Blood Moon by Stephen Wheeler

finger. Gradually his frown faded and he began to chuckle. ‘Mind you, he did look funny.’
    ‘Didn’t he just!’
    ‘Snarling at you like that!’
    ‘I know!’ I flapped a negligent wrist.
    ‘Bone-breaker!’ he guffawed and rolled his eyes - then winced fingering his tender eye-socket again. ‘Apple and citrus, did you say?’
    ‘With honeydew.’
    He sniffed. ‘Well, perhaps for medicinal purposes.’
    I smiled benevolently. ‘I will get my assistant to bring some over before curfew.’
    The beadle was looking brighter now. ‘Was there something in particular you wanted, brother?’
    ‘No no, I only came to offer my apologie s.’ I started to leave. ‘Unless…’ I came back into the room. ‘There is one slight matter you might be able to help me with. Yesterday was a normal trading day in the market?’
    He nodded. ‘It was.’
    ‘And the usual order obtained? Normal hours were kept?’
    ‘We stick strictly to our ordinances brother; you’ve no need to worry on that score.’ He put up a reassuring hand.
    ‘So that means the market square was cleared by when? - three of the after noon?’
    ‘Earlier. This time of the year the light begins to fade quickly. Many traders, especially those who have come a distance, don’t like to travel the roads in the dark. Cutthroats and footpads, you see? But this is not really my province. You should be talking to the market reeve.’
    ‘Bear with me,’ I smiled. ‘My question is about the area of the market where that girl’s body was found. It is near where the blacksmiths have their forges, I believe?’
    ‘What’s your point?’
    ‘Just this: If the town blacksmiths are anything like ours at the abbey then they like to carry on working right up to the curfew bell being reluctant to dowse their fires earl ier than absolutely necessary.’
    The beadle drew himself up. ‘Not with my sanction they don’t.’
    ‘Nevertheless it happens, am I right? I’m not condemning, I merely want to confirm that the area where the girl’s body was found was occupied right up to the end of the day.’
    ‘Oh, I get it,’ he nodded. ‘You want to know what time the body was dumped. Well I can help you there. The crier and I were by the market cross right up to curfew bell. As a matter of fact I rang it myself last night. And I can confidently say that no-one came along with a dead body on my watch.’
    ‘Good,’ I smiled. ‘That is what I was hoping you’d say. Now while I’m here perhaps I could see the body. I take it she’s in there.’ I took a step toward the door at the far end of the room.
    The beadle put out a halting hand. ‘Sorry brother. Out of the question.’
    ‘It will take but a moment.’
    ‘Aye, a moment ’s view for you and a day in the stocks for me.’ He shook his head vehemently. ‘It’s more than my job’s worth.’
    ‘Very well. In that case I suppose I shall have to make a formal application to the coroner to see the body. A pity,’ I sighed. ‘I didn’t want to have to mention the bribe.’
    The beadle sat up. ‘ Ay? Bribe? What bribe?’
    ‘Why, my apple wine of course. Naturally, I’d have to declare it. Of course, if I happened to see the body informally …’
     
    The beadle stood at the door to the street and looked out anxiously.
    ‘I do wish you’d hasten, brother. The Sheriff’s men are due at any time to take the body away. If they should see you…’
    ‘They won’t even know I’ve been,’ I said peering with a lighted candle in the darkened room. ‘I see there are marks around her neck. Is that how she died, do you think? Strangulation?’
    ‘So I believe. Had the breath wrung from her, poor cat.’ He glanced up the street then back at me. ‘You are hurrying aren’t you brother?’
    ‘ Ah, now that’s interesting.’
    ‘What?’ he said coming back inside. ‘What’s interesting?’
    ‘She has two hands.’
    The beadle looked at me as though I were soft in the head. ‘How many should she