The Cheapside Corpse by Susanna Gregory

along Cheapside.’
    ‘Why?’ Chaloner was puzzled. ‘She was not like the wives of other heads of state, who are either loved or hated. Most folk have no opinion whatsoever of Mrs Cromwell, as she was virtually invisible. I do not see why an attack on her should incite discord.’
    Thurloe eyed him lugubriously: he disliked disparaging remarks about the Lord Protector’s family, regardless of whether or not they were true. ‘Yes, such a disgusting piece of nonsense should
not
be taken seriously, but someone is using it as an excuse to stir up trouble. And there will be even more turmoil soon, because Randal is planning a sequel.’
    ‘Then perhaps someone should suggest that he stays his hand.’
    ‘My thoughts exactly. I would visit him myself, but a request from the Commonwealth’s ex-Secretary of State is likely to inflame him to even greater spite. Will you do it?’
    ‘Of course. Where does he live?’
    ‘And there lies the problem. There have been threats against his life by angry Roundheads, so he has gone into hiding. His kin claim they do not know where he is, but they may be lying.’
    ‘I have to visit Taylor today anyway. I will ask after Randal at the same time.’
    ‘Then be careful. Taylor has always been formidable, but the last few weeks have turned him into a despot.’
    ‘Because of his alliance with the widow of Dick Wheler, which has united two extremely profitable businesses?’
    ‘That is one reason. The second is that he is the current Master of the Goldsmiths’ Company, and the third is that he was a Royalist during the Commonwealth so the King has exempted him from providing “donations” for the Dutch war. These combine to give him rather too much power, allowing him to expand at his colleagues’ expense. He now controls London’s purse strings, which is unfortunate, as he does it with a view to his own coffers, not the good of the city.’
    ‘My father always told me never to trust bankers,’ mused Chaloner. ‘He kept his money in a box under the stairs. But then our house was raided by Royalists during the wars, and guess what they found? My family have struggled ever since, so I am not sure what to think about banks.’
    ‘Under the stairs?’ asked Thurloe incredulously. ‘He should have buried it in the garden – mine is under that tree over there. But he was right to be wary of financiers. Even if they are honest, it still means putting faith in their judgement. And recent events have proved that they are as fallible as the rest of us.’
    ‘You mean because they lent vast sums to Colburn the gambler?’
    Thurloe nodded. ‘They were greedy for the high interest he offered. It has ruined Angier, Hinton and Johnson, and more are likely to follow. Only the larger concerns, like Taylor, Vyner, Glosson and Backwell, have managed to weather the storm.’
    ‘The Earl wants me to investigate the death of a spy named Georges DuPont,’ said Chaloner, changing the subject. ‘Have you heard of him?’
    Thurloe shook his head. ‘How did he die?’
    ‘The plague.’ Briefly, Chaloner outlined what little he knew about the Frenchman, finishing with the bold murder of Coo by two masked gunmen.
    ‘Coo was killed because you were asking questions about DuPont?’
    ‘I doubt it. DuPont died last Friday, and Coo would have been dispatched sooner if someone had wanted to silence him on the matter. I am not sure Coo had much to tell, anyway. I had the feeling that he knew about the disease, not the man.’
    ‘He was loved for his kindness, and his death will cause much anger along Cheapside. The culprits must be found as soon as possible, before their vile act causes trouble.’
    ‘Williamson agrees,’ said Chaloner. ‘And has ordered me to investigate.’
    ‘Good,’ said Thurloe. ‘Although I imagine you will be keen to find the rogues anyway, given that they came close to killing you as well. I shall make a few enquiries on your behalf. I leave for Oxfordshire on Sunday,