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."
