The optio turned to me. ‘So, citizen, you wish to return to Londinium? Your gig is ready and waiting — the garrison commander has given the order. He wishes me to ask if you are sure that there is no further assistance he can give.’
‘There is,’ I said. ‘I would be very grateful if he could arrange for someone to keep an eye on Calyx while he is in the town. Whatever Fortunatus is up to, I suspect that the Blues manager is in it too, and that there is money in it for him. Quite large amounts of money, since he takes the loss of the prize purse so calmly.’
‘I see.’ A gleam appeared in the optio’s eye. ‘Certainly, citizen. I’m sure that something could be arranged, although it may mean sparing someone from the garrison to return to the races for the rest of the day. Myself, perhaps, since I know what he looks like, and I was detailed to accompany you there in any case.’
‘I think that would be most appropriate,’ I said. I had rather guessed that he would volunteer himself, if it was a question of attending the races again. But I did want him to remember what he was there for. ‘It is important to send someone in authority — someone who will not become so interested in the racing that he forgets to keep track of Calyx — and of those two men whom we saw with him, too, if possible.’
The optio understood my meaning. He coughed and then said, ‘Of course, citizen.’
‘In that case,’ I said, ‘I will leave it in your hands. What hour is it? A little past midday?’
He looked uncomfortable, and I realised for the first time that perhaps he had left me waiting a little longer than necessary. ‘A little after that, citizen. I heard the apparitor sound the trumpet at the courthouse as I was coming through the town.’
I nodded. We had not heard it at the garrison, but the noonday trumpet was not meant for us, it was meant for those summoned before the day’s courts at the town curia — they were obliged to be present before noon, and if they missed the noon fanfare they were officially too late. Of course, on an overcast day like this one, it was not easy to judge the exact moment when the sun was at its highest, but that trumpet marks the legal end of morning, and that was good enough for me.
‘Then I leave here later than Fortunatus,’ I said. ‘Let’s see if it is possible to arrive back in the capital before the city gates are closed. If I can do it, he certainly could have done.’
The optio nodded. ‘You wish to try that, citizen? I will explain it to the gig-driver. He is awaiting you now. If you and your attendant would like to follow me. .’
He must have explained to good effect because we fairly flew along the road, changed horses at the mansio and still reached Londinium comfortably before nightfall. Comfortably in the metaphorical sense. I have never been more pleased to see a warm bath-house and a massage in my life. I was blue in unexpected places — and for days afterwards Junio walked with care, like a newcomer to the cavalry.
Chapter Fourteen
‘Citizen Libertus,’ the governor was saying, ‘I am extremely glad to see you.’ He had made a point of having me summoned to his rooms, as soon as he heard that I was in the building, so he could speak to me in person. He was being prepared for an official engagement, and a slave was helping him into his synthesis — that light and useful combination of toga and tunic which men of substance often wear to formal banquets. ‘I am sorry I am not able to entertain you myself. I was not expecting you back so soon, and this is one of a series of civic banquets to mark the end of my period in office. However, I have made arrangements for a meal to be prepared for you. You may eat in the triclinium, or have it served in your room if you prefer.’
The thought of rattling around in the empty dining room of the palace did not appeal to me, so I accepted his latter offer with alacrity, and then, at his urging, told him the events of the day. He listened gravely, while slaves placed rings upon his hands, cleaned his ears with ear scoops and rubbed perfumed oil into his hair.
He was visibly startled when I told him about Fortunatus.
‘You say he has returned to Londinium, hurt?’ He shook his head. ‘He must have entered the city very quietly, otherwise I should have heard of it. He is famous among the soldiers and that kind of news travels very quickly.’
This had not occurred to me, although now that Pertinax had mentioned it, it seemed obvious enough. Of course, wheeled transport was not permitted on urban streets in daylight, and Fortunatus would presumably have had to transfer to a litter to get back to his quarters. That would certainly have drawn attention to his arrival. ‘Unless, of course, he was well enough to walk,’ I said.
In that case, as we both knew, he might well have managed to slip past the town guard unremarked. Even in a place like Glevum, a well-known man could pass the gates unnoticed in a crowd, provided he wore a simple hooded tunic, kept his head down, and there was nothing to connect him to his background. In a city of this size it would be easier still.
Pertinax thought about this for a moment. ‘You think that this charioteer is the killer?’ he said at last.
‘I don’t know, Excellence. I only know that he was here in the city that night, after all, and therefore it would have been possible. Unless of course that fall from the chariot has really affected his sight, and he is confined to his bed. I hope to discover that tomorrow. I want to confront Fortunatus in person, if I can.’
The commander-in-chief of all the Britannic legions nodded his head. ‘And if you wish to pay a visit to the grain stores, as you were suggesting, I will arrange to have you taken there. It would be quite convenient. The Blues have their headquarters very close to one of the granaries.’
I began to thank him but he waved my words aside. ‘By the bye, mosaic-maker, those enquiries you requested yesterday. I sent a slave down to the market to ask at all the jewellers’, and we found the fellow easily. It was exactly as you thought. The necklace belonging to Annia Augusta was repaired, and returned to Monnius’ house. On the very evening of the murder, in fact. The jeweller delivered it himself, at the feast, and he confirms that it is indeed the one you brought away from the house and left with me. He recognised the replacement stone, he said, though I couldn’t detect any difference between them.’
I murmured my thanks.
Pertinax smiled and extended one hand for a slave to clean his fingernails and buff them with scented oil. ‘I am sorry, Libertus, to have given you all these duties and then left you to dine alone when you are supposed to be my guest. However, I have tried to make amends. I asked your slave what foods would please you most. I have ordered what he suggested — fresh trout baked in cabbage leaves, a dish of leeks and peas with oil, and a plate of peppered plums to end with. And no liquifrumen or garum with it. That meets with your approval?’
It certainly did. I stammered that I was honoured that the governor should concern himself so much with my welfare. I hoped that, in turning down the garum, Junio had managed to convey my dislike for all varieties of the Romans’ beloved fermented fish-entrail sauce without giving offence.
Pertinax smiled broadly. ‘Oh, and at his suggestion there also will be some spiced mead for you — he assures me that he can prepare it. My kitchens will arrange the rest — they will bring it to you shortly.’
He bent forward to allow an attendant to fasten the brooch-pin on his shoulder, and made a gesture of farewell. ‘Goodnight, pavement-maker. I wish you well in your enquiries. Bring this to a quick conclusion, and we shall soon be on that progress to Eboracum.’ He held out the perfumed hand for me to kiss the seal ring, and I bowed myself out of his presence backwards.