Whispers of the Dead by Peter Tremayne Page B

replied Firbis tightly.
    “Then she would have known that it is impossible to make financial gain from a priceless article such as the skull of Maine of Tethbae. Who would want to buy such a relic apart from those to whom it is priceless?”
    “She could have taken it to demand a ransom from Catharnaigh, the King of Tethbae, for its safe return,” pointed out Brehon Morann quietly.
    “That would be equally preposterous,” replied Fidelma. “Once she had revealed that she had the casket and skull, she would be in a vulnerable position and, even if she succeeded in the negotiation, thereafter she would condemn herself to a life of exile from Tethbae and from the reach of its King. No, there is no motive in theft for profit… if, as you say, the woman was intelligent.”
    Firbis shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
    “Are you saying that, on this reasoning alone, you believe that the judge made a false judgment?”
    Fidelma shook her head at once.
    “Not on that reasoning alone,” she smiled softy. “In all cases, as you know, there must be motive, means and opportunity. All three things must come together in one pattern. You tell me that the opportunity was there… that she was in the hall alone when everyone had gone to watch a game of hurley. Presumably we can be assured that the casket and skull were observed to be in their place before people departed for the game and then were gone when they returned? To remove a casket containing a skull does not require any great means.”
    “So you admit that the judge was correct on means and opportunity?” pressed Firbis.
    Fidelma pursed her lips thoughtfully.
    “I have heard no evidence that this Sochla possessed the only means and opportunity. Is there such evidence? Is it not possible that someone could have happened by and removed the casket while Sochla was elsewhere in the hall of Catharnaigh? Is it not possible that some other person could have planted the casket under Sochla’s bed?”
    Firbis laughed, amused by the suggestion.
    “For what motive?”
    “There might be several motives, but one would need to ask a great many questions to find and validate them.”
    “It seems to me, Fidelma, that you are attempting to make the woman in this case, Sochla, innocent,” observed the Brehon Morann.
    Fidelma shook her head quickly.
    “Not at all. I am attempting to find out the facts before rushing to judgment. I certainly would have asked more questions on means and opportunity. Tell me more about this Sochla. Is she young or old, what is her disposition, is she married, does she have lovers and, if so, who are they?”
    “She is of young age,” Firbis replied. “She is barely over the ‘Age of Choice.’ Her father was of the
daer-nemed
class, that is a manual worker. In this case he worked as an assistant to the king’s blacksmith, while the girl worked as a manual worker, a cleaner, in the king’s hall.”
    “And why was one so young and of such a class left alone in theking’s hall while all others went to a ball game? Did the king fear no enemies, no envious hands, that he would leave his house and wealth unguarded?”
    Firbis exchanged another glance with Morann.
    “Presumably this line of questioning was pursued with Catharnaigh?” pressed Fidelma when there was no response to her question.
    Firbis sniffed: “What are you implying?”
    “
Druimcli,
surely you should know that I could not
imply
anything. It is merely my duty to ask questions and through the answers to discover the truth.”
    The
Druimcli
looked uncomfortable.
    “The King had no cause to fear his enemies nor to fear envious hands in his property.”
    “Yet, is it not unheard of that such a noble would vacate his hall and possessions in this manner?”
    “The facts are as I have told them. It is not my task to comment or speculate on why a person should do this or that.”
    Fidelma leaned forward quickly.
    “But isn’t that the very task of a Brehon—to examine motivation