Nine for the Devil

Chapter Fifty-five

John was hardly aware of leaving the reception hall. His feet carried him out to the dark palace grounds while his thoughts leapt this way and that.

Dismissed by the emperor, surely he was free to go after Cornelia?

He could gallop off to Zeno’s estate.

And yet why should she disappear? The only reason he could think of was because of something transpiring in the city.

Something connected with Theodora’s death and John’s futile investigations.

Besides which, by the time John reached the estate, Anatolius would have become another victim of Justinian’s unfocused rage, as dead as Theodora’s cook, the guards outside the room where Theodora had died, her physician Gaius…

Before he realized it John had strode through the Chalke Gate and was on his way to Anatolius’ house.

He fixed his mind on his friend’s peril. A disinterested magistrate might indeed find Anatolius guilty of arranging Theodora’s death. Judging from the poem found in Kuria’s room, he had been secretly involved with one of those nearest to the empress, a trusted lady-in-waiting who could have easily administered poison. He had also advised the Cappadocian, who gave every indication of plotting with General Germanus. What reward might a lawyer expect upon Germanus’ accession to power, now or later? He might well be appointed Quaestor-the emperor’s legal advisor-or be elevated to some other position in the consistory.

Lord Chamberlain, perhaps.

Wasn’t this the very sort of connection John had been seeking? A person with much to gain who could reach Theodora through one of those close to her?

Yet facts and logic could not instantly overcome years of close friendship.

Bits of colored glass could be put together one way to form a picture of a demon, whereas in a different combination they might show an angel instead.

Excubitors stood guard at the narrow way leading to Anatolius’ house and at its gate. The few passers-by who hurried through the torch-lit darkness took little notice of the situation and in many cases quickened their steps, anxious to leave the area before they became unwillingly involved in the trouble obviously roosting on the house roof.

John was admitted to the courtyard. A group of frightened servants huddled together outside the house. As John arrived, Felix stepped from the doorway. His fierce scowl deepened on seeing John.

With a slight warning nod toward the guards he drew John through the gate out their earshot and growled, “You’re too late to warn him, my friend. He’s gone.”

“Thank Mithra for that! He wasn’t at home when you arrived?”

“He was, but unfortunately my men were not exactly discreet as they approached.” Felix gave a brief smile. “He must have heard us coming and managed to escape from the back.”

It occurred to John that Felix was equally involved with Germanus and the Cappadocian, so he had every reason to allow Anatolius-possibly a co-conspirator-to slip away, quite apart from their friendship.

“No guards were posted at the back of the house?”

“An oversight, I am afraid, Lord Chamberlain,” Felix replied with a wink. “We’ll find him before too long.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“I’ll arrange search parties, but first I must question the servants.”

“Your procrastination will cause you trouble later on, Felix.”

Felix shrugged. “Personally, I don’t believe Anatolius has anything to do with your investigation. Any more than I do. In fact, I-”

He bit off his words as a man dressed in clothing announcing his trade to be that of a laborer approached them.

“Yes?” Felix barked at the new arrival.

“I saw a man running away from here, sirs. I work in the Copper Quarter and I was passing behind the back of the house on my way to-”

“Never mind your life story! What about this man you say you saw?” Felix interrupted.

“He was in such a hurry I thought perhaps he had been caught thieving. Then I realized he was well-dressed and the well-dressed never run about, do they, sirs? They always have servants to do that for them. Anyhow, it looked so strange I followed him to see where he was going, so I could come back to tell the owner of the house. But seeing the guards I thought it best to report to you first.”

“Well?” Felix demanded.

“He ran into the Great Church. Is there a reward for telling you where he is, sirs?”