The King's Evil

The ship lay at anchor in the middle of the Thames but there was much activity abroad. Watching from his vantage point on the wharf, Jonathan Bale realised that the Marie Louise was about to sail on the evening tide. She was a three-masted merchant vessel with the kind of sleek lines and impressive fittings which would ordinarily have held his attention for hours but he had no leisure to expend on such an exercise. Built for speed, she had top-gallant sails for the main and fore masts, an unusual addition to the standard rig of a middling craft. She was clearly able to defend herself and Jonathan counted the number of cannon along the starboard side, wondering why a ship that was designed to carry cargo needed such artillery. When the sails were unfurled and the crew weighed anchor, Jonathan reached forward involuntarily as if trying to hold her back, but it was a vain gesture. The Marie Louise had other plans. It was only a matter of time before her canvas caught the first smack of wind and she creaked into motion.

By the time that Christopher Redmayne arrived, the vessel was already a hundred yards downriver. The newcomer was alarmed.

'Has she set sail already?'

'I fear so, Mr Redmayne.'

'Did you manage to get aboard her?'

'Alas, no,' said Jonathan, turning to him. 'The captain would not let me aboard nor come ashore so that I could question him here. I was told that I would need the written permission of Mr Creech before I would be allowed on the Marie Louise.'

'Did you seek such permission?'

'Three or four times, sir. But the lawyer was never at his office. His clerk told me that he was busy elsewhere and that I had to come back.'

'Solomon Creech is not busy, Mr Bale. He is hiding.'

'From what?'

'From any enquiries which relate to Sir Ambrose Northcott,' said Christopher resignedly. 'I have called on him myself a number of times in the past few days and collected the same annoying excuses from that clerk of his. Still,' he said, brightening, 'a great deal has happened since we last met and I have much to tell you. Judging from your message, you have much to tell me as well.'

'Yes, sir,' said Jonathan. 'Thank you for coming so promptly. I am sorry you did not get here in time to take a proper look at the Marie Louise. She was a handsome craft, a credit to those who built her.'

'Your letter mentioned that the ship changed its name. Why?'

'I hoped to find out by talking to the captain.'

Jonathan gave him a detailed account of his researches along the wharves and in the taverns frequented by sailors. Christopher took especial note of the man who purported to seek the King's Touch to rid himself of his boils. It was his cue to relate his own movements. He talked excitedly about the ceremony at the Banqueting House but it elicited only a cynical scowl from his companion. When Christopher talked about meeting certain political figures, however, Jonathan showed real interest.

'Did any of them have a motive to murder Sir Ambrose?'

'Each and every one of them.'

'Was there some sort of conspiracy?'

'Unhappily, yes,' sighed the other. 'Once they realised why I was asking so many questions, they closed ranks and refused to say any more. And the worst of it is that Solomon Creech belongs to this conspiracy. The one person to whom we should be able to turn for enlightenment has hidden behind a wall of silence.'

'Where does he live?'

'Close by his office but he is not at home. I have been there.'

'What do we do, sir?'

'Wait until he appears,' decided Christopher. 'I'll repair to his office first thing in the morning and sit there all day, if need be. Mr Creech must make contact with his clerk at some stage or he will not be able to conduct any business.'

'Ask him about the destination of the Marie Louise.'

'It is one of a hundred questions I have for him.'

'That ship holds many secrets, I am sure of it.'

'We need to plumb them somehow.' They watched the vessel slowly shrinking to invisibility in the distance; then

Christopher remembered something. 'But I have a question for you as well, Mr Bale.'

'Oh?'

'Is the name of Mrs Mandrake familiar to you?'

'Do you speak of Molly Mandrake?'

'Yes. Do you know her?'

'Better than I would wish to, sir. I once arrested the lady.'

'I think I can guess why.'

'She had a house in my ward,' he explained. 'One of three which she owned in the city. The last I heard of her, she had moved to Lincoln's Inn Fields to be outside the city jurisdiction.' His gaze narrowed. 'What is your interest in the lady, sir?'

'It is more a case of my brother's interest,' admitted Christopher. 'I forced him to tell me how he had first met Sir Ambrose. Apparently, it was in an establishment run by this Mrs Mandrake. Henry spoke well of her. He has a high opinion of the young ladies whom she employs.'

Jonathan was brusque. 'As to that, sir, I could not say. I have no knowledge of such creatures nor do I wish to. What I can tell you is that Molly Mandrake is very proficient at her trade. Heavy fines and a spell in prison have not deterred her. She has made a veritable fortune from the likes of Sir Ambrose Northcott and your brother.'

'It pains me to link the name of Redmayne with hers.'

Jonathan made no comment but his expression was eloquent. He still could not bring himself to regard Christopher as a friend but he no longer treated him with such suspicion. The latter's honesty about the shortcomings of Henry Redmayne was quite disarming. Of the two brothers, the younger was the only one whom Jonathan would ever find at all tolerable but he was still not at ease in his company. For his part, Christopher was warming to the constable.

'I am glad that we are working in harness,' he said.

Jonathan was guarded. 'Are you, sir?'

'It is too big an assignment for one person. Together we have made big strides forward. The beauty of it is that each of us can visit places which are closed to the other.'

'Can we?'

'Yes, Mr Bale. While you trawl the riverside taverns, I mix with men of consequence at Whitehall Palace. Between us, we are able to cover the whole of London society from top to bottom.'

'Which is which?' asked Jonathan with a sardonic smile.

Christopher laughed. 'A fair comment,' he conceded. 'But tell me more about this Mrs Mandrake.'

'Your brother knows the lady more intimately than I, sir.'

'That is precisely why he was so defensive about her. But he did confess that Sir Ambrose was once a regular client of hers. Why?'

'Do you really need to ask?'

'There are many houses of resort available. What is so special about hers? What did Molly Mandrake offer that made her establishment so popular with men like Sir Ambrose? We must look further into it, Mr Bale. Talk to the lady and we may learn something of interest about Sir Ambrose Northcott.'

'I leave that office to you, sir. It is not one which I would relish.'

'What sort of a creature is she?'

'Molly Mandrake? A cheerful sinner.'

'Henry called her one of the seven wonders of the world.'

'I am glad that he is not my brother.'

Christopher laughed again then made plans to meet the constable on the following day. Taking his leave, he mounted his horse and rode home thoughtfully to Fetter Lane, trying to sift through all the new information which he had just acquired.

Jacob had a meal waiting for him and Christopher ate it at the kitchen table, still deep in cogitation. He did not hear the rumbling of a coach outside the house nor the knock on his front door but Jacob's voice was as clear as a bell.

'Please come in,' he said politely. 'I will call Mr Redmayne.'

The words cut through Christopher's reverie and made him sit up in mild alarm as he sensed who the unexpected visitor might be. When the servant came into the kitchen, he gave an apologetic smile.

'A young lady has called to see you, sir,' he announced.

'I told you not to let Miss Littlejohn in!' hissed Christopher. 'I am not in a mood to see anybody right now, least of all her.'

'Miss Littlejohn is not the visitor in question, sir.'

'Oh? Then who is?'

Jacob made him wait then savoured his master's surprise.

'Miss Penelope Northcott.'