Alexandria

LVI

Once sluggish cases start moving, a dam-breaking cascade will often burst. Well, Aulus poked about with a stick and made a muddy mess.

The noble Camillus decided this was the moment to challenge Roxana about her doubtful sighting on the night that Heras died. I should have stopped him, but he was acting out of friendship. He felt he owed it to Heras, so I gave him his head.

We went to see her together. Helena and Albia insisted on that. They both wanted to come with us but we men took a firm line that we needed no chaperons. Nonetheless, under the influence of Heron, we used our common sense.

Roxana received us meekly enough. She seemed subdued, and told us that her relationship with Philadelphion had foundered. Apparently, he now had to consider his career – though the bounder had actually claimed he was overcome by wanting to do right by his wife and family. Roxana said she knew a lie when she saw one. Aulus and I glanced at one another, but did not ask how she knew. She would never admit to telling fibs herself, but would blame her dealings with men for teaching her about deception. We were men of the world. We knew that.

We discussed the night of the crocodile. I let Aulus do the questioning. 'We have been told that on the night in question, you saw Chaereas and Chaeteas, the zoo assistants. True?'

'Locking up the crocodile,' Roxana agreed.

'Well, not locking him up, it transpired, 'Aulus told her grimly. 'They were busy talking?'

'Intently'

'Why did you not mention this before?'

'It must have slipped my mind.'

'You were near enough to overhear their conversation?'

'Is that what you were told?' asked Roxana narrowly. 'Then I must have been.'

'You tell me.'

'I just did.'

I shifted. I would not have wasted any time on her. But Aulus was determined, so I let him be.

'This time, try and remember everything. You told me you had also seen a man, near to Sobek's enclosure just before you and Heras realised the crocodile was loose.'

'He was right there. Doing something by the gate.'

'And were you still very near the gate?'

No,' said Roxana, as if explaining to an idiot. 'When I saw the two assistants, then I was close by, on my own, looking for Heras. By the time I saw the other man, they had gone. Heras had arrived, so when we thought there was somebody coming, we took evasive action.'

'What exactly?'

'We jumped into the bushes.' She said it without a blush. Well, this was a lady who would climb up a palm tree if her life was threatened.

'So you were ashamed of being with Heras?'

'I am not ashamed of anything.'

Aulus sneered. That was unprofessional, and Roxana smirked at him.

'So who came along? I am sure you know really,' he admonished her sternly.

Roxana was a stranger to admonishments. She looked puzzled at his tone.

'Was it Nicanor?' asked Aulus. In court, Nicanor might have denounced that as a leading question.

'Well, yes,' faltered Roxana. She made herself sound reluctant. 'It probably was.' Even women who say they are ashamed of nothing may balk at naming a murderer – especially one whose professional expertise means he may get himself off any charges and released back into the community, burning for revenge. 'He hated Philadelphion – perhaps enough to kill him. Yes, I suppose it must have been Nicanor.'