`Let's hope my brother's hobby doesn't last or my sister's either!'
There were now so many stars alongside Justinus' name on the army list, a scandal might just make him appear more intriguing to the public. I refrained from saying that. Aelianus had completed his own military service rather dully, then a year as a governor's unpaid aide-de-camp in Baetica had failed to give him lustre. On the other hand, none of that had been his own fault. Luck stepped around me pretty smartly too, so I said kindly, `Don't be jealous. Your brother was just in the right province, at the right time.'
`And of course he knew you!'
Again there was an unpleasant scornful, note. Aelianus was naive enough to expect me to flare up. Instead his father said mildly, `That was indeed fortunate. When Marcus was sent on one of his peculiarly demanding missions, your brother was able to join him.'
`Did you approve of that?' Aelianus demanded accusingly. `I've heard what Justinus got up to in Germany was damned dangerous.'
`I didn't know until it was over,' Camillus replied honestly.
The young man was bursting with outraged dignity. `There are things we ought to get straight.' The Senator and I glanced at one another then let him get on with it. He needed to make a racket. That was easier than arguing. `This man is a common informer.' I noticed he found it impossible to use even my formal name. `The situation with my sister is damaging our family.' He meant that it might reflect on his own career.
The Senator looked annoyed. Whatever he thought about his finely bred daughter absconding with a piece of rough cheese, he always put the best face on it. `Falco is an imperial agent. He has the confidence of the Emperor.'
`But Vespasian hates informers.'
I laughed. `Except when he needs them.'
The younger Camillus was still sounding off pompously. `I have seen no public recognition of the role of "imperial agent". It carries not official title or salary. And as I understand it, although there was once talk of a substantial reward, it has failed to materialise!'
I made an effort to avoid reacting. I had promised Helena not to involve myself in conversations that might end with my fist shattering her brother's jaw.
Camillus Senior looked embarrassed. 'Falco's work is necessarily secret. Don't be offensive to our guest.' He tried gamely to change the subject: `You look in good form, Marcus. Travel suits you.'
`You should see me in my Palmyrene trousers and embroidered hat…' I sighed. Chitchat on Oriental matters would dodge the problem but not solve it. `Your son is quite right, Senator. I was promised social advancement, and it has been refused.'
Camillus must have heard about it from Helena. As a member of the Establishment he seemed to feel personally responsible. He scratched his nose; light gleamed on a workaday garnet signet ring. `It's a misunderstanding, Marcus. It can be resolved.'
`No, Domitian Caesar gave me a very clear ruling, and when I discussed the matter with Titus last week he was unable to change that.'
`Titus told me,' answered the Senator. `Rulings do tend to become immutable if they involve denying just rewards!' His sense of humour was always refreshingly dry. `Well, tell me if I can help… I gather you're working on the law-and-order issue at present?' So much for keeping the post-Balbinus investigation confidential.
`Yes, I'm on the special commission.'
Camillus noticed my dark mood. `Not enjoying it?'
`Mixed feelings; mixed loyalties.' The conversation had shifted. The Senator and I were talking at a level that now excluded Aelianus. I went back to one aspect of what Camillus had said: `I'm asking myself how much of my personal chat with Titus Caesar he passed on, sir? Has he pre-empted a private discussion I intended to have with you?'
Camillus smiled, waving a hand in acceptance of the fact that he had been told he was to be a grandfather by someone other than me. `I realised Titus was being premature.'
'I'm sorry for it. You know how things work, sir.'
`You had to seize your opportunity,' he agreed. Well, for Helena's sake he would want me to have tried. Our relationship stayed easy. `Are you pleased?' he asked. I let a grin answer him. Then we both stopped looking so delighted, as like dutiful men we both considered the perils to Helena.
'I still think something can be sorted out for you, Marcus.' Vespasian, like any good Roman, had his private clique of friends who advised him; the Senator was one of them, once close, and still consulted. It could be made to work on my behalf if I could accept having strings pulled. The senator knew my feelings about that. `Will you let me speak to the old man?'
`Better not.' I smiled. Even with his personal interest, it was gracious of him to offer. But I had to do this myself. `My new assignment is a complex one. Let's see the results before I call in imperial favours!'
`Maybe you'd better leave my sister alone then,' Aelianus grappled himself back into the discussion even though unsure of its content.
`I note your advice,' I said pleasantly. Suddenly I was too angry to carry on fielding his jibes. `I'm sorry you're distressed. I can see it must have been difficult, coming home from abroad to find that the respectable family you had left behind was now tainted with scandal.' He began to speak. I stabbed the air with my finger. `The scandal I mean has nothing to do with your sister. I refer to the sad mess which brought me into contact with the Camilli in the first, place, when various of your noble relations – now fortunately dead – engaged in a treasonous attempt of staggering ineptitude! Camillus Aelianus, before you embark on public life I suggest you ask your father to explain just how much the Emperor allowed to be covered up.'
The jaw of the not so noble Aelianus had dropped open. Clearly he had not realised I knew about his family's near-disgrace.
`Excuse me,' I apologised briefly to his father, for I normally tried not to mention all this.
`Was the cover-up organised by you?' Aelianus was catching on. But now he assumed Helena Justina had been presented to me in return for my silence.
`My job is to expose things. Still, I'm glad we had this opportunity to clear the air… Philosophical insights are traditionally brought to light by men drinking at a symposium.' Trying to improve the atmosphere, I raised my cup.
Aelianus glowered at me. `What exactly do you do, Falco?' Sometimes I wondered that myself.
`Nice of you to ask this time, before condemning me! I do what's needed – what nobody else is able or willing to tackle.'
`Do you kill people?' He had no finesse.
`Not regularly. It's too much trouble making my peace with the gods afterwards.'
I avoided looking at the Senator. He was sitting very silent. The last time I remembered killing a man, it was a thug who attacked Helena on her father's own doorstep. Camillus saw me do it. But there were other deaths, closely connected to that, which the Senator and I never talked about.
`It's a glorious thought,' Aelianus was still sneering. `Some dogged lone operator attempting to right society's wrongs without praise or pay!'
`Pure foolishness,' I agreed briefly.
`Why do it?'
`Oh, the hope of gain.'
`Strength of character?' The family irony had not entirely bypassed Aelianus.
`You've found me out. I'm a soft touch for ethical actions.'
`And it's a short cut to the women too?'
`The very best of them… You'd better grit your teeth. I know I've found a good one, and I'm here to stay. My relationship with your sister is permanent. And you're going to be an uncle to an informer's son or daughter by next spring!'
Aelianus was still spluttering with disgust when Julia Justa and Helena sailed back to join us.
XLIV
REPAIRING TO THE dining room enabled me to lighten the mood with tasteful praise for a recent repaint (heavy stuff, black dadoes and perspectives in deep red and gold). They must have been taken in by a contractor who dreamed of decorating Oriental tombs.