Page 49 of The Frozen River

“I beg your pardon, Your Honor.” North takes a step forward and clears his throat. “I believe there has been a mistake. Benjamin Page, a physician in Hallowell, declared Joshua Burgess’s death an accidental drowning.”

I look to North, curious what he’s up to. Not five days ago he threatened Cyrus, insinuated that he’d been the one to kill Burgess. And now he’s pushing Dr. Page’s assessment again? It doesn’t make sense.

As though sensing my scrutiny, North’s eyes flick to mine—tighten—then return to the judge.

Oh. It’s a threat, I think. To me. He knows I don’t want Cyrus’s name brought up in court regarding a murder investigation. He’s reminding me that he has a card to play.

“Mr. Lambard?” Wood asks.

Barnabas steps forward once more but removes his hat this time and lays it against his thigh. “Yes, Your Honor?”

“You went to apprehend Mr. Burgess?”

“I did. On the orders of this court.”

“And what did you find?”

“That he is dead. I saw the body myself as it’s being stored until the ground thaws enough for burial.”

“And did it appear to you that the man had drowned?”

Barnabas shakes his head and two ringlets fall across his brow. “No, Your Honor, he—”

North clears his throat. “Again, Your Honor, if I may clarify?”

“If I want your clarification, I will ask for it. As you were saying, Mr. Lambard?”

I have been curious about Barnabas from the moment I saw him scuffling outside Pollard’s Tavern with James Wall, and he continues to surprise me now.

“When I found the body of Mr. Burgess, I saw that he had countless injuries. So I asked to see the court records regarding his death. I was obliged by one Henry Sewell of Hallowell.” Here he glances at me and offers a nod so faint I barely catch it. “It is true that the official cause of death recorded is that of drowning.”

The crowd murmurs quietly and Barnabas lets them.

“But,” he says, after a moment, “the record also shows that there was a second, conflicting opinion as to cause of death—also recorded by a medical professional—that of murder. Specifically hanging. In my capacity, as an officer of the court, it is my opinion, given that Mr. Burgess is one of two men accused of a serious crime, this seems a matter worth looking into. In no small part because”—and here he does look apologetic—“during that same hearing, a man was accused of killing Mr. Burgess.”

“What man?” Wood asks.

“Reverend Isaac Foster, sir.”

Stupid boy, I think, and when Barnabas glances at me, he can safely judge my thoughts by my expression alone. His eyebrows pinch together in concern before he turns back to Wood.

“Mr. North,” Wood asks, “was any proof of this offered to your court?”

He stands, and I can see that he is choosing his words carefully. “A young woman who used to work for the Fosters claims that she overheard Mrs. Foster say that her husband killed the man. But that point was also argued in my courtroom, so I had my clerk record the accusation but took no further action as it seemed to be a concern best left to another court.” North offers a pinched smile. “Given the circumstances.”

“Well, at least we can agree on that.” Wood snorts, then whacks the table with his gavel. “The clerk will note that the question of Joshua Burgess’s cause of death remains undecided and will be held over until the next session. As will any consideration of involvement by Reverend Foster or anyone else. We will move forward to the issue at hand. The case against Joseph North as it relates to the accusation of injury to Mistress Foster’s person. All parties please come forward.”

Rebecca moves to the front of the room, fingers knotted together at her waist, head held high. Isaac follows, a hand set protectively in the small of her back. She looks at Isaac, alarmed, when he pulls away from her side and approaches the table.

“I have a request to make before we begin,” he says.

Wood looks at Rebecca, then at Isaac. “I presume you are Mr. Foster?”

“I am.”

“Have no fear, Mr. Foster, the court will not concern itself today with the accusation made against you.”

“That is not what I would like to address. Although, given that neither my wife nor I were in Judge North’s court last month, and we did not have the chance to defend ourselves, I would like the record to show that I formally deny the accusation. I had no part in that man’s death.”