“Och.Aye.”The abbot rubbed at his sleepy eyes.“I’ve lost track o’ the days.”
“Besides,” the prior said, “I can take Dunlop a jar o’ the honey he likes so well.”
The abbot waved his approval.
Hew was not happy with that decision.He’d hoped to make the journey alone.
As expected, the dour prior proved poor company.The instant they passed through the gate, ’twas as if the prior was no longer bound by the silence of the monastery.He began to chatter incessantly, preparing Hew to meet the physician as if he were going to meet the Pope.
He warned Hew that Peris was a nervous man who didn’t like to be questioned about his methods.He said that a death was always traumatic for a physician, so he should not be judged by his fragility today.He stressed that the monastery appreciated the physician’s services and wanted to keep them.
To make matters worse, the prior’s sandal-shod shuffle lengthened the journey.What Hew could have covered in an hour of long strides took twice as long at the prior’s slow pace.
But as long as the prior had insisted on accompanying him, Hew supposed he should make good use of the time.
“Tell me what you know about Brother Cathal.”
“Brother Cathal?He collects the alms once a week, on Thursday, and distributes them to the poor.”
“Where does he go to collect them?”
“The chapter house.”
“So he goes within the monastery walls?”
“Aye, but…” The prior halted on the road and drew his brows together.“Ye don’t think Brother Cathal is the thief?”
“He has access.”
The prior looked troubled.He stroked his chin thoughtfully and resumed walking.“Brother Cathal.”He shook his head.“’Tis possible, but…”
“Did any of the thefts occur on Thursdays?”
“Theymayhave.’Tis hard to say.Sometimes the objects aren’t missed for days.”The prior mulled over the idea for a moment.Then he said, “Ye don’t suppose he’s been stealin’ the alms as well?”
Hew shrugged.
“Sweet Mary,” the prior said, “if he’s been stealin’ alms all this time…” He let out a pained sigh.“Brother Cathal’s been collectin’ from Kildunan for two years.”
Hew thought the prior was getting ahead of things.Brother Cathal’s guilt hadn’t been established.Access didn’t prove the crime.
“What about Father James?”Hew asked.
“Father James?”
“He was on your list as well.”
The prior straightened indignantly.“Father James is beyond reproach.I only put him on the list because he makes regular visits to the monastery.”
“Random visits, not regular visits.”
“Well, aye.But he comes every month.”
“And what is his access?”
“He has access to all o’ Kildunan,” the prior scoffed.“As he should.After all, he’s in charge o’ the monastery.”
“Have any of the valuables gone missing after his inspections?”
