‘What is?’
‘I realised that we couldn’t risk her working here when Aelianus told us how persistent she was at asking questions. If Sempronius had any suspicions about what occurred she’d have got it out of one of the lads in no time. Just imagine what Sextus would say if she had him by the cock?’
‘That’s the conclusion I came to. Where is she?’
‘All over the place.’
‘Shame,’ Magnus said walking through to the tavern, ‘she had a pretty smile.’
The ancient doorkeeper showed Magnus into Gaius’ study. ‘Magnus, my friend, come and sit down. A cup of wine would slip down a treat, I’m sure.’
Magnus took a seat across the desk from Gaius as his host poured him a full cup of wine and passed it over, unwatered.
‘Thank you, Senator,’ Magnus said after taking a gulp. He smiled inwardly as he noticed that it was not the finest of vintages.
‘My friend, it’s me that should be thanking you. I had a visit this morning from the Lady Antonia’s steward, a Greek by the name of Pallas. A man of discretion and considerable influence with his mistress, despite his slave status.’
‘Yeah, I’ve come across him.’
Gaius’ moist lips pulled back into an appraising smile. ‘Yes, of course you have. He came to tell me how pleased his mistress is today. Very early this morning, apparently, one of Sejanus’ tribunes, by the name of Blandinus, was found dead after a raid on an establishment close to the Viminal Gate. You might know of it?’
Magnus shrugged noncommittally.
‘Well, the only survivor of the raid, one of the boys, swore that it was men in Urban Cohort uniform that had attacked them. A handcart, with Cohort insignia branded on it left outside and a Cohort sword embedded in the owner of the establishment confirmed to Sejanus that it was indeed the Cohort who were responsible. As you can imagine that caused rather a stir. Sejanus accused the Urban Prefect of heavy-handed tactics against premises frequented by his officers and the Urban Prefect accused the Praetorians of burning down his Cohort’s depot in mistaken revenge for an act that they didn’t commit.’
Magnus shook his head slowly. ‘Nasty business.’
‘Indeed, but what makes it nastier is that Sejanus did eventually believe the Urban Prefect’s word that they were not involved. He went immediately to the Lady Antonia and accused her of murder; something, Pallas informed me, that she vehemently denied.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Yes, so can I. She asked him what grounds he had for such an accusation and the good prefect replied that it was the manner in which Blandinus was found. He said that the raid must have been set up as a screen to disguise the murder.’
‘That seems overly fanciful, Senator,’ Magnus observed proffering his cup for a refill.
Gaius obliged him. ‘According to Pallas, the Lady herself said something along those lines. She then asked Sejanus what was it about the way in which Blandinus was found that had led him to such a bizarre conclusion, at which point the prefect exploded in anger. He almost screamed at her that his tribune had been found with his head languishing in a dead, naked boy’s lap, his throat cut, a stab wound in his back and an easterner’s arm, with its bearded but deceased, trouser-wearing owner still attached to it, hanging out of his backside.’
‘What some people get up to, eh?’
‘I know. Shocking isn’t it? As you might well expect from a lady of Antonia’s breeding she was appalled by the image and suggested to Sejanus that in future he should spend more time looking to the moral standards of his officers and less time involving himself in the politics of her family.’
‘Good advice. Did he take it?’
‘Pallas didn’t know because Sejanus stormed out at that point, but he rather doubts it. Still, as the Lady Antonia said after he had taken his leave: “He can’t say that he hasn’t been warned.”’
‘Well, the machinations of the powerful are nothing to do with us, eh, Senator?’
‘Indeed not Magnus, but I thought that I’d tell you because now that establishment on the Viminal has been closed down I would assume that Terentius’ place will be making a lot more money, a goodly percentage of which will come your way I believe. That should please you tremendously.’
‘Yes but Sempronius, my counterpart on the Viminal, won’t be so thrilled.’
‘Oh I wouldn’t worry about him. I guessed that might be his reaction so I shared my worry, as your patron, with Pallas, without reference to your name of course.’
‘That’s very good of you Senator.’
Gaius waved his hand airily. ‘Don’t mention it. Pallas has promised that should Sempronius come to the mistaken conclusion that it was not the Cohort who was responsible for his loss of income, then the Lady Antonia will see to it that he is fully compensated. Until, of course, he has set up a new business — she doesn’t approve of whore-boys. The offer will naturally come with a warning to him not to look too deeply into her affairs.’
Magnus inclined his head acknowledging the favour. ‘That should do it. So no more whore-boys on the Viminal and Sempronius will think that it was either the Cohort or the Lady Antonia. That’s a very satisfactory conclusion, Senator.’
Gaius beamed. ‘Yes but what makes it even sweeter, from my point of view, is real the reason for Pallas’ visit this morning. It wasn’t just to share idle gossip.’
‘Of course not.’
‘Apparently the Lady Antonia has been put into such a good mood by all this that she will be inviting me to an intimate dinner in the very near future. Not one of those lavish affairs with scores of guests where one can never get a chance to speak privately to the hostess, just myself and a couple of close friends.’
‘A step closer to the consulship.’
‘Yes, and a chance to promote my nephews’ careers. They should be arriving any day now.’ Gaius took a self-congratulatory swig of wine and stood up to show that the interview was at an end. ‘Where would we be without patronage, eh Magnus?’
‘It makes you wonder, don’t it Senator,’ Magnus said getting up and heading towards the door.
‘Before you go, my friend,’ Gaius said, stopping Magnus as he opened it. ‘As I’m sure you’re aware, being a keen supporter of the Greens, there are races tomorrow. I’ll need you and some of your lads to be here soon after dawn to escort me and my clients down to the Circus Maximus.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow then, Senator,’ Magnus said, stepping out into the atrium and closing the door behind him.
‘Having our very own tame senator so close to Antonia has to be a good thing surely?’ Servius said, shaking the dice cup vigorously.
‘I wouldn’t call him tame,’ Magnus replied, taking his eye off the street to watch the dice roll across the table. ‘Ah, two threes and a two. Eight. Double it, Brother.’ He slammed four sesterces down and scooped up the dice in his cup. ‘Like all rich men he just wants more power and more wealth.’
‘And poor men don’t?’
Magnus grunted, acknowledging the point, as he made his cast. ‘Pluto’s balls, four, three, one. Eight again. And anyway, being in Antonia’s favour may be lucrative but along with that comes some high expectations. He’ll have to work hard to maintain his position with her and that will mean some rough jobs for us.’
A raucous shout of satisfaction from the crowded table next to them indicated a large pot had been won. Lucio snapped his fingers under a glum-looking Cassandros’ nose and Sextus chortled, slapping his palm on the bench, as Jovita stepped out of the tavern carrying two plates of roasted pork and bread.
‘We can afford to take on a few new faces with what we got last night plus the extra income that’s sure to come from Terentius, that should help,’ Servius pointed out, taking his turn. ‘Twelve! Double it again.’
Jovita placed the food on the table as Magnus matched the bet. ‘Festus has slipped back into unconsciousness again,’ she said wiping the grease off her hands onto her tunic, ‘and the wound’s started to ooze. There’s nothing more I can do.’