Dark Fire

He shook his head. 'She is safe at my lodgings. But in the City, I heard-'

'What?'

He took a shuddering breath. 'Lord Cromwell has fallen!'

'What!'

'It has just been announced. He was arrested at the council table early this morning, for treason. He is taken to the Tower. They say his goods have been seized, you know what that means.'

'Attainder,' I said. My lips felt heavy, bloodless. 'He'll be condemned unheard.'

'They say the Duke of Norfolk himself ripped the seal of office from his neck. Arrested at the council table itself! All his associates are being arrested too, Wyatt's been taken!'

I took Joseph's shoulder and led him away. Bealknap stood goggle-eyed for a moment, then turned and hastened to the hall to spread the news.

'I thought you should know at once, sir.' Joseph said. 'After what you told me this morning, I thought – you may be in danger-'

I turned to Barak. 'But our message! Grey said he had it. It should be Norfolk that's arrested-'

'Master Grey?' Joseph asked. 'The earl's secretary?'

'Yes. What of him?'

'They're saying he's turned his coat, given evidence against the earl. Half his people have. And no one stood in his favour at the council, not even Cranmer.' He clenched his fists. 'The rogues.'

'Grey!' Barak whispered. 'The bastard. He never even gave the message to Hanfold. It was him all along, feeding news of our doings to our enemies.'

'I've known Grey years.' I laughed bitterly. 'I thought it couldn't possibly be him, but oh, Barak, when we were wondering who was working against us we should have thought of someone at the court, someone in that great cesspit.' I leaned against the wall, overcome. 'We've failed after all. And Norfolk's won.'

Barak looked at me intently. 'And we're in the shit.'

Chapter Forty-seven

ARE YOU QUITE SURE of this?' I asked Joseph. My heart was racing almost as hard as when I had taken the poison.

'Yes. It was the talk of the streets when I left Newgate.' He bit his lip. 'It is terrible.'

'What was the mood?'

'Most seemed pleased, saying they were glad the earl had gone. After all he has done for true religion. But others were frightened, wondering what would happen now.'

'Any word of the Duke of Norfolk?'

'No, none.'

I looked at Barak. 'So he hasn't been given Cromwell's place, or not yet.'

'Treason,' Joseph said incredulously. 'What could that mean, treason? No one could have served the king more faithfully-'

'It's just an excuse,' I said bitterly. 'An excuse to get him out of the way, bundle him into the Tower. If he's attainted before parliament there won't need to be a trial.'

'He's fallen off the tightrope of the king's pleasure at last,' Barak said, more slowly and seriously than I had ever heard him speak. 'He always feared he would. But he didn't see the end coming; in the end that little shit Grey saw how the wind was blowing more clearly than my master.' He looked at me seriously. His face was pale, he was shocked, but he kept a clear mind. 'We have to get out of here,' he said quickly, 'both of us. If they're arresting the earl's associates, it would be the ideal opportunity for Norfolk to put us out of the way before we tell any tales.'

'Tales?' Joseph asked. 'What tales?'

'Better you don't know,' I replied. I stared out of the window at the gatehouse, imagining riders coming through the gates and leading us away too, to the Tower. But more likely it would be a knife thrust in the dark from some ruffian like Toky. I turned back to Barak.

'You're right, Jack, it's not safe for us in London. Grey. By God – he started as a lawyer.'

'And learned to dissemble.' Barak frowned. 'Why didn't he kill Kytchyn and Goodwife Gristwood? He knew where they were.'

'He was almost the only one who did. If they'd been killed the trail would have led back to him. Besides, they'd told us all they knew. I hope they will be safe now, given what they know too.'

Barak shook his head. 'We can't hang around to find out.'

'But where will you both go?' Joseph asked.

'I've got people who'll keep me safe over in Essex,' Barak replied. He turned to me. 'You could go to your father's place – at Lichfield isn't it?'

I nodded. 'Yes, that's safest. It looks like I will have a sojourn in the country after all. Joseph, you should leave. Better you are not seen with us.'

Joseph was looking at the gate, where a messenger in the king's livery was dismounting. He ran across the courtyard to the hall. 'They're bringing the news to the lawyers,' I said.

'I'm off,' Barak said.

'Are you fit enough?'

'Ay.'

He stared at me with those keen dark eyes, then reached out and shook my hand. To my surprise his eyes were moist. 'We gave them a good run, eh?' he said. 'We did all we could?'

I returned his grip. 'Yes. We did. Thank you, Barak, for everything.'

He nodded, then turned and walked rapidly away across the yard, pulling his cap down low. The messenger had disappeared into the chapel. I felt alone, unprotected. I sat down again.

'Are you truly in danger, Master Shardlake?' Joseph asked quietly.