Precious Bones by Irina Shapiro Page B

I will come as soon as I can.  I promise.”
    They rode back to Blackfriars in silence, Richard holding Connie’s cold hand in his.  As the carriage drew closer to the house, Richard turned to Constance, “I will do everything in my power.  You have my word.”  With that he walked her to her door and waited until she was safely inside.

 
    Chapter 26
     
    Richard got back into the carriage and slammed the door behind him.  He had to figure out the best way to approach the situation without making things worse for Thomas Thorne.  Confronting Norris was probably the worst thing he could do, since he would be showing his hand and putting himself at Norris’s mercy.  He would never let Tom go if he thought for a minute that something could be gained by keeping him imprisoned. 
    Finding Tom on his own and breaking him out of wherever he was held would be foolhardy.  He would just be re-arrested as soon as he was found , and probably accused of something much worse in the bargain, not to mention Richard would now be complicit as well.  “Terrible idea,” he muttered to himself.    His only viable option was to go see Walsingham.  He knew that pleading for Tom’s freedom would compromise his position with the Secretary, but he couldn’t let Constance down.  He would do absolutely anything to help her, even if it meant putting himself at risk.  She came to him for help and that was progress.  At least she was giving him a chance to prove himself, and he wasn’t letting it slip away. 
    Richard had to admit that he genuinely liked Tom, and didn’t think the poor lad should be in prison.  All he wanted was to get married by a priest, hardly a crime.  He sighed.  He was amazed at what people who believed in the same God were willing to do to each other to prove their way was better than theirs.  Richard instructed John to drive to Walsingham’s house.  It was safer to talk to him there than at Court, and as far as Richard knew he was at home tonight.
    The Secretary was at supper with his family when Richard arrived, and he was shown into a well-appointed library where he could wait.  Richard tried to sit down, but ended up pacing back and forth until the door finally opened and Walsingham walked in.
    “You must really love her, my boy,” Walsingham said as he settled into a comfortable chair by the fireplace, “a terrible liability for a spy.”
    “You’ve heard.”
    “I have.  Norris was exceedingly proud of himself , and came running over here to tell me of his triumph.  He was within his rights, you know.”  Walsingham was watching Richard, his expression inscrutable, but Richard knew he had to go on.
    “The boy is innocent.  He just went there to discuss a wedding ceremony.  Is it a crime in our great nation to be married by a priest?”
    “It is if the priest in question is a Jesuit who is being hidden in the home of a prominent merchan, who poses as a Protestant in front of the rest of the world.  Bad luck for the kid.”  Walsingham continued to watch Richard, a sly smile playing on his lips.  Richard knew he was toying with him and tried to keep his composure.  Losing his temper would be the worst thing he could do. 
    “Is there anything I can do to help him?” asked Richard , feeling desperate.
    “Don’t you mean her?”  
    Richard nodded in defeat.  “Yes, I want to help her.”
    “All right, Richard.  I’ll do this for you, but not because I am doing you a favor.  I believe the boy is innocent and I see no reason to let Norris torture him to death.   I will give you a warrant for his release and deal with Norris in the morning.  I will keep your name out of it.  I don’t need the two of you snarling at each other like mad dogs.  I don’t know where they took him, so you will have to find him by morning.  I hope you have a lot of coin with you.”
      Walsingham sat down at a small desk by the window and penned a letter of release, which he signed and