‘Some people just don’t learn.’
The third blow caught the guard on the side of the head, sending him careering across the room like a drunk.
The harpist was already leaping out of the way. ‘Look out! Not my-’
The guard plunged head first into the harp, knocking the instrument over then landing on top of it, one arm entangled in the strings.
Wincing, Cassius looked at Megakreon, whose face was turning purple.
A woman of about fifty ran in, holding up the flowing hem of her stola. ‘Darling, what’s …’
She looked at the three men on the ground, then Cassius and Indavara, who was already putting the stave over his shoulder.
‘Excuse me, I’m Numerius Afer.’
Cassius spun around.
Afer was a small, balding man clad in a beige tunic. ‘I was told you wish to see me about something.’
With Megakreon still too incredulous to speak, Dryas found them a small study where they could talk. Cassius stood by a window, watching as the guests trooped towards the drive, where their carriages were now lining up. Though Megakreon had created much of the problem himself, Cassius now realised he should have backed off and waited; things had got out of hand.
‘Well?’ said Afer, who was sitting beside a desk. ‘After all this fuss, it had better be something damned important.’
Indavara – leaning against the wall – looked on.
‘I am investigating a criminal conspiracy. It has come to my attention that – despite your financial problems – you have recently made a significant purchase of land. I would like you to explain how.’
‘Why should I?’
‘This investigation was ordered by Marshal Marcellinus himself. Cooperation is advisable.’
‘Centurion, you seem to have little regard for a man’s privacy, or the rule of law. But in the interests of settling this matter, I will answer you. I have had financial problems, it’s true, but I recently received an inheritance – my aunt passed away.’
Cassius wiped sweat from above his lip.
‘The purchase of land was for my brother,’ continued Afer. ‘He has been supporting me during my recent difficulties and I wish to repay him. It is to be a birthday gift – next week.’
‘You have the documentation to prove this, I assume?’
‘Of course.’
Unless he was a remarkably accomplished liar, Afer seemed to be telling the truth. Cassius knew he had jumped to a hasty conclusion regarding the money. But what of the former casters? Surely that couldn’t be a coincidence?
The door opened and in came a man wearing a purple-striped toga. He was about the same age as Megakreon but slim and athletic with a thick head of wavy grey hair. He carried himself with an unmistakable air of authority and pushed the door shut behind him with an angry flourish.
Cassius noted a slight grin from Afer. His stomach turned over.
‘Good day,’ said the interloper. ‘You seem to have ruined my friend’s party.’
‘That could easily have been avoided,’ replied Cassius. ‘Might I ask to whom-’
The man pulled out a chair for himself and sat down. ‘Barrius.’
A name every Roman knew well. An ancient family of the highest rank.
‘Senator Amulius Barrius Columella.’
Cassius felt a chill wash over him. ‘Ah. Good day, senator.’
‘Two questions,’ said Columella, smoothing down his hair. ‘One, who in Hades are you? Two, what in Hades do you think you are doing?’
‘Sir, I am Cassius Oranius Crispian.’ He couldn’t believe he’d just given a false name to a senator but he could hardly start using a different one now. ‘I am an officer of the Imperial Security Service and I am conducting an investigation into counterfeiting on behalf of Marshal Marcellinus and Minister Sabinus.’ Cassius pointed at his satchel, which was on the desk. ‘I have letters here if you would like to see them.’
‘Oh, I believe you, Officer,’ said Columella. ‘What I can’t believe is that you thought barging your way into my friend’s house, roughing up his staff and bullying his guests was the best way to carry out your investigation.’
‘With respect, senator, I made a polite request to see this man but Master Megakreon refused.’
‘Of course he refused. I would have refused. You would have refused. Could you not have chosen a different time, a different place?’
Columella spoke with the smooth confidence of a man who generally got his way.
‘Sir, there is evidence.’
‘Megakreon is an honest man of excellent repute. He tells me that Master Afer here is an honest man of excellent repute. This evidence had better be good, Officer.’
Cassius thought it best to get the money issue out of the way before Afer could say anything.
‘Oh dear,’ said Columella when he’d finished explaining what he’d found out. ‘Weak, Crispian. Very weak. I hope you have something else rather more compelling.’
‘I believe I do.’ Cassius addressed Afer. ‘There are only a few men with knowledge of how to create good-quality coinage. Two former mint workers with that knowledge were employed by you. Both were recorded on last year’s census. I have the information here.’
Afer looked confused, then apprehensive.
‘Well?’ prompted Columella.
‘I know of only one man from the mint – he was named Micon. He came highly recommended, worked for my building business – repairing statues, that type of thing. Of course, I had to let him go last year because of my financial … misfortune.’
Cassius reached into the satchel and took out the page of employees from the census. He pointed to the second name. ‘And this man – S. Novius Gallus?’
Afer started laughing.
‘What?’ demanded Cassius.
‘I know Gallus,’ said Afer. ‘Or rather I did. Old boy – could hardly lift his tools any more, that’s why we hired Micon.’
‘Old?’ Cassius checked Segestes’s page of detailed notes on Gallus. He had the man’s age as thirty-eight. He had also listed the full name.
‘Sextus Novius Gallus?’
Afer was no longer laughing. ‘Servius Novius Gallus.’
Cassius couldn’t believe he had been so stupid – Novius and Gallus were both common names.
Afer stood up. ‘And I can assure you that he is not involved in your counterfeiting plot. He dropped dead last winter. My youngest son found him on the floor of the forge.’
For a moment nothing was said. Cassius could feel his cheeks glowing as he stuffed the papers back into the satchel.
Columella stood. ‘Is there any reason at all why we should detain Master Afer here any longer?’
Cassius shook his head.
‘Speak when you are addressed by a senator of Rome!’ thundered Columella.
‘No, sir.’
As Afer left, Columella’s attention turned to Indavara. ‘And who might you be?’
‘Bodyguard,’ said Indavara, still slumped against the wall.
‘Out.’
Indavara looked at Cassius.
‘You don’t need this idiot’s permission,’ snapped Columella. ‘Do as you are told!’
‘Quickly,’ said Cassius.
Indavara shrugged and left.
‘Disgraceful, young man. An appalling lapse of judgement. You have a number of apologies to make before you leave this house. Do we agree?’
Cassius found himself looking at the senator’s tunic rather than his face. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘I am on holiday, Crispian. It took me two weeks to get to Syria and I wanted to enjoy myself. I wanted to spend my afternoon relaxing with my old friend and his guests. Now I must spend it tidying up your mess and writing letters. The first will be to Marshal Marcellinus, the second to your superior in the Service. His name?’
‘Aulus Celatus Abascantius.’
‘You said you were working with the treasury. Who is your contact?’
‘Lucius Gratus Quentin.’
‘I’ll need both names written down and addresses where I can reach them.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Cassius finally managed to look at him. At least some of the rage had gone from his eyes.