The Errant Flock Read Online Free PDF Page B

interrogation.
    Garcia placed a written document on the desk and asked the duke to sign it. Meanwhile, David took a closer look at the treasurer and realised that he’d seen him before at the prison, inspecting the building works. He was a lofty figure in both height and demeanour, with thinning hair and bright pink skin. His face was puffed up, as though he’d been crying for days, and his deep-set unfriendly eyes were disconcerting in what was fast becoming a tense situation. David wagered that he was no more than thirty years old, but being dressed in black from his tunic to his hose made him appear overly austere for his age.
    Luis rose from his chair and then went to stand in front of David. “The lord treasurer will give you orders, Sanz. Carry them out to the letter. Remember how important this is to your family. Don’t disappoint me.”
    David bowed his head. “I won’t, Your Grace,” he said.
     
    When the two men were alone, Garcia took the bold step of sitting in the duke’s chair. David cowered under his piecing gaze and had to look away. The duke’s questions about his family and their lives had unnerved him. And being in his presence had been oddly unsettling.
    “The duke grieves for his newborn son. He died a short time ago, after living for no more than a few minutes,” Garcia said, rushing his emotional words. “I fear the duchess’s health will suffer because of his death. Sagrat will also mourn this terrible loss.”
    “My condolences …”
    Garcia waved his hand to silence David. “The duchess’s father will be here within days. This news will deeply upset him. Do you know who he is?”
    David hesitated. This man would have to be shown deference, he thought. Garcia spoke as one accustomed to commanding and being immediately obeyed. And he did not seem to be the type of man who would view any disloyalty or disrespect kindly. “No, Your Honour, I’m afraid I don’t.”
    “He sits on the Council of Inquisitors,” Garcia told him. “He’s a very important man. I can’t imagine what he’ll do when he finds out that another grandchild has died. I hear he’s disagreeable at the best of times … You are aware that the duke’s prison is filling up with heretics?”
    “Yes, Your Honour, I am aware, although I don’t believe there have been any convictions yet. Most remain suspects, and many have not been charged.”
    “You disapprove?”
    “I am in no position to give my opinion. I am slightly mystified by our justice system.”
    “You’re not afraid to speak your mind, are you?” Garcia said sharply.
    “Forgive my audacity.” David swallowed uncomfortably. He should have kept his mouth shut.
    “My point is that the inquisitor is coming to Sagrat. It is his solemn duty to prosecute suspected heretics on behalf of the Holy Office in Rome and our monarchs. Do you disagree?”
    “It is not for me to agree or disagree. I do as I am ordered.”
    “Good. That’s good. There are heretics everywhere. You are also aware of the threat they pose to Spain?”
    David’s palms were sweaty. His mouth was dry, and his instincts screamed danger. “I don’t know … I suppose,” he muttered, not knowing what else to say.
    “Oh, come now, lad. Surely you must know that there’s a snake pit of Judaists in Sagrat claiming to be good Christians yet practising their old religion’s rituals in secret.”
    “Yes.”
    “Are your parents good Catholics? Are they faithful to the church’s teachings?”
    David felt the first ripple of fear shoot through his body. His skin blushed with heat. His legs were trembling. Garcia was testing him, baiting him. Thinly veiled threats were hidden behind every word he spoke. David wondered if they were directed towards him or his parents – and if so, why? The Sanz family were good Christians. They had converted to Christianity three years previously and were still considered new conversos, but they could not be called Judaists .
    David was well aware