And if I went, what would happen to my wife? She could not be allowed to suffer with me on the way. Perhaps, if I survived, I could one day send for her?
I was so busy with these wretched thoughts that I hardly realized that the commander had begun to speak again.
‘The murdered man was more than merely a citizen, Excellence. A retired auxiliary from this very garrison, we have reason to believe. That’s why I took the trouble to inspect the scene myself.’ He shook his head as if the memory caused him grief. ‘But there was nothing to be learned.’
Marcus arched an eyebrow. ‘Libertus was no help?’ I should have been flattered that he sounded so surprised, but flattery was not going to help me now.
‘Libertus has been his usual observant self, and pointed out things that I might not have noticed on my own,’ the commander replied. ‘But as to finding out who was responsible, I fear we are no closer than we were before.’ He turned to me. ‘Less so, if anything. I’m afraid that was the message which was awaiting me — the one that delayed me, when we first arrived.’
‘Go on,’ Marcus prompted, clearly wishing to assert his own authority.
The commander went on addressing his remarks to me. ‘One of the riders that we sent on ahead to make enquiries found himself delayed on the way back again by wagons on the road, just as we were ourselves. He remembered that you had spoken about an ancient track — the one that you told us that you used yourself — so he asked directions to it and came that way instead. He made such good time that he got back here before we did ourselves.’
I was about to ask where the other rider was, but he prevented me.
‘But there, Libertus, I’m afraid the good news ends. He reports that he and his companion visited all the inns along the road, within the distance which we specified, but the lictor’s cart had not spent the night at any one of them, or even stopped for refreshments for their horses or themselves.’
‘That is most peculiar!’ I frowned. ‘And no one even noticed it as it went by? I would have thought that, with that size of escort, it was remarkable enough.’ It was very impolite for me to press like this, but Marcus was not asking and I could not restrain myself. Anyway, at this stage, what had I to lose?
Marcus gave me a warning glare, but the commander seemed unmoved by any breach of protocol. He answered, civilly enough, ‘You’re right. There is one person who remembers seeing it — a smallholder who was working by the road — and he is being brought in to me for questioning. But he only has a donkey, not a horse, so that will obviously take a little time, especially at this busy time of day. The other rider is escorting him to make sure he arrives.’
‘So it will not be possible for me to talk to this donkey-owner?’ I could hear the desperation in my voice. I turned to Marcus. ‘Or Calvinus either, I suppose?’ I had been hoping to persuade my patron to arrange an interview.
Marcus shook his head. ‘Out of the question, my old friend. I have already stayed in Glevum longer than I meant, and I shall have to find a lighted litter now to take me home — I have a private banquet to attend. It is quite a small affair, but it is in honour of the visiting Decurion and so it is important that, as host, I am not late. My wife will already be looking at the water-clock and wondering where I am.’
The commander glanced at me, but it was to Marcus that he spoke. ‘Perhaps, with your permission, Excellence, we could grant Libertus one of his requests. After all, his liberty is probably at stake. If I am providing the escort for the citizen when he goes to your apartment, then there is no need for you to wait. Visiting the jail will not be possible, but we could delay his departure long enough for him to interview this man who saw the cart. There is someone waiting in the guard-house to see Libertus, anyway.’
‘Someone else to see my protégé?’ Marcus looked affronted and amazed. ‘I was not aware of that!’
I, too, was wondering who the visitor might be. Florens — or more likely Servilis — with additional ‘evidence’, perhaps? Porteus come to mock? Or even one of the other councillors? I looked at the commander nervously.
He was soothing the ruffled feelings of an important man. ‘The other person arrived before you did, Excellence, but naturally you were brought in here and given precedence.’ He smiled. ‘I believe you know the young man in question, anyway. I understand he gives his name as Junio.’
I felt an overpowering wave of sheer relief. If Junio was present there was still hope for me. ‘My adopted son! I sent him on an errand when I was first brought in here,’ I explained. ‘I was hoping he could question the lictor’s other slaves. I did not expect to be away from here for so long, of course.’
Marcus was entirely appeased. ‘Ah, Junio, of course! That’s understandable.’ He spoke as if I had no right to visitors, unless by his consent. ‘In that case, I will leave you alone to talk to him. My town slaves have instructions; they are expecting you.’ He turned to the commander. ‘Commandant, I am obliged to you. I will see you in the morning when I bring Libertus back. Now, if I might have my attendant brought to me. .’
The commander clapped his hands and his slave appeared at once, as if he had been waiting at the doorway for a sign. He was given orders, first to fetch my patron’s page and then to bring Junio over to the house. The boy nodded eagerly and scuttled off again.
‘You can let me know tomorrow if you learn anything of note,’ Marcus was saying. ‘Ah, here comes my servant now! And he has brought my cape. Splendid — I fear the night will soon be damp again.’ He allowed his slave to drape it round his shoulders as he spoke. ‘Now, page, go and hire a carrying litter that will take me home. And be quick about it. I will see you at the gate.’
The boy — who was dark and good-looking as Marcus’s pages always are — bobbed an obeisance and hurried to obey.
Marcus fastened his cloak clasp languidly. When he was ready he inclined his head towards the commandant and then held out his ringed hand for me to kiss. ‘Until tomorrow, then.’ And attended by the commander’s military slave — who was, of course, going to the guard-house anyway — he strolled away to host his private feast.
The commander watched him go and then said thoughtfully, ‘You have a kindly patron, citizen. Offering his own apartment as a haven overnight! It indicates how highly he holds you in esteem. No doubt you deserve it — ah, here comes your visitor. If you will excuse me, I have duties to perform. Of course I will have to leave you under guard, and the centurion will continue to be stationed at the gate, but you might prefer this conversation to be a private one. Talk to Junio in here and when the man who saw the treasure-cart arrives, I will send for you. After we’ve finished with our questioning of him, Emelius can escort you to your patron’s residence.’
He had spoken of Marcus’s kindness but his own seemed even more remarkable. I could do no more than stammer out my thanks, for a moment afterwards the orderly appeared and Junio was ushered in to speak to me. It was clear from his expression that he was overawed and the bow he sketched to the commander was unusually deep.
The commander sketched a hand towards the vacant stools. ‘Make yourselves comfortable, citizens. I’ll have fresh refreshments sent and my slave will be on hand if there is something you require. Junio, of course, is free to leave at any time. I will let the sentry know to let him pass. Libertus, I will see you later on.’ And he was gone, with Junio staring after him.