The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) by John Pilkington (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📗

my steps. I was both disappointed and curious; why had those men been placed here? And why did they refuse to say whose orders they followed?

Still turning these questions over, I returned to Leucippus where he grazed. At my approach he lifted his head, ready for me to mount the stirrup. Instead I took up the rein and led him back along the track. At least I had learned where the body of Howell Rhys was, I thought; I needed to inform Boyd, before taking the bold step of confronting Standish again about the inquest.

I was pondering the matter, when Leucippus suddenly came to a standstill. At the same moment there was movement in the bushes beside the track. Turning sharply, I peered about – whereupon a bark of laughter almost caused me to jump out of my skin.

‘Berritt… by the heavens, is that you?’ I called.

For answer there came a twitch of branches, and the familiar figure of the woodman appeared. With a glance at Leucippus, who eyed him warily, he stepped on to the track and faced me.

‘Why, were you expecting someone else, Master Justice?’ He enquired, with that innocent look of his.

‘Once again you catch me unawares,’ I said with a sigh. ‘Were you following me?’

He gave a shrug. His appearance was precisely as before: the same clothes, the quiver on his back, bow over his shoulder. But my feeling now was one of relief – he was here after all, and I was not about to waste the opportunity.

‘In fact, I came looking for you,’ I told him.

After a moment he nodded. ‘About the Welsh boy, is it?’

‘I heard it was you who found him. Is it true?’

‘True enough.’ Berritt turned aside and spat. ‘A bad business… two lovers, bound in spirit now.’ He eyed me. ‘Did you seek him out, like I told you last time?’

‘I would have done, had I the chance,’ I answered. ‘Now, will you tell me what you know? It’s important.’

‘I see that.’ But he would not be hurried, I saw. With a glance to either side as if to reassure himself we were alone, he moved at leisurely pace towards Leucippus and began to stroke his neck. As a rule, my horse was loth to let anyone save myself touch him, but this time he seemed content.

‘A fine steed,’ Berritt said. ‘What do you call him?’

I told him, then waited until he turned to face me.

‘The boy was in the water right enough,’ he said. ‘Been there all night, to my reckoning… they’ll be needing another shepherd at Rowden’s now, eh?’

‘Was that his master?’ I asked. ‘The farm where he worked?’

He nodded. ‘Tom Rowden… like I said, it’s a sorry business.’

I strove to rein in my impatience. ‘See now, is there anything more you can tell?’ I asked. Fumbling for my purse, I found a silver sixpence. ‘Take this for your pains.’

He took it without a word, then: ‘I said to you once, Master Justice, the pool will keep it secrets. But I’ve seen drowned men before, when the river’s in spate… and that one didn’t look right.’

‘How so?’ I demanded.

‘The face,’ Berritt answered. ‘The colour wasn’t what you’d expect. More, he wasn’t dressed like you’d expect – he was muffled in a shepherd’s cape. He’d been out with his flock – I don’t believe he’d leave them untended.’

‘What… do you mean he was abducted?’ I said sharply.

‘I can’t say. But there were bushes broke and flattened, like there’d been a struggle of some sort. I saw Rhys, pulled him out on to the bank, then walked to Rowden’s and told them. A constable was fetched, and the body was carried away. I’d done my part, so I stayed clear.’

Thinking fast, I took in his statement, then thought it best to tell him something he might not like. ‘You know there will be an inquest,’ I said. ‘And from what I’ve heard, you’ll almost certainly be called to give evidence.’

‘Eh?’ He frowned. ‘No - I told you before, I’ll not set foot in any court of law.’

‘It’s not a trial,’ I said. ‘It’s an inquest, likely to be held in the old tithe-barn at Powick. You only need tell what you found-’

‘I said no!’ Berritt scowled. ‘There’s some could make trouble for me, if I’m stood up before the while village.’

‘Someone like Abel Humphreys?’

At mention of the name he tensed. It was bold of me, I realised, given what Agnes had told of Humphreys’ treatment of this man. But I would not lie to him: he was a witness.

‘See now, I’ll vouch for you,’ I said. ‘I can sit with you, if you wish, and escort you out. You only need describe how you found the body… there’s no call to repeat all that you’ve told me.’

For a moment the man continued to scowl at me - then, to my surprise, he threw his head back and gave one of his barks of laughter.

‘By Jesus, Master Justice…’ he shook his head. ‘When all’s said and done, under your learning you’re a rogue like me at heart – would you lie to a court, if it suited you?’

‘I most certainly would not,’ I answered hotly. But seeing the glint in his eye, I experienced a sudden urge to laugh. Stifling it, I drew breath.

‘Though I might keep certain matters to myself,’ I admitted, ‘should they be of help to others.’

To that Berritt laughed again, a low chuckle. But the next moment he glanced about restlessly, as if eager to be gone.

‘I told you how I wish to help Agnes Mason,’ I said. ‘And you know there are strong feelings against her in Worcester. Can you see that she might even be blamed for causing Howell Rhys’s death?’ And when he frowned again, I added: