was. It’s been a very hard life for her. Only someone with strength and courage could have come through it.’

‘If she spoke so freely, she must have trusted you.’

‘I think she does, Nick. Why?’

‘It might be better if you were to tell her about Hywel.’

‘Teach me what to say and I’ll gladly take on the office.’

‘Thank you,’ said Nicholas, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead. ‘You’ll do it better than I could manage. While you comfort Dorothea here, I can try to pick up a trail that leads us to the killer.’ He glanced upwards. ‘How long will she sleep?’

‘Who knows? She said she’d not stir from this room until she knew what happened to Hywel, but she fell asleep in the chair so we put her to bed.’

‘Did she tell you anything about Bridewell?’

‘A great deal, Nick. Her time in that workhouse has marked her for life.’

Anne told him what she had learnt about the way that the institution was run and how Dorothea Tate had suffered at the hands of her keepers. Nicholas listened intently to the description of what had happened at the feast to which the girl had been unwillingly dragged. It was clear that she had given Anne a much more detailed account.

‘She never mentioned Master Olgrave to us,’ he said.

‘He’s a ruthless man, Nick, even more so than his partner.’

‘We’ll need to look at both of them in time.’

‘Start with Ralph Olgrave,’ advised Anne. ‘He committed the greater crime against Dorothea. He had her brought to his room one night. Master Beechcroft only had the girl whipped. His partner robbed her of her virtue.’

Nicholas was shocked. ‘Dorothea was raped?’

‘It left her feeling so ashamed, Nick. She broke down when she told me.’

‘Ralph Olgrave will be called to account for this,’ he promised. ‘Their contract with the city authorities gives them such wide powers inside Bridewell that they think that they can get away with anything. We’ll have to show them otherwise.’

‘Go carefully. They are dangerous men.’

‘Dangerous but cowardly, Anne. It is easy to strike at people who are defenceless. Only cowards do that. We’ll see how much courage they have when they meet someone on equal terms. Joseph Beechcroft and Ralph Olgrave have a shock awaiting them.’ He rose from the chair. ‘I’ll back to Owen and acquaint him with what I’ve heard.’

‘Shall I speak to Dorothea when she wakes?’

‘If you would. All you need to say is this.’

Before he could instruct her, however, there was a tap on the door and Dorothea came into the room. She rushed across to Nicholas and looked up hopefully at him.

‘Did you find Hywel?’ she asked.

‘Yes,’ he replied, quietly. ‘I fear that we did.’

Dorothea read his expression and tried to hold back tears. Anne immediately put a comforting arm around the girl’s shoulders. Tightening her jaw and bunching her fists, Dorothea looked up at Nicholas.

‘Tell me the truth,’ she insisted. ‘I can bear to hear it. How did he die?’

Most people would protest if they found themselves suddenly interrupted on the Day of Rest, but Henry Cleaton could not have been more welcoming. The visitors were invited into his parlour and given refreshment. Cleaton was a man who did not always conform to the rules of his profession. His appearance set him completely apart from his fellow lawyers. With his shock of red hair and his rubicund cheeks, he might have been a farmer and he had a stocky frame that hinted at long years of manual labour. There was also a genial quality about him that flew in the face of the lawyer’s traditional caution. Meeting him again after a lapse of time, Nicholas Bracewell was reminded of the new landlord at the Queen’s Head. Henry Cleaton had the same willingness to please.

‘We are sorry to trouble you at home,’ said Nicholas, ‘but we need advice.’

‘Then you were wise to call here,’ said Cleaton, indicating the room. ‘It is far tidier than my office and much more comfortable. As for disturbing me, think no more of it. I am glad of your company. Since my wife died and my children moved away, it can be very lonely on a Sunday afternoon.’

‘We are not imposing, then?’

‘Not at all, Nicholas. The case interests me. When Owen called on me yesterday, my ears pricked up at the mention of Bridewell. You are trying to find a young man who was recently imprisoned there, I believe.’

‘We found him,’ said Elias. ‘On a slab at the morgue.’

‘Dear me! How did that come to pass?’

‘With your help, we mean to find out.’

‘Did he die a natural death?’

‘No,’ said Nicholas. ‘His skull had been cracked open. Thus it stands.’

He related the salient facts as swiftly and dispassionately as he could. Elias felt obliged to make comments from time to time but it was Nicholas who controlled the narrative. Cleaton was intrigued by all that he heard.

‘Murder, rape, mismanagement,’ he said. ‘These are serious charges.’

‘One can certainly be nailed to the door of Bridewell,’ asserted Nicholas, ‘and that’s the violation of Dorothea Tate. The girl is not given to lies.’

‘But she is, alas. Did you not tell me that she was the accomplice to a counterfeit crank? That’s blatant dishonesty. The first thing she told you was that she and this Hywel Rees were brother and sister. Forgive me, Nicholas,’ said
Cleaton, ‘but this girl is plainly seasoned in deceit.’

‘She would not deceive us about a thing like this.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I’d stake every penny I have on it, Master Cleaton.’

‘Your loyalty is admirable and, since you’ve met Dorothea Tate, I’ll have to trust your judgement. No court would do so, however. Ralph Olgrave is an upright citizen. For a vagrant like this girl to accuse him of rape would be a waste of breath.’

Elias was roused. ‘Are you saying that he’s allowed to get off scot-free?’ he demanded. ‘That he can deflower any maid at will and face no consequence? That’s not justice, Master Cleaton.’

‘It’s the way the law functions and you must beware of that.’

‘In short,’ said Nicholas, ‘we need more evidence.’

‘Nothing less than a confession would satisfy a court, and I doubt that Master Olgrave will be minded to oblige you with one. Seek other ways to bring him down.’

‘Will you give us some guidance in the matter?’

‘I’ll do more than that. I’ll work with you to unmask these rogues.’

‘We’ve no proof that either was involved in the murder,’ Nicholas reminded him. ‘And even if they were, I doubt that they would have struck the fatal blows themselves. Confederates would have been hired.’

‘Yes,’ said Elias. ‘Alehouse ruffians that would kill their own mothers for a fee.’

Cleaton pondered. He had met both men when dealing with a case that concerned their friend, Frank Quilter. In the course of the investigation, the lawyer had got to know Nicholas particularly well and come to respect him highly. It was the reason he had admitted them to his home at such a time. Unless the matter was serious, Nicholas would never have ventured to disturb him like that.

‘Why are you doing this?’ he asked.

‘Does a lawyer need to be told that?’ said Nicholas with surprise. ‘Crimes have been committed. Rank injustice has occurred. Prompt action is required, Master Cleaton.’

‘Yes, but why do you have to instigate it? These young people have been cruelly abused, but it is not your duty to fight on their behalf. Until a week or so ago, they were total strangers to you.’

‘Hywel is Welsh,’ said Elias. ‘That’s enough for me.’

‘What of the girl?’

‘She turned to us for help,’ replied Nicholas. ‘We’ll not disappoint her.’

‘Then you must realise that obstacles will face you at every turn. You are up against cunning men who occupy positions that are well nigh impregnable. Do not think to storm Bridewell.’

‘I could not even get through the door,’ confessed Elias.

‘Then work another way,’ suggested Cleaton. ‘Let me make enquiries. Joseph Beechcroft and Ralph Olgrave will both have apartments at the workhouse, but they
will also have homes elsewhere. That’s the place to stalk them.’

‘Can you find out where they live?’ said Nicholas.

‘I think so.’

‘We would be very grateful.’

‘It might be safer if you accost them alone, Nicholas.’

Elias was piqued. ‘Why? I can ask as straight a question as Nick.’

‘But you’d do so in a voice that would remind them of Hywel Rees,’ argued Cleaton. ‘That would put them on their guard at once. If you wish to squeeze the truth out of them, they need to be treated with care. Accuse them of nothing. Simply make enquiries about the whereabouts of Hywel Rees.’

‘I will,’ said Nicholas. ‘I know how to tread softly.’

‘So do I,’ insisted Elias with a hint of belligerence. ‘I am softness itself.’

‘There’ll be work enough for you, Owen. Have no fear.’

‘I want to meet this Ralph Olgrave.’

‘So you shall, in the fullness of time. Let me talk to him first.’

‘Marry,’ said Cleaton, ‘that’s the eftest way. I’ll furnish you with addresses. If such heinous crimes did take place inside Bridewell, then they must be exposed or others will be at the mercy of those two men.’

Elias put a hand on his dagger. ‘I’d like to have the pair of them at
my
mercy!’ he said. ‘By the time that I’m done with him, Ralph Olgrave will never be able to force himself on a woman again.’

‘Take the law into your own hands like that,’ warned Nicholas, ‘and you’ll end up in prison. Leave these men to me, Owen. I’ll move more stealthily. And as we’ve learnt this afternoon from Master Cleaton,’ he continued, smiling at their host, ‘people are more at ease in their own houses. They can be taken unawares.’

Doctor Zander stood over him as he drank the medicine. Edmund Hoode shuddered.

‘It tastes foul,’ he said, pulling a face. ‘Can you not sweeten it in some way?’

‘That would reduce its potency, Master Hoode. If you would recover, you must endure the bitter taste. Eat a slice of apple when I’ve gone and that will please your palate a little more.’ He studied the patient, who was now back in bed again. ‘You seem much better today.’

‘This morning, I was able to get up and walk around. I even dressed myself for the first time. Lawrence noticed the difference in me at once.’

‘Lawrence?’

‘Lawrence Firethorn, the actor.’

‘Ah, yes,’ said the doctor. ‘Master Grammaticus has mentioned the name to me. He reveres the fellow. But, then,’ he added, ‘he idolises you as well, Master Hoode.’

‘How can anyone idolise a man in my condition?’

‘You’ll get well in time if you do not tax your strength.’

‘I cannot stay in bed all day, Doctor Zander.’

‘Oh, I agree. A little exercise is important. What worries me, however,’ said Zander, scratching an itch somewhere
on his thigh, ‘is that you are too popular. You have too many friends who feel the need to call.’

‘They wish to know how I am.’

‘Then let your landlady tell them. Visitors tire you because you make such an effort while they are here. Ask them to come less often and your health will improve.’

‘But I like to see them,’ protested Hoode. ‘If I’m left alone, I have to fight off boredom. My friends bring me such cheer, doctor.’

‘And rightly so. All that I advise is moderation.’

‘I’d not be able to stop Lawrence coming here, if I tried. The same goes for Owen Elias and Nick Bracewell. They visit me every day.’

Zander made a dismissive gesture. ‘I’ll say no more. If you would let them prolong your illness, be it on your own head. Do not blame me for a tardy recovery.’ He picked up his satchel. ‘I’ll away, Master Hoode.’

‘When will you call again?’

‘In two or three days’ time. I look to find you much improved.’

‘You will, you will,’ said Hoode. He raised a hand. ‘Before you go, doctor, there is a matter I must discuss. It has bothered me from the start.’

‘Oh? And what is that?’

‘You never ask me for payment.’

‘Master Grammaticus takes care of all the bills.’

‘But it’s wrong for him to do so. I put too much strain on his purse.’

‘He hates to see you in such a state,’ explained Zander,
‘and will pay anything to find a cure. Do not worry about his purse, Master Hoode. He is never short of money and he tells me he has sold a new play.’

‘Yes,’ said Hoode with a grin. ‘
The Siege of Troy.
I hear wondrous reports of it. Michael has come of age as an author.’ The grin faded. ‘But I would not have him bear the cost of my doctoring. Send the next bill to me.’

‘It has already been paid by Master Grammaticus.’

‘He takes too much upon himself.’

‘No, Master Hoode,’ said Zander, moving to the door. ‘He loves you for what you did to inspire him. No price can be set on that. Try as you may, you will not pay a penny for any treatment that I give you. I am contracted to work for Master Grammaticus alone in this matter.’ He opened the door. ‘Get some sleep, sir. Farewell.’

When he called in at the Queen’s Head late that afternoon, Nicholas was just in time to intercept Lawrence Firethorn. The actor was about to mount his horse in the yard. When he saw the book holder, he removed his foot from the stirrup.

‘Nick, dear heart!’ he boomed. ‘You come upon your cue.’

‘I hoped to catch you here.’

‘And I was equally hopeful of being caught. I’ve good news for you. Edmund is starting to rally at last. He’ll soon be chasing the landlady’s daughter around his room.’

‘I rejoice at these tidings,’ said Nicholas. ‘I’ve been too
busy to call on him so far but mean to go there now. He’s well, you say?’

‘Well enough to walk around the room. Best of all,’ said Firethorn, happily, ‘that clouded mind of his begins to clear at last. He even talked of working on
A Way to Content All Women.’

‘His new comedy? Then he is truly recovered.’

‘Not enough to complete it himself, alas. He needs help from a co-author.’

‘Whom did he suggest?’

‘That’s the rub. It was Michael Grammaticus.’

Nicholas was amazed. ‘But comedy requires lightness of touch,’ he said, ‘and Michael does not have that. At least, I’ve seen no evidence of it. There are scenes in his tragedies that have a comical edge to them, but they have nothing of Edmund’s deftness. What made him name Michael as his co-author?’

‘I had the feeling that the idea came from our new playwright himself.’

‘He’s certainly eager to please.’

‘But will he please an audience?’ asked Firethorn. ‘If three mirthful acts by Edmund Hoode are followed by two solemn dirges by Michael Grammaticus, we’ll content nobody, let alone the women in the title. The notion appals me.’

‘Yet the offer would not have been made without due thought. Michael must believe that he
can
catch Edmund’s voice, or he’d not put himself forward. There’s an easy solution here,’ said Nicholas. ‘Let him read what there is
of the play and write two or three new scenes for us. We’ll soon know if he has a comic gift.’

‘Set it in motion, Nick. Though I still think his ambition outruns his talent.’

‘He deserves the chance to prove us both wrong.’ He glanced at the inn. ‘Did you manage to speak to Master Lavery? I know that it was in your mind to do so.’

‘Yes,’ said Firethorn, ‘I bearded him in his den. What a peculiar fellow he is! Have you ever known a card player who reads the Bible on a Sunday? That’s what he was doing when I called upon him. He looked more like a saint than a sinner.’

‘What did you say to him?’

‘What I planned to do, Nick. I told him that he was distracting our fellows and causing a deal of misery. His answer was that they came to his table of their own accord, and that he had no power to stop them.’

‘He said as much to me.’

‘Did you know that James Ingram won a lot of money last night?’ Nicholas shook his head. ‘It convinced me that the man was no rogue. Philomen Lavery can lose as easily as he can win, it appears.’

‘He’s no real threat to us,’ said Nicholas. ‘He’ll be quitting the city later this week so he’ll not be able to inflict much more harm.’

‘That’s why I drew back from condemning him too harshly.’

‘We’ll soon forget all about him.’

Firethorn was wistful. ‘Yes, I suppose that we will.’ His mind
wandered for a moment, then he became aware of Nicholas again. ‘But why were you so anxious to catch me today?’

‘To ask a favour of you.’

‘You know that I would never refuse you.’

‘This is a big favour,’ said Nicholas. ‘I may need to absent myself for a while.’

‘But how can you do that when we rely on you so much?’

‘Hear me out. We do not play here tomorrow, and on Tuesday we present
Love and Fortune.
George Dart can hold the book for that with his eyes closed.’

‘George does
everything
with his eyes closed,’ growled Firethorn. ‘That’s why he keeps bumping into things and breaking them. But why do you need to leave us, Nick? You must have a reason.’

‘A pressing one. In brief, I must help to solve a murder.’

He gave Firethorn a concise account of what had happened and explained how he and Elias had become involved. The actor showed some compassion but he was not persuaded that his book holder should be spared to take part in an investigation.