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Will narrowed his eyes. It was obvious to Conall that Will knew Murray well enough to be wary.
‘Aye, what of it,’ he said slowly.
‘Now I want a life in return, Will. Tell me what you do up there at the castle.’
‘Guard prisoners, that’s all.’ Will’s eyes shifted away for a second.
‘He’s lying, Murray,’ said Conall. This man was a worm, a wretch.
‘I know, and he was always very bad at it,’ said Murray. ‘The truth now, Will, for I’ve no time for this.’
‘Man’s got to do what he must. You think it doesn’t press on me? Why do you think I come here and drink myself to a stupor night after night? I’m as much in hell as they are.’
‘So what are you, an executioner?’
‘No, I keep them locked up, and sometimes I have to, you know, get a confession.’
‘Torture.’
‘Aye, but mostly it doesn’t come to that. They are so frightened they confess to avoid it. The threat is usually enough, and I give them swift ends at least. Not burning them like some. I won’t do that.’
‘How?’
‘Strangle them. ‘Tis easy enough if a man’s got the stomach for it.’
‘Especially when his need for whisky overcomes his conscience, eh?’ said Murray.
‘Hah, like you ever had one.’
‘I do now, so listen carefully.’ Murray glanced over at Conall, a warning to him to hold his tongue. ‘If life has treated you ill, old friend, then I am sorry for it. Grant me this wish, and you can be redeemed and set on a proper course, have a fresh start. Go back to London and disappear into that rat’s nest you remember so fondly and just think, you will be returning with silver in your pocket. Far better than scratching a living for their scraps and doing their dirty work, killing old women and children. That’s not a man’s living. There is no honour in it.’
‘Are you asking me to break someone out of the castle? If I am caught, I’ll swing, or worse.’
‘Aye, that is what I am asking.’
‘And if I choose not to?’
Murray shrugged his shoulders and smiled. ‘Who said you have a choice.’
‘So I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t, is it? I thought we were friends.’
‘Aye, which is why I am paying you instead of just threatening you, Will.’
‘Suppose I tell them what you are about.’
‘I think you know me well enough not to do that.’
Conall had never heard so much menace delivered in such a calm voice. It had the desired effect.
‘Alright,’ said Will, ‘I suppose I’ll do it, but I need your word about the money.’
‘You have it.’ Murray held out his hand, and Will took it and gripped it hard.
‘There’s a girl.’
‘Isn’t there always Murray?’
‘This one’s not mine. She's blond, very pretty, blue eyes, and she’d be finely dressed.’
