Free The Butchers Funeral: A Medieval Murder by C. M. Harald Page B

rather than the blood that would drain from fresher meat.  The meat in the barrels would probably be worse as purification would most likely have begun.  Furthermore, the barrels were not under a cover, instead sat in the blazing sun on the back of the cart.  Still, the smell did not disturb him as he had plenty of experience with foods that were past their best, and this find was exactly what he had been looking for.  At last he had caught one of the gang that he knew to be moving rotten and putrefied meat into the city.
    Perry jumped down from the back of the cart, having spent a few minutes confirming the contents of the barrels.  Someone passing by on the road gagged at the smell that followed Perry down.  Meanwhile the buzzing of the flies began to rise.  The small black creatures had accompanied the cart ever since the start of the journey.  He was pleased that all the time he had spent sitting around in taverns, listening in on conversations, had paid off yet again.  He had overheard that this cart was coming in today.  All he had to do now was find out exactly where the destination was, making sure he was present to catch all the parties handling the foul goods.  Afterwards, he could track the goods back to their source and deal with those individuals.  Unfortunately, his espionage had not uncovered the full details as his sources had simply discussed town gossip.  Even when he had tried to ply them with drink, to loosen their tongues, they had clammed up tight rather than cooperate with an officer of the court.  The cart driver would at least have some idea of the source and destination of these vile foods.
    As a carniter, it was John Perry's job to check the quality of foodstuffs on behalf of the sheriff.  Adulteration of food was increasingly an issue, with some unscrupulous sellers even trying to pass off poor quality items to the monasteries and even the households of the rich and powerful.  As a member of the court leet, Perry was able to exercise legal powers to search and arrest those he suspected of guilt.  The court leet would require reasonable evidence or reliable witnesses, such as himself, but they would convict anyone he proved guilty.  For less serious crimes, he could just use the local courts, although Perry increasingly took advantage of the new justices of the peace, who could deal with cases far more quickly, especially useful as the court leet only met a few times a year.
    'You!  Come here.' Perry addressed the oxen driver, who was busy tending to the pair of oxen while trying to look unimportant.
    'What you want then?' The driver got straight to the point, angry at having been stopped and searched.
    'You've been moving unfit meat to market.'
    'What?  That stuff in the back?  That's perfectly fine stuff.  Would feed it to my own blessed mother.'
    Perry climbed up onto the cart, tipping one of the barrels to the ground.  He was not prepared to play games and often found that overwhelming evidence would speed up the process.  As he expected, the barrel did not smash.  Jumping down and turning the barrel upright, he forced the lid off.  The protesting of the oxen driver was ignored throughout this show.  Prepared for a worsening of the odour that surrounded the cart, Perry held his breath as the lid came away.  The driver, however was not, and backed away gagging at the vile smell.
    'Perfectly normal is it?  Feed it to your dear old mother would you?'  Perry did not expect an answer, instead grabbing the driver by the back of the neck and forcing him forward, his face turned toward the open barrel, 'Of course, we could put you in the stocks and pile up the meat underneath your nose?  How normal would you find this rubbish then?'  Perry let go of the driver who started to vomit, falling to his knees with a rapidly growing puddle in front of him.  Some people passing by on the road walked quickly by, intimidated by both Perry's aggressiveness and the smell.  Eventually