The Emperor's Silver: Agent of Rome 5 (13 page)

Cassius frowned at them. ‘If you’re quite finished.’

‘Sorry, sir.’ Planta put the writing block on his lap and showed Cassius several pages. ‘As you can see, the census was conducted in June of last year. This first page lists the acreage of Afer’s estate, land use, buildings and so on. This second page concerns financial dealings: interests, holdings, taxes. The final page concerns household staff and other employees.’

Cassius put the second page on top but it was hard to make out the words. ‘Bloody sun. Simo, give us some shade.’

The Gaul walked around to the back of the bench to shield him.

‘That’s better. Some big numbers here. This time last year Afer was a very, very rich man.’

Simo’s hand suddenly appeared over the writing block. ‘May I, sir?’

‘Yes.’

The attendant pulled the paper down so he could see the third page.

‘Ah, I thought so.’

‘What is it?’

‘Here, sir.’ Simo pointed to a name on the list of Afer’s employees.

‘C. Varius Micon,’ said Cassius. ‘One of the ex-casters from the mint.’

Simo already had the satchel open. He found the right page and handed it to his master. Cassius checked the notes; Segestes and his colleague had recorded nothing suspicious about the man. He checked the census report once more. Micon was listed as one of Afer’s silversmiths.

‘Well, well. Good spot, Simo.’

Cassius looked at the list of employees again. Another name caught his attention. ‘S. Novius Gallus’. This man had also worked as a silversmith for Afer.

‘Wasn’t there …’

Cassius checked Segestes’s list. Gallus was also one of the retired mint workers. ‘Two! Two of them.’

He examined the notes again; both men had left their jobs at the Tripolis mint the previous year.

Cassius leant back. ‘So, the casters Micon and Gallus leave to take jobs with a bankrupt master who then somehow makes enough money to buy a huge tract of land.’

‘Why didn’t Segestes realise they both work for Afer?’ asked Simo.

‘Maybe they don’t any more. The census is a year old – perhaps they left his employ to cover up their connection. Or maybe Segestes just missed it. In any case, I think it’s time I had a word with Numerius Afer.’

Cassius considered contacting Quentin but the thought of returning to the mint having already identified a solid suspect was just too appealing. The helpful Planta obtained Afer’s current address, which turned out to be barely a quarter-mile from the basilica. The respectable but modest townhouse revealed little about its owner. The servant at the gate revealed even less until Cassius threatened him with arrest for obstructing an imperial agent. Unfortunately, Afer was not at home: he and his wife were attending a function hosted by a local dignitary at a villa south of Tripolis.

The trio called in at the stables by the inn to fetch their mounts then got some directions from the lads there and set off. A mile beyond the city’s south gate, they were delayed by a mass of riders and pedestrians queuing for a horse fair. Cassius employed his most commanding voice to clear a path and they continued on through pastures where young herders and their dogs watched over sheep and goats.

The villa belonged to a man named Megakreon, and the well-paved road that led to his home was marked by a marble stone bearing the name in huge lettering.

‘No chance of anyone missing that,’ said Cassius as they guided the horses on to the road. He could see only a gatehouse about two hundred yards ahead; the rest of the property was replete with ancient oaks, some with trunks ten feet around.

‘I’ve got a good feeling about this Afer character,’ added Cassius. ‘Gods, at this rate, I’ll have this gang in chains by the end of the week.’

‘Why not just watch him?’ suggested Indavara. ‘If he is up to no good you might be able to work out who else is involved.’

‘Yes, but we might also end up watching him for a week and get nowhere. Better to go straight in and catch him out before he hears we’re on to him. See how he reacts. If he’s involved, I’ll know it. And he’ll give every last one of the others up to keep his head out of a noose.’

‘Lucky – spotting those names.’

‘Lucky? No – all that talking and reading you thought so pointless. Proper investigative work. I think it’s my orator’s training – that and my memory, of course. I’ve always been good at making connections, spotting details.’

‘Good for you,’ said Indavara, wincing as he checked his nether regions. ‘But you’d better not wrap it up too quickly or Abascantius might send us off to Egypt after all.’

‘Not if I have anything to do with it.’

Stretching out of sight on either side of the gatehouse was a six-foot stone wall. As they reined in, an armed man came up to the imposing iron gate and inspected them. Cassius dismounted, spearhead at the ready.

‘Good day. This is the Megakreon residence?’

‘It is.’

‘I am Centurion Crispian. I need to speak with a man named Numerius Afer and I believe he’s here.’

‘There is a function today.’

‘I know. He’s attending it.’

A second, older man appeared from behind the right side of the arch. ‘Sorry, sir. Master Megakreon gave strict instructions that no one other than guests was to be admitted today.’

‘But you
will
admit me.’

‘Not unless you have an invitation.’

Cassius held up the spearhead. ‘You do know what this is?’

‘You belong to the governor’s staff.’

It wasn’t necessary to mention that the governor in question ruled Arabia. ‘That’s right. And the Imperial Security Service.’

The older man stepped up close to the bars. ‘Then I would have thought you would know that Master Megakreon has some very influential and powerful friends. And that he would not appreciate an unannounced visit. The function will be over by the seventh hour. You can visit Afer at his own home.’

‘I want to see him now.’

Indavara had also dismounted. He ambled past Cassius and up to the gate. ‘You heard the man. Open up.’

He didn’t usually make a move without being prompted; Cassius reckoned he was still in a bad mood after the previous day.

Indavara stepped back and eyed the wall. ‘Or you can leave it shut. But then I’ll have to climb over, kick the shit out of you two and open it myself.’

Cassius could have stopped the ex-bodyguard but he sometimes enjoyed such moments. With anyone else the two guards might have laughed the threat off or countered with an insult; but a swift look at Indavara’s remarkable frame, countless collection of scars (including his disfigured left ear) and selection of weapons (short sword, dagger and fighting stave) kept them quiet.

Cassius was reluctant to invoke Marshal Marcellinus yet again so tried another tactic. ‘Be assured that what my colleague suggests remains an alternative but I am not here to cause trouble, nor to disturb your master’s function. All I require is a quiet word with Numerius Afer. I’m sure that can be arranged without too much fuss.’

The older man mulled this over. ‘You’ll wait where I tell you to until I’ve consulted Master Megakreon?’

‘By all means.’

The guard took a large key from his belt and opened one side of the gate.

Cassius told Simo to wait outside with the horses. Indavara gestured for him to go through first.

‘Why, thank you.’

Once past the oaks, they could see the full extent of the villa’s grounds. Cassius was reminded of some of the places he’d visited outside Rome; miles of parkland dotted with numerous artificial ponds, undoubtedly containing an impressive variety of fish. As they walked along the broad drive, a peacock strutted past, displaying its plumage as if under instruction from Megakreon.

The villa itself was less remarkable; a sprawling building in the rustic style favoured by Romans who lived a long way from home. To the right of the colonnaded entrance was a broad terrace where dozens of guests had gathered between colourful flowers, gurgling fountains and gleaming statues. A nearby trio of ladies wearing silk gowns with their hair piled high watched the strangers stop outside the front door, which was slightly ajar.

Another guard stood there; a burly man armed with a sword. He and his compatriot spoke briefly in Aramaic.

‘Please wait here,’ said the older guard. As he went inside, the large man moved in front of the door. His hair was cut short and his wide, iron-ringed belt was that of an ex-soldier who wanted people to know he was an ex-soldier. His sword was very similar to Indavara’s.

Cassius took a handkerchief from behind his own belt and mopped his brow. ‘Lovely day.’

The guard just looked at him and sniffed.

Cassius exchanged a grin with Indavara then retreated a few steps and looked over the hedge that separated the drive from the terrace. Though the ladies were displaying nothing but decorum, a group of men were clinking glasses and roaring with laughter. During a break in the noise, Cassius realised he could hear a harp playing inside.

When the older guard returned he looked flushed and even more anxious than before. With him was a man of a similar age wearing a dark green tunic and expensive shoes.

‘Good day. I am Dryas, steward of Master Megakreon’s household.’

‘Good day. Your man told you why I’m here?’

‘He did, and I have spoken to Master Megakreon. Numerius Afer is a good friend of his. Master Megakreon asked me to suggest that you arrange a meeting for tomorrow. If you consider that unacceptable, you will have to take the matter up with Centurion Cethegus. Cethegus is a
lifelong
friend of my master and – as I’m sure you’re aware – commander of the Tripolis garrison.’

Cassius was aware of that; the men at the way station had told him. He also knew that Cethegus was away supervising repairs to the coast road and he wasn’t about to waste time chasing after him. If Afer was involved in the counterfeiting, he could warn his associates or flee.

‘Not good enough, I’m afraid. Has to be now.’

‘Officer, please.’ Dryas came forward and lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘My master and his friends have been drinking most of the afternoon. He is in an … exuberant mood. If you were to cause a scene it might not end well for anyone.’

‘There will be no scene if he sends out Numerius Afer. I doubt I will need more than quarter of an hour.’

‘Sir, I really …’ The steward somehow whispered even more quietly. ‘Officer, what can I do
for
you
? If you could make an accommodation I’m sure we could come to some arrangement.’

Cassius was not averse to a bribe on the right occasion but this was not it; he was rapidly running out of patience and the stakes were too high. ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. If Afer’s not standing where you are in two minutes, my friend and I are going to find him.’

Dryas sighed, then hurried back through the door.

Cassius watched some gardeners watering a dry patch of turf. A pair of maids appeared from the side of the house, each carrying a candelabra. Cassius winked at the prettier of the two but she ignored him. The guards parted to let them through the door.

‘I reckon that’s about a minute,’ said Cassius.

Indavara nodded.

After a while the big guard laughed and pointed at him. ‘Gods, I can see his lips moving. Not mastered counting in your head yet, friend?’

Indavara coloured and looked away. The older guard chuckled.

‘And you are a mathematical genius, I suppose?’ said Cassius. ‘Here’s a number for you. Twenty.’

‘What about it?’

‘If you’re lucky, I won’t have to tell you.’

Something thumped into the door behind the guards and a man lurched out. Judging from his lined, saggy face, he was well over sixty but his hair had been dyed a ridiculous shade of auburn. He was dressed in an opulent toga striped with silver and gold thread. He looked rather drunk and rather unhappy.

‘You – are you this army fellow?’

‘Officer Crispian. Good day, sir.’

Dryas exited the villa behind his master.

‘As you can see, I’m entertaining.’ Megakreon gestured towards the terrace. ‘Come back another time, there’s a good chap.’

‘Sir, I’m afraid that’s not possible. All I need is a few minutes with Numerius Afer. Perhaps there’s somewhere quieter where we—’

Megakreon stepped closer; very close. He was tall, almost as tall as Cassius, who tried to ignore the foul breath upon his face.

‘You do know who I am?’

Cassius kept his hands clasped behind him and his tone conciliatory.

‘I do, sir. But I am carrying out a criminal investigation for the Imperial Security Service. I have made a polite request and I would like to see Afer now. If you don’t mind.’

Megakreon slapped a hand on Cassius’s shoulder.

‘I’ve known Afer for ten years. It’s not possible that he could be involved in anything criminal. Take my word for it.’

Cassius stepped back and took the spearhead from his satchel. ‘Sir, I hold the rank of centurion and a written authorisation from Marshal Marcellinus. I have the right to question whomever I please.’

Megakreon glared at him. ‘Not here, son. Not today. I suggest you turn around and walk down my drive or you’ll be out of the army by the end of the week. All it will take is the right letter to the right man.’