“I’m right here.” She reached out her hand and touched his arm.
“You can’t even see your hand in front of your face. Good thing. From outside, nobody would ever guess there was a cave here at all.” He sat down to make himself a bit more comfortable. “How are you?”
“What do you think? I fell into Matthias Trauenstein’s trap, and I’ll probably end up swinging from the gallows.”
“I wish I could say something reassuring, but it doesn’t look good for you. Over two dozen witnesses saw you flee in your blood-smeared dress.”
“Should I tell you what really happened?”
“Your brother pieced together what happened from talking with some of the other witnesses and has already filled me in.”
“Where is Kilian?”
“He’s probably already back at your cottage, where guards are stationed, waiting for you to come home. They’ll be waiting a long time.”
“But where should I go?” A bit of hope germinated in her breast. “Are you here to show me the way out? Do you have something that can be used against Matthias Trauenstein? Did Barbara confess? Or the guard?”
Von Balge sighed. “I am so very sorry. Things look bad for you. After your brother notified me, I went directly to the sheriff.” He shifted. “Nobody is ready to believe our side of the story. The maid testified that you paid her off. And the guard swears up and down that you and your brother showed up uninvited at the Trauensteins’, longing to talk to his mistress. When you arrived, your brother went to the tavern to leave you and Adelhaid alone to sort things out. A short time later, the guard heard screaming. When he stormed in from the hall, the guard swears he saw you repeatedly stab Adelhaid with the knife. She was already dead, so he was unable to help his mistress.”
Madlen felt sick. For a moment, she thought she might throw up, but she was able to suppress it. Lucky, since this cave would undoubtedly be her home for some time.
“But they’re lying, they’re all lying,” she cried.
“I know.” He would have loved to take her into his arms but forced himself to maintain a professional demeanor.
“The guard told the sheriff that he was trying to wrest the knife from your hands when his master came home. As he stormed by to save his wife, you tried to escape. Matthias Trauenstein held you tightly as the guard ran outside to call for help. You finally succeeded in freeing yourself from Trauenstein’s grasp and fled. You know the rest.”
“He really thought of everything,” Madlen said flatly.
“There’s very little we can do about that.”
“But the guard came to my house! It was he who wanted me to come to Adelhaid. Kilian can swear to it.”
“He’s your brother and wants to save your skin. Nobody will believe him.”
She suppressed a sob. “And Barbara?”
“She confirmed exactly what the guard and Matthias said.”
“Then all is lost.”
“I would love to be able to disagree with you. But you’re right.”
“But doesn’t anybody wonder, even the sheriff, why on earth I would want to kill Adelhaid?”
“Barbara lied, and Adelhaid wanted to make clear that it was you that killed her child? It doesn’t make any difference. The sheriff told me it would do no good to discuss it further. In his and Heidelberg’s eyes, you’re guilty of the death of Adelhaid Trauenstein.”
“They’ll hang me.”
“That would be the most merciful punishment you could hope for.”
Madlen sobbed.
“As much as I might wish that I could defend you, there is nothing I can do. Matthias Trauenstein planned everything out. You have only one choice now: run for your life!”
“But where should I go?”
“Somewhere where nobody knows you.”
“The only people who know me are in Heidelberg.”
“Then it should be easy.” Andreas seemed confident now. “We’ll smuggle you out of Heidelberg, and you’ll need to get as far away as you can.”
“But the city walls. The guards will be expecting me.”
“Well, of course. Nobody said you should march out of the city in your bloodstained dress.”
“But—”
“I’ve spoken to your brother. We’ve got a plan. But you’ll need to hide out here for a little while longer. The constables are keeping an eye on Kilian. They’re hoping that he’ll get careless and lead them to you.”
“He isn’t in custody?” Her voice trembled.
“No, he’s safe at the cottage. He asked me to bring you this.” Andreas held out a bag, but Madlen couldn’t see it. “There’s enough food and drink to last you a few days.”