The Anger of God

objects.’
    She crossed her arms and stared out at the mist still floating over the middle of the river.
    ‘Sometimes,’ she muttered, ‘I hate this place. I have thought of moving away to some country place — more peaceful and clean.’
    ‘You can’t.’ Athelstan bit his lip. He looked at her squarely, if you went, Benedicta, I’d miss you.’
    ‘True, true.’ She grinned back. ‘And who would then look after you and Cranston ?’
    They hastened across the bridge and into East Cheap, following the alleyways along Mark Lane into Aldgate and turning right on to the street leading to the gleaming sandstone buildings of the Minoresses. The sun was beginning to rise and Athelstan wiped away the sweat from his brow.
    ‘We should have come by horse,’ he muttered. ‘God knows why I am here.’
    ‘She has no one else.’
    ‘Aye,’ he replied. ‘That’s as good a reason as any.’ The nuns greeted him warmly and insisted both he and Benedicta refresh themselves in the refectory before the novice mistress, a stout but very pleasant-faced nun, described what had happened the previous evening.
    ‘We found her lying on the floor,’ she began. ‘Half-choked by the sheet she had wrapped round her neck. If it hadn’t torn, if the commotion hadn’t been heard...’ She spread her hands, ’I’d be sadly reporting her death now. Brother Athelstan, what can we do? We have a girl here, a mere child, who might commit suicide!’
    The friar got to his feet. ‘Let me see her.’
    The novice mistress took them along a cool, porticoed passage and knocked on a cell door. Another nun answered and the novice mistress took them in to where Elizabeth Hobden sat on the edge of her bed, dark-eyed and pale-faced, a purplish bruise round her soft, white neck.
    ‘How is Anna, the nurse?’ Benedicta asked.
    ‘Oh, she’s well enough, eating and drinking as if there’s no tomorrow,’ the nun replied.
    Athelstan picked up a stool and sat beside Elizabeth . He looked up at the two nuns.
    ‘Sisters, will you please leave us for a while? The lady Benedicta will stay.’
    The nuns left. Benedicta stood by the door as Athelstan gently took the girl’s listless hand.
    ‘ Elizabeth , look at me.’
    She raised her eyes. ‘What do you want?’ she muttered.
    ‘I want to help.’
    ‘You can’t. They murdered my mother and now I am an outcast.’
    Athelstan stared at the girl and then at the crucifix nailed on the wall behind her. He took this down and held it up before the girl.
    ‘ Elizabeth , do you believe in Christ?’
    ‘Yes, Father.’
    ‘Then put your hand on the crucifix and swear that your accusation is true.’
    The girl almost grabbed the cross. ‘I swear!’ she said firmly. ‘By the body of Christ, I swear!’
    Athelstan put the crucifix back and crouched beside her.
    ‘Now, promise me one thing?’
    The girl stared at him .
    ‘Promise me that you’ll do nothing foolish again? Give me a week,’ he pleaded. ‘Just one week. I’ll see what I can do.’
    The girl nodded and Athelstan flinched at the hope which sparkled in her eyes.
    ‘I’ll do what I can,’ he repeated, patted her gently on her hand and left.
    ‘What can you do?’ Benedicta asked as the gate of the Minoresses closed behind them.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Athelstan replied, ‘But perhaps Cranston will.’ He sighed. ‘I had intended to leave Sir John alone, at least until Monday. I’ll just have to remind him there’s no rest for the wicked.’
    They walked back into the city, down Aldgate and Cornhill. At the corner of Poultry the stocks were full of malefactors taken after roistering on a Friday evening whilst the huge iron cage on the Great Conduit was full of night hawks and bawds who raucously jeered as they glimpsed Athelstan pass by with a woman. Poultry, Mercery and West Cheap, however, were quiet because the market bell rang late on Saturday. Apprentices were laying out stalls whilst rakers and dung-collectors made a half-hearted attempt to clear the refuse and rubbish of the previous day. A maid answered their knock on Cranston ’s door and blithely informed them that Lady Maude was still abed for Sir John had gone to Mass at St Mary Le Bow.
    Athelstan hid his smile and led Benedicta straight across to The Holy Lamb of God where they found the Coroner in his favourite corner breaking his fast on a meat pie and a jug of ale. He greeted them rapturously, refusing to be satisfied until Athelstan and Benedicta agreed to eat