Peter Tremayne - Dancing With Demons

‘You did not introduce her to Dubh Duin?’

He hesitated, frowning. ‘I believe I did. But there are many people who throng the court at Tara that I might introduce to various others. Dubh Duin was a representative of his people in the Great Assembly. Those involved with the Great Assembly knew him. So, at some gathering, I might well have presented him to Gormflaith.’

‘The fact is that Gormflaith says she was planning to marry the man who assassinated Sechnussach. Do you confirm that the divorce was arranged?’

Barrán compressed his lips for a moment before replying. ‘I cannot. Gormflaith talked of the … the possibility. That is all.’

‘I am told that Sechnussach and Gormflaith were agreed and that you were writing out the settlement which would have been sealed on the day Gormflaith returned from Cluain Ioraird. Can I see that settlement?’

‘It does not exist, Fidelma. Does Gormflaith say it does? She must be upset. I do not understand this.’

Fidelma let out a breath of irritation. ‘So, you say that while Gormflaith talked about possibilities of divorce from Sechnussach, you have no knowledge of it as an actuality? Sechnussach and Gormflaith made no agreement nor did you draw up such an agreement?’

‘That is what I have said, Fidelma.’ Brehon Barrán’s expression was sad. ‘Do you think Gormflaith’s head has been turned by these events?’

‘Why would she confess to Dubh Duin being her lover and then make up the story about the divorce?’

‘Self-protection?’ Barrán suggested.

‘But she did not have to confess anything in the first place. She could have denied it. It does not follow.’

‘Unless it is to absolve her from any suspicion in the affair. But even if she is not involved, we now have a resolution to this matter for it gives Dubh Duin a motive in his killing. He was jealous … ’

‘No, no,’ Fidelma said immediately. ‘Her argument is that there was to be a divorce and that Dubh Duin knew all about it. She claims that he had no motive to get rid of Sechnussach. Gormflaith would have been free to marry him within a few days.’

‘There — you see? She is trying to exonerate herself by bringing in the matter of divorce. No one can seriously argue that Dubh Duin did not killSechnussach. She is saying that all the eye-witnesses are therefore liars?’ Barrán pursed his lips. ‘Mind you, if it comes to that, and she is stating that I had knowledge of a divorce, then she claims that I am a liar also.’

Fidelma was silent for a moment, before saying, ‘Yet she is admitting to matters that would bring discredit to her, whereas she could easily deny them.’

‘She could be trying to protect Dubh Duin.’

‘She could, but why? Why protect her lover in death while admitting that he was her lover? Why not just say that he was infatuated with her and she did not know his intentions? As I said, it puts her in a bad light. She could well have presented herself as a wronged woman, deceived by a lover who used her to kill the High King. No, it will not do. There is something wrong here.’

Brehon Barrán regarded her thoughtfully. ‘The investigation is yours but there are still several questions to be asked.’

‘I agree. The one fact we do know is that Dubh Duin killed Sechnussach. Whatever Gormflaith says, it remains a fact. The warrior Lugna says that the man admitted his guilt with his dying breath. If she is so besotted with him, even in death, that might explain her not wanting to admit the possibility that he used to her to get close to Sechnussach.’

‘You suspect that? But why would he want to kill Sechnussach, if not for her?’

‘Others are involved, and Dubh Duin is merely a tool. Otherwise, there are matters that make no sense. But we still do not know the motive. The motive becomes more important, the longer I think about things. Who uttered the scream that alerted the warrior Lugna to the High King’s death, thus causing Dubh Duin to take his own life? And why should Dubh Duin take his own life?’

Fidelma rose suddenly and regarded the Chief Brehon with a serious expression.

‘Do you know if Sechnussach, during the years of estrangement with Gormflaith, ever took a second wife?’

Brehon Barrán chuckled, then said, ‘Sechnussach could never have disguised the fact that he had a dormun, a second wife. It would have required many legal clarifications. You can be sure that he did not. His personal household would have had to know that, and only they knew that Sechnussach and Gormflaith were estranged. Outside the royal enclosure, no one else was aware of it.’

‘And who made the decision to live separately?’

Barrán looked surprised. ‘Gormflaith in the first place,’ he said. ‘I think that Sechnussach once contemplated divorce. He was considering the nofaults divorce. They would part on equitable terms without blame to one another. You have to have agreement on the part of both people for that.’

‘So Sechnussach spoke of it but you are sure that, contrary to what Gormflaith says, nothing was agreed?’

‘To be perfectly honest,’ the Brehon admitted, ‘Sechnussach mentioned that it was Gormflaith who had first broached the matter, now I recall. They discussed matters between them but no agreement was made nor was I instructed to draw one up.’

‘Nevertheless, they discussed it after three years of estrangement. Gormflaith admits to her lover, but Sechnussach was a handsome and virile man. Did he really remain a celibate during those years?’

Brehon Barrán pursed his lips. ‘I doubt it,’ he said. ‘But if so, the High King was discreet — and discretion must have been imposed on anyone who was tempted to share his bed.’

‘Are you speculating or do you know this for a fact?’

‘I speculate, of course.’

‘And so you are not aware if Sechnussach had a mistress or even a series of mistresses?’

‘Sechnussach was not a man who gave his affections lightly.’

‘But he was still a man,’ Fidelma replied.

‘Then we must assume, as I have, that if he had a mistress then no one has been able to identify her and she has never come forward.’

Fidelma focused on the edge of the desk in some thought.

‘We are not in the middle of the forest here, Barrán. Someone must have known something, if such things were happening. Or else they are simply covering up their knowledge.’

‘It would follow that one or other of his household servants must have some knowledge,’ agreed the Chief Brehon. ‘And if you wish to approach the person who is most likely to have that knowledge, I would say that his personal attendant, his bollscari, would be the place to start.’

‘We are talking about Brother Rogallach?’

Barrán inclined his head in assent.

‘He is one of the few witnesses that I have yet to question,’ said Fidelma. ‘Are you saying that he was close to Sechnussach?’

‘As close as a servant may be to the person they serve.’

‘And therefore he would know of any secret liaisons, and trysts in the dead of night?’

‘Sechnussach could not have functioned without him. But — and far be it from me to offer you advice — isn’t the more important question: why would the assassin commit suicide without offering a defence?’

It was a question that had been uppermost in Fidelma’s mind and not merely since she had spoken with Gormflaith.

‘We will not know that until we find out why he killed Sechnussach. Don’t worry, I have pondered the problem. Why would a chieftain who, according to one report, is about to marry his lover, kill Sechnussach, make no effort to escape, and kill himself? We know that of all forms of fingal, or kin-slaying, self-slaughter is the worst of crimes. At the moment, it makes no sense at all unless Gormflaith has been frugal with the truth. Perhaps, as you say, she is trying to protect herself. At some stage, Barrán, I am afraid it will be a challenge between Gormflaith’s word and your word on this matter of the divorce agreement.’