I'm sure they will." I did not want to be involved. Can you blame them, once they find they are being scrutinised by you?, You know the other kidnappers silenced Theopompus," I growled. Somebody said only yesterday that if he drew attention to their racket, his cronies would not thank him."
Who said that? Are they connected to the gang?"
No, just an uncle of mine who I happened to run into. We were chatting generally."
I didn't know you had an uncle here."
Neither did I." Helena walked away from us and went back to the road. She stood on the causeway, where a brisk wind blew her mantle against her body. The fine blue cloth flapped like tent canvas, fighting its embroidered border, which moved to and fro more heavily. Helena hugged her arms close around herself, staring across the opposite marshes.
What's your plan for the chariot?" I asked Petro, as I prepared to go to Helena.
Drag it to the Forum. Stick up a board saying, Anyone see this fandangle yesterday?" Then put a man alongside to take notes. One good thing, it was a very noticeable craft." I nodded, and went to my girl. I tried to hold her, though she turned away from me. Her dark hair had been tugged free by the wind; she was still clinging on to her mantle with one hand while struggling to collect loose hairpins. I stroked her hair, gathering the long loose strands in my own hand, then held her hard against my chest. Both of us must have been thinking about that momentary sighting we had had of Rhodope and Theopompus when they drove into Ostia, he, showing off madly and barely able to control his high strung black horses, she screaming with excitement at the sheer thrill of being with him. Calmer now, Helena became less unresponsive in my arms. So for a short time there were, after all, two lovers clinging together for comfort, in that wild place.
We watched the recovery of the chariot, which was manhandled up to the road and then fixed to the vigiles" cart. Its Hellenic ornament looked tawdry and cheap, now the paintwork was battered. Harness bells jingled forlornly. While its rescue was accomplished, the body of Theopompus was taken up too. Fusculus appeared, having found no sign of any other passengers. So we all trekked back to Ostia. I checked for news at the station house with Petro and Fusculus. In view of the kidnap connection, Rubella had assumed command. Petro looked annoyed, and became even more friendly to me behind Rubella's back.
The girl is alive. The father came in," announced Rubella. She was returned to him late last night. He answered the door and she was pushed indoors, screaming, wrapped up tight in a cloak. Posidonius just grabbed her; he claims he never saw who brought her. She's not telling him anything." We listened. We were all tired, wind-blown and depressed. Rubella had merely sat at the patrol house letting the evidence come to him. Now we were ready to let him take the initiative. Somebody has to interview the daughter. Petronius Longus, can you get your wife here? The girl may be overawed; I think we should start with the kindly approach and a chaperone."
Helena Justina knows Rhodope," I suggested. Helena is already here; she is waiting for me." Petro shrugged; he was easy. Rubella went along with it. Fusculus sat outside the interview room with Posidonius. If there was anything more to extract from the father, Fusculus with his easy going manner was likely to obtain it. Inside the room, we seated Rhodope on a chair. She looked boot faced and uncooperative. Helena tried to reassure her, but the girl remained sullen. Either she had been frightened into silence or she now just hated everyone; she definitely did not intend to help us. Petronius, calm and understated, introduced himself and said he had to tell her we had found her lover dead. He first implied he thought it was a road accident, gently leading in to saying that Theopompus had been murdered. No reaction. Rubella pulled rank and tried the heavy stuff, but had no luck either. They told the girl she might be in danger herself; clearly she did not care.
