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.He hesitated.‘Well, there was summat odd.Some shopkeeper who’d died.He’d given his servant the night off.When he came back the master was dead in his chair with a rug tucked all around him.That what you mean?’‘It could be.Any word of people leaving the town suddenly?’The carter laughed.‘Nay, who cares about that? There are always people flitting, you should know that, Mr Sedgwick.’The deputy nodded.He hadn’t expected much, but it was worth asking.‘The merchant, was there much stolen?’‘Like as not.I didn’t pay too much attention.Why, summat to do with Leeds, is it?’‘Probably not.’ He saw the interest die in the man’s eyes.Another hour and a few more drinks and he’d have forgotten the conversation.Sedgwick drained his mug.‘Enjoy your ale.’‘I’ll do that,’ Fadden said with a broad grin.‘And that Sherburn lass? Don’t be too sure your wife doesn’t know.’ He left the carter looking worried.Back at the jail, Sedgwick sat at the desk and slowly wrote out a note, taking his time over the shape of each letter and thinking how to phrase what he needed.Finally he sat back and read it through.It wasn’t as elegant as Rob or the boss could manage, perhaps, but it would serve.He sealed and addressed the note then carried it to the Moot Hall, leaving it on Cobb’s desk to be sent.Sedgwick strolled back down Briggate, his eyes alert for anything and everything.There was still time to ask a few more questions.Sooner or later there’d be a word, a hint, something to pry it all open, he felt sure of that; it had happened often enough before.He started to grin.It was his lucky day.Twenty yards ahead of him, parading as if he owned the street, was King Davy.The deputy lengthened his stride.Just as they reached the entrance to Queen’s Court, he caught up with Davy and pushed him hard into the opening, catching the man off balance and pinning him against the wall with a forearm against his throat.He reached down to pull King’s knife from its sheath and tossed it away.Davy was struggling, trying to free himself.Sedgwick raised his knee and began to grind it into the man’s bollocks, taking pleasure as his face began to turn red with pain.‘Still got something to say about whores, have you, Davy?’King’s eyes were beginning to bulge and he tried to claw the arm off his neck.The deputy pressed harder, lowered his knee and brought it back up sharply.‘Well,’ he asked again.‘Have you? Still got words to say about my Lizzie?’ King had his eyes closed, trying to shake his head.‘You’re going to be very polite to all the girls in future, Davy.’ He waited.‘Understand?’ The man gave a tiny nod and Sedgwick stood back, watching as Davy collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, hands clutched around the agony between his legs.‘I’m going to be asking.If I hear anything bad I’m going to come looking for you.And next time it’ll be a lot worse than this.’He strode off, leaving the man in the dirt.Smiling, he continued on his way.The sun was as hot as full summer, blazing down and leaving spring no more than a memory.The Constable was sweating in his coat, the shirt damp against his back.He marched out along the riverbank to Williamson’s warehouse, still weighing whether to tell the man about the threats at the school.Best not; after all, they’d given Emily money and promised more.He didn’t want their hearts turning faint now.A clerk motioned him through.The merchant was in his office, stripped to his shirt with the windows wide to catch the thin breeze that lifted off the Aire.‘You look drawn, Richard,’ the merchant said.‘Sit yourself down and have something to drink.’He downed a cup of ale gratefully.‘It’s nothing more than usual,’ he explained.‘Too many questions to ask and too few answers.I thought I’d ask what progress there’s been on the workhouse.’‘Straight to business?’ Williamson smiled.‘There’s not much to tell you.The Corporation’s received Mr Finer’s proposal and they’ve asked me to look at the figures.I have to tell you, everything I’ve seen in it makes sense.’‘He’s out to make money somehow.I’m certain of that.’Williamson exhaled slowly and answered with care, ‘I’ve only had time to examine things quickly so far.But if he does what he says, the workhouse will pay for itself.He’ll get his investment back and that’s all he’ll receive.It’s very fair for the city.I’m sorry, Richard, but it all seems honest.’‘Look closer, please,’ Nottingham said.‘There’ll be something hidden away in there, I’m sure of it.I remember what he was like.’‘I will.It’s my responsibility, after all.But I have to tell you, if I can’t see any fault I’m going to recommend that the Corporation accepts his offer.You understand that, don’t you?’‘Of course,’ he said tightly, and stood up.‘I’ll leave you to your work
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