Saviour of Rome

XXIV

‘They were planning to kill me.’

‘I would be surprised if that were the case.’ Melanius looked doubtful. ‘Aurelio spoke to Orodes, who commanded the escort. He said they were concerned for you. As they left the fort they had word of a new sighting of the bandit responsible for attacking the gold shipments. They decided to keep to their original orders, but by the time they returned you were gone. That was unwise, by the way. These hills can be very dangerous for a man on his own.’

‘So I keep hearing,’ Valerius said. He’d made his way to Melanius’s house as soon as he returned to Asturica, using the kitchen entrance as he’d been advised. Pliny’s friend had shown no surprise at his appearance. He immediately ordered his servants to provide refreshments, fresh fruit, honeyed nuts, and another jug of vintage Falernian, of which he seemed to have an endless supply. ‘But when I was told Petronius had taken an interest in the canals and aqueducts it seemed worth investigating.’

‘They followed until you turned off on a track that led into the hills,’ Melanius continued his explanation. ‘Fortunately, they are expert trackers and picked up your trail. They also found signs of the bandits, so they were on the alert against the threat. They tethered their horses while they searched for you and when they returned these bandit scum had scattered them.’

It was a plausible enough explanation. Valerius might have accepted it without question, but he knew when a Parthian was in a killing mood. Orodes and his friends had had blood in their eyes. Still, that was nothing to do with Melanius.

‘I must thank you for making it possible for me to visit the mine. It has given me a notion about how to proceed. I’m certain in my own mind poor Petronius discovered something significant-’

‘Poor Petronius?’

‘I should have told you.’ Valerius took a sip from his cup. ‘Severus sent a servant to show me the house where Petronius lodged. The place had been thoroughly cleaned, but I discovered what I believe is blood in one of the rooms. I think Petronius was killed there, his body disposed of and his papers either burned or stolen.’

‘Killed? Here?’ Melanius looked shocked. ‘In my city?’

‘I can’t be certain,’ Valerius admitted. ‘But I believe so.’

‘Then the killers must be found.’ Melanius was a picture of outraged determination. ‘My contacts extend to certain less than honest individuals – a man cannot always be fastidious where he gets his information. I will make enquiries. If the man or men responsible were from Asturica someone will know.’

‘Please don’t put yourself at risk,’ Valerius urged him. ‘If the killers are still here we’ll find them soon enough.’

‘How would that be?’ Melanius asked, picking at a tray of pomegranate seeds.

‘Because they will come after me.’

The older man studied Valerius for a long time. ‘Perhaps …’ He hesitated, clearly uncertain whether to continue. ‘Perhaps it would be safer if you returned to Tarraco. You will forgive me for making the suggestion, but I don’t believe Pliny would have sent you here had he understood the danger you would face. I am in a far more secure position to carry out this investigation. If you would only let me know how you make secret contact with Pliny I would place all my resources at his disposal and pass on any information I can discover.’

It was a good offer, and, with the local knowledge and contacts Melanius possessed, even a sensible solution. Valerius understood he was meddling in matters of which he had little or no experience, in a place and among a people he didn’t know. Melanius was right, it might get him killed or drive the conspirators underground. Neither would be of any help to Pliny. Yet he’d made his promise.

‘I am sorry, Melanius, I appreciate your offer, but I cannot accept.’

Melanius smiled. ‘I thought that would be your answer, Valerius, but it was an offer I had to make. What will you do now?’

‘The more I learn of this matter, the more certain I am it can’t be the work of one man.’ Valerius reached up to touch the scar on his cheek, but quickly withdrew his hand. It had become a habit since he arrived in Asturica and habits were a weakness. ‘I keep being told the gold yields are down, but a tunnel manager at the Red Hills took great pride in informing me the amount generated from his mines has never varied. If the gold is being stolen it is being taken either from the storehouses or while it’s being transported. Who provides the wagons for the convoys?’

‘There are various suppliers, but the main contractor is Aurelius Saco.’

‘Saco again, but he can’t be doing it alone. If the figures being sent to Rome are wrong, someone must be falsifying them. What do you know of Ferox, the praefectus metallorum?’

‘Officious and arrogant,’ Melanius shrugged. ‘A born bureaucrat from the tips of his toes to the topmost lock of his perfectly groomed hair. He knows his job, though, and is utterly rigorous and merciless towards anyone incapable of doing theirs.’

‘Then surely if there is a conspiracy such a man must be at the very heart?’

‘We are not friends,’ Melanius held his gaze, ‘but in my experience he is also faultlessly honest. A man of the utmost probity. Why would he be so quick to give you access to the mines if he was doing something dishonest?’

It was something Valerius hadn’t considered. In his eyes Ferox had always been suspect because of his position. ‘You are probably right, but I still think I need to speak to him.’

‘I will do what I can to arrange it, but I’m not certain what pretext we can use this time. He has already donated time and resources to you at my request. He may feel he has done enough.’

‘Then perhaps it’s time I used my warrant from the Emperor as legatus iuridicus metallorum?’

He saw Melanius grimace. ‘That would certainly ensure you are granted a meeting, but will it gain you his cooperation, a cooperation you have already identified as vital? Think on it, Valerius. Firstly, he will know that you – and I – deceived him. As a man of faultless honesty he would be outraged. Secondly, you would be usurping his position and authority as praefectus metallorum. As a man of honour he may well feel unable to continue in his role. I beg you to reconsider. The time will come for such a step, but I fear it is not now.’

‘Very well, but if not Ferox, who?’

‘Perhaps one of my people could find one of his staff. Someone who is amenable to talking with you in confidence in return for some trifling gift?’

Once again Valerius marvelled at Melanius’s seeming ability to conjure up a source at will. Clearly Pliny had underestimated his friend’s capabilities or he’d have had him investigating this nest of vipers in the first place.

‘If that was possible …’

‘Only time will tell, but come, you have not told me of your immediate plans. I would be most happy if you would stay for dinner.’

‘It would give me nothing but pleasure to accept your kind offer,’ Valerius bowed. ‘But I’m concerned that if I stay here any longer my presence might place you in danger.’ Melanius puffed out his cheeks in mock exasperation. ‘In any case I must begin drafting my preliminary report to Pliny.’

‘Very well, I concede, but if there is any help I can give with your report. The use of a scribe …?’

‘I will consider it,’ Valerius smiled. ‘Once more I must thank you for your generosity.’

Valerius caught the familiar scent as he reached the top of the stair. He slowed, checking his surroundings, and his hand reached for his sword as he pushed the door slowly open with his right fist. Flickering oil lamps created ever-changing patterns of light and shade on the walls. She lay back on a couch beside a table laid out for dinner. When he walked into the room she poured a cup of wine and as she offered it to him the front of her dress fell forward to reveal the curve of her breasts.

He allowed his hand to drop away from the sword. ‘Shouldn’t you be with your husband?’

‘How do you know he didn’t send me here?’

He shrugged and tried to suppress a smile. ‘I confess I hadn’t considered the possibility.’

‘This is Asturica Augusta,’ she smiled back. ‘A provincial backwater, not Rome. You would be surprised what people have to do to survive here.’

Valerius unhooked his cloak and handed it to a servant who appeared then disappeared just as quickly. He accepted the cup and lay down on the couch opposite, eyeing the heavily laden table.

‘I thought you would be hungry after your exertions of the last few days, Valerius.’

‘You have me at a disadvantage, lady.’ He allowed his voice to harden, ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever been given your name. I’m also curious to hear what you know of my exertions.’

‘My name is Calpurnia.’ She didn’t flinch from his gaze. ‘And my husband Severus did not become the head of the ordo by ignoring what goes on around him.’ She waved an elegant, slim-fingered hand towards the painted walls and silver platters. ‘You are our honoured guest and a Hero of Rome, of course he would be interested in your activities, particularly after your concerns about this mysterious Petronius.’

‘Mysterious? You knew him?’

‘Knew of him,’ she admitted. ‘They say he was like a hunting dog on the scent, always poking his nose where it wasn’t appreciated. He kept strange hours.’

‘How would you know that?’

‘How do you think?’

‘Your husband was having him watched?’

She took a sip of wine. ‘Of course.’

‘Then he may know more about his disappearance than he acknowledged?’

‘You would have to ask him.’

Valerius intended to. ‘Why have you come here?’

She stared at him and the reflection of the oil lamps turned the dark eyes into pits of fire. Did he really have to ask? ‘Because Calpurnia Severa knows what she wants. I find you desirable, Gaius Valerius Verrens.’ She stood up and rounded the table until she was standing over him. He didn’t move as she bent to take his face in her hands and brought his lips to hers. A slight shadow of confusion crossed the beautiful features at his lack of reaction. ‘And in Asturica Augusta she gets what she wants.’ Still Valerius didn’t respond and she took his head again and pulled his face to hers, lips pressing almost painfully hard against his. Eventually she pulled away, cheeks pink with indignation. ‘Are you made of stone?’

Valerius laughed and rose to his feet. ‘By no means.’ He shook his head. ‘You are a very attractive woman, but I am a married man.’

‘A married man who has not seen his wife for many weeks …’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘And who I sense has lacked female company.’

Valerius felt the blood rise to his face. ‘There is also the question of your husband. The servants …’

‘My husband questions neither my movements nor my actions.’

‘Nevertheless, I cannot afford to alienate him.’

The fire in her eyes subsided but when she stepped closer he could smell the desire on her. ‘Why are you here, Valerius? Why are you in Asturica?’

‘To find Petronius.’

‘No,’ she shook her head so the mane of dark curls danced in the lamplight. ‘Petronius’s disappearance may be the excuse, but not the reason. There is more to it.’ Her eyes widened. ‘I see it now. The visit to the mine. All these questions. You haven’t come to find Petronius, you have come to replace him. But what is it you seek? And what if I could help you discover it? What then, Gaius Valerius Verrens? Would you accede to a lady’s whim if she helped you to achieve your mission?’ She reached out to place a finger on his chest, testing the hard muscle there. ‘An inconsequential night of freedom. Two fine bodies taking pleasure from each other.’ She drew in a breath at the image she created. ‘And such pleasure, Valerius. Pleasure as you have never experienced it before or will ever again.’

Her hunger was so powerful Valerius had to take a step back. ‘You flatter me, Calpurnia.’ He knew there was no point in denying her instinct about Petronius and his mission. ‘But I have nothing to offer you.’

Her nostrils flared, but she made no move towards him. ‘Very well, Gaius Valerius Verrens, but remember this. One day you will need a friend in this city and you may discover I am not a forgiving woman.’