The Cleopatra Crisis

5

That last race was close,” Lucas said. “Almost a photofinish.” He smiled. “Or it might have been, if they had cameras in ancientRome.”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Clocillus lose.” saidTravers. “The young driver who beat him just made his reputation. Clocillus isthe best charioteer in Rome.”

He also threw the race,” said Andre.

Travers glanced at her sharply. “What?”

“I said, he threw the race.” she repeated. “It was fixed.”

“Are you serious? How can you possibly tell?”

“If anyone can tell, she can.” said Delaney.

They were seated in the stands within less than a hundredfeet of where Steiger sat with Antony. though they had no idea he was there.With his new face, they wouldn’t have recognized him anyway. They spoke in lowvoices, holding their heads close so that no one could overhear them.

“Andre grew up in medieval England.” Lucas explained. “Formost of her life, she passed as a male and was a mercenary knight, what theycalled a ‘free companion.’ The first time we met. it was in the lists at thetournament of Ashby.”

“You mean you were temporally displaced?” asked ‘Travers,stunned.

“It’s a long story.” she said. “I inadvertently became partof a temporal disruption and wound up being taken into the future by a memberof the Underground.”

We first encountered Andre on a mission to 12th century England.”said Delaney. “so you can imagine our surprise when we saw her again in 17th-centuryFrance. It’s quite a story. She was instrumental in helping us effect atemporal adjustment and since she had already been displaced from her own time,we took her back to Plus Time with us so her case could be reviewed, to makesure it didn’t result in any temporal contamination. Once the Referees weresatisfied, she joined the First Division and we’ve been a team ever since?

“Incredible!” Travers said. “You must tell me the entirestory later, but right now, I’m curious as to how you knew the race was fixed.”

“I learned how to observe horsemanship from jousting tournaments,”she said. “In a situation where your life often depended on knowing youropponents. you learned to watch for the slightest indication of any weak points.After a while, you’d get to where you’d easily spot subtle things that mostpeople would miss. The charioteer for the red team held back slightly on thefinal stretch. As you said, he’s an outstanding driver. Even a keen observermight have missed it, but I was watching very closely. out of habit. I suppose,and I noticed that on the last two laps. he was taking his turns just a littlewider than he had on all the previous ones.”

“I never would have spotted that.” said Travers. “Clocillusalways takes the turns so tightly, he’s almost. right up against the post.-

“That’s why he got away with it,” she said. “He takes a muchtighter line through the turns than the other driven, so when he went just alittle wider, it still looked like he was taking them pretty close. But he wenta little wider every time coming out of the turns and he held back a littlegoing into the turns, allowing the blue team to catch up. Aside from that, whenthose two chariots collided in the first turn. It was done on purpose. I sawboth drivers brace themselves for the impact as they went into the turn. Theywere prepared for it. before they should have known that it was going tohappen. And the driver whose chariot overturned in the last lap? That waspurposely done, as well. He was standing a little lower in his chariot goinginto the turn because he had his knees flexed, ready to spring clear. He timedit just right, so that he’d be at the apex of the turn. where the inertia wouldcarry him to the outside of the track, well away front the chariots behind him,who knew that he was going down and were prepared. He was already reaching forhis dagger an instant before he went over. Not that it still wasn’t prettydangerous, but with everybody knowing what was going to happen, the risks wereconsiderably reduced.”

“But that would mean that every one of the charioteers werebribed!” exclaimed Travers with astonishment.

“That would seem to be the obvious explanation,” Andre replied.

“That’s an incredibly serious offense,” said Travers. “Theycould all lose their lives for that. You’re absolutely sure’? There’s no chanceyou could be mistaken’?”

“If Andre says that’s the way it happened. Travers, you cantake it to the bank,” Delaney said.

“Find out who was the big winner at the track today and you’llprobably find your fixer,” Andre said.

“There’s only one man I can think of, short of the Emperorhimself, who could have gotten all the charioteers to work together in order tothrow the race: said Travers

“And that would be Marcian. But I simply can’t imagine himdoing something like that.”

“Who’s Marcian’?” asked Lucas.

“He’s the aedile who oversees the administration ofthe games.” said Travers. “He’s also an extremely wealthy merchant who providesmost of the horses and wild beasts for the shows in the Circus. he also stagesgladiatorial combats, sort of a private entertainment contractor. But he neverbets on any of the races. For a man in his position. It wouldn’t look good.”

“Maybe somebody got to him.” Delaney said.

“That’s hard to believe.” said Travers. “Marcian is one ofthe richest men in Rome. I can’t imagine what anyone could offer him to makehim take such a risk.”

“Political power?” Lucas asked.

“Possible. I suppose. but unlikely. His post carries anominal senatorial rank. yet Marcian has always steered clear of politics. Hehas the reputation of being a very prudent man.”

“In any case. it probably doesn’t concern us,” Andre said. “Notunless It might have anything to do with Caesar Is Marcian a friend of his?”

“No. not really. but he is a friend of Marc Antony’s, who isCaesar’s right-hand man.”

“Maybe we should meet him.” Lucas said.

“That wouldn’t be difficult to arrange,” said Travers. “Youthink he might he involved somehow?”

“I don’t know.” said Lucas. “Is he a native Roman?”

“No, as a matter of fact, he isn’t. He arrived in Rome aboutnine years ago. I think from Baiae, but I’m not sure. In any case, he wasalready quite wealthy when he got here. which helped him make connectionsquickly. The post of aedile is an elective office and word is he boughtenough votes to put himself over. He built a palatial villa on the banks of theTiber near the Aventine and he’s prospered considerably since.”

“Interesting,” said Delaney. “You know him well’?”

“We’ve met on several occasions. but I can’t say I reallyknow him well.”

“Can we arrange to meet him socially?”

“Yes, I suppose so. I could hold a dinner party in my homeand invite him, but since we’re not exactly friends, it would help if I had aparticular reason.”

“Why not invite him so he can bring along some of the charioteerswho raced today’?” asked Andre.

“Yes. that wouldn’t be unusual. Aristocrats enjoy rubbing elbowswith the charioteers. It makes them feel adventurous.”

“Good,” said Lucas. “Set it up as soon as possible. We haven’tgot much time. There’s only two weeks until the Ides of March.”

“Yes, I know,” said Travers grimly. He glanced down at thearena. “The gladiators are starting to come in. If it’s all the same with you.I’d rather not stay around to watch this. I’ve seen quite enough of death.”

They left the Circus and went outside to their carriage.where their “slaves” were waiting for them.

“Can we take a look at Cleopatra’s house asked Lucas.

“Certainly.” said Travers. “It’s not very far from mine.”

The streets were practically deserted as they drove backtoward the Tiber.

“What did you make of Caesar’s Egyptian guard?” asked Andellas he drove their carriage.

“We couldn’t get a very good look at them,” Delaney said. “Icounted a dozen.”

Andell nodded. “They go everywhere with him. Quite impressive,aren’t they?”

“They looked very fit and capable.” said Lucas.

“What do you think?” asked Travers.

Lucas shook his head. 1 don’t know. I wish we had more to goon. Do they stay with him in the palace?”

“Yes,” said Travers. They have rooms in the same wing ashis:

“They’re going to present a problem.” Lucas said. “regardlessof whether they’re S.O.G. troops or actually what they seem to be. In eithercase, they’re an anomaly and we’re going to have to get rid of them somehow.The question is, how?”

“You’re close to Caesar,” said Delaney. “Couldn’t you convincehim that it’s bad P.R. to have them around?”

“It is, in fact,” said Travers. “There’s been talk aboutthem ever since Caesar took them on. He knows it and he doesn’t like it. Heused to have a bodyguard of Spaniards. a tough and surly-looking bunch, but hedismissed them for the sake of appearances. And those Egyptians haven’t exactlyimproved matters. He knows it makes him look as if he’s being protected by hismistress. I’m not really sure if he’s going along with it just to pleaseCleopatra or because he’s getting nervous now that the Ides is approaching. Ifhe is. he’ll never admit it. He’s far too proud.”

“Could you work on him without making your position difficult?”asked Delaney.

“I could try,” Travers replied. “We’ve gone through a greatdeal together. I could probably get away with more than most people could whenit comes to Caesar. But you can only press him so far. Plus I’d undoubtedlyalienate Cleopatra and she has a lot of influence with him.”

“More than a comrade in arms from the wars?” asked Andre.

Travers snorted. “You haven’t seen her.”

“How does Caesar’s wife react to his relationship with her’?”she asked.

“Calpurnia? She doesn’t say anything about it. And no onedares mention it in her presence. I don’t really know what she thinks about it.She doesn’t reveal her feelings much.”

“She can’t be very happy about it.”

“Maybe not, but this is ancient Rome. And Rome is very mucha man’s world. It is not uncommon for Roman men to keep mistresses. Most wivesaccept it, though it’s not as if they have a choice. And Caesar is no ordinaryRoman. Calpurnia seems very devoted to him, but then I’ve spent more time withCaesar than she has. If you’re thinking about using her to discourage Caesar inany way, I’d recommend that you forget about it. There’s only one woman whoever wielded any effective power in Rome and that was-or will be-Livia, thewife of Augustus. However, everything she did was done behind the scenes,through ruthless political manipulation and even murder. Compared to her,Caterina Sforza and Lucretia Borgia were Girl Scouts. Calpurnia is not the typeto go in for that sort of thing. She’s rather self-effacing and I doubt there’sa devious bone in her body.”

“Well, then perhaps we’d better consider people. Who are devious.”said Lucas.

“You mean the conspirators?” said Travers.

“yes? said Lucas. “If we’re going to make sure that Caesargets assassinated on schedule, it would behoove us to keep tabs on hisassassins. They might need some encouragement.”

“Not very much, I should think,” said Travers wryly.

“What can you tell us about them? Personally, I mean?”

“I’ve met most of the chief conspirators at one time oranother, since they’re all active in politics,” said Travers. “I can’t say itwas a very pleasurable experience, knowing what they’re going to do. Or perhapsI should say what we hope they’ll do.” He paused and shook his head. “Why do Ifeel like a traitor when I say that’?”

“Because you’re not a cold-blooded bastard, that’s why,”said Delaney. “We’ve all done things we wished we hadn’t had to do, things wehaven’t exactly been proud of. But they were things that had to be done,because so much depended on them being done.”

“In a sense, Travers, they were things that had already happened.”Lucas said. “I know it’s sometimes hard to realize it, especially for someonelike you, who’s spent so much of his life in Minus Time, but all of this hasalready happened. From our perspective, and yours too, it happened almost threethousand years ago. We’ve simply come back here to make sure that no one triesto change that.”

“I know,” said Travers. “Intellectually, I realize all that,of course, but emotionally, it’s still hard to accept. The man’s a friend ofmine. Perhaps the closest friend I’ve ever had. And he’s much more than that.He’s someone I spent much of my life studying and admiring. Meeting him waslike meeting a boyhood idol. After all the years we’ve spent together. foughttogether … hell, he’s even saved my life on several occasions …” His voicetrailed off.

“It must be very difficult for you,” said Andresympathetically.

“More than you could know,” Travers replied. “Until thatnight before we crossed the Rubicon together, Plus Time seemed almost like adream. Like another life, a life I’d left behind. Then I had to clock back andmake my report and reality was like a hard slap in the face. I’ve been speakingand even thinking like a Roman for so long that even now, English seems like aforeign language. Would you believe I’m a good ole boy from Dallas, Texas?Crazy, isn’t it?”

“No. it isn’t crazy,” Lucas said. “Believe me. I canunderstand exactly how you feel. But you were going to tell us about the conspirators.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, I got sidetracked for a minute there. Accordingto classical historians such as Suetonius and Plutarch, there were supposed tobe some sixty men involved in the conspiracy. but most of their names aren’tknown to history. Some were apparently soldiers who had fought with Pompey.Others were people who had private grievances against Caesar. still others,such as Brutus, were politically motivated, meaning that they believed theywere acting in the interests of the republic. The core group was composed ofGaius Cassius Longinus, known as Cassius: his brother-in-law, Marcus Brutus;Decimus Brutus Albinus, one of Caesar’s officers; Gaius Trebonius, a friend ofMarc Antony’s; Tillius Cimber: and the Casca brothers, Publius and Servilius.Cassius was the number one conspirator, the leader. Of them all, he is the mostdangerous. He’s shrewd and quick-witted, a calculating type. As Caesar himselfhas said, he has a ‘lean and hungry look.’ Not much gets past him and he’s akeen judge and observer of human nature. Trebonius seems much more shallow. Helikes to gamble a great deal and he’s useful to the conspiracy because he’sclose to Antony. I don’t know him very well, but he seems to be more of afollower than a leader. Albinus I know pretty well. He served with us in Gaul.”

Travers paused a moment, his jaw muscles tightening. “Ifound it difficult to get along with him,” he continued, “knowing what he wouldeventually do. Caesar was always good to him, as he was to most of hisofficers. He gave him a provincial command and later made him a consul. I haveno idea what made him join the conspiracy. Perhaps he really believed, likeBrutus, that it was for the good of Rome, an end to autocratic rule. Which isironic, when you consider the men who followed Caesar. The days of the republicarc finished, though the conspirators don’t know it. I always found Albinusvery hard to read. He’s not someone you’d want to turn your back on. Cimber Idon’t know very well at all. he seems ambitious, but other than that, I can’ttell you much about him. As a close friend of Caesar’s, I’m hardly someone they’dadmit into their inner circle. As for the Casca brothers. Servilius I know onlysuperficially and I don’t think he’s as deeply involved as his brother.Publius. who is someone to watch out for. There’s a real hard edge to him. He’sviolent and he’s got a mean temper. Next to Cassius, he’s probably the mostsignificant. Brutus is also part of the inner circle, or soon will be, and heis the most interesting. Also the most likable, strangely enough.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Delaney.

“Just that it’s strange for me to find one of Caesar’sassassins likable. Supposedly, he’s the one who agonized the most about it.There have been rumors that he’s the illegitimate son of Caesar, but there’snothing to support that. Except that according to Suetonius. when Brutus wasabout to strike his blow, Caesar said to him. ‘You. too, my child?’ But there’sno way of knowing in what sense he meant that. Or even if it ‘s exactly what hesaid. So I suppose the rumors could be true. It’s a fascinating possibility.because Caesar did once have an affair with Brutus’ mother, Servilia. Caesarpardoned Brutus for allying himself with Pompey in the civil war, but then healso pardoned Lamius and many others. It’s one of the few things I’ve neverbeen able to find out for certain. Brutus is sensitive on the subject andflatly denies it. Caesar simply won’t discuss it. The one time I broached thesubject with him, he became angry at me for listening to rumors and idle gossip.”

“So you think that Brutus would be the most approachable?”asked Lucas.

“Yes, he’d probably be the easiest to get to know, but ifyou’re planning to infiltrate the conspiracy. Cassius and Casca are the onesyou’ll need to convince. That won’t be easy. They don’t know you. You’re only avisitor in Rome and your cover identity as my brother will practicallyguarantee that he won’t trust you. Of course, we could still pass you off assomeone else.”

“No. you’ve already told Caesar about me and it could complicatethings if we changed our story. Besides. I wasn’t thinking of myself.” saidLucas. “I was thinking of Delaney. True, we all supposedly grew up together,but he hasn’t seen you in years and people grow apart. We could easily stage apublic confrontation of some sort between you, an argument about Caesar’sautocracy or something.”

“Yes. I suppose that could work.” said Travers.

“If possible. I’d also like to figure out some way to getAndre next to Cleopatra,” Lucas said. “What do you think the chances of thatare?”

Travers pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Probably much betterthan your chances of infiltrating the conspiracy. Cleopatra hasn’t exactly beenembraced by Roman society. She acts as if she doesn’t seem to care, but I’m notsure if I buy that. It’s not that anyone would actively speak out against her,because of Caesar. but she’s been widely blamed for Caesar’s autocratictendencies. She’s a daughter of the pharaohs. after all, and as such, she doesn’tshare the republican sensibilities of most Romans. She’s a Ptolemy and she can’tunderstand or appreciate the freedoms most Romans enjoy. Nor has she made anysecret of her opinions on the subject.”

“What’s she like?” asked Andre.

“Well, the most obvious thing about her is her beauty,”Travers said. Then he corrected himself. “No, that isn’t really true. The mostobvious thing about her is her sex appeal She practically radiates sexuality.She knows the effect she has on men and she certainly uses it to her bestadvantage. She lives in relative isolation in the house that Caesar gave her,along with her son, whom she claims is Caesar’s. She was married to youngPtolemy XIII when they ruled together, then after his death, she married hisbrother Ptolemy XIV. Hardly what I’d call a loving family. They all hated oneanother. Ptolemy XIV was supposedly poisoned on her orders.”

“Nice lady,” said Delaney wryly.

“Merely a product of her time, her culture, and herposition.” Travers said. “She’s a compelling woman. Sharp, intelligent, andvery willful. Which is only to be expected from the Queen of Egypt. That’s herhouse right there.”

They slowly passed an elegant, white-faced villa behind ahigh stone wall. There were Roman guards stationed outside it and severalEgyptians watched them carefully from just inside the gates as they drove by.

“The problem is how to arrange a meeting with her.’ Traverssaid. “I couldn’t exactly invite her over for dinner.”

“I’ll figure something out.-said Andre.

Be careful: Travers cautioned her.”Once inside those walls,you might as well be in Egypt. And though she seems very personable. Cleopatracould have you killed instantly, merely on a whim.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Andre.

“All right. then.” Lucas said, “for now, that’ll be our planof action. We’ll try to get Delaney in with the conspirators. Andre’sassignment will be Cleopatra. As your brother whom you haven’t seen in years. I’llbe introduced to Caesar and see if I can’t make myself fascinating enough forhim to want to socialize with me. How much have you told him about yourimaginary brother’?”

“Not very much, really.” Travers said.”I wanted to leaveroom for you to improvise. All I’ve told him is that we were always very closeand that you stayed behind to run the estate when I went off to the wars.”

“So I was never a soldier?”

“No. Why?”

“Just thinking. Did you write to me regularly’?”

“Yes, as part of my own cover and to give me an excuse formaking extensive notes on the campaigns. Castelli actually received the lettersand he’s been keeping them for me, for my use when I clock back to Plus Timeand start working on my book.”

“Good,” said Lucas.”I think I’ve just figured out how tomake myself interesting to Caesar.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s say that your brother. Marcus. always had a scholarlybent. An interest in philosophy and so forth. I’ll be an armchair strategist.Well say that I became so fascinated with your detailed letters about the warsthat I’ve decided to write a study of military strategy, using Caesar’scampaigns for my model.”

“But you’ve never read those letters.” Travers said. ‘I’vegot them at the villa now, but I doubt there’s enough time for you to gothrough all of them.”

“I won’t have to,” Lucas said with a smile. “I can skim themquickly, but I’ve been a student of military history for years. One of myfavorite books was Caesar’s Commentaries. I’ve read it several times and I tookan implant download on it before we left Plus Time, so I’ll be able to discussthe Gallic Wars with Caesar from his own observations.”

“My apologies.” said Travers. “I should have known you’dcome prepared.”

“One can never prepare too well for an adjustment mission.”Lucas said. “The only trouble is, more often than not, all the preparation inthe world simply isn’t enough. Those Egyptians worry me. If, as you suspect.they’re undercover S.O.G. commandos, we’re really going to have our hands full.And if they’re not, it still won’t be easy getting them out of the way. I hopeyou can convince Caesar to get rid of them.

“What if I can’t?”

“Then we may have no other choice but to get rid of them ourselves.In order for Caesar to be assassinated, we might just have to assassinate hisbodyguards.”

“All twelve of them?”

“All twelve. That means timing will be absolutely crucial.If we take them out too soon, it will give the conspiracy away and Caesar willprobably surround himself with legionaries. If we take them out too late …”He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. “Either way, it’s going to be realtricky.”

“But if there are sixty conspirators,” said Andre, “couldn’tthey simply overwhelm the bodyguard?”

“One would think so,” Travers said, “except there weren’tsixty men involved in the assassination itself. Only a handful of them did theactual killing. Besides, it’s one thing to attack a single unarmed man, hut it’ssomething else entirely to go up against a dozen armed and well-trainedsoldiers. Even if the conspirators could get through them, the bodyguard wouldprobably slow them down long enough for the Senate House Guard to intervene.What made the assassination possible was the speed with which it was accomplished.In the confusion that followed, the assassins were able to escape, though theywere all condemned afterward and some took their own lives with the samedaggers they had used to murder Caesar.”

“Here’s a thought,” said Delaney. “What would happen ifthere was an attempt on Cleopatra’s life? Wouldn’t Caesar be concerned enoughto insist that she take the bodyguard for herself?”

“He might,” said Lucas. “On the other hand, he might simplyassign Roman legionaries to protect her.”

Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to be protected by herown people’?” Delaney persisted. “I don’t know, but from everything I’ve heardabout Caesar. it makes sense that he’d want her to take them back, to guard herin the house, and maybe assign additional troops to protect the grounds. Itwould seem that she’d want her own people around her, rather than a hunch ofRoman soldiers who wouldn’t know how to treat her properly.”

“Only what if Cleopatra isn’t really Cleopatra?” Traversasked.

“The way she reacts to an attempt on her life might tell uswhether she is or not,” Delaney said.

“You may have a point,” said Lucas. “It might be worth atry. Only if we’re dealing with the S.O.G.. that could tip our hand.”

“Maybe,” Delaney replied.”But it would also tell us what weneed to know, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s like standing up in the trench to find out if thesnipers on the other side are paying attention,” Lucas said.

“So? Since when were you afraid of snipers?”

Lucas gave him a sour look.

“Sorry. Bad joke.”

“Did I miss something?” Travers said.

“It’s another long story,” Lucas replied. “I’d tell you,except I still don’t know how it’s going to turn out.”

“I’m hoping for a happy ending,” Andre said.

“So am I,” said Lucas with a tight grimace. “So am I.”

Dinner in the Imperial Palace, Steiger thought. I’m movingup in the world. Caesar had been so amused at Antony losing a fortune to him atthe races that he had invited “Creon Sabinus” to dine with him that evening.Being an excellent rider, Caesar was also interested in talking abouthorsemanship. Fortunately. Steiger was qualified to discuss the subjectknowledgeably. Not only was he a member of the Pendleton Base Polo Club, butduring various assignments in Minus Time, he had also served with some of thefinest cavalry detachments in history, from the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khanto Jeb Stuart’s 1st. Virginia Cavalry. The only thing that gave him any troubleWas the Roman custom of eating in the prone position while lying on a couch. Hekept wanting to sit up.

“You should have been a soldier. Sabinus,” said Caesar. laughingas he watched him shift his position uncomfortably. “Like me, you havedifficulty keeping still. I can see that you are not one who is accustomed topampered luxury. A fit. strong man such as yourself, it is a pity that younever joined the legions. You understand a great deal about horses and you seemto have an instinctive grasp of cavalry maneuvers. I could have used a man likeyou in my campaigns.”

“I would have been proud to serve with Caesar,” Steigersaid. “But my father died young and it fell to me to manage the estate.Besides, I am undoubtedly more useful as a breeder of fine horses for Rome’slegions than I would have been as a ordinary soldier in the cavalry.”

“I do not believe that you would have been merely anordinary soldier.” Caesar said. “You have intelligence and wit, all the makingsof a fine officer.”

“I thank Caesar for the compliment. However, my destiny tooka different course. I could not change it now.”

“I have heard it said that a man could change his destiny.”said Caesar. smiling. “Now that Marcian is purchasing your estate perhaps youwill have the chance to alter yours. I will soon be embarking upon newcampaigns of conquest, adding to Rome’s territories. I will require able men.Why not come with me? I promise you that you would not be an ordinary soldier.For your knowledge and ability, I would make you a tribune with my cavalry.”

“I am indeed honored,” Steiger said. “When do you intend toleave on your next campaign?”

“I have an old debt to pay the Parthians, to avenge thedeath of my old friend, Crassus. I plan to depart from Rome on the eighteenthof the month. That should give you sufficient time to conclude your business withMarcian.”

“But I had planned to engage Sabinus to manage the estate,”Marshall protested.

“I am certain that Sabinus has slaves and freedmen overseerswho could manage it for you equally well. Marcian,” said Caesar. “And doubtlessyou could pay them less. I have greater need of able men than you. What sayyou, Sabinus? You have already increased your fortune at my friend Marc Antony’sexpense, and you shall increase it further when your business with Marcian isconcluded. Once that is done, you shall be relieved of your responsibilitiesand there will be nothing to prevent you from enlisting with my forces. Youcould arrange for your money to be invested wisely and when you return, youwill be a rich man. And you shall have your choice of properties from the landsthat we shall conquer. You may build a villa, start a farm and live there, oryou could live in Rome and hire a freedman to manage your property for you,along with the slaves you shall receive from among our prisoners. I treat mysoldiers well and reward them for their service. A man such as yourself coulddo well in the wars.”

“Such inducements would seem impossible to refuse,” saidSteiger. He smiled. “As it would be impossible to refuse Caesar.

“Splendid! Then let us drink a toast to your new destiny!”

Parthia?” said Steiger.

Caesar smiled and raised his goblet. “To Parthia!”

“What the hell was that all about?” asked Marshall. afterthe evening was concluded and they had left the palace.

There’s no need for you to join the legions. By the eighteenth.Caesar will be dead.”

“But what if he isn’t?” Steiger countered. “Suppose this anomalywith the Egyptians turns into a disruption and the conspirators fail to killhim? Then there will be nothing to prevent him from leaving on his new campaignagainst Parthia.”

“And you intend to be with him.” Marshall said. “So that thefirst chance you get …”

“You got it.”

Marshall snorted. “Just like old times. huh? Cloak-and-daggerwet work.”

“Yeah. A tribune’s cloak and a Roman dagger,” Steiger said.

“You’re actually hoping it’ll happen. aren’t you? Christ,you really want the conspiracy to fail, so that you can take Caesar outyourself.”

“I’ll do whatever I have to do.” said Steiger. “depending onhow things turn out. But it would be a hell of a thing, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, I guess it would at that. You’d be the man who sanctionedJulius Caesar. Not even Mongoose ever pulled off anything that big.”

“It would convince Forrester that there’s a place for thecovert field section,” Steiger said.

“With you as senior section chief, no doubt.” said Marshall.

Steiger glanced at him.-Why not? I’d be the logical choice.And I’ll need good, experienced agents.”

“Forget about it,” Marshall said. “I told you. I’m allthrough with that. I’ve got a good thing going here. I’d like to keep it.” hegave Steiger a long look. “I am going to get to keep it, aren’t I?”

Steiger shrugged. “It’s your choice. John.”

“Is it?”

Steiger met his gaze. “What are you saying. John? You thinkI’d turn you in?”

“You’d only be doing your duty if you did,” said Marshallflatly. “It would be another feather in your cap, wouldn’t it? Busting arenegade agent and using him to nail all his Underground connections. Mighteven net you a promotion.”

“I don’t want to be general that badly,” Steiger said.

“So you say.”

They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Is that what it comes down to. John?” asked Steiger, histone emotionless. “We can’t trust each other anymore? Is that what being in theUnderground has done to you?”

“It’s made me very careful, Creed.” Marshall said evenly. “Maybewe’re both working toward the same end. but we’re really not on the same sideanymore, are we?”

“Aren’t we?”

Marshall shook his head. “No, Creed. You’re still on theinside. I’ve opted out. That makes me a criminal. You can drop the hammer on meanytime you feel like it. I’m not very comfortable with that idea.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” said Steiger. “But you couldalways leave Rome. Go deeper underground, in some other time period where Icouldn’t find you. Of course. you’d have to start all over, but that wouldn’tbe very hard for a resourceful man like you. If you really believe I’d turn youin, why take the chance of staying?”

“You don’t really understand, do you?” Marshall said. “I’vegot a good life here. A pleasant. simple. comfortable life. For the first time,I’ve found a sense of permanence. I don’t want to run, Creed. I don’t want tospend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”

“Then you shouldn’t have deserted.” Steiger said. “What doyou want me to say. John? That after all this is over, I’ll go back to PlusTime and forget all about you? Fine. You got it. Is that what you want to hear?”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“Yeah, so do I. but it isn’t, is it? Because you don’t trustme. If that’s the way you feel, then nothing I say will make any difference.You see, that’s what happens when you run, John. Sooner or later, you alwayswind up looking over your shoulder. If it’s not me back there, it could besomeone else. You’ll never really know for sure. So you can keep running. Oryou can stop and face the music.”

“I’m not going back, Creed. That part of my life isfinished. “

“Then I guess you’ll have to live with your decision,”Steiger said. “I’m sorry there’s nothing I can say or do to make that easierfor you. but that’s the way it is..

“I’m sorry, too.” said Marshall. Ile sighed. “Hell, let’s goget drunk.”