He gave me a haughty look. ‘I had no need of their money. I helped them get the papers to the earl because it was right and proper. Of course, I could not approach the chief secretary myself.’ He waved a hand self-deprecatingly. ‘My contacts do not quite reach his circles. But I know Lady Honor, a fine woman and discreet as any female in England, and she does know the earl. A fine woman,’ he repeated with a smile. ‘I asked her to take the papers to him.’
It would be another foot in the doors of power for you, I thought. ‘But you could not give her the formula itself?’
‘That was not in my gift. I do not think anyone apart from the brothers has seen it since they tore it from that parchment. Michael told me they had done that, but not where it was kept. And the pair wanted money for it. Michael was quite open about that.’
‘But as monastic property those papers belonged to the king. Gristwood should have taken them to Sir Richard Rich, as Chancellor of Augmentations, to pass to Lord Cromwell.’
Marchamount spread his hands. ‘I know that, of course, but what could I do? I could not make Gristwood give me the formula, Brother Shardlake. Naturally I told him he should have given it straight to the proper authorities.’ He raised his chin and looked down his nose at me.
‘So you gave the papers to Lady Honor with a message.’
‘I did. And a message came back through her, from the earl, for me to give to Gristwood. Afterwards two or three further messages passed through my hands. They were sealed, of course, so I knew nothing of what they said.’ He spread his hands. ‘I am afraid that is all I know, Brother. I was a mere messenger, I know nothing about this Greek Fire, nor even whether it was genuine.’
‘Very well. Serjeant, I must repeat you are to speak to nobody about this.’
He spread his hands. ‘Of course. I am at the service of Lord Cromwell’s investigation.’
‘Tell me if you are approached in any way, or if you remember anything that could be useful.’
‘Naturally. I believe we shall be meeting again on Tuesday, by the way; we are both invited to Lady Honor’s banquet.’
‘Yes.’
‘A lady of distinction,’ he said again, then looked at me sharply. ‘Will you be questioning her?’
‘At some point. And I shall probably wish to speak to you once more.’ I rose. ‘I will leave you to your business for now. I look forward to Tuesday.’
He nodded, then leaned back and smiled, showing his white teeth. ‘Is Greek Fire genuine, then?’ he asked suddenly.
‘I am afraid that is a question I may not answer.’
He inclined his head, then gave me a penetrating look. ‘So you are working for Lord Cromwell again,’ he said quietly. ‘You know, many think you deserve the coif of a serjeant: you should be pleading before Common Pleas, not oafs like Forbizer. Yet you have been passed over a few times. Some say it was because you were out of favour with those that matter.’
I shrugged. ‘I cannot help what people say.’
He smiled again. ‘Many say Lord Cromwell may soon be out of office. If the king puts Queen Anne away.’ He shook his head sadly.
‘Again, I cannot help what people say.’
Marchamount was sounding me out, I knew, wondering if I was one of the many who, hearing the rumours, might switch to the religious conservatives. I said nothing, merely folded my hands in front of me.
Marchamount made a little moue. ‘Well, I must not keep you.’ He rose and bowed.
I smiled inwardly at the way he had made the dismissal his. But looking in his eyes I felt again that he was afraid.
Chapter Twelve
OUTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD black-robed barristers were heading towards the hall from all directions. I saw Bealknap among them, walking alone as usual, for he had few if any friends - though he never seemed to care. It was too late to talk to him now, I would have to wait till after the lunch. Joining the crowd filing into hall, I saw Godfrey a little ahead of me and tapped him on the shoulder.