Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne

of Coldingham and on the other Bishop Agilbert, the Frank.’
    ‘One a firm adherent of the church of Columba,’ interrupted
Brother Eadulf, ‘the other equally firmly for Rome.’
    Fidelma raised an eyebrow and gazed quizzically at him. Eadulf replied to her obvious question with an indifferent shrug.
    ‘I point this out, Sister Fidelma, in case you search for pro-Roman culprits in this matter.’
    Fidelma bit her lip in irritation.
    ‘I search only for the truth, brother.’ Turning to the puzzled Sister Athelswith, she continued: ‘Is a check kept on who visits the cubicula of your guests? Or is everyone free to wander in and out of the guests’ hostel?’
    Sister Athelswith raised her shoulders and let them fall expressively.
    ‘Why should such a check be made, sister? People are free to come and go as they please in the house of God.’
    ‘Male and female?’
    ‘We are a mixed house at Streoneshalh. Male and female are free to visit each other’s cubicula whenever they like.’
    ‘So you would have no way of knowing who visited the Abbess Étain?’
    ‘I know of only seven visitors today,’ the elderly religieuse replied complacently.
    Sister Fidelma tried to control her exasperation.
    ‘And these were?’ she prompted.
    ‘Brother Taran, the Pict, and Sister Gwid, who is secretary to the abbess, visited in the morning. Then Abbess Hilda herself and Bishop Colman came together towards midday. There came a beggar, one of your countrymen, sister, who demanded to see her. He created such an uproar that he had to be removed. Indeed, this same beggar was whipped yesterday morning by order of the Abbess Hilda for disturbing the quiet of our house.’
    She paused.

    ‘You mentioned seven persons,’ prompted Sister Fidelma gently.
    ‘Brothers Seaxwulf and Agatho. Seaxwulf is the secretary to Wilfrid of Ripon.’
    ‘And who is this Agatho?’
    It was Eadulf who replied.
    ‘Agatho is a priest in the service of the Abbot of Icanho. He was pointed out to me this morning as being of an eccentric character.’
    ‘One of the Roman faction then?’ she asked ingenuously.
    Eadulf gave a curt nod.
    ‘So? Can you estimate the time when these visitors saw the abbess? For example, who was the last to see her?’
    Sister Athelswith stroked her nose as if the action helped in recalling.
    ‘Sister Gwid visited early this morning. I remember that well, for they stood at the door of the cubiculum arguing quite heatedly. Then Sister Gwid burst into tears and ran past me along the corridor towards her dormitorium. She is a rather emotional young woman. I gather the abbess had cause to rebuke her. Then Brother Taran came to see her. Abbess Hilda and Bishop Colmán came together, as I have said, and they all went in to the refectory together when the bell for the prandium sounded. The beggar arrived after lunch. Brother Seaxwulf visited but now I am not sure whether that was after the midday meal or before. The last visitor I remember was the priest Agatho, who came in the early afternoon.’
    Fidelma had followed Athelswith’s recitation with some amusement. The old woman was clearly something of a busybody, keeping track of every visitor to her guest house as well as their business.

    ‘So? This Agatho, so far as you know, was the last to see the Abbess Étain alive?’
    ‘If he was her last visitor of the day,’ interrupted Eadulf hurriedly. There was a defensive tone in his voice.
    Sister Fidelma smiled softly.
    ‘Just so.’
    Sister Athelswith glanced unhappily from one to the other.
    ‘I saw no other visitors after Brother Agatho,’ she replied firmly.
    ‘And are you in a position to see all visitors?’ demanded Eadulf.
    ‘Only when I am in my officium,’ she replied, colouring a little. ‘I have much to do. Being the domina of the guests’ quarters is a great responsibility. In normal times we provide for the hospitality of forty pilgrims at one time. I have one brother and three sisters to help me in the