“It is plausible that the murders of the faction members were planned, since the riots on their behalf have been transformed so swiftly into an insurrection.”
“Was it part of the plan for the hangings to fail?”
“I don’t think so, Caesar. The executions may have been rushed because the spectators had become restive. The executioner and the guards feared for their lives.”
“Perhaps that is what the plotters wished us to think.”
“Planning for the hangings to fail would have been too complicated, left too much to chance, involved too many people. Unless the monks of Saint Conon were involved, the condemned men would simply have been hung again, and I have no reason to believe the monks were involved. As it was, the ropes failed twice. And-”
Narses cut him off. “Have you pursued this matter of the monks?”
“I visited the monastery once.”
“Is that all? Is that enough to uncover any sort of wrong doing?”
“It’s plain that the emperor needs a solution quickly. I have confined myself to the lines of inquiry most likely to be fruitful.”
Narses leered at him. “And have you learned anything? Something more useful to yourself than the emperor? Have you perhaps discovered that monasteries can be very wealthy? Not to mention successful charioteers and aristocratic families! Are you sure you haven’t been paid not to make inquires or reach conclusions?”
Theodora let out a harsh caw of laughter. “You do amuse me, Narses.” She rose from the throne in a swift, jerky motion like a huge bird, in a flurry of swinging robes, heavy fabric rustling and jewels clicking against the throne. She descended from the dais and clapped a hand onto Justinian’s arm. John thought the emperor stiffened. “Why waste your time talking with these creatures? Belisarius will give you better advice.”
“I have already solicited Belisarius’ opinion,” Justinian replied.
“It’s time to heed it.”
“He’s young. Reckless.”
“But also brilliant. And experienced in military matters.”
“The emperor does not take orders from his generals. Or anyone else.” Justinian’s voice rose. The familiar thin timbre vanished. Then he was speaking softly and soothingly again, as he added, “Sometimes caution is best.” He turned his attention to John. “I have come to a decision. I don’t trust those two scoundrels in your charge. I am convinced they are spies. I am ordering the family out of the palace. I will send an escort for them. They can return to their houses, if they haven’t burned yet.”
“Are you certain that’s wise, Caesar?” John realized immediately that he had allowed himself to speak too quickly.
“It is assuredly not wise to contradict the emperor,” snapped Narses.
“I only meant to point out that so long as Hypatius and Pompeius are within the palace they are under your gaze and under your control,” John replied.
Something flashed in the darkness behind the emperor’s eyes. “And possibly undermining my authority practically from within my household, or opening the palace gates at the arranged time.”
“I understand, Caesar. The daughter though-a mere girl-Julianna. Allow her to stay under my protection.”
Justinian paused before replying. His frozen face looked lifeless, as if whatever lurked behind the mask had momentarily forgotten to operate it. His voice was icy. “I’m not sure I need to be taking advice from one who seems to believe that a girl cannot commit treachery.”
Theodora spoke before John could reply. “In this case, he is right.” Her huge pupils fixed a gaze of pure hatred on John. “Julianna is a good friend of Antonina. I would not want to see her come to harm. Let her stay with Antonina.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
As John entered his atrium he startled Hypatius who looked away from the marble Aphrodite in the fountain. “Ah, it’s only you, Chamberlain. I thought they had come for us.”
His voice sounded calmer. When informed earlier of Justinian’s decision to remove the brothers from the palace he had accepted it much better than John had expected.
“The rioting will be over in a few days,” John said. “Everything will soon be back to normal.”
Hypatius nodded absently in acknowledgment of the comment rather than agreement. Baskets and crates holding his family’s personal belongings sat around his feet. A small arsenal of hunting bows leaned against the fountain’s basin. His embroidered robes looked more suitable for an imperial banquet than expulsion from the emperor’s palace and good graces. “I must not forget to thank you for the hospitality you have shown us. I would put in a good word with the emperor…but…alas….” He smiled wanly and gave a small shrug. “At least I shall see my wife once more.”
“You know Justinian’s moods. You have been out of favor with him in the past. I’m sure you’ll be speaking with him on friendly terms again before long.”
“If these were normal times, perhaps that might be so.”
“The worst of the violence has probably passed. Anger burns itself out. People begin to feel the tug of their everyday lives.”
“Many of us will not have lives to return to. I am happy, though, that whatever my fate, Julianna will not be anywhere near me to suffer because of it.”
“You can be sure Julianna will be safe with Antonina, living practically next door to the emperor.”
“If only I could be certain she was actually with Antonina and not…well…who knows where.” He paused, obviously turning something over in his mind. The water spilling into the fountain from the seashell Aphrodite held made a melancholy sound. The day John had moved into the house, he had found the sound to be cheerful.
Hypatius expelled a long breath and resumed speaking. “There’s something you should know. About Julianna. I didn’t think it necessary to say anything before. But now, since I will no longer be here, it may help you to protect her.”
“I will do everything I can to help. What do you have to tell me?”
Hypatius turned his face back toward Aphrodite before speaking, less to study the statue than to avoid looking at John. “When we were talking in the kitchen, you were wondering whether Julianna had been going to the Hippodrome. I denied it. I wasn’t being entirely truthful.”
“You believe she might be one of the girls I was told about, who follow the racing factions?”
“Yes. It is possible. But as to any assignation…you remember you accused her of being out in the city to meet someone…no, that is impossible. I am positive of it.”
“Why are you so certain?”
“Because the man she would have met is dead. His name was Hippolytus. One of the men murdered at Saint Laurentius. That’s why I said nothing, you see. I was afraid to get her involved in…well…who knows what. Hippolytus was a rascal. For all I know he might have been part of a plot against the emperor. Julianna is years younger. An innocent. The murderer did our family a favor, God forgive me for saying so.” Hypatius turned his face back to John. “Is that of any assistance to you?”
“A great deal of assistance. My thoughts ran in that direction, but our thoughts can lead us astray. How did you find out about the man’s death?”
“From Pompeius. Rusticus visited him right after attending the executions and relayed the whole dreadful story. The old man has treated my family forever. A fine physician but he always leaves you with a pain in the ear.”
Hypatius’ words confirmed what John had already deduced. He had spent days and risked his life out in the dangerous streets while so much of the story he sought could have been found within his own house. “Was Julianna told about Hippolytus?”
“She didn’t need to be. She’d gone to assist Pompeius when Rusticus showed up. She’s looked after her uncle more than once. She’s young. She hasn’t had time to become disgusted by his drinking.”
“She must be terribly upset. Have you spoken with her about Hippolytus?”