by Zara Altair
Titiana held her hands out toward the brazier as if the warmth could help her tell the story.
“We went down by the marshes. No one goes there.”
“I was there yesterday.”
“So you know how bleak it is. Suddenly Pacilus grabbed my hand. Tears trickled down his cheek. ‘Titi,’ he said. That’s his pet name for me. ‘Titi, I need to tell you about your father.’ And then it all came out. My father sent him an invitation. Pacilus was excited. He’d heard about gatherings of important men and felt honored to attend a festivity where he could mingle with important people to enhance his career.” Her dark lashes glistened with tears for her friend.
“When Pacilus arrived, the luxury awed him and the mix of people impressed him. You’ve seen my father’s study. The party was just as elaborate—food, wine, flowers, party favors. He met many important men and other emerging young men like himself. Good families, but not aristocracy. And beautiful young women he’d never met before.”
Titiana took a deep breath.
“And then it changed.”
Argolicus dreaded what he knew would come next.
“Men disappeared into other rooms,” Titiana continued. “With a girl… or a boy. Pacilus found himself with the Promagistrate’s hand on his arm. ‘Let’s see what you are made of, Pacilus.’ Pacilus felt uneasy. He has a lover… several. But the Promagistrate? Pacilus felt nothing but disgust once he realized what his intent was. He said he had to go to the latrines and fled. So, that’s what he told me… in confidence.” She burst into tears.
“Titiana,” Argolicus said. “Was Pacilus angry at your father?”
“How could he not be angry? My father invited him on pretense to use him… as a commodity. Another item for his collection. And then he offered him to anyone. More than anything, Pacilus felt Father had betrayed his trust. Pacilus was ashamed. Ashamed that he had been so trusting and naïve.”
She stopped as several emotions crossed her face, sorrow, anger, an slight smile. “I was the one that was angry. My father had done this to my best friend.” Frown lines creased her flawless brow. “Before that I considered my father distant. But then, after Pacilus told me, I hated him. I hated him with all my heart. As much as I love Pacilus, I hated my father.”
She turned her head and looked in his eyes. Argolicus could see the cold hate.
“Would your friend Pacilus take us to this place?”
“We don’t need Pacilus. He showed me where it is. I can take you there.”
“Yes, let’s go first thing in the morning.”
Titiana wiped her eyes and nodded agreement.
“I know where Pater kept his keys. I’ll take you.”
Argolicus wanted more information. Any evil, like decadence, was bound to cause resentment. “Now, tell me more about the men who were there. Did they pay Pius to organize these parties? Or, did they all contribute?”
Titiana opened her eyes wide. “My father did not discuss these matters with me. He kept these activities hidden from the women of the house. Pacilus wouldn’t know, either. My father’s good name duped him to attend. That invitation...” She shook her head.
“Here’s one thing I know. My father liked to own people. He liked to have something on them, have a hold on them. Control, that’s what he wanted. As paterfamilias he ruled our family. Mother came to terms with him. Her life was here but mostly separate. Philo suffered the most with his sensitive and scholarly nature. Pater did not appreciate those qualities. He belittled Philo. I would do anything for my brother. He is sweet and kind…”
“Titiana, tell me anything you know about the parties. Anything that Pacilus told you. In my short time here I have a sense of how your father treated his family, all of it. I spent time with Sabinus, his brother. I saw your father’s storerooms. Your uncle hinted at the control your father had over the business. Unless you think a member of your family killed your father, I want to consider who would hate your father so much. Who would carry hate in his or her heart strong enough to stab him like that, with force and violence?”
Titiana shook her head again. “No. No one in the family. I can’t believe anyone in the family carries that much hate. Look at my cousin Larcius, so methodical. And Uncle Sabinus he’s…”
Argolicus was liking this young woman. Her love of her family and her forthright honesty. But her youthful babbling was preventing him from getting to the point, the real killer of her father. He mustered his patience and said, “Titiana, the parties. Who was at the parties? Of the men Pacilus mentioned can you think of anyone?”
“I don’t know. I know Father had a hold on all of them. I’m a girl. I meet those men on formal occasions…”
“Could you make a list of the men that Pacilus told you were there? That would help me. Unless I knew them in Rome, I wouldn’t know the local patricians.”
“Oh, yes. I could do that. I’ll have it for you in the morning.”
As soon as she left, Nikolaos ducked into the room from his alcove. “A despicable man.”
“So it seems,” Argolicus replied. “I don’t know how I will come to any resolution before we leave for home. I’m not sure if going to this hall will help in any way. It will be empty. It’s the people I need to know. I don’t see how we’ll meet those bureaucrats and minor officials that attended those parties in the little time we have left.”
“His hidden life,” Nikolaos prompted.
“Yes, the people in his hidden life. Even if the girl gives us a list, how can we meet them all and discover anything of depth in one day. It seems impossible. At this point it seems the best I can do is leave my notes with Philo to give to the Promagistrate when he returns. And, even then, he has total discretion over whether he wants to investigate the killing or leave it to the family. It’s a matter of how the Promagistrate interprets his death as impacting the public good.”
Argolicus sat in thought. His head swirled with questions without answers. Who were the men? Which one hated Pius the most? How could he discover that? The person who hated him the most might be the best at covering up his feelings.
Nikolaos interrupted his thoughts. “Pius was the most important man in Ostia. Wouldn’t that make it a circumstance of public good?”
“Not necessarily. The business will continue with Sabinus and the commerce is the public good. Plus, the business is across the Tiber in Portus, not Ostia.”
“Young Ma… Master,” Nikolaos corrected himself. “That puts us in a tight situation. One day. One day.”
“Yes, right now it seems impossible. Perhaps Titiana’s list will help. She’s an aware young woman. She can tell us about the people on her list.”
“Still, one day is a short time. You must put that mind of yours to work.”
Argolicus chuckled. “Your opinion of me is higher than I deserve. Titiana’s faith in her family is tender but I’m not yet ruling out the family. Perhaps Philo knew more about his father than his sister thinks. He has reason to resent his father. But hate, I don’t see hate. And, Aemilia keeps closed. She is just the type of person I thought of when hate runs deep but is covered by reserve.”
Nikolaos said, “But, you should examine that more. She is resistant to your looking into the death of her husband. Isn’t that suspicious?”
The lamp on the table flickered. The painted figures on the wall seemed to dance but Argolicus felt as though they were mocking his inadequacy.
“This all started with politics and favors. Boethius is a powerful man. It seemed like a simple gesture at the time. One last gesture to the citizens of Rome as I left for home. Deliver a book to a young scholar. Now I’ve given my word and will fail Philo at a vulnerable time.” He slumped in his seat and stared at his notes.
“Master, Philo understands that you did this out of consideration.”
“I know how devastated I felt when my father died. He wasn’t murdered. It was a freak accident. I can’t imagine how murder would affect a young man, a very violent murder.”
Argolicus looked up. “Think of those stab wounds. Deep and multiple. Perhaps, but unlikely. Sabinus could travel back and forth on his vessel and would have access to the villa. We spent the day with him and he seems to understand his brother’s failings, tolerates them, and concentrates on the business.”
Nikolaos shook his head. “No, but what about the boys? Not Titiana’s friend, but one of the other boys. Is it possible that another boy did not escape the way Titiana’s friend did and now harbors guilt and shame?”
“That is a consideration,” Argolicus replied. He mulled on this for a moment in silence. “That is a very strong consideration. A young man, strong and harboring revenge. Someone like that could have stabbed in a rage. But how would they get in the house in the early morning?”
They both sat in silence. Argolicus yawned and said, “I thought a friend of Philo’s might have got him to open the side door, but then Philo would be awake and wouldn’t leave him alone with Pius. No, that makes little sense. It’s time to sleep. Perhaps we will wake up with fresh insights.”
Chapter 6
Seduction And Power
In the early morning, Philo discovered them all—Argolicus, Nikolaos, Titiana, and her friend Pacilus—getting ready to leave.
“Pacilus! What are you doing here? Where are you all going?” Philo asked.
Pacilus, a handsome, well-built young man with dark curls and seductive brown eyes fringed with long, dark lashes, stood mute.
Titiana lowered her gaze and then answered before Pacilus could say a word, “Philo, there are aspects of Pater that you don’t know.”
“What? What are they? Is this about his murder? Where are you going?” Dark circles under his eyes revealed his sleepless night.
Argolicus stepped up to answer. “Philo, your father was not as noble as he first appeared. Pacilus discovered something... dark about your father. We will investigate. One of the unpleasant consequences of a killing is that hidden facts come to light.”
“What facts?” Philo asked. “Where are you going? Who…?”
“We don’t know all the facts, yet,” Argolicus answered. “That’s why we will examine one of his holdings here in Ostia, a place where he held... gatherings. Parties for certain men.”
“Certain men? That doesn’t sound factual to me. What parties?”
“Parties for men only,” Argolicus said. “And young men like Pacilus.”
Philo turned to Pacilus. “You attended these parties?”
Pacilus, looking uncomfortable, nodded. “Once.”
Titiana turned to her brother. “Philo. It is time for you to be an adult. I know how Pater treated you. It wasn’t just you. He manipulated many people. Come with us. Discover a facet of your father he kept from all of us. Then you will have a new fact.”
Philo had the look of a wounded pigeon. He stood still his eyes focused on some internal vision none of them could see. “I’ll come.”
Pacilus led them through the streets to an old building that had once been shops but now appeared closed along with several others along the street. Set on the main street, Decumanus Maximus, the building looked as deserted as so many buildings in Ostia. “This is it,” he said.
Titiana crossed to the main door and inserted a large iron key. She turned the lock, and the door opened.
Their eyes became accustomed to the dark room lit only by the high windows beside the main door. The plastered walls were painted with figures of men embracing in a variety of positions—standing, sitting, sprawled on beds. Faint scents of perfume, burnt oil, and spices lingered in the air.
Pacilus gestured with his arm. “This is the main reception. The private rooms are behind, and there’s a door beyond that leads to baths. Everything I saw here...” He stopped unable to describe his experience.
Philo asked, “What happened here? I don’t understand.”
Titiana said, “Philo, take a look at the paintings. Our father held parties here... for men. And for young men. He used his influence to invite young men like Pacilus. Pacilus came expecting honor among men of power in a congenial atmosphere. Instead, it was an invitation to seduction.”
Pacilus added, “Philo, there’s something you should know about me.”
Philo said, “I know. You’ve been a friend of Titiana’s since childhood. I’m not that naïve. I saw the signs. You never wanted Titiana. Look at her. She is beautiful. You think I didn’t know.”
Titiana gave him a hug. “Oh, Philo. You are so discreet. You understand. Pacilus is my best friend. Most girls have best friends that are girls, but Pacilus is mine. I can tell him anything.”
Philo said, “You are lucky. I have friends, but no best friend. I wanted to go to the Games with others who were going, but not anyone as a friend. Just company. I thought Father would feel secure that I was with others.”
Argolicus brought them back to the reason for the visit, “Pacilus, tell us what happened when you arrived.”
Pacilus blushed. “I... I... I was so hopeful when I arrived. A doorman asked to see my invitation. I entered expecting to hobnob with the local elite. I was—I still am—looking to advance my political career. I want to leave Ostia and to end up in Rome.”
Argolicus nodded commiserating with the young man’s ambition. At the same time, he wanted to go home more than ever to escape the Roman clambering for position.
“He’s so good with people. They talk to him,” Titiana volunteered.
“Go on,” Argolicus prompted. “What happened once you were past the doorman?”
“It was nothing like it looks now. There were lamps and lanterns everywhere. The room was bright with flickering light. Gustum delicacies filled the tables. A fountain of honeyed wine sat in the middle of one table and slaves circulated with pitchers to fill goblets. Men, and the guests were all men, dressed in finery. Scents from perfumed oils and pomades saturated the air.” He paused and took a breath, glancing at Argolicus.
Argolicus said, “I realize how difficult it is to remember and tell us. Any details will help. Did you recognize anyone?”
“Yes,” Pacilus said. “Most of the men. They were major citizens here in Ostia or in Rome, but here in Ostia for the time.”
“Can you add to the list Titiana made?” He reached toward Nikolaos who brought out a small parchment from somewhere in his folds.
“I’ll write them down,” Pacilus said, as he took the sheet from Nikolaos. “There were a few girls, prostitutes, too. But I don’t know their names.”
“The girls aren’t important. Whoever you remember,” Argolicus said. “What about the other young men?”
“I recognized most of them. Some could have been in one of the... other rooms. The private rooms. The rooms where... things happened. Not that they were friends. Ostia is a small town and even smaller when you consider the patricians, most of whom visit from Rome. Pater was one of the few who lived here most of the time. There was Nobilier, he’s the son of a military naval officer, and Macrinus—I’m uncertain what his father does—and Arsenius, the son of the Promagistrate, and Otho. His father is a prominent silk merchant.”
“Did you talk to any of them? Had any of them been to other parties?”
“I don’t know,” Pacilus said. “If they had, they probably thought, as I thought at the beginning, that the parties were a step to position and power.”
Philo interrupted. “My father! My father did this? Why did everyone know but me?”
Titiana hugged her brother close. “Philo, these are the facts. We have to learn them and know who our father was. You can go home.”
“No, I’m staying. Show me the list. Now that father is gone, I need to know who took part in these scandalous activities. Knowledge is power just as much as wealth. I will have nothing to do with them.”
“Philo, it’s not that easy. You are right,” Argolicus said. “Knowledge is power. At times, espec
ially in politics—and a small town is almost nothing but politics—that knowledge gives you the advantage. You know of a weakness that those men think is a secret. That knowledge gives you the strength to work with them, to converse, to transact business, to see them in normal social settings. Your anger now may keep you from wanting to see them, but you will soon discover that situations arise when it is better to consider them, to attend to them rather than avoid them. Anything you do here will train you for coping with Rome itself.”
“Well, you may be right. But now I am angry.” Philo’s face flushed and his fists balled at the end of his slender arms.
Once again, Argolicus’ heart went out to the boy. His own introduction to the adult world of complexities after his own father’s death was similar, but without the grim veneer of murder. “The world of adults is complicated. And politics compounds the difficulties. It’s why I’m leaving Rome. I understand. The complications are wearing. I’m going home to avoid those complications.”
Philo gave him a grateful look and his face changed to thoughtfulness. “That’s just the problem. You can go home to the south far away from Rome and politics, but I’m here in Ostia with Rome just a few miles away. I have no escape.”
Titiana grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Philo, I know you will be a leader. Not in the way father was by manipulating people, but in your way. You’ve inherited Pater’s wealth, but not his way of doing things.”
Argolicus said, “Wise words from your sister. Now, let’s hear more from Pacilus.”
Pacilus looked around. “I was at a table piled with snacks talking to a man from Rome, I don’t remember his name, when Numerius Sulpicius Asina joined us. The Roman left. That’s when...” Pacilus hesitated. He looked at Titiana who nodded. “That’s when Asina put his hand on my arm. He stroked it and said, ‘Let’s see what you are made of.’ That’s when I understood the party was not what I thought. He was inviting me to go to one of those rooms.” He gestured to the doorway on the far side of the hall. “I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I excused myself to the latrines in the middle of the building and then left by a side door.”