The agency expected you to risk your life and all you gotfor your trouble was a lousy government pension. So what was wrong with tryingto salt a little away for your retirement? All right, it was illegal, but sowhat? Everybody always looked the other way. Even the old director had been inon it. But then old man Forrester came in and got all tight-assed about it.Decided to put the Network out of business and bust everyone who was involved,right up to the old director. Jesus. It was his own fault the Network put acontract out on him. People were only trying to protect themselves.
Steiger should have stayed out of it, thought Marshall. Heshould have just kept his damn mouth shut and stayed out of it. It’s not myfault, thought Marshall. He’s left me no other choice. It was too had thatSteiger had to die, but there was just no way around it. And if it had tohappen, why not collect on the contract, so at least some good would come ofit? If not him, somebody else would get it. It might as well be him. You justdo the best you can and take what comes. thought Marshall. That’s how the gamewas played.
7
Drummond and Andell had both hated the idea, as had Travers.They thought it was much too dangerous, but Andre had overruled them, and totheir surprise. Priest and Delaney had hacked her up. The timing. they hadsaid, was too good to pass up. They thought it was a chance worth taking. AsDrummond and Andell were conducted into Cleopatra’s presence, each of themtried to keep his nervousness from showing. If this goes wrong. Andell thought.we could all be dead in the next few minutes. “Stop! What have you there?”
“A gift from Caesar,” said Andell, trying to keep his voicesteady. “For Queen Cleopatra.”
A tall, well-built man approached them. His head and facewere both shaved and he was dressed in Roman style. in an immaculate white togaworn over a gold-embroidered tunic. He was slim. but his muscular definitionspoke of a man who was given to sport and exercise rather than luxury. He had,thought Andell, the bearing of a soldier. He frowned as he met Andell’s gaze.Andell tried to keep his expression neutral. he lowered his eyes. as a slavewould be expected to do.
“Have you examined it?” the man asked the two guards who hadconducted them inside.
The guard hesitated. “No, Apollodorus. But if it is fromCaesar..”
“Fool!” Apollodorus said. “Set it down at once!”
Suddenly Andell heard a throaty. feminine laugh.
“Apollodorus. do you not recall what day this is?”
Andell glanced up and sucked in his breath sharply. It washis first close glimpse of Cleopatra. Her hair was jet-black, worn in theEgyptian style. long and straight down to her shoulder. on the back and sides,in bangs over her forehead. She was a small woman, delicately framed, with anarrow waist, full breasts, and long, shapely legs. The thin, silky white shiftshe wore was diaphanous and it clearly outlined the lush curves of her body. Herface was sharp-featured, with a graceful, Macedonian beauty and her eyes weredark and striking, outlined in kohl and heavily shadowed.
“He remembered,” she said with a smile.
“Caesar’?” said Apollodorus. frowning. “Remembered what?”
“Do you not recall, Apollodorus?” she said. “It was on thisvery day that you first brought me secretly into Caesar’s presence, concealedwithin a carpet. And now he sends me one, to commemorate the occasion of ourfirst meeting.”
It should still have been carefully examined.” said Apollodorus.still frowning. “We do not know it came from Caesar. You have many enemies inRome. my Queen. We cannot be too careful.”
“You worry too much. Apollodorus.” she replied. “Do you reallythink that some assassin would dare attempt to murder me here in this veryhouse, with all your guards’? And with Caesar’s soldiers outside? I am as safehere as I would be in my own palace.” She turned to Drummond and Andell. “Unrollit. Let me see.”
Andell bent down and untied the fastenings. then he andDrummond unrolled the carpet. The guards gasped and reached for their swords asAndre was revealed, rolled up inside the rug. Cleopatra stared in astonishment.
“What is the meaning of this?” said Apollodorus angrily.
Then Cleopatra laughed and clapped her hands. “Oh. it is wonderful!Do you not see? How witty of him! Caesar has sent me a slave girl as a gift!And he has presented her in the same manner in which I arrived to him!”
“I hope that you will not take offense, Your Highness,”Andre said, rising to her feet. “but I am not a gift from Caesar. Nor am I aslave.”
Cleopatra frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Who are you?” Apollodorus said. “Explain yourself this instant!”
“I am Antonia, wife to Marcus Septimus,” said Andre.
“Septimus?” said Cleopatra. “You mean Caesar’s friend?”
“That is Lucius Septimus,” said Andre. “My husband, Marcus,is his brother. These two men are his slaves. To be truthful, my husband knowsnothing of this. I fear that he would not approve. But I had heard so muchabout you and I wanted so very much to meet you! I had heard it said that youfirst came to Caesar in this manner when you met in Egypt and I struck upon itas a way to meet you. I thought that you might be amused. but I had no ideathat your first meeting with Caesar took place on this very day. I apologize ifmy little ruse had made you angry. Such was not my intent.”
“This is insufferable!” said Apollodorus. “You must leavethis house at once!”
“She shall do no such thing,” said Cleopatra.
“But. my Queen …”
Cleopatra smiled. “Do you not see. Apollodorus? It is anomen. Since I first came to Rome. I have had no one save yourself, my guards,and my female slaves for company. Except when Caesar comes, I am always lonely.And, unlike other Romans, who merely suffer my presence, this woman has soughtout to meet me. The manner in which she chose to do it shows cleverness andwit. No. Apollodorus, she shall stay and dine with me this evening.”
“But, my Queen,” protested Apollodorus, “we know nothing ofthis woman!” ‘“We know she is the wife of the brother of Caesar’s closestfriend.” said Cleopatra. “Septimus has always treated me with courtesy,deference, and kindness. Caesar’s regard for him speaks for his quality. Iwould expect no less from his brother.”
“But we do not know his brother.” Apollodorus persisted.
“Then we shall arrange to meet him,” Cleopatra said. Shesmiled mockingly. “Or do you believe that he has sent his wife to murder me Ido not know what has come over you, Apollodorus. You see conspiracieseverywhere. Come. Antonia. Pay no mind to my servant. He is merely overzealousin his duties.”
“Perhaps he would like to search me, to make certain that Ihave no weapons,” Andre said.
Cleopatra laughed. “Your wit appears to be a ready weapon.”she said. “Come, sit with me. Apollodorus, we shall have some wine.”
“As you wish. my Queen.” Apollodorus said, though he wasobviously displeased.
Cleopatra led Andre over to a couple of couches and a smalltable.