by Jane Finnis
“None.”
Now it was Lucius’ turn to swear. “But we’ve still got the two who came with us to Jovina’s house, I suppose?”
“No, they’ve already been ordered out on patrol.”
“Then we must join forces with Quintus and search together. We’ll go to Brennus’ house first, warn him what’s about to happen, and then all go out to look for the girls.”
Titch nodded. “Aye, that’s the only option we’ve got really. Gambax is there with Quintus and a couple of soldiers. We can take them with us to the river, find the girls, and bring them in. We should be strong enough.”
“We’d better be.”
“I’ll come too,” I suggested. “I can ride, and…”
“No!” they said in unison.
“But this is urgent. I want to help.”
“And if you stay here, you will be helping,” Lucius said. “No, don’t look like that, I’m not fobbing you off with something unimportant, quite the reverse. You’re our contact point. We’ll probably have to split up, but if we can get messages back here, or send here for information, you’ll know what’s going on, and be able to keep the whole group informed.”
There was sense in that. “And I can keep an eye on what the garrison is doing, and I hope, get advance warning of what they’re planning.”
“Good. We’ll see you later then.”
I wasn’t happy to be left behind. Still, at least Lucius and I were friends once more, and as long as they reached Quintus in time he’d be safe. But what about Chloe and Vitellia, and Baca? The silly girls were exposing themselves to real danger, and maybe leading the men who searched for them into danger as well. I thanked the gods for Baca’s quick thinking in leaving me a note and sent a prayer to Diana asking her to look after the runaways until help could get to them.
I went back to the office to wait, and to think over what I’d learnt from the conversations I’d had at the fort today, and last night. Now that we’d discounted Mallius’ foolish confession, it seemed clear that Jovina’s killer was either her former lover or her current one, either Nikias or Trebonius. But which?
Both men had reasons for wanting her dead. Both men could have persuaded Jovina to meet them in secret by sending her a message. Both men had been missing for a while yesterday, out of the public view while the party was happening. Both men had been seen alone by the river, as if waiting for someone. That someone must surely have been Jovina. And then there was the brief snatch of a quarrel that Gambax and Chloe had overheard. The words Jovina had used could have been addressed to either man. “No, I won’t. I can’t. You know I can’t give you up, I love you. Then why are you tearing me in two? If you really loved me, you wouldn’t put me through this. No, talk all you like but I shan’t change my mind.” She could have been pleading with Nikias to resume their previous relationship, but at Isurium, not in some faraway place. Or she could equally well have been appealing to Trebonius not to finish with her, but to continue the affair they’d only just started.
A knock at the door made me jump. I looked round nervously, then pulled myself together. “Come in.”
Selena opened the door and stood hesitating on the threshold. “They said I’d find you here.”
“What can I do for you?”
She stepped in cautiously, and I could see how uneasy she was. She perched uncomfortably on the very edge of a stool, nervously fidgeting with a fold of her tunic, not meeting my gaze. And she should be uneasy, I thought. Much as I liked her I couldn’t help feeling angry with her. She shouldn’t have let Chloe and Vitellia go out unsupervised from the house on a day like this. How could she have been so careless?
The silence lengthened. Eventually she said, “I’m sorry, Mistress. I’m so sorry. They were too crafty for me.”
“Chloe and Vitellia, you mean?”
“Yes. They must have planned and schemed and worked out how to leave the house without me knowing.”
“You’d no idea what Chloe intended? I assume Chloe’s responsible really, and Vitellia…well, she’s easily led.”
“Yes, I’d say so.” She sighed. “There was some wild talk last night, Miss Chloe saying she wanted to run away because now my lady isn’t there, the master will make her marry Statius. I didn’t take it seriously—you know how she likes to make a drama out of everything. But I didn’t foresee anything like this.”
Her words, the very same ones I’d spoken to Lucius, dispelled my anger. This poor woman was as shocked and upset by the girls’ disappearance as I was. And like me, she felt guilty.
“None of us foresaw it, Selena. You mustn’t blame yourself. All we can do is try to put it right. First tell me all you can about what happened after we left this morning. The girls were still in the house then, presumably…or at least Baca was, and she said they were in bed.”
“When it began to get light, they were certainly in bed. I looked in on them and they were asleep. Or that’s what I thought. Baca suggested I should get some rest—she could manage for a while. I was bone-tired—we’d been up all night—so I was glad to. I thought once it was day; we could relax a bit. I went to my room and slept for a couple of hours. The rest did me good.”
“You woke up after we three had had breakfast and left for the fort?”
She nodded. “About an hour after you went, I’d say. Baca wasn’t about, and I knew she wouldn’t have gone to sleep, so I thought she must be in the girls’ room and went to see. That’s when I realised they’d gone. I found the note Baca left for you, but I didn’t like to read it. I sent a couple of the lads to the fort to fetch Master Philippus, but they found he’d left already. I didn’t know what was best to do. I wondered if I ought to go out and look for them myself, but then I thought, perhaps they’d just gone for a short while and would come back again soon, and I ought to be there if they did. I knew we were all supposed to be going to stay at the fort. Lord Statius went into the village to see what he could find out…”
“Statius? By himself?”
“With his two men, of course. I thought he was foolish but he insisted, and he wasn’t gone long. He didn’t find any trace of them, or anyone who’d seen them. I was really worried by then. I was so relieved when your brother arrived to take charge.”
“I don’t think Baca was involved in planning how to get away.” I told her about the note. “I trust her. I believe she really thinks she’s doing the best thing, going with them, though the gods know three girls are no safer than two as things are. Anyhow, we’ll know for sure when we find them.”
She looked up at me. “You truly believe we’ll find them?”
“I do. My brother and Victor are already out searching.”
“I pray you’re right. This family’s in more than enough trouble. The mistress dead, the master saying he killed her, Miss Chloe swearing she’ll run away. As for Master Philippus, I don’t know what’s to become of him now my lady isn’t here.”
“There’s one bit of news that might comfort you.” I told her about what Mallius had said this morning, and how he was now a free man, though a sick one.
“That’s a relief, at least. We were right, you and I. We said he hadn’t killed her.” She smiled at me. “Now all we’ve got to do is find the bastard who did.”
“From what you told me last night, I think we may have found him,” I said. “But proving it, that’s something else entirely.”
“I’m sure if anyone can do it, you can.” She rose to go.
“One more thing. What made you say that you don’t know what will become of Philippus now his mother is dead?”
“Nothing really. Only that he’ll be sad. He loved his mother.”
“Selena, I thought we’d agreed you must tell me everything, and I know there’s more to it than that. Jovina was worried about him, wasn’t she? She told me about finding a bronze brooch with VVV on it among his things, and being anxious because he was spending more than he could possibly be earning.”
She sat down again a
nd nodded. “He gambles far too much. Sometimes he wins, but more often he loses. My lady had to pay off his debts more than once.”
“Did he get money from anyone else? His father, for instance?”
“Never. He was too proud to ask, and anyhow his father would never have given him anything.”
“Then how did he manage? My cousin told me she was afraid he was taking payment from the Brigantians. Was he involved with this silly VVV business?”
“No, at least not the way you mean. He’s no traitor, Master Philippus. But he’s always trying to make a few extra sestertii any way he can. When Terentius was here, it was even worse—they used to encourage each other to spend money like senators. I’m pretty sure they had some minor rackets on the go, disposing of surplus army stores from Cataractonium, selling them to traders and no questions asked, that sort of thing. He’s in charge of the tannery there now.”
“I know. Some sort of punishment, I understand. What had he done to deserve a demotion like that?”
“Word got around that he and Terentius had a fight. They quarrelled over money, so the story went, but I don’t know the details, and of course it was meant to be secret. But you can’t keep secrets for long in a fort. The commander didn’t want to dismiss either of them. They’re good soldiers, and both Roman citizens, which is more than most of the men are. So he sent Terentius down to Londinium for three months, and Philippus was posted to Cataractonium. He made a great fuss about not wanting to be there, but I don’t suppose it’s very hard for the officer in charge of a place like that to sell a few raw hides privately, even some tanned leather.”
“It’d be fairly unusual if there was no stealing at all,” I agreed. “But making enough money out of it to pay for serious gambling…that’s a different matter.”
“You think he was up to something else as well? It could be so. But you know, Mistress, really I can’t believe he’d do anything too terrible. He was a loving son to my lady, and he’s good with his children, even though their mother’s only a village girl.”
“That’s as maybe.” I couldn’t think what else to say. Selena was right. It was hard to keep secrets long in a fort, but there was one big secret which Philippus had managed to keep from his mother, and it was a great deal more serious than petty thieving at a tannery.
Fortunately the sound of hoof-beats outside provided a distraction.
“Maybe someone has news of the girls,” I said, and we got up and went outside to see.
Lucius and Titch were dismounting, looking tired and dishevelled. A few paces behind them came the two soldiers that had escorted them, one riding and the other marching, leading his horse, which had a body tied across its saddle, looking pathetically vulnerable in spite of its rich tunic and golden sandals.
I hurried over to them, Selena beside me. “I’m glad you’re safely back. But where are Quintus and Gambax?” I glanced at the body on the horse. “Eurytus, presumably?”
“Yes,” Lucius answered. “We couldn’t leave him at Brennus’ house for the mob. We were only just in time getting there. Half the village were gathering outside it, yelling and chanting, working up the courage to go in, and I don’t think Quintus and the others could have stopped them. They backed off when they saw us.”
“But where’s Quintus now? And Gambax? Why haven’t they come back with you?”
“I showed them Baca’s note about the girls. Gambax got very excited, said he thought he knew where they’d have gone. There’s a special place by the river, quite near Jovina’s house, a little hut where he and Chloe used to meet sometimes. He insisted on going to look, and Quintus couldn’t let him go by himself, so he went as well. They sent us back with Eurytus, and then we’re to follow them. Gambax gave us directions.”
“But that’s madness, Lucius! Why didn’t you stop him and make him come back here with you, and then you could all have gone out to the river together? They shouldn’t be taking risks like that. Why didn’t you insist?”
“Insist?” Lucius growled. “When was the last time you managed to persuade Quintus not to do something he’d set his heart on, however mad it was?”
“All the same…”
“And he has a point,” Titch put in. “Time’s running out. The patrols that are in the village now can’t hold things together much longer. The commander’ll have to send out more men still, or else call everyone back in and bar the gates. We want the girls back in here by then. If it’s possible, Quintus can do it.”
“And if it isn’t possible? If it’s too late already?”
Nobody answered. Beside me Selena gave a low moan and began to cry. “The gods help them, the poor children,” she muttered, and walked away.
I echoed her prayer, adding, “The gods help us all.”
Chapter XXIII
Lucius broke the silence. “Time’s short, so let’s get moving. I’ll go and report to the commander. Titch, can you find somewhere suitable to leave Eurytus’ body for now? Then go and get some fresh horses, preferably solid old nags that won’t be spooked by crowds or fire. Aurelia, could you organise some bread and a skin of wine? We’ll take it with us, we may be out for some time.”
“I will. But can’t you eat here? Then you can tell me the details of what’s happened.”
He shook his head. “Titch is right. Time’s short. We’ll tell you everything when we get back. By the way, has anything happened here?”
“No arrests yet, but I’ve one or two useful bits of information.”
“Good. Then the quicker we set off, the quicker we’ll be back to hear them.”
I found them some food and went to watch from the gate as they rode away. I was thankful they had with them the same two soldiers who’d been their escort earlier. But they were only four men, venturing out into a hostile village full of angry tribesmen. I was frightened for them, and for Quintus and Gambax, and especially the girls. Three girls on their own, even if they were outside the village itself…it didn’t bear thinking about.
I went to our office, thinking I’d better eat some food, as breakfast seemed a very long time ago. It was simple army fare, flat-bread and sausage with slices of onion, and rough red wine to wash it down. I didn’t mind that, but when it came to it, I found I wasn’t hungry—I was too worried.
I gave myself a mental shake. Worrying would do no good, and I had work to get on with. I pushed the plate aside and decided I’d pay yet another visit to the hospital.
There came a timid tap at the door. I called “come in” automatically, and then wished I had some sort of weapon to hand. Too late. I stood up and moved to stand with my back against a wall.
I felt foolish when the door opened slowly, and a small boy came in, looking nervously round. He was the slave I’d seen at the hospital, the one Nikias had been chastising. Apart from recognising his chubby features, I couldn’t miss the bruise on his cheek.
“Come in, boy. What can I do for you?”
He gazed at me silently. I realised he was frightened, and wondered whether he’d had another beating, or whether he expected one from me. Perhaps he was bringing me bad news, or maybe he regarded all adults as potential bullies.
I said gently, “You’re from the hospital, aren’t you? The lad they call Onion. I saw you there this morning.”
He nodded but was still silent. I noticed he was shivering slightly. I wanted to put him at ease, partly because I felt sorry for him and partly for a less unselfish reason. It occurred to me that a youngster might be a good source of information about life at the hospital, especially one like this who was being bullied by his master.
“Have you brought me a message from Mallius?”
“Yes, Mistress. He says to let you know he’s about to move into his own quarters this afternoon and he asks if you’ll go and visit him there. He wants to talk about a family matter, he says.”
“Good. Tell him I’ll come and see him very soon.”
“I will.” He rubbed his bruised face, and as he raised his arm
I noticed a red whip-mark across his wrist.
“Thanks, Onion. You know, I’ve never met anyone called Onion before, it’s an unusual name. How did you come by it?”
“It’s what I’ve always been called. My mother used to belong to a wine-shop, and I helped in the kitchen. Then she died and the owner sold me to the doctor here, and the name had sort of stuck by then. And I do like the taste of them.” I saw his eyes flick briefly to the table, which held my uneaten snack of bread, sausage, and onion.
“Are you hungry? They’ve sent me a whole lot of bread and sausage, and I can’t eat it all. Would you like some?”
His face lit up. “Yes please. Only my master might be cross.”
“Then we shan’t tell him. Help yourself to the onion, Onion.”
He grinned, and demolished the food as if he hadn’t eaten for days. “Thank you, Mistress. I got no breakfast today. My master said I didn’t deserve any.”
“Oh, dear. Why was that?”
“He said I went to sleep when I should have been watching last night. But I didn’t. I was awake all the time. And it was me that found the deputy commander after he cut his wrist.”
This was exactly the sort of inside knowledge I’d been hoping for. “It’s a good thing you did, otherwise he might not have recovered. How’s he doing now? I saw him this morning when he’d just woken up, and I was thinking of looking in again soon.”
“He says he’s feeling better, but I think he’s going to be poorly for a while. I helped him to wash himself this morning, and he was very clumsy, we both got a splashing from his bowl. He kept complaining how difficult it was, saying he felt awkward doing things with the wrong hand.”
The wrong hand…It was like a flash of lightning, making everything suddenly clear. Of course! Mallius was left-handed. I should have known. Indeed I must have known it years ago, and simply forgotten. No wonder I’d had an uneasy feeling that somehow he looked wrong as he lay in bed. A left-handed man who wanted to open a vein would have cut his right wrist, not his left one.