See Delphi and Die

XXX

I was all set to scale the acropolis like an obedient informer. I would have gone mountaineering first thing next day. I got as far as preparing a portable breakfast, my hiking cloak and a staff to lean on. Then we had a visitor.

It was Aquillius. He had plenty of good manners, though little common sense. How are you finding the Elephant?" At last he looked around the courtyard of our lodging, and deigned to notice the building work. "So sorry, Falco; normally this is a very comfortable billet. Many people have recommended it. I don't know why nobody told me there was renovation going on. I could move you…'It was not a serious offer.

I brushed aside his platitudes. "I'll move us myself, if the wife wants it." No chance to ask her. Helena had spotted the quaestor's purple tunic bands as he wandered through the entrance arch; she had fled indoors. "What can I do for you?"

Aquillius handed me a scroll, another letter from Aulus. "This came for you!" He seemed impressed that we were receiving correspondence.

"Where from?"

"On a boat from Athens. Somebody knows you are here, Falco?"

"Lucky guess," I bluffed. "Wife's brother; nice lad. We'll have to try and get to see him; he's supposed to be studying, bound to be homesick." Since we had been told yesterday by Volcasius that Aulus had made himself scarce with Statianus, I decided not to link Aulus with my enquiry unless I had to. Statianus might yet turn out to be his wife's killer. If Aulus had allied himself with the bridegroom misguidedly, it could cause problems.

I was eager to read the letter – and to reply to it. Aulus needed to be warned off Statianus.

"Couple of points, Falco. Do you mind if we talk about business?" Aquillius was so used to treating his Greek post as a holiday, he seemed embarrassed to mention work. I waved him to a bench. Unwinding

myself from my cloak, which he had apparently not noticed, I dumped my hiking stave and sat down with him.

"I'm glad you're here, Aquillius. Something I need to ask you. One of the tour group.

"How do you find them?" he interrupted.

"They look like fluff balls, but every one is as sharp as a butcher's hatchet. One is missing. Plucking at the purple band on his tunic, Aquillius grew nervous that this lost parolee might be his fault. I'll rephrase that," I said, in a kind voice. "Make it two." Now he was even more nervous. Part of his purple braid was done for. "One is merely missing – Statianus, the dead woman's husband. I'm sure you've done a head count, so I am sure you realised." Irony is a wonderful tool. "Another of them is dead. I expect you know that too." I expected he did not know. Aquillius just looked wide-eyed and eager to please as usual. "Turcianus Opimus, travelling for his health, died at Epidaurus. That death needs to be checked carefully. Once people start dropping from unnatural causes, you have to scrutinise those who die from so-called natural ones.

"And make sure?"

"My boy, you are getting the hang of this. Now look – I don't have time to go to Epidaurus; it may turn out to be a wasted errand anyway. Why don't you send a runner to the Temple of Aesculapius, and order that whoever attended this man at the sanctuary gives us a formal statement?"

"I could summon them here." He had big ideas.

"Fine by me. I want to know. what was wrong with Opimus? Was his corpse examined thoroughly? Did the mode of death match his supposed illness? Were there any signs of interference… Well, you know the procedure." He knew nothing. I thought it unlikely anyone would ever come from Epidaurus. If they did, I would interrogate them myself. "Aquillius, are you visiting the group today? It would do no harm for you to let fall that I've asked you to arrange this. I'm not saying that anything bad happened to Opimus, but I would like them all to realise I intend to interview the priests."

"They have asked for me." Aquillius sounded gloomy. "I've had a rude summons from that tyrant Sertorius. Falco, they keep complaining."

"They are having a terrible time," I pointed out.

"Who told them foreign travel was fun?"

"I think you'll find," I explained drily, "it was Seven Sights Travel. Polystratus, their lying dog of a facilitator in Rome, when he took their bookings – and Phineus."

That was when the quaestor remembered to tell me his most important news. Phineus is back in Corinth. I have told him to contact you."

Now he had ruined my day.

I knew the agent would delay his appearance until it suited him. No point sticking around at the Elephant until Phineus bothered to call. I made Aquillius rack his brain for places where the man might hang out; then to make sure, when I set off to scour the drinking houses and markets, I dragged Aquillius with me. I like to provide training for government officials. Someone has to do it.

It was the first time Aquillius had ever worn out boot leather on a long seek-and-find. At first he thought it fun. Corinth was a mighty city, full of commercial crannies. By the time we two bloodhounds came upon Phineus, the quaestor had gained more respect for my tradecraft. He was moaning about lung failure. I too was blistered and bad-tempered, but after years at this game, I knew how to contain it. Anyway, I had to conserve energy. Finding Phineus was just the start for me.

Phineus was too Greek to be pure Roman and too Roman to be truly Greek. This wide-bodied heavy character wore a medium-length red tunic with sleeves; a glossy belt with a fat money purse on it; and battered boots showing huge calves and ugly toes. He had grizzled hair (once dark) and a short curly beard. Some things were as I expected. he was leaning on a bar counter among people who obviously knew him. He made his living as a man with contacts; it showed. He treated Aquillius Macer as one of his contacts, which disgusted me; I dispatched the quaestor to other tasks, just in case their relationship had moved from one of basic diplomacy to one with too much give and take.

"Nice boy!" Phineus spoke Latin, but in a deep Eastern voice.

"Very helpful," I agreed. If he had been bought by Phineus, Aquillius was an idiot. Phineus would be an idiot too, if he let me find out. He was too canny; that would never happen. But I reckoned that Aquillius was not bright enough to sell out. He would not even recognise a dirty offer. At least rogues like Phineus would not know what to make of him.

While I was eyeing up Phineus, he returned the favour openly. I refused to be put off and kept on looking. He was physically strong, a man who had put in hard effort of some sort. Impressive legs, and his right arm stronger than the other. Prosperity showed. He was better

groomed and more smartly turned out than many who arrange mules and ships. Even so, there was a well-worn air about him. He had three missing front teeth, though that applied to many people.

His survey of me would be equally two-sided. I was a Roman, but unlike most men who journeyed abroad, looked neither wealthy nor a slave. I had arrived with Aquillius, yet there was distance between him and me; I had given the order that sent Aquillius ambling off, which he had accepted as from an equal, or near equal. It would be clear I felt differently. When the amiable quaestor waved goodbye, I did not return his gesture.

I was wearing a loose brown tunic, good Italian boots, a belt with a Celtic buckle, a slightly fancy dagger in a Spanish leather scabbard. These were surface adornments; I came with more subtle trappings. skills which no slippery businessman should take for granted. I looked my age, thirty-five that year, and as tough as I would ever be. I had been around; I hoped it showed. I sported an Aventine haircut and an Aventine stare. I was ready for anything and would take no nonsense.

"So you are the special investigator!" Phineus said, keeping it light, keeping it well-mannered. "You are very welcome. I cannot tell you how glad I shall be when you solve what has happened and free us from its shadow."

He had to be a conniving rogue, yet he lied to me with sonorous, deep-voiced sincerity.