Page 197 of The Armor of Light

He nodded. ‘I’ve heard of that.’

‘Has anyone ever done it to you?’

‘No.’

‘Apparently they do it all the way to the end...if you see what I mean.’

‘I see what you mean.’ Spade realized he was breathing hard.

‘That’s what I want to try.’

‘Then do it. Please.’

‘Do you really want me to?’

‘You have no idea,’ said Spade.

30

THE ASSIZE COURT JUDGEhad a thin, mean face like a vulture, Spade thought. His eyes were close to the bridge of a nose that turned under, like a hooked beak. As he took his seat at the Guild Hall, he ducked his head and raised his arms to spread his gown, like the wings of a vulture coming in to land. Then he looked at the people gathered in front of him as if they were his prey.

Or perhaps this is my imagination, Spade thought. Perhaps he’s a kindly old man who shows mercy whenever he can. The face doesn’t always mirror the character.

Usually it does, though.

Still, the judge would not be the one to decide whether Tommy was guilty. That was the job of the jury. Spade looked despondently at the twelve well-dressed Kingsbridge worthies being sworn in. As always, they were prosperous tradesmen and merchants – the kind of people least likely to turn a blind eye to theft from a stallholder.

While they were taking the vow, Cissy Bagshaw spoke to Spade in a low voice. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t get made alderman. I did my best.’

‘I know you did, and I’m grateful.’

‘It was the bishop’s sermon that did the damage, I’m afraid.’

Spade nodded. ‘A sinner should not be elevated to a position of power and responsibility.’

‘Someone must have prompted him.’

‘I’m sure it was Hornbeam. He’s my only enemy.’

‘I expect you’re right.’

Spade had learned an unpleasant lesson from his first foray into politics. He was annoyed with himself for failing to anticipate the strength and ruthlessness of Hornbeam’s opposition. If ever he tried again, his first step would be to figure out how to neutralize his enemies.

The swearing-in was completed and the jury took their seats.

If Tommy was found guilty – which seemed more or less inevitable – the judge would decide the punishment. That was where there was room for mercy. It was unusual for a child to be hanged; unusual, but not unknown. Spade prayed the man was not as mean as he looked.

The courtroom was full, the air already stuffy, the mood sombre. Jenn Pidgeon was at the front of the standing crowd, her eyes red with crying, her hands constantly folding and unfolding the end of the sash around her waist. It was hard to imagine anything worse, Spade thought, than waiting to hear whether your child was to be executed.

Spade had expected Hornbeam to stay away. There was already a good deal of muttering in the town about his harsh treatment of Jenn, and this trial would be uncomfortable for him whatever the result. But he looked proud and defiant. He caught Spade’s eye, and his lips twisted in a half-smile of triumph. Yes, Spade thought, you won that battle.

Spade was disappointed, but not heartbroken. However, he was angry that his relationship with Arabella had been used to defeat him. Of course he and Arabella were sinners, that was bound to attract disapproval; but all the same, he felt she had been demeaned. People had been talking about her and deciding that she brought shame to him. He would never forgive Hornbeam for that.

But he remembered that his woes were trivial when Tommy was brought in.

Assizes were held only twice a year, and Tommy had spent the interim in Kingsbridge Jail. It was no place for a child. He seemed thinner and had a downtrodden look. Spade felt a surge of pity. But perhaps his sad appearance would win the jury’s sympathy. Or perhaps not.

The evidence was the same as before. Josiah Blackberry described the theft and the arrest. Elsie Mackintosh corroborated his story, but insisted on pointing out that the child had been starving, because his father had been taken up by the press gang and his mother had been refused poor relief. Hornbeam, the overseer of the poor, looked haughtily indignant, but said nothing.