Cassius grabbed the page. The clerk had made notes for each of the six vessels, with details of the captain’s name; time and date of arrival and departure; origin and destination; type and amount of cargo; and wharf dues paid.
‘Nothing on passengers,’ he said to himself. Typically, those seeking transportation aboard ship simply asked around and made arrangements with cooperative captains; Cassius had done precisely that when organising their journey from Cilicia.
He sat down on the chair Simo had brought over for him. ‘Come round here, you two.’
Cassius placed his finger next to the first of the six entries. ‘The Chios, captained by one Placcus Onginus. Arrived from Miletus at the ninth hour on the second, left at the first hour on the fifth — yesterday — bound for Seleucia. Cargo unloaded: dried fish, dried fruit and iron implements. Cargo loaded: wine and figs. You don’t take notes on taxes paid?’
Before they could answer there was a knock on the office door. Akritos waved the clerk over to deal with the man standing there.
‘Not our job, sir,’ he told Cassius. ‘That’s down to the revenue people.’
‘Nariad’s office.’
‘Correct.’
‘So they actually go on board?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Then they might know which ships had passengers?’
‘They might, sir. They usually only check the cargo though.’
Cassius looked back at the page and examined the rest of the entries. ‘Why is there a space between the first four ships and the last two?’
‘Last two are what a sailing man would call coasters, sir, but with big holds, so we have to take their details.’
‘This second coaster. It arrived three days ago and unloaded four dozen barrels of oil but didn’t take anything on board.’ Cassius checked the other entries. ‘All the other vessels took on considerable loads.’
‘Of course,’ said Akritos, ‘you’re throwing money away with an empty hold.’
‘So it’s unusual?’
‘Very.’
Cassius looked back at the page. ‘And why is there no listing for the time of departure?’
The clerk had by now dealt with the visitor so returned to the desk.
‘Ah yes, sorry, sir, that’s the Scyros — they had a problem with their rudder. They were supposed to go yesterday but-’
‘You mean it’s still here?’
‘Yes, sir,’ replied the clerk. ‘I believe they’re bound for Macedonia.’
Akritos grunted.
‘What?’ asked Cassius.
‘Long way home — in a ship that small at this time of year.’
‘You think it’s a lie?’
‘Either that or they’re braver men than me.’
‘Maybe they don’t have any choice.’
Cassius stood up and handed the page to Simo. ‘You’re going to show me this ship,’ he told the clerk. ‘Akritos, I want you to spread the word. No seagoing vessel is to leave without my express permission. Understood?’
Akritos put his cap back on. ‘Sir, you’ll need Magistrate Nariad’s authorisation for that.’
‘Consider it given.’
A light rain began to fall as they strode along the coast road, now accompanied by a pair of legionaries Cassius had collared. The Scyros was moored some distance away, beyond the last of the warehouses, close to where the wharf became the northern breakwater.
‘Looks like this weather forecaster was wrong,’ Cassius said to the clerk.
‘Yes, sir. Just a cloudburst I think, though. The sailors really do listen to him. He makes more money than the augurs.’
‘Officer! Officer Corbulo!’
Cassius turned to see a covered carriage approaching at speed. Next to the driver was the diminutive figure of Trogus, waving frantically. Cassius and the others moved off the road as the driver brought the horses to a stop.
‘Wonderful,’ muttered Cassius when he saw that sitting under the carriage’s fabric roof were young Mistress Annia and someone he presumed to be her maid — a sweet-looking girl of about the same age. The driver got down and steadied the horses.
‘Morning, sir.’
‘Trogus.’
Annia had a little more colour about her than the previous day but was wrapped up in the same black cape. ‘Good day, Officer Corbulo.’
‘Good day, miss.’
‘How are things proceeding?’
‘Well at least they are proceeding now. I had a frank exchange of views with Magistrate Nariad and he is cooperating fully. His sergeants are assisting the legionaries to see if anyone recalls anything about the assassin. I am trying to establish the man’s movements.’
‘And?’
‘Nothing yet. But the day is young.’
Annia looked past him at the others. ‘Where are you going now?’
‘Just making enquiries.’
‘Are you concerned with one ship in particular? You know my father had a lot of dealings in Africa, you might look for ships from there.’
‘Miss, I really must get on. Perhaps if you return to the villa — I shall ensure you’re kept abreast of any developments.’
‘No, no. I can’t wait around there all day.’
‘Perhaps a visit to the governor then, to make sure he also understands the gravity of the situation?’
Cassius noticed Trogus wince but as long as the girl was out of his way, he didn’t care.
‘Perhaps,’ replied Annia. ‘Shall we arrange a meeting for later?’
‘I really don’t know where I’ll be. But don’t worry, I promise to keep you apprised.’
Annia leant over the side of the carriage and ushered Cassius closer. ‘If you need money, please just ask,’ she said quietly. ‘Whatever is required.’
In truth, this was one area where her help might prove useful. Cassius had only his own money with him, and there were no senior army administrators in the city from whom he could secure funds.
‘I shall, miss. Thank you.’
‘Please do your best for us.’
Though the distinctly unladylike attitude remained, Cassius was relieved to note the improvement in her manner.
‘Of course.’
The Scyros was a broad, high-sided vessel about seventy feet long. The yard had been raised and the brown mainsail hung beneath it, bunched up like a huge curtain. Close to the stern were four crewmen working on the ship’s tiller, talking in a language Cassius didn’t recognise. Aside from the fact that they were all dark-skinned, black-haired and wearing long, beltless tunics, Cassius could deduce little from the sailors’ appearance. Noticing the visitors, they looked up at the wharf.
‘We are coming aboard,’ he announced in Greek.
The men said nothing but watched in mild surprise as Cassius ordered the soldiers on first. Between the ship and the wharf were large fenders made from sacks filled with dried bark. The soldiers negotiated these then dropped on to the deck. As Cassius and the others followed, one of the sailors spoke.
‘Gaulish?’ suggested the clerk.
‘No,’ said Simo.
‘Who’s in charge here?’ asked Cassius.
The crewmen stared at him blankly.
‘Where — is — your — captain?’ Cassius asked, changing to Latin.
He could make nothing out of the garbled reply.
‘I think he said he’s not here,’ suggested the clerk.
‘How can they sail to Rhodes and not speak a word of Greek or Latin? It’s damned odd.’
One of the legionaries had wandered away to inspect the rest of the ship. ‘Sir, I think I heard something below.’
Dragging his eyes from the shadowy main hatch, Cassius turned to the talkative sailor. ‘Is — someone — down — there?’
The sailor shrugged, then gestured towards the hatch. The other three glanced anxiously at one another.
‘Draw swords, you two,’ Cassius told the legionaries. ‘If there’s someone below I want them brought up. Swiftly now.’
‘Yes, sir.’ The older of the two led the way down the steps, blade angled downwards.
Cassius waved Indavara forward to keep watch on the sailors, then walked over to the hatch as the legionaries reached the bottom.