“Please believe me, we have your best interests at heart. The Lord Chamberlain-your husband-has spent a great deal of time lately in the company of people with whom he would not seem to have any legitimate business.”
Cornelia did not correct his misapprehension that she and John were married. If, indeed, he really believed it. “As Justinian’s representative he might have legitimate business with anyone in this city or indeed the empire,” she pointed out.
“That may well be, but these people I mention are like pieces of colored glass-innocent enough singly but when arranged together they form a picture. In this case, a most sinister picture.”
“What people are these?”
“Why, Felix for one, the excubitor captain who controls a contingent of armed men within the walls of the palace itself. Did you know that General Belisarius is also in the city? Justinian relieved him of his command, so he has a grievance against the emperor, and the loyalty of a great many soldiers. I have it on impeccable authority that your husband has consulted an associate of the general.”
Cornelia noticed a look of outrage appeared on Peter’s face. Evidently he too had grasped the implication contained in the smooth words. She glared at the visitor who continued unperturbed.
“The Lord Chamberlain and the excubitor captain have been friendly for years and would hardly be expected to oppose one another if they became, shall we say, ambitious. And then there are all these persons your husband has been meeting in the Copper Market. A seditious rabble, to be sure. He has been present at clandestine meetings, or meetings those attending foolishly imagined were clandestine. You surely realize all this.”
“Are you implying the Lord Chamberlain is involved in some intrigue against the emperor?”
The visitor sighed and made a vague gesture with his hands, the fingers of which were perfectly manicured. “If you step back a pace or two, you will have to admit the picture formed by all these circumstances is very suspicious, particularly since one of the scoundrels known to be involved was found dead in your bath.”
“You insult the Lord Chamberlain’s loyalty by even suggesting he would be part of such a conspiracy!”
“Perhaps he wants us to think he could not be involved because if he were he would not be so stupid as to call attention to himself by leaving the corpse of one of his co-conspirators in his own bath? That by doing so we would overlook the remarkable amount of time he has spent in the Copper Market recently?”
“Investigating the death of a young woman. I am certain I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, whoever you are.”
The stranger smiled again. Or was it a sneer? “Investigating a murder makes for a fine pretext for being in places palace officials would best avoid. And if the victim who supplies the pretext is a person who needed to be put out of the way…”
Cornelia felt her face flush with fury. “You dare to say John murdered her to give himself a pretext to visit with a band of plotters?”
“If your husband was really investigating such a death, why did he not inform the emperor?”
“He considered it a private matter!” Cornelia regretted her hasty words as soon as she had spoken.
The man gave a contemptuous smile but remained silent.
“Why are you telling me?” she demanded. “Confront the Lord Chamberlain with this outrageous nonsense, if you dare.”
“I suspect you may be more amenable to reason, Cornelia. You have a daughter, don’t you? Yes, she is quite fond of Zeno’s horses. She was out riding yesterday.”
Cornelia stifled the cry that formed in her throat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Peter move. She motioned him to remain where he was. “If you will not reveal who you’re working for-”
The stranger’s voice remained quiet. “At the moment, I am working for you. For you and your husband and your family. A family which may be in danger. I am only trying to help.”
He paused and stared thoughtfully out into the garden. “I had hoped we might talk in your husband’s study. I would be curious to see that mosaic girl I’ve heard about. I understand when Justinian executed the former owner of this house he spared Glykos’ family. I have it on good authority that he is not likely to be so forbearing this time.”
“I fail to see how your threats and insinuations are of any help to anyone in this house. Watching John, trying to manufacture a case against him out of nothing…”
“Ah, but you assume we are the only ones watching, the only ones who have observed your husband’s actions these past days. Not so. Perhaps the emperor’s ire cannot be avoided. So long as the emperor is Justinian. The Lord Chamberlain is a man of principle. A man who would surely put principle above all else, perhaps even his family. This is why I wished to speak to you, Cornelia. I must leave now. Your husband will be back soon and you will want to discuss these matters with him.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
John found Cornelia sitting in his study, staring at the wall mosaic.
The lowering sun spilled red light across the glass country scene, a place upon which the sun set, but never rose. Zoe stared out, silent as ever, while Cornelia told John about her visitor. He had a suspicion who it might have been, but he said nothing. It might only alarm her more.
“Could you be implicated, John? Would Justinian believe you are involved in plot against him?”
“It’s impossible to say what Justinian might believe. It can change from hour to hour. He believes whatever he wishes and what the emperor believes might as well be true so far as the rest of us are concerned.”
“You must continue to do whatever is proper,” Cornelia said.
John put his hand on her arm. “Even if I didn’t worry about you, there is still our daughter. Felix has already set off with a contingent of excubitors. The city is liable to be in flames before the sun comes up tomorrow. I want you and Peter to leave while you can. Go straight to Zeno’s estate and join Thomas and Europa. It will be safer for you all.”
“You’ll come with us?”
“No. Justinian would conclude, or be persuaded, I had fled because of guilt, in which case there’d be nowhere in the empire we’d be safe. I have given Peter his instructions. You need to hurry now.”
He started to take his hand from her arm but she grasped it. There was more anger in her eyes than fear.
“It’s all because of that girl-that woman! You’ve told her things you’d tell no one else!”
“Because she is no one, Cornelia, merely pieces of glass. Do you really think I talk to her? I am only talking to myself.”
Cornelia squeezed his hand and let it go. “She’s destroyed everything, John. You would never have gotten involved in any of this, except for her.”
“A woman died because she wanted to speak to me. A real woman, not a mosaic figure. Justice must be served.”
John realized he was gazing at Zoe. He went to the window and looked out. Would he have paid the slightest attention to the prostitute in the square had she not identified herself as the model for Zoe? Was there any possibility he would have agreed to meet her the next day? Couldn’t the Prefect have investigated her death? Cornelia was right. It was only because of Zoe that he had become involved. Or was it entangled?
“Did you know there’s someone watching the house?” he asked.
Cornelia came to his side.
“Look,” he told her “Just past the corner of barracks. In the shadows.” He turned abruptly. “I have to go. There are things I need to do. Don’t worry about me, but call Peter and leave as soon as you can. It is still possible now, but it won’t be for much longer.”
He strode out without looking back and Cornelia did not go after him.
As he left the house, he laid his hand on the blade in his belt. He could see that the shadowy figure remained beside the barracks. He walked directly toward it.
Rather than fleeing the figure stepped forward.