Possible," I agreed. I stayed here briefly. Things seem positively prudish. I've seen hardly any late-night visitations from women with togas." On a female, the toga is the badge of a prostitute.
No; it would have to be big," said Rusticus. An officer in bed with a town councillor's wife?"
Or sending very large presents to a superior officer's mistress?"
Or cosying up to a crook's floozy, even then, only if the crook was under special investigation."
For at least import tax evasion."
With backhanders."
Above-average ones!" We both subsided, at the limit of not-very-shocking offences to name. I can't see it, Falco," sighed Rusticus. Wouldn't raise a flicker in Rome." I was ready to leave. You're right. It's tame. I don't know why he came here, but I don't believe Diocles was looking into the vigiles themselves." He had gone after other jobs, for one thing. So; is there anything else you can tell me about my missing man?"
He was fine when he left here. I said we had no vacancies but I'd keep his name listed. He took it quietly enough." I had reached the door before an impulse made me turn back. Did he give you a contact address? A room by the Marine Gate?" Rusticus looked surprised. He said he'd come in that day from out of town; I had the impression he stayed somewhere on the coast. Afraid I didn't bother to take down the details. I wasn't interested in him, after all." I did find the officer of the day. As I left, he was entering through the main gate, in company and laughing with Privatus, that builder with the stranded hair who was giving Petro houseroom. Maybe he was seeking a contract to rebuild the squadron house. The builder acknowledged me pleasantly, looking vague about where we had met. He seemed at home here. It was too much to hope that it was because he was regularly arrested. I managed a private interview with the officer and asked whether any Damagoras" featured in their special lists. He said the lists were confidential. He refused to look them up. Sick of unhelpful blockheads, I went home for lunch. There, my very intelligent and normally helpful girlfriend was awaiting my return. But even Helena Justina looked as if she might turn nasty.
Albia was playing with the children, head down, not meeting anybody's eye. For once, the two little girls were keeping very quiet. My brother-in-law Aulus was acting unconcerned, as if whatever had happened was none of his fault; he greeted me with a silent grimace, then stuck his head in a note-tablet. I could not even see Nux. They all seemed grateful that I had come home, to fend off the ballistics and rescue them. Helena Justina continued for a moment to slice leeks on an unpleasant wooden board we had inherited with the apartment. Leeks are an Ostia speciality. I had been promised my favourite recipe. It looked as if grit would be left in among the fronds. On purpose.
Helena, dear heart! Shall I go out and come in again, more contrite?"
Are you suggesting there is something wrong, Falco?"
Of course not, fruit. I would just like to make it plain I never touched that barmaid, whatever the girl may be saying, and if somebody has left a dead rat in the gutter overflow, it wasn't me; that is absolutely not my idea of something funny." Helena took a long, deep breath, and looked up from her knifework with a stare that said she was considering the barmaid suggestion very, very thoroughly. Maybe that joke had been too big a risk. She was still holding the knife. I really could not think of any reason to feel guilty, so I stayed quiet and looked meek. Not too meek. Helena was easily irritated. She was still holding her breath too; now she let it all out, extremely slowly. Nobody should be blamed for their family," she announced.
Ah!" It was one of my relatives. No surprise. I could have run through the possibilities mentally, but there were far too many.
Your sister came," said Helena, as if it had nothing to do with the atmosphere.
Maia?" I did not even bother to mention Allia or Galla. They were useless lumps who tried to borrow things, but they were safe in Rome.
Junia." Right. Junia came back. How typical. Whatever she did or said, I apologise for her, dearest."
