‘The trouble is, I cannot make a definite pronouncement because he could have had a seizure,’ replied Eadulf.
‘Yet surely, had a seizure been the cause of death, the body would have shown clearer signs of it,’ mused Fidelma. ‘It would not have been in the state of repose the steward said it was in, when he and the physician examined it.’
Eadulf was in agreement. ‘Exactly. That means, if we accept the murder theory, that someone in this abbey did not want him to speak further to us.’
‘He collapsed as soon as you uttered that name – Liamuin,’ Gormán caught on.
Eadulf glanced round. ‘We’d best have our meal and not stand here for all to see like a group of conspirators.’
They entered the almost empty refectory and were given bread, boiled fish, apples and a jug of water. When they were seated in a corner, Fidelma said: ‘But you told the steward that we agreed with the physician and would soon be continuing our journey. If this is murder, then the murderer is here and we must stay here to discover him.’
‘I do not think that will avail us anything,’ Eadulf argued. ‘If old Ledbán was killed to prevent him talking to us about the identity of Liamuin, then only three people were in the room when the matter came up and it became obvious that he had reacted to the name.’
‘You mean – Abbot Nannid, Brother Cuineáin and Brother Lugna?’
‘And if they, one or all, are behind this, how long should we be left unmolested in this abbey? We are here on sufferance because Brother Cú-Mara vouched for our identity. But remember, we don’t have any means of asserting our authority. It would be difficult for us to pursue enquiries among a community which is in the heart of the Uí Fidgente country and where folk are hostile. It would be easy for us to “disappear”.’
Fidelma looked shocked. ‘You cannot mean that the abbot would allow the law to be flouted and would fail to respect my position as an attorney of the courts of this country?’
It was Gormán who answered. ‘I am afraid friend Eadulf is right, lady. If there is a conspiracy here, then the life of a king or a Chief Brehon would not be valued by these conspirators. That being so, what would the life of a mere dálaigh be worth – meaning no disrespect, lady.’
‘Are you suggesting we abandon this investigation?’ Fidelma’s voice was hard.
‘I am suggesting a strategic withdrawal,’ Eadulf replied. ‘Let whoever killed the old man enjoy a false sense of security while we pursue the investigation elsewhere. We may then be able to return here in a position of authority.’
‘I think friend Eadulf makes an excellent point,’ confirmed Gormán.
‘Where do you propose that we pursue the investigation?’ demanded Fidelma.
‘Where we would have gone anyway, had nothing happened here.’
‘I am not sure I follow …’ Gormán began and then he sighed. ‘Oh, you mean go south to the Dún Eochar Mháigh?’
‘Exactly,’ confirmed Eadulf. ‘We have had several interesting strands and they all seem to lead to Dún Eochair Mháigh.’
‘So we leave the abbey pretending that we have noticed nothing unusual? Very well. Shall I get our horses ready for the journey?’ asked Gormán.
‘We will have to officially bid farewell to the abbot,’ Fidelma said.
Just then, a voice hailed them from across the refectory. It was Brother Cú-Mara.
‘I was wondering whether you were still here, lady,’ he said as he came up to their table and seated himself. He greeted Eadulf and Gormán with a nod. ‘I became involved with the librarian last night and could not join you for the evening meal. How long are you here for?’
‘We are departing now,’ Fidelma told him. ‘We were lucky that you were here to identify us yesterday.’
‘I was pleased to be able to help,’ the steward of Ard Fhearta said. ‘You rendered our abbey great assistance when Eadulf and you were there. I have not forgotten, lady.’
Fidelma glanced at Brother Cú-Mara with interest. ‘Have you known Brother Cuineáin for some time?’
‘I think he joined the abbey back at the time when Prince Eoganán rose up against Cashel. Ah, no, it was shortly after that. I have been an intermediary between my abbot and Abbot Nannid several times. That is why I am here now. Our copyists have just completed a copy of Aipgitir Chrábaid – The Alphabet of Piety. It was made at the request of the librarian here and so I came to deliver it.’
‘Well, it was fortunate that you were here. It seems Brother Cuineáin was fully intent on denying us entry because we could not prove who we were.’