Absolution by Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

bright green eyes fixed
penetratingly on her as if the girl could read her thoughts.
    Their eyes locked for some time, as if challenging each other. It was Bishop Colmán who broke the silence.
    ‘And was your journey without incident, sister?’
    Sister Fidelma turned, memory suddenly coming back.
    ‘Alas, no. Not many miles from here, where a man called Wulfric claims that he is lord—’
    Abbess Hilda frowned.
    ‘I know the man and the place. Wulfric of Frihop, whose hall lies some fifteen miles to the east. What of it, sister?’
    ‘We found a brother hanging from a tree at the crossroads. Wulfric claimed the monk had been executed for insulting him. Our brother wore the tonsure of our Church, my lord bishop, and Wulfric did not conceal that he came from your own house of Lindisfarne.’
    Colmán bit his lip and suppressed an intake of breath.
    ‘It must be Brother Aelfric. He was returning from a mission to Mercia and expected to join us here any day now.’
    ‘But why would Aelfric insult the thane of Frihop?’ demanded Abbess Hilda.
    ‘By your leave, Mother Abbess,’ interrupted Sister Fidelma. ‘I had the impression that this was merely an excuse. The argument was about the differences between Iona and Rome and it would seem that Wulfric and his friends favour Rome. This Brother Aelfric was apparently manoeuvred into the insult and then hanged for it.’
    Hilda examined the girl sharply.
    ‘You do have a legal, inquiring mind, Fidelma of Kildare. But, as you well know, to hypothesise is one thing. To prove your contention is quite another.’
    Sister Fidelma smiled softly.

    ‘I did not mean to present my impression as a legal argument, Mother Abbess. Merely that I think you would do well to have a care of Wulfric of Frihop. If he can get away with the judicial murder of a religious simply because he supports the liturgy of Colmcille then every one of us who comes to this abbey to argue in that cause may be in danger.’
    ‘Wulfric of Frihop is known to us. He is Alhfrith’s right hand man and Alhfrith is king of Deira,’ Hilda replied sharply. Then she sighed and shrugged and added in a softer tone, ‘And are you here to contribute to the debate, Fidelma of Kildare?’
    The young religieuse gave a modest chuckle.
    ‘That I should dare to raise my voice among so many eloquent orators who have gathered would be an impertinence. No, Mother Abbess. I am here merely to advise on law. Our church, whose teachings your people follow, is subject to the laws of our people and the Abbess Étain, who will be speaking for our church, asked me to attend in case there is need for some advice or explanation in this matter. That is all.’
    ‘Then you are truly well come to this place, for your counsel is to aid us in arriving at the one great truth,’ replied Hilda. ‘And your counsel concerning Wulfric will be noted, have no fear. I shall speak concerning the matter with my cousin, King Oswy, when he arrives tomorrow. Iona or Rome, both are under the protection of the royal house of Northumbria.’
    Sister Fidelma grimaced wryly. Royal protection had not helped Brother Aelfric. She decided, however, to change the subject.
    ‘I am forgetting one of the purposes of my disturbing you.’
    She reached within her habit and brought out two packages.
    ‘I have journeyed here from Ireland through Dál Riada and the Holy Island of Iona.’

    Abbess Hilda’s eyes grew misty.
    ‘You have stayed on the Holy Island where the great Columba lived and worked?’
    ‘Well, tell us, did you meet with the abbot?’ asked Colmán, interested.
    Fidelma nodded.
    ‘I saw Cumméne the Fair and he sends greetings to you both and these letters.’ She held out the packages. ‘He makes a strong plea for Northumbria to adhere to the liturgy practised by Colmcille. Further, as a gift to the abbey of Streoneshalh, Cumméne Finn has sent a gift by me. I have left it with your librarius. It is a copy of Cumméne’s own book on the