Fidelma examined her sternly. ‘And are you sure that you did not see him again… before his death?’
The girl shook her head.
‘You did not meet him later in the oratory?’
Sister Sinnchene flushed and started to protest. Fidelma once more took out the burnt paper and laid it before her.
‘You did not write this?’
The girl grimaced.
‘I cannot write,’ she answered simply. ‘You can ask anyone. I was never taught. So whoever wrote this note was not I.’
Fidelma asked: ‘Was there anyone in the abbey who did not know you could not write?’
The girl thought for a moment.
‘Perhaps,’ she said vaguely. ‘Mac Faosma knew I couldn’t write and so did Brother Cu Mara. Anyway, I did not see Cinaed after he left the washing room…’
She paused for a moment and then her eyes widened a little. Fidelma noticed the reaction immediately.
‘You have remembered something else?’
‘He was nearly out of sight in the darkness when he was joined by another figure. He paused for a moment and then they vanished together. It’s just… just that I thought I heard a raised voice. A voice raised in anger.’
‘Did you recognise who it was who had joined him?’
She shook her head.
‘And the next day… how did you learn of his death?’
‘I awoke late, when it was getting light. There was no one in the hospitium to make me rise early. No cleaning to be done, or preparations to be made. But I became aware of activity outside and raised voices. I put on my robe, neglecting to wash, and went immediately to see what the excitement was. At first I thought it was the return of Conri who had gone to Cashel about the matter of Abbess Faife. We had been expecting his return.’
She paused a moment
‘But you found out that it was not the arrival of Conri. What then?’
The young woman pulled a face.
‘People had gathered round the chapel. I saw the Abbot Erc there with Brother Cu Mara and some others. Sister Buan was also there, with tears flooding down her cheeks… I went towards them and as I approached Sister Buan swung round, saw me, and raised a finger towards me. She cried out something like, “There she is! There is the bitch that did it!” Or words to that effect. The word “bitch” was frequently used as she cried out in some incoherent ramble. Sister Uallann managed to restrain her and she and another sister calmed her and led her away.
‘I asked Abbot Erc what had happened. He looked at me and asked whether I really did not know. Whereupon I was indignant. Why would I ask, if I knew? He told me that that morning he had found Cinaed with his head smashed in, lying behind the altar in the oratory. I was stunned. I could not move. I think I went rigid, moving as if in a dream. I think I asked if I could see the body there and then but they refused. It was only later after the body had been prepared for burial that I was allowed to see
Fidelma folded her hands together and examined Sister Sinnchene’s features carefully. She realised that it was a beautiful and expressive face. No wonder Cinaed could lust — she hastily corrected her thought — could fall in love with the young girl. There seemed no guile in those features. The eyes were wide and clear although they were now lined with red where tears gave an appearance of frailty and vulnerability.
‘So, was anything else said to you after that outburst by Sister Buan?’
‘Brother Cu Mara came to see me. He was nice. He asked me what Sister Buan had meant by her claim.’
‘And you replied?’
‘I told him that such a question was best answered by Sister Buan. So far as I was concerned my conscience was clear.’
Fidelma rose slowly to her feet.
‘One other matter before I leave. Did you have much to do with Abbess Faife?’
The girl suddenly smiled warmly.
‘Of course. She brought me into this community and was my mentor.’
‘How did you come to meet her?’
‘She was passing through the village where I lived. It was a week after my mother died of the Yellow Plague. There was no one left to care for me. Many of my family had died in the Yellow Plague, you understand.’
‘Including your father?’
The girl hesitated, then shook her head.
‘He had left our home some years before. He was a warrior who followed Eoganan. My father was probably killed in some battle or other. We never heard from him after he left. I was on my own when Abbess Faife invited me to join her in this abbey.’
‘I understand that the abbess worked very closely with the Venerable Cinaed?’
‘She did,’ agreed Sister Sinnchene. ‘She helped him with some researches he was doing and in the preparation of his work.’
‘Do you think there might be a connection between Abbess Faife’s death and that of the Venerable Cinaed?’
Sister Sinnchene looked astounded at the question.
‘Do you think there is?’ she countered.
‘I merely ask the question. For example,’ Fidelma went on, looking
Fidelma knew that her repetition of the words that Sister Buan claimed to have overheard was a gamble. The expression on Sister Sinnchene’s face showed that they meant something. She looked confused and did not appear to know how to answer.
‘They are the words that you exchanged with Brother Cu Mara, aren’t they?’ Fidelma pressed.
Once again the girl’s chin came up defiantly.
‘I will not confirm or deny them until I have spoken to Brother Cu Mara,’ she said sullenly.
‘So I can deduce from that that the words spoken are reported accurately?’ Fidelma asked confidently.
‘I do not believe that they have any relevance to Cinaed’s death,’ Sister Sinnchene responded determinedly.
‘But you do believe that something Cinaed might have told Faife was connected with her death. Why?’
‘I have told you as much as I can, Sister. I must speak to Brother Cu Mara.’
Fidelma sighed impatiently.
‘You realise that, as a dalaigh, I can impose a heavy penalty on you for not answering my questions when you have been told to?’
The girl was still defiant.
‘I cannot help you and your stupid rules. I will not answer until I have spoken to-’
Fidelma raised her hand to silence her.
‘I have heard you. Very well. We shall send for Brother Cu Mara. But perhaps you could tell me why you are so adamant that these words have no relevance to Cinaed’s murder?’
Sister Sinnchene raised her eyes to Fidelma and gazed into them for some seconds before she replied in a tight voice.
‘It is because I know who killed Cinaed.’
This time Fidelma could not disguise her surprise.
‘And will you name that person?’
The girl was emphatic.
‘Of course. It was Sister Buan.’
CHAPTER NINE
E adulf and Conri arrived in search of Fidelma just as Sister Sinnchene had made her accusation. They stood hesitantly at the door. Eadulf knew better than to react at the words and he caught the warlord’s eye and shook his head to indicate that he should not enter the conversation either.
Fidelma was examining the girl thoughtfully and ignored their entry.
‘And what is the basis of your claim?’ she asked quietly.
Sister Sinnchene sniffed. It seemed that this was her habit in times of stress.
‘I do not know what you mean,’ she replied.
‘What evidence do you have?’
‘What need of evidence? It is obvious.’
Fidelma was patient. ‘Perhaps it is not so obvious to me. Let us go through your reasoning behind this accusation. Is it because of your relationship with Cinaed? The fact that Sister Buan disliked you and you disliked Sister Buan.’
‘Sister Buan knew of our relationship. Cinaed and I told her. We told her what we wanted. She refused us and was angr
y. She hated me and she must have hated Cinaed. She killed Cinaed in her jealousy.’
‘Jealousy? Surely the most likely victim of her jealousy would be you, if Cinaed were rejecting her for you?’
‘The woman is spiteful; spiteful enough to vent her feelings on Cinaed.’
‘She must have been a powerful woman to deliver such a stroke as crushed his skull, as the physician has reported.’
Sister Sinnchene laughed shortly.
‘She is strong, that one. And Cinaed was elderly and frail.’
Fidelma shook her head sadly.
‘Accusations without evidence are not valid. What you are telling me is that you suspect Sister Buan’s involvement but have no proof. In which case, Sister, I should remind you to watch how you express that suspicion. The Din Techtugad warns that spreading false stories, satirising a person unjustly and giving false testimony is an offence that results in the loss of one’s honour-price.’
Sister Sinnchene scowled.
‘Law!’ She made it sound like a dirty word.
‘The law is there for the protection of everyone,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I simply warn you to be careful with the words you choose.’
She turned and seemed to notice Eadulf and Conri at the half-open door for the first time.
‘Conri, could you or one of your men find Brother Cu Mara and ask him to come here?’
The warlord nodded without speaking and left.
Fidelma smiled at Eadulf.
‘We will catch up on matters shortly,’ she said, but before she could elaborate further Conri re-entered with the rechtaire.
‘He was just passing outside,’ the warlord explained, ‘so I did not have to search far.’
‘You wanted to see me, lady?’ asked Brother Cu Mara, glancing with a frown from Sister Fidelma to Sister Sinnchene and back again.
Fidelma nodded and gestured for the steward to seat himself on a stool, which she placed beside Sister Sinnchene’s. She reseated herself facing them. There was strategy in Fidelma’s indicating where he should sit. Seated alongside one another, the two would find eye contact difficult and so it would be impossible to pick up any warning expression from the other.
‘I need to ask you for your comments on a conversation that has been reported to me,’ she began, looking at the rechtaire. ‘A conversation between you and Sister Sinnchene.’
The steward frowned.
‘And this conversation?’
‘It took place before the death of the Venerable Cinaed.’
‘And?’
‘Sister Sinnchene wondered whether a certain secret had been revealed by Cinaed to Abbess Faife. You responded that it could not be a coincidence that the body of the abbess was found at a certain spot. What was
Brother Cu Mara’s face reddened as he turned back to her.
‘I was trying to recall…’
‘You don’t recall that conversation?’ Fidelma smiled. ‘Sister Sinnchene does.’
‘I do recall it,’ he finally admitted. ‘But it was some time ago.’
‘It was after Abbess Faife was found and before Cinaed was killed. Not that long ago.’
Brother Cu Mara’s features relaxed in a smile.
‘Ah,’ he said, ‘I remember now. You may have learnt that the Venerable Cinaed and Abbess Faife sometimes worked together?’
Fidelma waited silently.
‘I think that Sister Sinnchene had discovered that Cinaed was working on a denouncement of the claims of Eoganan who led the Ui Fidgente against-’
Fidelma interrupted him with a motion of her hand.
‘This work was completed and placed in the tech-screptra some time ago. What of it?’
‘Did you know that Eoganan had two sons?’
‘We did.’
‘One of the sons, Torcan, was killed at the time that Eoganan led the Ui Fidgente in battle against Cashel. But he had another son-’
Eadulf broke in impatiently.
‘Uaman the Leper who called himself Lord of the Passes around Sliabh Mis.’
Brother Cu Mara glanced at him in surprise.
‘Go on,’ snapped Fidelma with an irritated glance at Eadulf. ‘What of Uaman?’
‘Cinaed heard word that a month or so ago Uaman was reported killed, his fortress burnt and his followers dispersed.’
Fidelma shot Eadulf a warning glance in case he interrupted again.
‘What has this to do with my question?’ she demanded.
‘Cinaed had heard rumours that Uaman’s followers were still active, trying to raise support for a new movement against Cashel. As Sister Sinnchene would have told you, Cinaed confided this to Sister Sinnchene and said he was keeping this a secret until he could discover more.’
‘And so what was the meaning of the conversation?’ prompted Fidelma.
‘Simple,’ answered the rechtaire. ‘When we had news of the Abbess Faife’s death and where her body had been found, Sister Sinnchene wondered if the Venerable Cinaed had told her that Uaman’s followers might have continued their activities before she left for the land of the Corco Duibhne. Had he asked her to make inquiries? That is what was meant.’
‘And your reply?’
‘I thought he must have told her for I did not think it coincidence that her body had been found almost opposite the island where the ruins of Uaman’s fortress stood.’
Fidelma turned to Sister Sinnchene.
‘And you agree with this account?’
The young girl nodded quickly.
Fidelma thrust out her lower lip slightly in thought.
‘There are a couple of things that worry me, though…’ she said slowly.
‘A question for you, Brother Cu Mara: why did you think that the Venerable Cinaed would confide such secret information in Sister Sinnchene?’
The rechtaire stirred uncomfortably.
‘Why, because of her… her…’
‘Her relationship with the Venerable Cinaed?’ supplied Fidelma.
Brother Cu Mara nodded quickly.
‘A relationship that you neglected to inform me of when I spoke to you earlier,’ observed Fidelma heavily.
The young man’s face reddened.
‘I did not think it my place to tell you…’
‘Whose place did you think it was?’ snapped Fidelma. ‘When a dalaigh conducts an inquiry no relevant information should be withheld from her.’ She turned quickly to the young girl. ‘And then I am worried by the fact that you say Cinaed told you this secret. As soon as you heard of the abbess’s death, why did you not ask him, in view of your special relationship, whether he had confided also in the Abbess Faife and whether he thought the death relevant?’
The girl seemed at a loss for words and floundered helplessly in an attempt to articulate some form of reply.
‘It… it did not occur to me until I was speaking to Brother Cu Mara.’
‘And why did it come up then?’ went on Fidelma relentlessly. ‘It seems strange that you did not discuss this with your lover, of whom it was an intimate concern, but you could discuss this with the rechtaire of the
Sister Sinnchene loosed a quiet sob and her hand reached out to find that of an embarrassed Brother Cu Mara.
Fidelma noticed the movement and suddenly relaxed with a grim smile.
‘I understand,’ she said quietly.
There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment and then, to Eadulf’s surprise and Conri’s bewilderment, she said to the rechtaire and the young girl: ‘That will be all for now. You may go.’
As bewildered as Conri they rose hesitantly. As they did so the light from the candles that had now been lit flickered on the sleeve and front of the robe that Brother Cu Mara was wearing. Little pinpricks of light danced on it. Fidelma frowned and reached out to touch the robe. She felt the hard granular objects between her fingertips.
She glanced inquisitively.
‘I deduce that you have been leaning on Sister Uallann’s workbench recently.’
Brot
her Cu Mara frowned.
‘I have not been in her apothecary since I took you there,’ he replied firmly.
Fidelma’s eyes widened a fraction before she motioned them to leave. Brother Cu Mara and Sister Sinnchene made their way out of the tech-nigid without another word.
Eadulf turned to Fidelma as the door closed but even as he began to open his mouth she shook her head, knowing what was in his mind.
‘The art of a good interrogation is to know when to stop pushing,’ she told him. ‘When to know the moment to allow a space of uncertainty to occur. Often people continue to ask questions when it merely strengthens the suspect. Uncertainty can often work more upon the fears of the suspect than bludgeoning them into forming replies that strengthen their position. But tell me what you make of this?’
She sprinkled half a dozen minuscule grains into the palm of his hand. He went to hold it by the light of the candle.
‘Just ground stone,’ he said after a while. ‘You might pick this up on a beach where the seas grind the stones down into such fine specks. I think it is called corundum.’
Fidelma brushed the rest of the grains from her hands. ‘It is probably of no importance.’
Eadulf walked to the stool that the rechtaire had vacated and slumped down.
‘I think that you had best bring us up to date on your interrogation of Sister Sinnchene,’ he suggested quietly.
Briefly, but without leaving out any of the relevant points, Fidelma gave them an account of her exchange with Sister Sinnchene.
‘If they were lovers, I think we can rule out Sinnchene as a killer,’ Eadulf finally commented.
Fidelma immediately shook her head.
‘There is much power in that word “if”, Eadulf. Certainly one of the two is not being entirely truthful.’
‘But which one? Sister Buan or Sister Sinnchene?’
‘There are inconsistencies in both their accounts,’ agreed Fidelma. ‘But I am more suspicious of Sinnchene at the moment. Did you see the way she reached out for Brother Cu Mara in a moment of stress?’
Eadulf shook his head.
‘I was too busy watching Cu Mara’s face to see if he was lying. I do not think he was being honest.’
‘Those two have something to hide. I think that the good Sister Sinnchene has found another lover with status in this abbey.’
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