The Merchant of Vengeance (Shakespeare & Smythe 4)

"I should say not!"

"After they left, however, I should imagine that you went to her at once, out of concern?"

"I did, indeed."

"And did she say anything to you about Thomas's murder?" Elizabeth moistened her lips and nodded.

"She told you, did she not, that she believed her father was responsible?" .

"She did."

"And did you believe her?"

Elizabeth hesitated.

"Elizabeth… did you believe her when she said she thought her father was the one responsible?"

"I did," Elizabeth replied.

"You are doing a bloody marvelous job," said Mayhew, with a disgusted look at Shakespeare. "Keep it up!"

Locke slammed down his hammer. "Silence!"

"Did you have any know

ledge, other than what Portia told you, that led you to believe that Henry Mayhew murdered Thomas Locke, or else paid to have it done?" asked Shakespeare.

Elizabeth moistened her lips again. "Nay, I did not."

"But you believed it just the same?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Aye. I did believe it."

"Might I ask why?"

Elizabeth frowned. "Well… who else could have done it?"

"The fact is, anyone in London could have done it," Shakespeare replied. "What you mean to ask is 'Who would have done it?'

Is that not so?"

"Aye. What is the difference?"

"Oh, there is a very great difference," Shakespeare said. "A very great difference, indeed. There could have been any number of people who could have killed him. The question is, who would have had a reason to do so? Aside from Henry Mayhew, that is."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I am sure I do not know."

"Well, that is what we must endeavor to find out," said Shakespeare. "I am finished with this witness. I would next like to call Master Leffingwell, the tailor."

Elizabeth stepped down, and Master Leffingwell was brought out, dressed in his nightclothes. He looked very frightened and disheveled. As soon as he was sworn, Shakespeare tried to reassure him. '

"Do not be afraid," he said. "All you need to do is tell the truth, and you should be home in bed within the hour. Now, please tell the court your name and occupation."

"M-M-Master William Leffingwell," he stammered. "I am a't-tailor."

"No need to be afraid," Shakespeare told him once more. "No one shall harm you. All you need do is answer a few questions. "What was your relationship with Thomas Locke?"

Leffingwell looked terrified, but he managed to compose himself enough to answer. "He… he worked for me. He was my apprentice."