Litus raised an eyebrow. ‘This should be good. Speak.’
‘I arrived on Rhodes two days ago. I was there to meet Augustus Marius Memor, a very senior officer within the Service. Upon visiting his home I discovered he had been murdered. I began an investigation at once and have good reason to believe that the assassin left yesterday aboard a vessel bound for Cnossus. This ship was hired and we set off after it.’
Litus looked past Cassius at the others. ‘And the young lady?’
‘Memor’s daughter,’ Cassius replied sheepishly. ‘She insisted on coming.’
‘My, my,’ replied Litus, ‘that is quite a tale.’
‘As you can appreciate, sir, time is very much of the essence. I must ask — is there any possibility of assistance? Your vessel might be able to overhaul the ship we are pursuing.’
Litus gave the idea not a moment’s consideration. ‘Out of the question, I’m afraid. Apart from the dangers of the season — which mean my captain won’t risk the Armata out here a day longer than necessary — we are in pursuit of our own prey. You are aware of the Emperor’s campaign against Queen Zenobia of Palmyra?’
‘Fully aware.’
‘A certain faction of the local leadership in Egypt was rather favourable to her cause. They have been trying to stir up trouble for years and the Emperor has decided on decisive action. An arrest warrant was issued for their leader several days ago but the army failed to apprehend him. It is thought he made his escape by sea. We have been searching for his ship for the last three days.’
‘I see.’
Litus took one neat little step to his right. ‘Whoever is Asdribar — come here!’
As the Carthaginian strode forward, two of the marines came up close behind Litus.
‘Departure papers,’ instructed the Roman.
Asdribar reached inside the little bag on his belt and produced a small sheet, which he handed to Litus. The naval officer brushed dust off the paper, then read it.
‘Seems to be in order,’ he said, returning the sheet to Asdribar. ‘I shall still have the ship searched. Must be thorough.’ He turned to Cassius. ‘I’m sure you understand.’
‘Sir, I can vouch for this man and his crew. They couldn’t possibly have been involved with this Egyptian — they were preparing to winter in Rhodes.’
‘You can vouch for him, you say?’
Cassius glanced across at Asdribar, who was now looking rather uncomfortable.
‘Yes,’ Cassius said, barely convincing himself.
‘Because one of my marines told me he recognises the name Fortuna Redux.’ Litus tapped the balled stick against his thigh and fixed Asdribar with a provocative glare. ‘Knows the captain’s name. Knows what he is.’
‘And what is that?’ Asdribar asked defiantly.
Litus leant towards him. ‘Address me without using “sir” again, and I’ll have your own crew bind you with your own lines, then have you keelhauled under your own ship. Is that understood?’
Asdribar ground his teeth together before answering. ‘Understood, sir.’
‘Excellent.’
Litus ran a hand across the stiff strands of his hair. ‘I could of course ask you about your cargo, ask you to declare any untaxed, undocumented goods, but in my experience such answers rarely elicit the truth, so these days I don’t even bother. Let’s see what we can find.’
Litus spun on his heels and addressed the marines. ‘Four men to stay on deck. Four to the stern and work forwards; four to the bow and work back. Look everywhere. Go!’
The marines swiftly divided themselves, their boots thumping across the deck as they set about the search. With a smug grin for Asdribar, Litus adjusted his cloak and made for the mast.
Cassius blocked his path. ‘Sir, is this really necessary?’
He thought Litus was about to shout at him, but the commander replied calmly.
‘Absolutely. Despite our current involvement in this special assignment, we of the Alexandrian mustn’t neglect our fundamental duty: monitoring piracy and smuggling in these waters. Millions are lost from the imperial coffers every year because of ships like this’ — Litus glanced back at Asdribar — ‘and men like him. That money must be recovered somehow.’
‘Sir, I can’t help feeling my superiors would be … disappointed by your attitude. Master Memor was second in command of the Service and we have a chance of catching his killer. We cannot afford to lose even an hour. Perhaps if you were to look at my letters. They are from Chief Pulcher in Rome, from Prefect Venator of the Fourth-’
‘These men have vouched for you, I presume.’
‘Yes.’
Litus ran a hand across his hair once more. ‘Keep your little notes to yourself, Officer. Even assuming the men who wrote them possess better judgement than you, they are army men. We in the imperial fleet do things rather differently.’
He gestured for Cassius to move aside.
Cassius did so. ‘You have made that very clear, Commander.’
While his marines continued their search, Litus walked over to Annia, kissed her hand and offered his condolences. Annia was polite at first, but as soon as Litus told her help from the navy would not be forthcoming, she turned away from him and refused to speak. Indavara and the sailors made no attempt to hide their amusement.
‘Strange girl,’ muttered Litus as he wandered back towards the stern.
One of the marines came up the steps. ‘Sir, we’ve got a few locked chests down here.’
‘In here too,’ added one of the men who’d been searching the deckhouse.
Litus pointed at Asdribar, who had rejoined the sailors by the mast.
‘The marines want something opened — you open it.’
‘The women are staying in the deckhouse,’ said Cassius. ‘Must you rummage through their belongings too?’
Litus ignored him and kept his gaze on Asdribar. ‘Hurry.’
Asdribar made his way across the deck past the Roman, who watched him all the way.
‘He wants their undergarments!’ cried a voice.
The crew bellowed with laughter. Clara put a hand to her mouth in shock. Annia smothered a smile.
Litus spun round, eyes blazing. ‘Who said that? Who?’
He glanced at Cassius, who was fairly sure it had been Korinth. The deck-chief was standing with one hand on the mast, the other tucked into his belt.
‘Who was it?’ repeated Litus.
‘No idea,’ replied Cassius. ‘Sorry.’
For the second time in two days, Cassius found himself waiting for a ship to be searched, though on this occasion an incriminating discovery would hinder the investigation rather than advance it. Quarter of an hour passed, and still the marines had found nothing. Annia walked to the bow and sat down with Clara, who brushed her mistress’s hair while she stared out at the sea. This sight was quite enough to keep the crew occupied, not to mention the four marines still on deck. Litus tried hard not to look impatient, but began to glance anxiously at the Armata and pace round the hatch. The only person who seemed happy with the situation was young Tarkel. He knelt by the side-rail, charcoal in hand, happily drawing the warship.
One of the older marines came up through the hatch. ‘I think we’ve got something, sir. Baldy kept staring at this stack of twig bales. Looks like a load stashed behind them.’
With a sly grin, Litus hurried down the steps.
Cassius wandered over to the hatch. The marines stationed by the deckhouse watched him but said nothing. Cassius glanced down into the shadowy interior. Litus was looking on as his men threw the twig bales aside and investigated what they’d found.
‘Shit. They’re empty,’ said the older marine. ‘Sorry, sir.’
‘Show me that,’ replied Litus. Ignoring Cassius, the commander came halfway up the steps and held a small vase up to the sunlight. He smiled. ‘Ha! These are African red!’
‘Sir?’
‘Only the best clay money can buy, you peasant! See the insignia on the base? From Thuburbo Maius — the most prestigious centre of production. These will fetch twenty denarii a piece in Alexandria. Excellent. Quite excellent.’