I smiled inwardly. Of course he would. Germanicus almost certainly did not believe in any of it, but he would observe the rituals, just in case. I am no expert in Roman rites, although I observe the required public rituals. I have more faith in the ancient spirits of woods and rivers than in squabbling deities and stone statues. But I thought I knew the answer. To Andretha I said, ‘I can see no difficulty. Marcus is named as a substitute heir; surely he can take Lucius’ place quite properly? Indeed, it seems the duty falls on him.’
Andretha looked relieved, but there was something else to worry him. ‘My thanks, citizen. I should put the statue of the genius paterfamilias on the shrine, you think? Between the lar familiaris and the penates as usual? Ordinarily, when the master dies, the new genius should take its place, but Lucius, being a Christian, will not have his own figurine.’
It was awkward, I could see that, making offerings to a man’s spirit when he was lying dead in the next room. On the other hand if ever there was a man whose spirit I should wish to placate, it was Germanicus. I said doubtfully, ‘It should be there, I suppose. After all it represents not only Crassus, but the spirit of the emperor too.’
‘I am glad of your guidance, citizen. I did not know what to do. I even thought of taking one from Germanicus’ stone store — he collected one or two from the more Romanised rebellious tribes, as trophies of war, and took particular delight in having them broken up for use on the estate. I thought it would represent the emperor at least. But Crassus was particularly superstitious about his genius. He and his brother had an argument about it. Lucius said it had become a kind of idol to him, and should be destroyed; Crassus said that Lucius could think what he liked, he personally was taking no chances. That statue was to stay with him always. That is why I ordered it to be placed on the funeral bier.’
‘Is that where it is now?’
‘Yes. I sent Rufus to fetch it when he went for his lute string.’
So, I thought, when Rufus went to the sleeping room he might have been carrying a heavy statue. That was interesting. I had dismissed the idea of Rufus as my assailant because he had no weapon; he could hardly have laid me out with his lute. But with a lump of carved stone? I was interested in this statue.
‘Could I see it?’
‘If you wish.’ Andretha shrugged. ‘It is on the normal pattern. A figurine of a man with his toga over his head to ward off evil. Crassus had it made, I think, when he bought the villa, and it was of no great value, but he was very superstitious about it. But if I am to reinstate it on the shrine, of course you may see it. It will have to be fetched.’
I turned to Junio, but Andretha forestalled me.
‘I had better fetch it myself, citizen. To enter the room now will be to disturb the lament, and it is better I do it than a stranger. Unless, of course, you wish to take part in the dirge yourself?’
I excused myself hastily. Here in the atrium the sounds of mournful wailing were audible enough, and I knew the banquet would be interspersed with doleful music and speeches in praise of Germanicus. Possibly even an ode, if one of his clientes was feeling inspired, and we were very unlucky. I was going to do all the honouring of Crassus that I could possibly desire.
‘I must have seen this statue,’ I said to Junio, when Andretha had gone, ‘at the banquet with Marcus at least. I remember Crassus making an oblation, but I paid no attention to the figure. I had not even noticed it was missing, now, though I have just walked past the shrine. Of course it is in the corner, where it is dark, and one does not tend to look closely in the normal way.’
Junio laughed. ‘Especially not to look at Crassus’ soul! But it proves what Andretha said, the statue has no artistic merit. I wonder who told him that, by the way? Yet it must be true. If it was fine work you would have noticed it, however shadowy the corner. It would have attracted your artist’s eye.’
I grinned at him. Junio has a way, sometimes, of being very flattering. And he sees the obvious, which others overlook. He was right, for instance, about Andretha. The man had not one scruple of artistic taste. I was about to say so when Andretha himself came hurrying in. If he had been anxious before, he seemed desperate now.
‘It is not there, citizen. I have searched the bier and the grave-goods, discreetly — it was unseemly, in the circumstance, interrupting the lament — but there is no sign of the statue. The anointing women have gone, back to Glevum.’ He was clasping and unclasping his hands in distress. ‘Perhaps they have taken it. I must send after them at once. Would Marcus lend us a messenger? We need a horse and we have only the cart animal. If only Crassus had not given his mount to his brother!’
‘Germanicus had his own steed?’ I had not known that, though I might have expected it, since the villa was some distance from the town.
‘A steed, no. Crassus was no horseman. If he wanted transport he usually hired a carriage from Glevum. He had a mule, though, which he rode sometimes, and even that may be quicker than a man on foot. If only we had it now!’ he wailed. ‘But when Lucius left he was so weighed down with gifts that Crassus gave him the animal to transport it all.’
‘Crassus was generous.’
Andretha was concerned with other things. He said, abstractedly, ‘Perhaps.’
‘You think not?’ He looked impatient, so I added, ‘This is important, Andretha. It may have a bearing on your master’s death.’
‘I should not speak ill of my master,’ Andretha said.
‘But. .?’ I prompted. That sort of remark is usually the preface to doing so.
Andretha sighed. ‘But the day after Lucius left, half a dozen high officials came here for a gambling party. It was arranged beforehand, for Lucius’ benefit, but of course he no longer dices. Crassus was as jumpy as water on a griddle, wanting his brother safely away from here. He thought Lucius was likely to march into the party, deliver a sermon on the subject and urge them all to repent.’
I grinned. ‘That would be embarrassing, with a houseful of important Romans.’
‘Yes,’ Andretha agreed. ‘Crassus would probably have given him twice as much to ensure that he was safely gone. But it was more than just embarrassment; the supper would have begun with a sacrifice, like tonight’s feast, and he knew that Lucius would refuse to take part in that.’
So, we were back to that statue again. For the lar and penates it might not have mattered — the Romans are tolerant about household gods — but if Lucius refused to honour the genius paterfamilias there would have been trouble. Obviously, since it represents the emperor as well as the head of household. Refusal to honour that could have meant wild animals in the arena for both of the brothers.
‘Crassus bundled him out of the house the day before,’ Andretha went on, ‘with so many gifts for his new church that he needed a mule to carry them. Lucius was delighted, and surprised. I don’t think he guessed the reason.’
‘And now the statue has disappeared?’
I should not have reminded him. He began to twist his hands again. ‘I cannot understand it. Who would steal such a thing? It was here yesterday. It must have been the women. There is no other explanation.’
I was not so sure of that. ‘Have you asked Rufus? He was in the room when you went to search, surely?’
‘Rufus? He has gone to prepare for the procession — food, ablutions, latrine. We cannot offer baths to our banquet guests tonight, it would be disrespectful to light the furnace in the circumstances, but at least our slaves can be clean. You think I should speak to Rufus? He is in the kitchen.’