The Repentant Rake cr-3

by Edward Marston

  'Susan Cheever?' she said to herself. 'Why does she wish to meet me?'

  The prison cell was small, dark and fetid. The hot weather served to intensify the stink. Manacled to an iron ring in the wall, the man crouched in the corner. He was wearing only shirt, breeches and shoes now. When Christopher arrived Jonathan Bale was still trying without success to elicit the truth from the prisoner. It was arduous work.

  'What has he told you?' asked Christopher.

  'Nothing at all, Mr Redmayne.'

  'Were there no clues on him as to his identity?'

  'None,' said Jonathan. 'All that he was carrying when he went into the printer's shop was a leather satchel. It contained two more extracts from the diary.'

  Christopher turned to the man. 'Where is the rest of the diary?' he said.

  'Search for it up my arse!' sneered the other, offering his buttocks.

  'Show some respect!' ordered Jonathan.

  'I respect nobody.'

  'You'll respect the hangman, I dare say,' observed Christopher.

  The man spat into the filthy straw that covered the floor and glared at him with open defiance. Christopher was interested to take a longer look at him. The prisoner was exactly as Henshaw had described him. He was young, dark, brawny and until his nose had been broken, passably handsome. His manner was uncouth. Even though he was chained to the wall, he still possessed an air of menace. There was great strength in the broad shoulders and long arms. Having fought with the man himself, Christopher could see how Gabriel Cheever had been overpowered by him.

  'Someone helped you to kill Gabriel,' he said.

  'Did they?' replied the man with mock surprise.

  'Who was he?'

  'I've been asking him that repeatedly,' said Jonathan.

  'You strangled him,' said Christopher, moving close to the man, 'but someone else ran him through with a sword. Is that right? Were there two of you?'

  The man gave a broad grin. 'I like to kill on my own.'

  'Those days are over,' said Jonathan.

  'Not if one of you comes close enough.'

  'Watch him, Mr Redmayne.'

  'Oh, I'm safe enough,' said Christopher, only a foot away from the prisoner. 'He never attacks from the front, do you, my friend? That would be a fair fight. He prefers to sneak up on someone in the dark and take him unawares.'

  'Only cowards do that,' remarked Jonathan.

  'I'm no coward!' asserted the man.

  'Yes, you are.'

  'I agree, Mr Bale,' said Christopher, trying to provoke the man. 'That's the reason he'll not name his accomplices. He's afraid of them. He's a coward.'

  'No!' yelled the prisoner. 'What I did takes nerve.'

  'What you did was pure wickedness,' said Jonathan with contempt, 'and you'll pay for it on the scaffold with your accomplices alongside you.'

  'There was nobody else.'

  'Yes, there was.'

  'Somebody set you on,' said Christopher. 'You may be clever enough to kill someone who is not looking but all that you are fit for, apart from that, is to fetch and carry. They used you, my friend. They made you do all the work while they sat back and give orders. And where has it got you? Chained to a wall in this sewer.'

  'With two rats like you for company,' retorted the man.

  'Guard your tongue!' warned Jonathan, moving in.

  'Who's the coward now?' jeered the other. 'You'd only dare to take me on when I've got these manacles on my wrists. Set me free and we'll see who is the strongest.'

  'I wish I was allowed to do just that.'

  'Ignore him, Mr Bale,' advised Christopher. 'He is baiting you. Let's leave him to lie in his own ordure for a night or two. He might be more amenable to persuasion by then. We'll get nothing more out of the rogue today.'

  They went out of the cell and Jonathan turned to close the door.

  'Wait!' begged the man, weakening at last. 'I'll strike a bargain with you.'

  'What sort of bargain?' said Jonathan.

  'Do you have any influence with the gaoler?'

  'I might have.'

  'Get him to bring me some decent food.'

  'In my opinion, you've no right to eat anything at all.'

  'Hear him out, Mr Bale,' suggested Christopher. 'Supposing we could arrange some better food for you,' he said to the prisoner, 'what would you tell us?'

  'The name you want.'

  'Is he the man who is behind the blackmail demands?'

  'Yes,' said the other, lowering his head.

  'Who is he?'

  'Promise you'll get me the food first.'

  'Mr Bale will do what he can.'

  'I need more than that. Give me a firm promise.'

  'Very well,' said Jonathan. 'I'll speak to a friend here. I give you my word.'

  'Now tell us the name,' said Christopher.

  'I will,' consented the other solemnly.

  'Well?'

  'Sir Julius Cheever!'

  The man went off into a peal of derisive laughter. Annoyed that they had been taken in by the deception, Jonathan slammed the door shut and locked it. They could still hear the wild laughter as they left the building.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jonathan Bale guessed at once who the visitor might be. When he opened his front door, he was suddenly facing the commanding figure of Sir Julius Cheever, stern, watchful and full of purpose. Though Jonathan had only seen Gabriel Cheever's face on a slab at the mortuary, he discerned a clear resemblance between father and son.

  'Mr Bale?' asked Sir Julius.

  'Yes, sir.'

  'My name is Sir Julius Cheever.'

  'I know that,' said Jonathan respectfully.

  'Then you will understand why I want to shake your hand' said Sir Julius, offering a firm grip and pumping his arm. 'We owe you a great debt, Mr Bale.'

  'It was not all my doing, Sir Julius.'

  'Come now.' He released his hand. 'Let us have no false modesty here. Mr Redmayne has told us how you were instrumental in the arrest of the villain and you have been a model of fortitude throughout the investigation.'

  'Tom Warburton must take some credit,' said Jonathan.

  'So I am told.'

  'He's my fellow constable.'

  'With a rather special dog, I gather.'

  Jonathan gave a smile. 'Sam is worth his weight in gold.'

  He was astounded to see Sir Julius on his doorstep. Christopher Redmayne had told him of the old man's return to London but Jonathan had never expected to meet him properly, let alone be sought out for congratulation. Simultaneously embarrassed and flattered that Sir Julius had walked the short distance from Knightrider Street to the house in Addle Hill to meet him, he was lost for words. Sir Julius was studying him carefully.

  'You did well, Mr Bale.'

  'Thank you, Sir Julius.'

  'I'm a generous man. You'll be rewarded.'

  'Arresting the killer was the only reward I wanted' said Jonathan quickly. 'I never accept money. All I did was my duty as a constable. I helped to wipe an ugly stain off the face of my ward and that gives me great satisfaction.'

  'So it should.'

  'There are accomplices still to be tracked down.'

  'You caught the villain who murdered my son,' said Sir Julius seriously, 'and that is the main thing. Mr Redmayne tells me that he is proving stubborn.'

  'At the moment.'

  'Let me have access to him.'

  'That will not be possible, Sir Julius.'

  'But I am Gabriel's father.'

  'It might distress you too much to meet the man,' said Jonathan. 'He has a vile tongue and is quite unrepentant about his crime.'

  'I'll make the devil repent soon enough!'

  'No, Sir Julius.'

  'Give me five minutes alone with him, that's all I ask.'

  'It would not be up to me to sanction that.'

  'Then take me to someone who can.'

  'I'm sorry, Sir Julius,' said Jonathan. 'There are strict rules. Access to prisoners is co
ntrolled, especially when they are dangerous felons like this man.'

  'He'll find out what danger means if I get my hands on him!' vowed Sir Julius.

  'Leave him to us.'

  'But you have got nothing out of him so far.'

  'We will, Sir Julius. In time.'

  The old man was frustrated. 'Is there no way that I can get to see the prisoner?'

  'None, I fear.'

  'Even if I make it worth the sergeant's while?'

  'He is not supposed to accept any bribes.'

  'Prisons are run on bribery, man,' said Sir Julius irritably, 'we all know that. The more the wretches can pay, the better their accommodation in those foul places. Introduce me to the prison sergeant. I'll soon buy my way into the cell with that killer.'

  Jonathan stood firm. 'It will not be allowed, Sir Julius. I understand your anger at the man but justice must be allowed to take its course. We'll get the truth out of him soon.'

  Sir Julius gave up. Having failed to persuade Christopher to take him along to the prison, he had thought that he would have more chance with a humble constable, but he was mistaken. Jonathan was even more resistant to his offer. Sir Julius heaved a sigh then looked over his shoulder.

  'They have packed me off, Mr Bale.'

  'Packed you off?'

  'In the politest way,' said Sir Julius with a fond smile. 'My daughter, Susan, wanted me out of the house so that she could talk alone with Mr Redmayne. There is a possibility, it seems, that he may be able to win the confidence of my daughter-in-law, who could have useful information that is being held back.'

  'So Mr Redmayne told me.'

  Sir Julius brightened. 'What he told me is that you fought at Worcester.'

  'Yes,' said Jonathan quietly, 'but I was very young at the time.'

  'War seasons a man. What are your memories of the battle?'

  'I try to put them out of my mind, Sir Julius.'

  'Why?'

  'Those days are long gone.'

  'Yet you keep them alive, in the names of your sons, I gather.'

  Jonathan was unsettled. 'Mr Redmayne had no call to mention that fact.'

  'He had every call. I wanted to know as much about you as possible. You have done my family an immense favour. You caught my son's killer.'

  'With help from others.'

  'Yes, yes, of course. I accept that. But it troubles me that you turn your back on a time when you bore arms in a noble cause.'

  'It may be more sensible to forget it, Sir Julius.'

  'Nonsense, Mr Bale!' said the other. 'You should treasure those memories, especially now when we are afflicted with this prancing lecher of a King and his corrupt court. Remember a time when virtue was triumphant and the nation was cleansed. Well,' he said briskly. 'Will you not invite me in?'

  'Into my house?' said Jonathan, rather flustered.

  'Do you have any objection?'

  'No, no, Sir Julius.'

  'Then stand aside, man. I do not wish to converse on the doorstep like an old woman passing on gossip. Let's sit down together,' he said stepping into the house as Jonathan made way for him. 'We have much to discuss.'

  Alone with her at last, Christopher Redmayne was able to look at her properly for the first time since he had returned to the house in Knightrider Street. Susan Cheever had changed. The news that her brother's killer had been apprehended had brought the most enormous joy and relief. It showed in her face, her movements and her manner. She and Christopher were sitting in the parlour while Lucy was in her bedchamber. Though they were talking about a serious matter, their eyes carried on a more light-hearted dialogue.

  'I do admire how you did it, Miss Cheever,' he said.

  'Did what?'

  'Eased your father out of the house. You managed Sir Julius superbly.' •

  'Father was in the way.'

  'He realised that eventually.'

  'Only after I had dropped enough hints, Mr Redmayne. This is the perfect time to draw Lucy out. She is thrilled that Gabriel's killer has been caught, and overcome with gratitude. If the two of you can be left alone for a little while,' she said softly, 'I'm sure that you could find out what you need to know.'

  'I hope so. The man himself will tell us nothing. He is positively defiant. We need every bit of help we can get to track down his accomplices.'

  'Lucy may provide some of that help.'

  'In what way?' he asked. 'Has she given you any inkling at all?'

  'Not really. She grows fearful when I touch on the subject. For some reason, she will not confide in me. You may have more luck.'

  'I will certainly try.' He glanced upward. 'How long will she be?'

  'Not long.'

  'Did she retire in order to sleep?'

  'No, Mr Redmayne,' said Susan. 'Lucy wanted to be alone with her thoughts. That is only natural. But she was also keen to give us some time together.'

  Christopher grinned. 'That was very obliging of her.'

  'She knew that we would have a lot to talk about.'

  'We certainly do.' The intensity in his voice made her smile. 'It is a great pity that you may have to return to Northamptonshire.'

  'I am very reluctant to do so,' she admitted.

  'You could be so helpful to me here.'

  'Helpful?'

  'Yes, Miss Cheever,' he explained. 'Once the accomplices have been caught, my work is over and I can turn to the project that brought us together in the first place. Sir Julius will want to keep me under scrutiny while his new house is being built. He will watch over my shoulder and that could be uncomfortable. I lack your skill in handling him,' he finished. 'Your presence would be invaluable.'

  'Is that all I am?' she teased. 'Someone who knows how to control Father?'

  'Oh, no, you are much more than that to me!'

  The ardour of his declaration surprised both of them and they were at first perplexed. Christopher reminded himself that Susan was still in mourning and any display of emotion on his part was untimely. On her side, Susan was very pleased but equally confused basking in the warmth of his affection but wondering whether or not she should encourage it at such an unpropitious time. Uncertain how to proceed, they abandoned the conversation by tacit consent and simply gazed at each other in silence. Their pleasure was foreshortened. The sound of footsteps on the stairs told them that Lucy was coming. Their expressions became more solemn.

  'Oh!' said Lucy, entering the room. 'Am I interrupting something?'

  'Not at all,' said Christopher, getting up to welcome her. 'You could never interrupt anyone in your own house, Mrs Cheever. We are the guests, not you.'

  Lucy sat down and indicated that he should follow suit. Susan's hopes were raised. Her sister-in-law was calm and poised. After a period of reflection, she might have decided to speak more openly about certain matters. The important thing was to leave her alone with Christopher. Susan bided her time.

  'I cannot thank you enough, Mr Redmayne,' said Lucy.

  'Wait until the whole business is over before you thank anyone,' said Christopher. 'We caught the most vicious of them but others are still at large, including the man who set up the murder. I want to find out why your husband was killed.'

  'So do I.'

  'And where,' he stressed.

  'Yes,' she murmured tossing a glance at Susan.

  'Do you have any idea, Mrs Cheever?'

  Lucy lowered her head and gazed at the floor. There was a long pause. Susan took the opportunity to make an excuse and withdraw to the next room, closing the door firmly behind her. Christopher knew that he might never again get such a good chance of winning Lucy's confidence. He tried to be as gentle as he could.

  'Mrs Cheever,' he began, 'I think I know why you are holding back.'

  'Do you?' she said, looking up at him with alarm.

  'Let me say at once that I respect your rights of conscience.'

  'Not everyone takes that view, alas.'

  'I do,' he assured her. 'I admire anybody who is true to her beliefs.' />
  'Even if those beliefs are forbidden?'

  'Especially then.'

  Lucy was uneasy. 'When did you guess, Mr Redmayne?'

  'When Mr Bale spoke to one of your neighbours. She told him how devout you and your husband were. I remembered seeing the crucifix on the wall.'

  'There is no harm in that,' she said defensively.

  'As far as I am concerned, there is no harm in anything you do, Mrs Cheever. Though I do appreciate your desire to keep it from the rest of the family. Your sister-in-law would be very understanding,' he said looking towards the dining room, 'but I could not promise the same of Sir Julius or of his elder daughter. It should be kept from them.'

  'That is why we were so secretive.'

  'Did your husband embrace the Old Religion as well?'

  'Gabriel was taking instruction.'

  'A case of true repentance, then.'

  'Very much so, Mr Redmayne,' she said softly. 'I was brought up in the Roman Catholic religion. My parents were devout, my uncle was a Jesuit priest who had to flee abroad. These are dangerous times for people like myself. The King has a Catholic wife yet we are still cruelly persecuted.'

  'How did your husband come to share your views?'

  'It was a slow process. At first, Gabriel was very cynical about religion in general. His faith had never helped him, he said. But he came to see just how important it is to have a spiritual side to your life.'

  'Apart from anything else, it was the only way that he could be close to you.'

  'Yes, Mr Redmayne.'

  'Love came first and commitment followed.'

  'Only after long arguments.'

  'You must have been a powerful advocate.'

  'No,' she said. 'I was simply someone who believed so strongly in my faith that I would not compromise it to be with the man I loved.' A painful memory made her wince. 'And yet I did compromise. I've been tormented by guilt ever since.'