Free Season of the Raven (A Servant of the Crown Mystery Book 1) by Denise Domning Page A

to assemble and the trail he followed shifted, curving unexpectedly. He leaned forward to examine Halbert's undergarment, which was held closed about his waist by a simple knotted cord. Faucon examined the voluminous folds, shifting makeshift pleats this way and that. No obvious blood stains marred the creamy undyed linen.
    "Tailor, tell me. Do you see any sign of damage to Halbert's garments? Was an awl like the one I've described thrust through them?" Faucon asked, certain he already knew the answer but wanting confirmation.
    Drue pulled the pieces of Halbert's tunic and shirt back over the man who'd owned them, then ran his fingers across the breast of the tunic. "There's nothing," he reported. "The awl that made that wound would have punched the same size hole through the fabric as it did his chest. It wouldn't necessarily have torn or gashed the cloth, but the weave would surely have parted, stretching around the shank to let it pass. Even after the awl was removed, and even after his garments spent hours soaking in the water, I think I would still find a gap or edge where it entered and exited the cloth. All I feel on the front of this tunic is unblemished woolen fabric, far finer than any Simon Fuller has ever produced," he added snidely.
    Faucon offered Colin a grim and knowing smile. "Since there's no blood on his shirt or tunic, I think our miller was unclothed when he took the wound that killed him," he said. "What we see here is no accidental killing, nor a murder driven by passion that is later regretted. This is a death well-planned. Not only did the one who ended Halbert's life choose a weapon that would leave an insignificant wound, he stripped the senseless man of his garments before he delivered the killing blow, so they would not be stained as Halbert bled his last. This was done to conceal the true cause of his death and befuddle us all."
    "Ah, so that is why I found nothing upon his garments to guide me to the death wound," Colin said with a nod.
    "And that is also why you'll find no trace of blood here." The sweep of Faucon's hand indicated the clean stretch of hard-beaten earth around the wheel. "Not all heart wounds spurt blood, but they most definitely can. I wager our senseless miller was undressed here, then carried to some hidden place where any blood he might shed wouldn't be noticed. In that hidden place, the one who delivered the blow that ended his life let him lie there until he bled his last." He looked at Colin. "That is when his eyes dried."
    Brother Colin nodded. "Aye, and since they did dry, we can assume his wound oozed for some time. This one had no choice but to wait until it ceased. If he didn't wish the means of Halbert's death to be discovered, then he couldn't risk the wound leaving a telling bloodstain on Halbert's shirt or tunic."
    "Just so," Faucon said, then pointed to the race. "After Halbert's wound ceased oozing, he was carried back here, washed clean by the race and redressed. The brake was released, Halbert was lowered into the water and swept under the wheel. Once he was lodged, the brake was reset. Then Halbert's killer retired, going to his nightly rest, convinced he had misled us all. He expected today's inquest to render only one verdict—that the besotted miller had fallen into his race and been drowned under his own wheel."
    With that, Faucon offered Colin a respectful bend of his head. "And that is what would have happened here today, if not for you, Brother. I would never have recognized the meaning of the miller's cloudy eyes, and would have done Halbert and his family an unwitting injustice. I am most grateful for your aid."
    The monk smiled. "Then I give thanks that our Lord sent me your way this day. I'm glad I could assist you, and even more pleased to have met you, Sir Crowner. I don't doubt you'll find the man who did this to the miller."
    Then the monk paused and cocked his head to the side. "I do have one thought, though. As much trouble as we had trying