Time To Depart

XLV

IT WAS A night to remember, but once we returned to our own apartment I had to drag myself back to the real and sordid world.

The two watches of the Fourth Cohort must have spent those hours of darkness prowling the violent Aventine Hill, expecting to meet horror again. I knew Petronius would be out with them at least part of the time. Martinus, his deputy, would bestir himself to cover another section of the night watch. Fusculus would be there as well. One or other of them might take Porcius, the recruit. Sergius, their man with the whip who enjoyed his job, would be along somewhere looking for careless householders to thrash – and hoping to try his talents on a killer. I had a good idea that if they ever found out who had murdered the brother of Scythax, someone would simply disappear off the streets. The Fourth were in a mood for rough justice. Maybe that was why, when I found I could not sleep, instead of walking out to join them in their grim patrol I stayed at home in bed.

Eventually my restlessness disturbed Helena. `Hush, you'll wake the baby.'

`Not this one, love.'

`Then you'll wake the dog.'

The dog, who was squashing my feet again, shuffled to reinforce the point. `Watch yourself, furry! One false move and I'll turn you into bootliners.'

Winding herself into my arms more closely, Helena lay silent. I knew her well enough to hear her thoughts working; well enough to know what thoughts they were. `Your mother's right. When we have time to give to the babe, we'll find him a home.'

Unconvinced, Helena went on quietly worrying.

I tried again. `Don't fret. The baby's safe here. Let's worry about Tertulla. Tell me how you got on today with Gaius Baebius. How many parents did you manage to talk to? Any success?'

`Not much.' In a low voice Helena recounted her adventures. `There are five families on the list which Petronius gave me. I managed to speak to someone at four of the houses. Only one refused me entry altogether; they are extremely superior.'

`Why do they live on the Aventine then?'

`They must have lived here since they looked down their noses at Romulus.'

`Well if anyone can tweak those noses, it's you! What about the rest?'

`I saw one mother personally. She met me in a room on her own, as if she did not want anyone to know. But even then she just hissed angrily that it was all sorted out now. She was sorry for our troubles, but could not involve herself.'

`Was she frightened?

'Very, I should say.'

`It fits. Kidnappers tend to say don't go to the law or we'll be back. Did she let you see the child?'

`Oh absolutely not! At two other houses I ran into a reception committee of slaves – polite but distant, and no help. At the fourth house the mother refused to see me, but I happened to meet a nursemaid. As I was being seen out by a steward she was taking the child for a walk.'

`What age was the child?'

`A three-year-old boy. I followed his nurse from the house, and inveigled her into conversation as we went down the street. She was horrified to hear of another case, and let me engage her sympathy. She admitted the boy had been taken away – on a similar walk, so she was escorted everywhere now by slaves. That meant they were breathing down our necks and I only had a short opportunity to talk to her. Her story was quite helpful, and it confirm's Petro's theory as far as it goes. The child was snatched when her back was turned, as she bought something at a garment shop. She turned around seconds later and little Tiberius had vanished. There was complete panic in the household overnight; the vigiles were informed, as we know; the father also had all his slaves out combing the streets. Then next day everything abruptly cooled down. The nurse was never told why. The child's parents became withdrawn and secretive. There was a great deal of tension in the household, but the street searches were ended. She thinks the family banker visited.'

`That's significant.' Lucky too; the father could as easily have arranged a ransom with the banker in the Forum, and we would have missed this. `It's a useful detail. How was little Tiberius returned?'

`The father went out with the banker, and came home carrying the child. The household were informed that someone had found him by accident. Afterwards they were discouraged from gossiping. That was all I could learn.'

`It's enough. Was the child old enough to talk about what happened?'

`He looked a dim little overfed soul. I suppose he can talk, but we'd never be allowed to get at him, especially now. There's a close guard kept, and the escort soon became twitchy about me conversing with the nurse. I was lucky to find out what I did – and lucky Gaius Baebius had the sense to keep out of the way.'

`The great pudding.'

`He means well, Marcus. He's terribly concerned about Tertulla, and very angry that her own father has never put in an appearance to look for her.'

`This must be the first time one of my brothers-in-law despises another even more than I do! All right, so Gaius Baebius can't choose a wife or a watchdog, but he has a heart of gold. Anyone who'll beat his head against a wall trying to complain about Lollius deserves a laurel wreath. Is he coming to help you tomorrow? Are you intending to tackle the fifth house again?'

`Gaius is scheduled for shift work at Ostia. Yes, I'll try the last family a second time.'

`Not on your own.'

`I wasn't intending that. These are the snooty ones. This time I'm taking Mother's litter and a train of Father's slaves. I'll experiment with announcing myself more formally as a woman of respectable background.'

Helena had spoken seriously, intent on her task. Trusting her good sense and flair, I could afford to be frivolous. `Try wearing your Greek crown!'

She chortled. Then Helena justina set about thanking me for her antique treasure from Damascus in a way that cleared my mind of most of its troubles, and eventually let me find peace and sleep.

If we needed confirmation that a kidnap gang was active, it came first thing next day. We were still at breakfast. Light footsteps scuffed the stairs outside, then, while I was wondering whether to grab a bread-roll knife in case the Miller and Little Icarus had returned, young Justinus bowled in.

We relaxed.

`Quintus! Greetings, you bibulous rascal!'

`Falco, there's been a terrible mistake!'

`Drinking with my father always is. Cool off. Your purse is deep enough; you'll get over it.'

He looked sheepish. `I think I've endured enough reproaches.'

`I bet.'

`There's been a misunderstanding, one that concerns you.'

`What's new?'

`No, listen,' he burst out excitedly. `We owe you an apology.'

`I'm all ears, Quintus.'

Then he told us that while we had been dining at the Camillus house last night a strange messenger had called. He brought a note, which the Senator's secretary took in and read. Since there was a family party in progress, the secretary dealt with it himself. The note asked for money for the return of the child; the child's name was unfamiliar to the scribe. He angrily sent the messenger away, and only when the strange story was mentioned this morning had Camillus Verus realised the truth. Luckily we had been talking about Tertulla during our visit.

`Jupiter! At least we can tell Galla she's probably alive. But what a cheek! Helena Justina, someone has been trying to put pressure on your father to ransom my niece!' As if our relationship did not entail enough embarrassments.

Needless to say, no clues had been retained. The ransom note had been thrust back at the seedy messenger; there was no useful description of the man; and nobody had watched to see which way he went after he was turned out of the house. Maybe the kidnappers would try again. Maybe they would have the sense to approach Helena Justina or me. Maybe they would lose patience, and just hand Tertulla back.

Maybe.