“But why would you wish to clear Vigilius of suspicion? He is opposed to your views. For that matter, Menas might have been suspected next.”
“They are both men of God, though they are confused about the actual nature of the one whom they serve. I would not see anyone put to death wrongly. Did not Christ say that as we treat the most lowly of his creatures, so we treat him?”
“You are telling me you live by your beliefs?”
“You sound doubtful, Lord Chamberlain. Well, then, let’s say I didn’t want you investigating Theodora’s secret caller, because it might have led others to me as well. People who, unlike yourself, would not be trustworthy and principled enough to keep my presence secret as Justinian desires.” Anthimus smiled broadly, revealing large yellow teeth. “Does that explanation suit you better?”
Chapter Fifty-one
A desultory breeze under a brazen sky summoned hardly enough strength to stir the air, much less countless wisps of straw and drifts of discarded domestic refuse trapped in the corners of colonnades. It was the kind of weather when the brooding sky might soon look down on an outburst of violence.
A good day for a riot, John thought as he crossed the Augustaion on his way to visit Anatolius.
The noise of the busy, overcrowded streets seemed smothered by advancing clouds, pressing down on the city as if determined to extinguish its life. Beggars’ beseeching whines sounded muffled, laborers strolled across the square as if they had all the time in the empire to earn a crust, shopkeepers lounged at their doors waiting for customers who were few and far between.
Even those who practiced the legal profession in the law basilica near the Great Church seemed unconcerned that justice was being delayed by their absence from the halls in which it was administered-or at least officially said to be administered. Several men gathered at the foot of the wide steps leading to the basilica’s porticoed entrance were engaged in an argument, albeit one conducted at a slower pace than usual.
Anatolius was among the onlookers, but having spotted John left the group and greeted him.
“Anatolius, I expected I’d find you here during the afternoon,” John said. “I have a question or two. We should speak where we cannot be overheard.”
“The middle of the Augustaion,” Anatolius suggested. “No opportunity for eavesdroppers there!”
John retraced his steps until the two reached the spacious square bordered on one side by the bulky, domed mass of the Great Church. A mounted Justinian, gilded bronze, stared down at them from atop his towering column. It reminded John the emperor’s eyes were everywhere, but for now he was confident he and Anatolius had not been followed.
They walked toward the center of the square, where they would notice anyone who tried to linger nearby. Gulls circled overhead, crying raucously.
“I wanted to talk with you about my conversation with the Cappadocian,” John said, “but I had urgent business yesterday.”
“It’s said you saved the life of Joannina’s lady-in-waiting.”
“For the time being. Did she tell you herself?”
“Hardly, John. She-”
“I suppose the Cappadocian has already reported our meeting to you?”
“You make it sound as if he works for me. The situation is quite the opposite. He has hired me to represent him. Did he allay your suspicions?”
“What do you think? He admitted hiding in the palace kitchens and everyone knows about the mutual hatred between him and Theodora.”
“He had to remain inconspicuous when he returned, given Theodora was still alive at the time, if only barely.”
“What do you know about what he’s been doing and where he’s living since he returned to Constantinople?”
“As I said, he’s a client and-”
“I understand that,” John said impatiently. “I’m not referring to your legal work for him. I know you want to avoid harming a client. Outside your legal discussions, has he said anything shall we say interesting?”
Anatolius pondered the question. “He has unbent somewhat but not to any great extent. He is a cautious man as well as a vicious one. He did mention his plans are proceeding well, but nothing about what they actually were.”
“As you say, a cautious man.”
“I’ve had no indication he’s doing anything more than looking into whether he might retain a legal claim on any of the properties that were confiscated from him. A perfectly legitimate pursuit.”
“Do you think that’s the extent of his plans?”
“I make a point not to think about anything that isn’t my business as his lawyer.”
“Why is Vesta constantly visiting you, Anatolius? Do you persist in claiming she’s there on business as well?”
Anatolius looked confused. “But she is there on business, or so she says.” He gazed at the glowering sky. “She’s become a trial. She keeps asking for legal advice on the matter of the marriage of her mistress. It strikes me as odd, since usually my clients consult me in person and generally incognito. Many of the matters on which I advise them are delicate in nature so naturally they wish to keep their business confidential. She never asks specific questions. Tell me about this or that, she’ll say.”
John frowned. “I gather the Cappadocian has called on you more than once. Is it possible Vesta is hoping to meet him at your house?”
Anatolius looked surprised. “I very much doubt it. What possible purpose could there be?”
John admitted he did not know.
“You’re working too hard, my friend. Taxing your strength, seeing connections that cannot possible exist. Let’s go and have a cup of wine.”
John offered only a bleak smile. “Thank you, but no. I would rather you told me where the Cappadocian is staying.”
“Ah…yes…I was hoping you wouldn’t insist on that.”
“I would rather not have to insist, Anatolius, but it is a matter of vital importance that I am able to reach the Cappadocian quickly.”
“I see. You’re aware that once word gets out that a lawyer has loose lips, his clients desert him?”
“Justinian ordered me to investigate Theodora’s death and the emperor’s wishes must outweigh your client’s welfare. And your welfare too, Anatolius.”
“Of course. Understand, I’m giving you the information in strictest confidence. Hopefully my client won’t realize where you gained the knowledge. He’s been staying with Germanus.”
One suspect staying with another. Was John’s task becoming simpler or even more complicated? “I doubt he’ll be surprised by my sudden arrival,” John said. “He must know I’ll seek him sooner or later and as long as he’s in the city he’ll be located eventually.”
Anatolius nodded. “He’s a shrewd man, the Cappadocian.”
“Germanus and the Cappadocian are natural allies. Both had careers blocked by Theodora, now both will return to power.” John was thinking out loud. “It’s a logical partnership of two men with a mutual interest in seeing Theodora taken to her grave.”
Anatolius pointed out it was all speculation.
“I will talk to them both. A fine pair, Anatolius. The rapacious former tax collector and the general who, incidentally, sent one of his bodyguards to warn me of possible fatal consequences if I continued my investigations. Probably he was afraid I would find out he’s been hiding the Cappadocian.”
He left Anatolius with a curt farewell.
Crossing the wind-blown square he wondered if it had occurred to Anatolius he was now known to have a number of links to persons under investigation, if not actual suspicion?
It must have occurred to him. Admittedly a minority of these persons had more reason to wish Theodora continued to live rather than die.
That was the most puzzling aspect of the whole affair, but setting that aside and placing Anatolius at the center of the web, John could see strands radiating from his friend not only to the Cappadocian, but through him to his host General Germanus, and from Germanus to the once great general Artabanes, now apparently reduced to living in a twilight of intoxication spent mourning the loss of the woman he wanted to marry.