As Helena and I were going out, we met Rubella and Petronius coming in. We all stopped to confer on the doorstep of the lodging house.
It's a swindle," I announced to the two vigiles. Nothing about this matches the methodology of the Cilician gang. I advised Holconius and Mutatus not to deliver the money. They promised, but of course they will ignore me. I'm going to lie in wait at the drop site."
We'll see you there!" breezed Rubella, in a jovial mood.
Do you know where it is?"
Falco, if you can get it out of a couple of scribes, we damn well can too." Rubella paused, and became less jocular. So what about the missing man? Could he have been kidnapped?"
It's possible."
Who would take a prisoner and hold him for two or three months, without contact?" Petro asked. The story is illogical. What do you think?" he then asked me.
One. Diocles could have topped himself while in some mental crisis over a dead aunt, his only relative. Two. he upset Damagoras, a likely suspect. Or three. something bad happened because Diocles held a grudge against some members of the builders" guild, more suspicious bastards." Petro and Rubella cheered up at three, delighted to have their fire fighting rivals implicated.
What's the betting?" Rubella demanded.
Honestly, I don't know."
Typical informer!" Helena looked defensive, then asked Rubella, How did you know the scribes lived here?"
Oh we have ears everywhere, young lady!" Petronius was more open. They arrived in Ostia in a big carriage, clearly carrying a chest of gold, and at the Rome Gate they stopped to ask directions to a good lodging house." I groaned. So the whole of Ostia knows they have something to steal? The money box is in their room; help yourselves before somebody else does. I advised them to stash the cash at the Temple of the Capitoline Triad."
We'll recommend the Temple of Rome and Augustus," scoffed Rubella. That should confuse the stylus-pushers nicely." The two vigiles officers were going upstairs, no doubt to repeat the conversation Helena and I had just held there. We parted in light hearted mood. We were all fired up because at last we could make progress. Whether we caught the real kidnap gang or some other chancers, at least now there was an opening for action.
Oh by the way," Rubella called back to me. That silly girl, Posidonius" daughter, came to plead for the body to bury. I allowed her to have it." I was amazed he had been so gracious to Rhodope, but I knew why. it saved the vigiles having to dispose of Theopompus themselves. I said she had to hold a decent Roman funeral at a quiet local necropolis, not some damned great pirate feast on the beach, and she is to let me know in advance where and when the ceremony is." I gave him a light salute. See you there as well then!" Rubella had paused again. Two steps above him on a flight of stairs, Petronius watched us. Petro knew what was coming. Another thing, Falco, she let slip a curious fact. Theopompus was not one of the Cilicians. He was an Illyrian." I raised my eyebrows. Not the one who acts as an intermediary; his description is quite different… So, Rubella, what does this mean?"
I have absolutely no idea," admitted the tribune. But if Illyrians and Cilicians have been working in partnership, maybe we can somehow put a rift between them."
Play politics!" exclaimed Helena admiringly. Rubella looked suspicious, but was unable to tell whether she was mocking him. When we reached our apartment, Julia and Favonia were engaged in a screaming quarrel. Albia let out a final exasperated yell at them, failed to make any impact, then ran out to sit by herself in the courtyard. Helena and I seated ourselves on either side of her, each holding one of her hands in consolation as we listened to the high-pitched volcanics up above.
Just to let you know," I told Helena over Albia's head, when we get divorced, I shall provide decent necessities without protest, and I am surrendering all my paternal rights to the children."
Oh they must live with you, Falco. I am a traditionalist," Helena lied.
No, I absolutely insist on this. Little children should be with their loving mothers. I am a generous man. I shall compel myself to make this sacrifice." Helena gazed back at me. We could both run away," she suggested, rather wistfully. They have two grandmothers who will fight for adoption rights."
Done!" I cried. Let's run away together; that sounds like fun." Other tenants were starting to look out to see what the noise was. Some wag asked us whether we wanted him to call in the army to quell the tribal rebellion. Leaving Albia to sit in peace, Helena and I went up dutifully to wrench apart our offspring. So long as we only had two, we could grapple with one each. Normally the bruises went down after about five days. If the two scribes followed their instructions, they had to take their money to the drop the next morning. Rising when it was still dark, I prepared for action. I hammered loose studs back into my best boots. Nux was lying on my feet. Albia had come from the other room and was observing the ritual.
I don't have a boot-mender in Ostia."
You won't use a boot-mender in Rome, Marcus Didius." We both spoke in hushed voices.
True." By the light of an oil lamp, I checked bootstraps methodically. Menders are useless." I wiped the oil from my sword, having first produced the weapon from my hiding place, to Albia's astonishment. Turning it to the light, I checked the blade and sharpened it with my sharkskin buffer. Then I filed my dagger with pumice, just to keep occupied. Tell me, solemn girlie from the wild north, why are you so intent on what I am doing?"
Aulus Camillus said, if there was to be any action, I should watch you getting ready."
Aulus, eh?" I winked at her. People tended to assume Albia was a pallid soul, but she could take teasing. Watch for what, exactly?"
He said it always impressed him to see you change from a clown to a soldier."
Aulus thought well of me, eh?" That came as a surprise.
He said. When the eyes stop smiling, you can feel safe." Of course," Albia assured me quickly, smiling herself, I feel safe all the time now myself. He meant, that was how he felt, if he was in an action with you." I stood up. The dog jumped back, and whined softly. She knew something was up, and that she would not be taken out with me when I left. I made sure I had on a tunic which allowed free movement of the arms, tightened my belt a notch, buckled on my sword.
I did not know you had a sword with you," Albia observed gravely.
You never wear a sword in Rome."
In Rome, it is against the law."
So it is safer for you here, where you can wear one?"
No. It is more dangerous, because here there may be idiots wearing weapons who don't know how to use them properly."
But you do?"
I do."
Have you ever."
Albia, don't ask." I had to say goodbye to Helena now; she was in the other room with the children, pretending not to know what I was doing. Do me a favour, Albia. When I have gone, tell Helena Justina what her brother said." Albia nodded slowly. That will comfort her."
Perhaps. If not, just remind her that on this operation I am not alone; I am going out to play with the big boys from the vigiles." Instinct had brought Helena to the doorway. Nux ran to her, seeking help to deter me from going; Helena bent to stop the dog pawing the flimsy undertunic she wore in bed at night. Seeing me ready and with my sword on, Helena closed the door gently between me and the children. Julia, who was always too alert for convenience, was already just the other side of the door, silently staring. Behind her, I glimpsed Favonia sleepily standing up in the crib. Given what I know of the vigiles, should their presence reassure me, Marcus?" Helena kept her voice low.
Trust in what you know of me." I took off my gold equestrian ring, then gave it to her for safe keeping; sometimes it was best not to reveal my status. I kissed her quietly. Only Helena could tell whether my eyes were still smiling.
Don't fall into any water," she answered. An old joke between us. An old, and very loving joke. She was still anxious, but I had all her affection. It shows what great forbearance Helena allowed me, given that she knew I was going out now to a brothel in the port.