Chapter Nine

 

Judith’s arrest haunted my thoughts as I walked down Gallery Hallway. My task was now much more complicated, and speed was even more important. My breath streamed through the bitter air like a ghost in a graveyard. Shivering, I crossed my arms over my chest. As I walked, I had a strange feeling that I was being watched. There was a sense of presence in the hallway. And then I heard something.

Thump.

I froze to the spot; there was only silence. After a few moments, I continued to walk down the hall. Then I heard it again.

Thump.

My heart beat wildly within me.

Thump.

“Is someone there?” I asked.

There was no response.

“What’s going on here?” I demanded.

“Witchcraft,” whispered a woman’s voice.

“Show yourself at once,” I ordered, trying to sound brave. “I am here on the king’s authority.”

Thump.

“Show yourself!”

Thump.

And then I saw it.

Down the hall from me, about twenty feet, there was something. At first, it appeared to be a mist gathering in the hallway. It spiraled around in a circle. The mist thickened and solidified, taking shape and form. It was a woman dressed in long robes. She had her back to me. My heart beat faster; my legs turned to lead.

“Hello?” I whispered with all the strength I could muster.

The figure was more substantial now. She turned her head towards me. Her long hair moved to one side revealing her cheek, pale like frozen moonlight. Her head continued to turn, and I knew I had to escape. Making the sign of the cross, I turned and ran the other way.

Thump, thump, thump!

She was coming after me; I didn’t dare stop or turn around. I ran as fast as I could towards the nearest door.

Thump, thump, thump!

As soon as I reached the door, I turned the handle, but it was locked.

Thump, thump, thump!

Pounding on the door with my fists, I shouted for someone to let me in. Her freezing breath scorched the back of my neck, and her icy hand gripped my shoulder. I turned to face her. My eyes rose to meet her spectral gaze, and she said in a raspy voice, “Wake up, William, you’re having a nightmare.”

I awoke, and my wife Anne was shaking me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said, getting my bearings. The dream felt so real, it was hard to shake it off. Ghosts had always terrified me. That was why I used them in my plays. “I’m sorry I woke you, my dear.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” said Anne, running her fingers through her long hair. “I’m so worried about Judith.”

“So am I,” I said, and looked out the window. “It’s almost light.”

“As soon as we can, I want to go visit Judith.”

“We will.” I started dressing for the day.

“William, what are we going to do?” Anne put on her dress and pulled her hair back.

“I will find the murderer,” I said, combing my hair. “That will prove that Judith is innocent.”

“Malachi Hunter will be hard to convince.”

“We don’t have to convince him,” I said, opening the door. “We only have to convince King James.”

“Judith’s arrest changes everything,” Anne said as she slipped on her shoes and stepped out into the hall with me.

“I know,” I said, quieting my voice in the hallway. “I need to take my investigation in a new direction, and I have to find the killer as soon as possible.”

We walked down the hall towards the room where they were keeping Judith and Samantha. We noticed Oliver Fletcher walking in front of us.

“Good morning, Father,” I called. “Can we speak with you a moment?”

“Of course,” said Fletcher. “I was going to see if they will let me visit the girls.”

“So are we,” said Anne. “We wanted to thank you for standing up for Judith.”

“I wish I could have done more,” he said.

We rounded the corner and saw the herbalist, Violet Lewis. She was speaking to the two men guarding the door to the makeshift jail cell.

“Please,” Violet implored. “I need to apply fresh poultices to my patient’s face.”

“Is there a problem?” I asked a guard.

“No sir,” he replied. “She can go in. As long as the king’s Witchfinder vouches for her, my lord.”

“I do,” I said, feigning confidence.

“Wait,” said the second guard. “Malachi Hunter ordered that no one visit the witches. He is a witchfinder, too.”

“I override that order,” I said firmly. “He is my assistant. I’m in charge of the investigation.”

The two guards looked at each other.

“Never mind,” I said, turning to walk away. “It’s clear my time would be better spent rooting out witchcraft among the palace guards.”

“Right this way, my lord.” The first guard opened the door and let the four of us in. “And if there is anything else that I can do for you, please let me know.”

The room was frigid, and there was very little light. The air was stale. I felt sorry that they imprisoned these young women, but I was thankful that the palace didn’t have a dungeon. I looked at Samantha. She was clad in a simple dress and her hair was down on her shoulders. Seen in this way, I couldn’t imagine we ever believed she was a boy.

Violet sat down her herb basket and inspected Samantha’s face. “Are you in much pain?”

“No, miss,” said Samantha. “I will be fine. It’s the least of my problems.”

Violet dabbed salve on Samantha’s face. “You’re healing nicely. You look like you’ll be as good as new in a day or two.”

“Yes,” said Oliver, smiling. “You look radiant.”

“Nonsense,” she said. Even in the dim light, I could see that Samantha was blushing. She smiled and lowered her eyes. “You flatter me, my lord.”

“I don’t, my lady.” Now it was Oliver’s turn to blush. “I was concerned about you. I’m glad to know you’re all right,” he paused, smiled, and then added, “Samantha.”

There was a brief silence, and then Judith said, “I’m fine, too.”

Anne glanced at me and smiled for the first time since last night. She then said to Judith, “What can we do to help you?”

“Prove me innocent,” she replied to her mother. Judith looked at me. “Or prove someone else guilty.”

“I will, I promise you,” I said, trying to reassure her with my smile.

“Yes, my dear,” said Anne. “Try not to worry.”

“I’m glad they didn’t arrest you last night,” I said to Violet.

“I am too, my lord,” she replied.

“You’re very brave to come here,” said Anne.

“I have a duty to my patients.” Violet gathered up her salves. “If I can keep someone from suffering even a little, I always do what I can.”

“That’s very noble,” I said. “Did you learn herbalism from your mother?”

“Yes,” said Violet. “She taught me many things.”

“Does she work in the palace, too?” asked Anne.

“No, madam,” Violet replied, her smile fading from her face. “She died a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” said Anne.

“Thank you,” said Violet. “I’m grateful I still have my father and sisters. Although we don’t always see eye to eye about everything.”

“No family does,” said Judith.

“Well, try to support them in any way you can,” I said. “Even if you don’t always agree.”

“I will,” said Violet.

“I admire you,” said Judith, “and your work as a healer.”

“Thank you, miss.”

“Please,” said our daughter, “call me Judith.”

“And please call me Violet,” she said in return. “It is my hope that I’ve made two new friends here today.”

“That’s our hope, too,” said Samantha.

“I’d better go,” I said, and knocked on the door to signal the guards to unlock it. “I promise I will get you both out of here.”

“Me too,” said my wife. “I will do anything to get you released.”

We left the room, but Violet and Oliver stayed behind to comfort the girls. Anne said she needed to return to our room to rest and think. We said goodbye and parted.

I had to do something fast, but didn’t know where to begin. My mind raced as I walked down the hall. Thoughts about the murder, my daughter’s arrest, and witchcraft haunted me. I had to find Malachi and find out if we could have a reasonable conversation. We needed to work together now and solve this murder.

It was the first day of the conference. Hundreds of people were having breakfast in the Great Hall. Several people watched me as I entered, and whispered to each other. My new fame as the king’s Witchfinder General had spread fast.

People crowded the room. There was a small table off to the side where one man was sitting, eating bread, and drinking hot tea. He had short brown hair, a mid-length beard with flecks of grey, and he dressed as a gentleman.

“Pardon me, sir,” I bowed my head. “May I sit with you for breakfast?”

“Of course,” he said, offering his hand to shake. “My name is Edward Wilkinson.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m William Shakespeare.”

“Oh yes, I know,” he smiled. “The ‘Witchfinder General.’”

“I’m afraid so,” I said, sitting down and pouring a cup of hot tea.

“Have a roll of bread,” said Edward, breaking a piece in half and handing it to me. There was honey on the table, and I drizzled it on my bread.

“How is witch hunting going?”

“I wish I knew where to start,” I said, surprising myself with my openness.

“I was a sheriff and alderman at one time,” he said, dripping honey onto his bread. “Before I lost my leg in Her Majesty’s service.”

He intrigued me. “In the war against Spain?”

“I fought in the war with Spain,” he said, finishing his tea, “but I lost my leg in the Tyrone Rebellion.” He shook his head. “We started the war by fighting with swords and we ended it by fighting with muskets. Say what you will about our new monarch, but I’m grateful that both wars ended when he became king.”

My eyes drifted down to where his leg had been; his right leg was missing from the knee down. Catching myself, I looked up, embarrassed.

Edward laughed. “It’s all right to look.” He pulled his leg out and patted his thigh. “A musket ball shattered my shin. It could have been worse. My only regret is that my adventuring days are over. I especially miss being a sheriff. I loved investigating mysteries, solving crimes, and helping people.”

“Tell me,” I stopped eating and looked at him. “Have you ever investigated a murder?”

“Oh yes,” he said. “Many times.”

Hoping to learn something from him, I kept quiet and gave him my full attention. He poured another cup of tea.

“First, you need to interview suspects. Learn all you can from them. No fact is insignificant.”

“That’s what I’ve been doing,” I said.

“Then you’re on the right path. Also, gather as much information as you can. Treat everything as evidence. Look for clues everywhere.”

As he spoke, I patted my pocket to find out if the vial was still there, and it was. The witch’s poppet that started my adventure also came to mind. I wondered, have I missed anything?

“Develop an eye for detail. Use your mind. Apply the principles of logic and reason. But use your imagination, too.”

He finished his tea, put a crutch under his right arm, and pulled himself up.

“Any other advice?” I asked, sorry that he was leaving.

“Yes,” he said, as he put on his hat. “When you fail, and you will, abandon reason and follow your instincts. Your feelings are your thoughts working on a deeper level. Trust them.”

We said goodbye, and I finished my bread. While I poured a last cup of tea, I saw my wife enter the Great Hall. Her face was white. I leapt up and ran to her.

“What’s wrong, Anne? Are you all right?”

“Will,” she said, breathing hard. “Someone was in our room and they went through all our things. They ripped everything apart!”