"That is Pedro Daun... But you didn't come here to chat about the past."
Gabriel shoved a hand in his hair. "Christ— "
"Don't say the lord's name in vain."
Gabriel glowered. "I am being blackmailed. If I don't confirm Pedro's accusations, my lies will be revealed. To my father."
"This is a godsend. Your father is an honorable man, and you were a boy. We all were. He will understand."
"It's not that simple."
"God is simple, and so is justice."
"If Father finds out, it would be too powerful a blow for him. I can't— "
"You blamed Pedro for a crime he didn't commit in Mozambique. Are you willing to do it again? Send an innocent man to the gallows?"
Gabriel's gut churned. "That's why I'm here."
Silence stretched. Santiago's breathing mingled with Gabriel's feet rasping the slate floor. A tired sight. "What do you want?"
"I cannot do this alone. I need your help."
"Impossible. I'm not the lieutenant of his Majesty's Hunters anymore. I wear the cloth—"
"Ulrich is in Portugal."
Santiago stopped speaking. A charged silence filled the confined space.
Gabriel's heart sped, and he leaned forward. "Listen to me. Pedro says Ulrich shot the king. I need to find the slave trader before Pedro is arrested."
The organ blared metallic notes. Rising again, the falsetto chimed a lifting Agnus Dei. When he’d been a choirboy, he had chafed at having to show up on Wednesdays and Sundays. If only he’d known how his obligations would change...
Gabriel gripped the back of the pew. "Do you think I would come here if I had any alternatives? Lives are in danger. Not only Pedro's, but he has a girl with him, an innocent girl he claims as his alibi. My blackmailer sent me a note. He wants to meet me in the new club, the Siren."
On the other side, a loud creak, and then steps clattering. A second later, the curtain was jerked open. Light invaded the confessionary. Gabriel blinked. Seeing his friend in the black cassock, even after ten years, was still a shock.
Santiago crossed his arms, glowering. No wonder the ladies chose him as their confessor. His straight posture and classic features differed from the saggy priests available elsewhere. "If I help you, it will not be to save your lies."
Gabriel rose, his thighs cramping. "I promise, after this is settled, I will—"
Santiago raised his palm. "We should have helped Pedro after we returned, but..." He sighed and glanced at his pointed black shoes. "The bishop gave me absolution, but my conscience is less forgiving."
"Pedro decided to keep away from us, to return to his father's fold."
"Still, we should have stood with him. He was an arrogant ass, but he was one of us."
"Will you help me find Ulrich?"
Santiago pointed his chin to the exit. "Not here. If you will force me to visit a brothel, at least buy me a glass of port."
Chapter 29
Annemissedthebrilliantdawn. This morning, it had been just darkness turning to gray, the dismayed light oozing through the circular hatch and invading her cabin without her consent.
Inês’s book rested above the tallboy, and Anne reluctantly reached for it.
Coimbra, Quinta das Lágrimas - November 1335
