I already knew the girl, Rhodope, was missing." Rubella stayed calm. The father came bellyaching at the patrol house. Relax, Falco. We are on to it."
Well I've told you she is in Ostia. No need to thank me," I sneered. He did not blink.
That's a bummer." Petronius was more forthcoming. He even pulled out a cushion from behind him and tossed it to me so I could sit on a low wall. She's put the whole operation at risk." So it was an operation" now, was it? Rubella in charge, and even Petronius Longus following his chiefs orders. I knew where that placed me.
The charioteer didn't stop at the gatehouse, Falco?"
Theopompus never looked at the place. That may have been to conceal the hideout, or he may just have been enjoying himself too much with his crazy driving."
And you believe this girl is at risk?" Rubella's tone was ponderous; he reminded me of Gaius Baebius. When I spelled out my fears that Damagoras would eliminate Rhodope, the tribune's interest was cursory. There has been no direct threat to her?"
No, there has been no threat. But what villain issues a statement of intent when he is about to snuff out a witness?" I knew what Rubella would say. Even Petronius would support him. We can keep a watching brief on the girl. But we can't go in and fetch her. There is too much at stake," warned Rubella bluntly.
Until we identify the others and position ourselves for a swoop, Rhodope cannot be my priority." Petronius Longus then gave me the fixed stare treatment. I know what you're thinking, Falco. Don't do it!" Rubella also jumped on me. Falco, I don't want you carrying out an independent mission. Leave the girl and her boyfriend strictly alone from now on, do you hear?"
We'll do the drama." Petro reinforced his words.
So what about the watch on the gatehouse?" I demanded.
Leave that to us," said Rubella. I stood up. Well thanks, both of you. I would like to say that if the girl dies, her blood is on your hands. Unfortunately, I can't let myself off so lightly. If she dies it will be my fault, my fault for having foolishly trusted the vigiles to defend law and order."
We are accountable to the whole community." Rubella's tone was so bland I could have pushed his teeth down his throat. I don't want to see the girl harmed, I don't want to explain that to her father."
You know the score, Marcus," Petronius said. She must take her chance." It was tough. That's the vigiles, for you. Rubella was making statements. I want to round up the entire gang and put a stop to this kidnapping, once and for all."
Once and for all" is political jargon, which makes it absolutely meaningless. As I took myself off from the contractor's house, who should I meet coming in but Brunnus, the Sixth's detachment leader.
What are you doing here, Brunnus?"
Marcus Rubella has arrived in Ostia. We have a meeting arranged, Falco. Handover and joint strategy discussion." Joint balls-up, more likely. After Rubella and Petronius had both expressed a wish to show up their colleagues in the Sixth, I could hardly believe this. Inter-cohort liaison? Whatever happened to rivalry?" Brunnus grinned happily. What rivalry, Falco?" He was an innocent. Rubella was probably picking his brains, prior to shafting him and his cohort. We have to interleave our efforts on some critical initiatives."
The kidnaps," I stated. As far as he knew, I was chasing pirates over Diocles but had never heard of the kidnap racket. Fired up, Brunnus failed to notice. Be wonderful," he gloated, if the vigiles can get ahead of Caninus and the navy!" No doubt Caninus had some other navy unit he was hoping to outwit. The Ravenna and Misenum Fleets were bound to be rivals. So it would go on. each branch of the services locked into doing down the next. Never mind Posidonius losing his daughter. The important thing was to establish cohort supremacy. All any of them wanted was an honourable mention from the Emperor. Brunnus headed in to see the others, but I caught his arm. Word of advice," I said, feeling tetchy and wanting to land someone in mule shit. You need to jolly up that dozy group of bullies you keep farmed out in the west sector."
We don't have any farmed-out men, Falco. I don't believe in it. Leads to lack of discipline."
I saw them myself. Four great laggards. Streetside, sleeping on the job in an abandoned lot, chucking their weight about, just beyond the main Forum."
Not ours," Brunnus assured me.
