Badger's Moon by Peter Tremayne Read Free Book Online

appointment can be made, we are without the wisdom of an experienced judge.’
    Fidelma let out a sighing breath. She now realised what lay behind Becc’s arrival at Cashel.
    ‘When Aolú was alive was he able to take evidence and investigate the early deaths?’
    ‘He was.’
    ‘Are there any clues as to who would perpetrate such acts?’
    Becc raised his shoulders and let them fall in an eloquent symbolism. ‘None that Aolú considered worthy of pursuing. My tanist, Accobrán, made some inquiries for Aolú was infirm at the time and could not move from my rath. Alas, he learnt nothing. But as for suspects…’ His expression became suddenly serious.
    Fidelma caught the expression and her eyes narrowed. ‘You appear troubled, cousin? There is a suspect?’
    Becc hesitated for a moment and then made a gesture with one hand that seemed to express a sense of helplessness. ‘It is that which prompted me to come here, Fidelma, and as a matter of urgency. There was a riot at the gates of the abbey of the Blessed Finnbarr. I had to use my warriors to save the religious from being attacked and I had to wound a man as an example to prevent the inevitable injury and destruction of the religious community.’
    ‘The religious? At the abbey?’ Fidelma could not conceal her surprise. ‘Why there? Are you saying that the religious are suspected of these killings?’
    ‘Not exactly the religious of the abbey. Brocc, who works with his brother at our local mill and is related to two of the victims, persuaded many of our people that some strangers who are staying in the abbey are responsible for the murders.’
    ‘On what evidence?’
    ‘I fear on no more evidence than his own prejudice. The strangers arrived and were given hospitality at the abbey only days before the first killing. As such a thing had never happened before, Brocc argues that it was undoubtedly the work of these visitors. It is unfortunate that something about them generates the fear and prejudice of our people. Brocc tried to lead the people in storming the gates of the abbey with the idea of seizing the strangers. Had he done so, they would undoubtedly have been killed and the brethren would have been harmed for trying to protect them.’ Becc smiled grimly and shrugged. ‘I thrice told them of the Law of Riots and its consequences. When Brocc still refused to depart to his home, I shot him in the thigh with an arrow. This caused everyone to pause for thought.’
    Eadulf pursed his lips in an expression without humour.
    ‘I should imagine it would. Drastic but effective,’ he said with clear approval.
    ‘And these strangers are under the protection of the abbey?’ Fidelma asked. ‘Were the people informed?’
    ‘They are and they were. The strangers reside there under the sacred laws of hospitality as well as the rule of sanctuary that the New Faith has adopted.’
    ‘Is there not a danger of the abbey’s being attacked in your absence?’ Edulf queried.
    ‘Brocc, the main trouble-maker, will not be active for a while yet.’ Becc smiled grimly. ‘Also, I have left Accobrán, my tanist, in command. He will protect the abbey and the strangers.’
    ‘Are you and Abbot Brogán totally satisfied of the innocence of these strangers?’ Fidelma asked.
    ‘We only know that you cannot punish strangers on no other evidence than suspicion. We lack a fully qualified Brehon to resolve the matter.’
    There was a silence while Fidelma leant back in her chair, her eyes almost shut in thought. She gave a long sigh.
    ‘I am only a minor Brehon. I am merely a dálaigh or advocate and qualified to the level of anruth . You need an ollamh of law. I would suspect that you have better qualified Brehons among the Cinél na Áeda than myself.’
    ‘But none with your reputation, cousin,’ replied Becc immediately.
    ‘What is it that you expect from me?’
    Becc was silent for a moment and then he cleared his throat nervously.
    ‘Expect? Far be it for me to expect