Whispers of the Dead Read Online Free PDF

more than one wife just as a woman can have more than one husband.”
    Abbot Laisran shook his head in annoyance.
    “The Church opposes polygyny.”
    “True,” agreed Fidelma. “But the judge who wrote the law tract of the Bretha Croilge said there is justification for the practice even in the ancient books of the faith for it is argued that even the chosen people of God lived in a plurality of unions so that it is no easier to condemn it than to praise it.”
    She paused for a moment.
    “That you disapproved of this meant you must have liked Segnat. Did you?”
    “Why these questions?” countered the shepherd.
    “Segnat has been murdered.”
    Finn stared at her for some time, then his face hardened.
    “Conri did it! Segnat’s husband. He only wanted her for the dowry she could bring into the marriage. Segnat could also bring more than that.”
    “How so?”
    “She was a
banchomarba,
a female heir, for her father died without male issue and she became chieftainess of Tir Bui. She was rich. She told me so. Another reason Conri sought the union was because he had squandered much of his wealth on raising war bands tofollow the High King in his wars against the northern Uí Néill. That is common gossip.”
    “Gossip is not necessarily fact,” admonished Fidelma.
    “But it usually has a basis of fact.”
    “You do not appear shocked at the news of Segnat’s death,” observed Laisran slyly.
    “I have seen too many deaths recently, Abbot Laisran. Too many.”
    “I don’t think we need detain you any longer, Finn,” Fidelma said after a moment. Laisran glanced at her in astonishment.
    “Mark my words, you’ll find that Conri is the killer,” called Finn as Fidelma moved away.
    Abbot Laisran appeared to want to say something, but he meekly followed Fidelma to her horse and together they rode away from the shepherd’s house. Almost as soon as they were out of earshot, Abbot Laisran leaned forward in excitement.
    “There! We have found the killer. It was Finn. It all adds up.”
    Sister Fidelma turned and smiled at him.
    “Does it?”
    “The motive, the opportunity, the means, and the supporting evidence, it is all there. Finn must have killed her.”
    “You sound as if you have been reading law books, Laisran,” she parried.
    “I have followed your successes.”
    “Then, tell me, how did you work this out?”
    “The
biorracha,
a long sharp needle of the type which you say must have caused the girl’s mortal wound.”
    “Go on.”
    “He uses blue dye to identify his sheep. Hence the stain on the corpse.”
    “Go on.”
    “He also knew Segnat and was apparently jealous of her marriage to Conri. Jealousy is often the motive for murder.”
    “Anything else?”
    “He met the girl on the road on the very night of her death. And he drives a small donkey cart to transport the body.”
    “He did not meet her at night,” corrected Fidelma pedantically.
    “It was some hours before sunset.”
    Abbot Laisran made a cutting motion with his hand.
    “It is as I say. Motive, opportunity, and means. Finn is the murderer.”
    “You are wrong, Laisran. You have not listened to the whispers of the dead. But Finn does know the murderer.”
    Abbot Laisran’s eyes widened.
    “I fail to understand… .”
    “I told you that you must listen to the dead. Finn was right. It was Conri, Lord of Ballyconra, who murdered his wife. I think the motive will be found to be even as Finn said… financial gain from his dead wife’s estate. He probably knew that Segnat’s father was dying when he married her. When we get back to the abbey, I will send for the local
bó-aire,
the magistrate, to take some warriors to search Conri’s farmstead. With luck he will not have destroyed her clothing and personal belongings. I think we will also find that the very black mare he was riding was the same the poor girl rode on her fatal journey. Hopefully, Echen will be able to identify it.”
    Abbot Laisran stared at her blankly,