‘Sure it’s ready to leave today?’ asked Cassius.
‘Maybe — if the captain says yes and we can get the crew together. See the tall mast? We had it extended a few years back.’
‘Doesn’t that make the ship more unstable?’
‘A bit, but worth it for the extra speed.’
Unlike the freighter they’d arrived on, the Fortuna also had a second, smaller mast, close to the bow. At about forty feet, it was half the size of the main mast and virtually identical in dimensions to the yard, which was currently lying on the deck.
Despite its condition, Cassius had to acknowledge there was a certain elegance to the ship’s design, with its sleek lines and sharp, narrow bow. The hull also tapered slightly towards the stern but was made broader by the winglike housings for the steering rudders. Tied to the rear of the ship was a solidly built tender about fifteen feet long.
The sternpost was more conventional than the bow: a goose-head design with two blue dots for the eyes. Forward of this was the deckhouse, one of the largest Cassius had seen. It was six feet high and stretched across almost the entire width of the deck. There were small windows on either side and a door more befitting a villa than a ship.
‘That’s the captain’s quarters,’ said Squint as he led them across a slippery, squeaking gangplank. ‘I’ll see if I can rouse him.’
Ten feet forward of the deckhouse was the main hatch, currently protected from the rain by a tent-like cover. Voices drifted up from below.
The deckhouse door opened and lamp smoke swirled out into the damp air. Squint said a few words then moved aside. Standing in the doorway was a bald, strong-jawed, blue-eyed man with the type of face it was difficult not to look at. He smiled at Cassius.
‘This must be my lucky day. Good afternoon, sir.’
‘Good afternoon, Captain. Might I speak with you?’
‘Of course,’ replied Asdribar warmly. ‘However — and you must forgive the pun — I’m afraid you’ve missed the boat if you wish to hire the Fortuna.’
‘Oh.’
‘Yes, I’m afraid I couldn’t possibly refuse the terms offered, nor a lady in need of assistance.’
Asdribar stepped on to the deck.
Annia came to the door. Despite the vaguely apologetic smile, that fierce determination hadn’t left her eyes.
Cassius ran a hand through his rain-soaked hair.
‘Caesar’s balls.’
VIII
The deckhouse of the Fortuna Redux was a miracle of compact design. Immediately to the right of the door was a sturdy hardwood table and a stool fixed to the floor. Strewn around a big abacus in the middle of the table were dozens of paper sheets. Above was a rack stuffed with multicoloured flags. Running along the rear of the deckhouse were two narrow, high-sided beds. To the left was another table — this one accommodating jugs, bottles and a bowl of dried fruit. Above it was a cloth hammock slung between two hooks. Every other inch of space was occupied either by an exotic memento or a piece of nautical equipment, some more easily identifiable than others.
Asdribar had just sat down on the stool next to the door, Squint standing beside him. Annia and her maid were sitting on the first bed, Trogus and Indavara on the second, while Cassius and Simo leant against the other table. Cassius had to stretch his legs out to keep his head from touching the roof.
‘So where are we going, Officer?’ asked Annia, looking keenly up at him.
‘I shall address the “we” part of that statement in a moment,’ replied Cassius. ‘But as far as the assassin goes, my best guess is that he departed yesterday aboard a ship named the Cartenna, bound for Crete.’
‘Guess?’ queried Annia.
‘Perhaps you have another theory, miss?’
‘Not at all. I would just like to know on what this guess is based.’
Cassius noted a slight grin from Asdribar. Despite the weather, the captain was dressed in only a thin, grey tunic. Though he must have been well over forty, his light beard was jet black, and his bronzed body that of an athlete half his age.
‘Further enquiries are being made,’ said Cassius, ‘but I have questioned this Viator character. It seems the assassin goes by the name of Dio and was interested in travelling on to Crete. I cannot be certain, but it is an educated guess, at least.’
‘I see,’ said Annia.
Cassius addressed Asdribar. ‘The Cartenna left yesterday morning. What chance do we have of catching her?’
The captain ran a contemplative finger down his jaw. ‘We’ve a northerly coming in now, which isn’t bad, but yesterday it was more to the east so they’ll have had a nice run.’
‘About a hundred and fifty miles — Crete?’
‘More like two hundred to Cnossus, which is where most ships will put in.’
Cassius grimaced.
‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ suggested Annia. ‘The further it is, the more chance we have of catching them on the open sea. Once the ship reaches land, this man might disappear.’
‘I suppose that’s true,’ said Asdribar.
Cassius couldn’t deny the logic but he was more concerned by the fact that Annia was still saying ‘we’.
‘Which route would you take?’ she asked the captain. ‘East or west?’
Asdribar turned to Squint, who was twisting the end of his beard with his fingers.
‘If this cloud is setting in, west would be better,’ said the old sailor. ‘Keep us away from Krapathos.’
‘What’s at Krapathos?’ asked Cassius.
‘Nothing special,’ replied Asdribar. ‘But it’s an island, with other smaller islands around it, and it’s in our way if we go east around Rhodes. The problem at this time of year is not just the rain, it’s the cloud and the mist — they make navigation very difficult. We have another big problem, actually, my-’
‘Captain,’ interrupted Annia. ‘What’s the earliest we could leave?’
Cassius was on the verge of sending the others outside and putting an immediate end to this charade.
‘Well,’ said Asdribar, ‘we must clear the port in daylight. It’ll be a struggle to get my crew together and some supplies on board, but I’ll make it happen. When can you be ready, miss?’
‘Two or three hours.’
‘And you, sir?’ asked the Carthaginian.
‘Whenever,’ Cassius replied curtly.
‘Excellent,’ said Asdribar. ‘Might I suggest the tenth hour then? If you wish to be present for the ceremonials, come a little earlier.’
‘Very good,’ said Annia, getting up. ‘Thank you, Captain.’
Cassius caught Asdribar’s eye. ‘Might I speak to the young lady alone for a moment?’
Asdribar turned to Annia, who nodded. ‘Of course.’
Cassius directed Simo and Indavara outside and waited for the others to leave. Annia’s maid, Clara, stayed sitting and stared down at her lap.
Walking over to Annia, Cassius had to bow his head, which made him feel rather foolish. ‘Miss, these ridiculous notions must end here. You will not be accompanying us.’
‘As Captain Asdribar’s client, surely it is I who decides who shall accompany me.’
Cassius could see little sense in arguing with the girl; a debate could not be conducted in the absence of reason.
‘Very well, then. I shall certainly not plead my case. I would much rather stay here on the island, wait for a little good weather, then take the next vessel heading east.’
He made for the door.
‘Officer Corbulo, my apologies,’ Annia said quickly. ‘It is only your hard work and insight that have allowed any progress at all. Please — the investigation cannot continue without you.’
Cassius, who had no real intention of actually leaving, stopped and turned round.
‘You have accomplished a great deal in only a few hours,’ Annia continued. ‘And I’m confident you can bring this affair to a conclusion.’
Cassius had never met anyone who didn’t respond well to a bit of praise and he certainly didn’t consider himself an exception. ‘Young lady, I admire your determination to see your father’s murderer caught, but there is no practical reason for you to come. Apart from anything else, your family need you here.’