I shook my head. 'I must look deeper than that, if I am to be any good as an investigator. Though I confess I had a shock when I first saw him.'
She gave a sudden laugh, a flash of white even teeth. 'So did I, sir. I thought it was a face carved in wood, come to life. It was weeks before I came to see him as a man like others. He has taught me a great deal.'
'Perhaps one day you will be able to put that knowledge to use yourself. I know in London there are women apothecaries. But they are mostly widows, and doubtless you will marry.'
She shrugged. 'Maybe one day.'
'Mark said you had a swain who died. I am sorry.'
'Yes,' she said slowly. The watchful look was back in her eyes. 'Master Poer seems to have told you much about me.'
'We — well, we need to learn all we can of all who live here, as you must realize.' I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
She stood up again and walked over to the window. When she turned her shoulders were tensed and she seemed to have come to a decision.
'Sir, if I were to give you some information, would you keep it in confidence? I need my position here—'
'Yes, Alice, you have my word.'
'Brother Edwig's clerks, they said that they had brought all the current account books, at your request.'
'That is so.'
'But they have not brought all, sir. They have not brought the account book Commissioner Singleton had the day he died.'
'How do you know?'
'Because all the books they carried are brown. The one the commissioner was studying had a blue cover.'
'Had it indeed? How do you know this?'
She hesitated. 'You will keep it to yourself that I told you?'
'Yes, I promise. I would like you to trust me, Alice.'
She took a deep breath. 'On the afternoon of Commissioner Singleton's death I had been into town to buy some supplies. On the way back I passed the bursar's young assistant, Brother Athelstan, and the commissioner standing outside the counting-house door.'
'Brother Athelstan?'
'Yes. Commissioner Singleton was holding a large blue book in his hands, shouting at Athelstan. He did not bother to lower his voice as I passed.' She gave a sardonic little smile. 'After all, I am only a woman servant.'
'And he said?'
'"He thought he'd keep this from me, hidden in his drawer?" I remember his words. Brother Athelstan stuttered something about his having no right to ferret about the bursar's private room while he was away, and the commissioner replied he had the right to go everywhere, and the book put a fresh light on the year's accounts.'
'What did Brother Athelstan say to that?'
'Nothing. He was in a great fright, he looked like a dog thrown from a window. Commissioner Singleton said he was going to make a study of the book, then he stalked off. I remember the triumphant look on his face. Brother Athelstan just stood there some moments. Then he saw me. He gave me a glare, then went inside and banged the door shut.'
'And you heard nothing more about this?'
'No, sir. Night was just falling when this happened, and the next I heard the commissioner was dead.'
'Thank you, Alice,' I said. 'That could be very helpful.' I paused, studying her carefully. 'By the way, Master Poer told me you have had some trouble with the prior.'
The bold look came back to her face. 'In my early days here he sought to take advantage of my position. It is not a problem now.'
I nodded. 'You speak straight, Alice, I admire that. Please, if you think of anything that may help my enquiries, come to me. If you need protection, I will give it. I will follow up this missing book, but I will take care not to mention that you have spoken to me.'
'Thank you, sir. And now, with your pardon, I should assist Brother Guy.'
'That is a grim job for a maid.'
She shrugged. 'It is part of my duties, and I am used to dead flesh. My mother used to lay out people who died in the town.'
'You have more stomach than I, Alice.'
'Yes, my life has left me few gentle qualities,' she said with sudden bitterness.