Free For the Love of Old Bones - and other stories (Templar Series) by Michael Jecks Page B

so far.
    Sir Gilbert appeared unconcerned by Humphrey’s death. ‘He wasn’t a terribly good metalsmith.’
    ‘But you chose to buy from him.’
    ‘I didn’t know how poor his work was. Not that it matters. I have an almost complete suit of armour and have paid nothing.’
    ‘How so?’ Baldwin asked in surprise.
    ‘I was here to collect it yesterday, but the helm didn’t fit snugly. It was shoddy, quite shoddy, so I told him to fix it before I would pay him anything. He wasn’t happy, of course, but then, who ever is? Serfs nowadays are so surly. They hardly even show the manners they were born with.’ He yawned, adding petulantly, ‘Where’s that damned fool with the food?’
    ‘He will not be long,’ Baldwin said. ‘What time did you leave Humphrey yesterday?’
    Sir Gilbert had curious eyes that remained half-lidded, as though he was in a perpetual state of confused lethargy. It was one of the reasons why Sir Baldwin disliked him, but now he also found himself distrusting the knight as well.
    ‘Are you suggesting that I could have had any part in his death, Sir Baldwin?’
    ‘I said no such thing. I merely inquired when you left Crediton yesterday.’
    ‘I should take it very ill, should you accuse me of murder, Sir Baldwin.’
    Baldwin leaned back and stared unblinkingly at Sir Gilbert, his left hand on the table top, his right near his belt where he could reach his small riding sword. ‘If I were to accuse, I would be happy to allow you trial by combat, Sir Gilbert.’
    Sir Gilbert chuckled. ‘I think you would find the combat rather short, and I would find it not to my liking,’ he said frankly.
    Tanner entered with a pair of cooks, and soon Baldwin and Sir Gilbert were tucking into their food. As they ate, Baldwin admired the small dagger which Sir Gilbert used to cut his food.
    ‘This knife? I bought it from the armourer,’ Sir Gilbert said when asked.
    When they were finished, Baldwin asked, ‘What time did you leave? After all, your servants can confirm when you did go.’
    That was no threat. Any knight could guarantee his own servants would perjure themselves to support their master.  
    Sir Gilbert sipped wine from his mazer and then steepled his fingers under his nose. ‘I see no reason not to answer you. I left almost immediately after seeing my armour. It was quite late.’
    ‘You had angry words with him outside the forge?’
    Sir Gilbert’s eyes widened marginally. ‘Who told you of that?’
    ‘A witness.’
    ‘Let us say, he was not happy that he would have to wait for payment.’
    ‘Not happy enough to come to blows?’
    ‘You overstep your mark, Sir Baldwin,’ Sir Gilbert grated.
    ‘And I would hear your answer.’
    ‘However I would not answer impertinence,’ he snapped. ‘Now, if you have no objection, Sir Baldwin, I wish to conduct my official enquiry.’

    Baldwin stood behind the Coroner as the town’s jury shuffled in. Every man from the age of twelve was brought inside and stood nervously at the wall, their eyes reflecting their consciousness of the seriousness of the matter. A cleric from the Church had already taken up his post at Sir Gilbert’s side, reed in hand, to record the inquest. That was the Coroner’s first duty, after all, to record all the facts about a murder so that the justices could try the murderer later.
    Adam, Ham and Jaket were led in, Edith at their rear. The four were taken to a point between the jury and Sir Gilbert, who sat on a low seat and studied them.  
    ‘Sir Baldwin de Furnshill has informed me of your evidence,’ he began. ‘First, Jury, you must agree how this man died.’
    He walked to the body and stripped it naked, with Tanner’s help. ‘See? One stab in the chest, by a blade probably an inch broad at the hilt. It reaches in,’ he added, shoving his forefinger into the hole, ‘Not more than about four inches. I think it’s fair to say that he died almost instantly: it went straight to his heart.’
    Rolling the