I was to regret my challenge of Saul on the cobbles. There he was, taking the empty chair beside Dr Bishy, not bothering to remove his large, wild coat. If I achieved success that night, Saul would want to claim a piece of it. I would owe him.

Dr Bishy reared back from his new neighbour, as if to get a view of a rare and peculiar creature. Jed Springer shook his head, amused; Abe Powell kept his gaze steady, shark-like.

Jacob Crane’s smile was stiff and he closed his eyes briefly for emphasis as he greeted Saul. ‘Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Mr Cooper.’ He turned to me. ‘Do you have an urgent message, Miss Cedars? Will that explain this interruption of the Council in session?’

This was it, this was my cue.

‘I’m here to arbitrate on the case of my father’s death,’ I told him.

Silence.

‘I assume,’ I went on, ‘that it will be happening this evening?’

I looked to Abe, Jed and the doctor in turn, each of them immediately fascinated by the white nothingness of the tablecloth.

Mr Crane’s smile grew more rigid. ‘Though you think it should concern you, Miss Cedars –’ he spoke kindly, slowly, the way he addressed the younger children of St Rita’s ‘– and I understand how you might have come to this conclusion in the midst of your sadness, for which we all here are very sorry –’ there were muttered condolences ‘– this matter does not concern you. So, you may leave.’

Viola twitched to go. I snatched a handful of her coat.

‘I was present at the last,’ I went on. ‘Dr Bishy here was not.’

The doctor spluttered righteously into speech, one finger spearing the air. ‘That was no oversight on my part, I assure you, I –’

‘No,’ I interrupted, ‘I didn’t say that it was. My father was dying, nothing could be done. But I was the one who received his final word on how his death should be recorded and Viola here –’ I regathered my grip on her coat. The girl stood up straighter at the mention of her name, ‘– she was involved in the game with the heart.’

‘Game!’ Jed Springer slapped a palm against the tablecloth, making both Viola and me jump. He laughed, quite genuinely. ‘Game!’ None of the other men joined in and his amusement puttered out.

Saul stared at me open-mouthed.

‘“Game” is the wrong word,’ I agreed. ‘They did it in all seriousness.’ Viola gave a great gasp. ‘But only as a keep-safe,’ I went on. ‘That is what they have been used for in our island’s darker history – hearts with nails – as talismans to ward off evil spirits.’

I could feel Mr Crane readying his sword to fight me, so I raised mine – higher.

‘My father was looking after Miss Kendrick here, while her mother was… is…’ I didn’t know how to phrase it.

‘Unwell,’ Viola put in.