Danger in the Wind (37 page)

“Selena has told me that though they liked one another’s company, they never went to bed together. And she said she thought Jovina was keener on the relationship than Trebonius was.”

“Stuff and nonsense. She was just trying to protect her mistress. No, Trebonius is the man, there’s no doubt. Think about it, Aurelia. You’ll admit it fits the facts?”

“It fits quite a few of them, yes,” I admitted. “Trebonius was seen alone down by the river during the party. Jovina told Selena that she planned to meet him for a private talk, and there was a stretch of time when nobody knew where he’d got to. He’d have had long enough to meet her, to quarrel with her, and yes, to murder her…except I just don’t think he did.”

He was finding it hard to keep his patience. “Then if he didn’t kill her, in the gods’ name who did?”

“It could have been Nikias.”

“Nikias? You’re joking…But no, you’re serious, aren’t you?” He looked genuinely surprised. “I don’t think that’s likely. For a start, why? He and Jovina stopped seeing one another months ago. If he was angry with her for throwing him over, surely he’d have killed her then.”

“Suppose he tried to start the affair again? He admitted to me that he wanted to see her, but he couldn’t because he wasn’t invited to the party. In fact, though, he could still get to the field by the river, by going across country where no one would see. What if he was really the one that Jovina planned to meet by the river, but she considered it so secret that she didn’t even tell Selena? Then afterwards, when you confessed to the murder yourself, he had the same idea you’re attributing to Trebonius: he’d dispose of you, making it look like suicide. Being in the hospital himself made it very easy to do, and nobody to be any the wiser.”

“But he didn’t go to the field by the river. However much he wanted to, he didn’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he told me. Believe me, I’d had the same idea as you, that he wanted to be Jovina’s lover again, and killed her when she refused. I challenged him about it this morning. He was adamant that he never left the hospital at all yesterday afternoon, and his assistant confirmed it. So he’s in the clear,” he finished triumphantly.

I realised how much he wanted his enemy Trebonius to be proved a murderer for personal reasons as well as in the interests of justice. I must be wary of letting his own hatred of the commander cloud my judgment. Yet the mere fact that the two men loathed one another was surely an important reason why Trebonius could have killed his subordinate.

“I must go,” I said, “but I promise I’ll think over what you’ve told me, and so will Quintus and Lucius. And you must take care. Be on your guard all the time, and not only against Trebonius—against anyone who could possibly be your enemy in secret.”

“I shall, never fear. He’ll try again, and I’ll be ready for him.”

I left him and wandered aimlessly around the fort, trying to get my thoughts in order. Mallius’ conviction that Trebonius had killed Jovina, that he was the father of Jovina’s child, was so strong, it caused me to think again about my own conclusions.

On my way back to our office I saw Congrio coming from the direction of the main gate. “Here’s the present I promised,” he said, and handed me a small thin bundle wrapped in leather. “Only small, but it’s a good little knife, sharp as a razor.”

“Thank you, Congrio. That’s much appreciated.” I unwrapped it cautiously, and found a well-made knife with a sharp iron blade and a wooden handle inlaid with silver. “This is beautiful, thank you so much. And very timely, too. I’m going to keep it with me. On a day like today, even a peaceable innkeeper feels like carrying a weapon. And this one’s small and neat enough to fit into a pouch.” I tucked it into my belt-pouch straight away.

“I hope you never have to use it in anger, but if you do, may it bring you victory,” he said. “Just don’t show it to Trebonius, that’s all.”

“Any news at the gate? I saw you talking to the centurion there.”

“The usual. ‘Everything under control.’ As if anyone believed that.”

“I wish I knew what’s happened to the two missing girls…well, three in fact, because they took a maid with them.”

“I’m sure we’ll hear something soon. Try not to worry.”

The more people tell you not to worry, the harder it is not to. And I couldn’t help feeling anxious and dispirited as I headed back to my office. I’d gone as far as I could with my investigations into Jovina’s death, but I still hadn’t found her murderer. I didn’t know what to do next. I wished Quintus or Lucius were here. I needed someone to talk over the case with, a fresh pair of eyes to look at the information I’d assembled, and with luck see some pattern, some logic, that I’d missed.

But they weren’t here, and the gods alone knew when they’d be back.

Chapter XXVI

“Any news of the girls, Mistress Aurelia?” Selena came up, looking as unhappy as I felt.

“Not a word, I’m afraid. We must just keep on hoping. How are you all settling in?”

“It’s a bit crowded, but we’d rather be here where it’s safe than at the house, waiting for Jupiter knows what to happen. I made sure they gave Lord Statius a room to himself.”

“Isn’t he staying with Mallius?”

“No, the master’s keeping his spare room for Miss Chloe when she comes back. At least that’s his excuse, but I was in the hospital this morning and I overheard them having a falling-out, a real argument. Statius went to visit him to tell him he doesn’t want to marry Miss Chloe after all.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because of the master saying he’d killed my lady. I know he’s gone back on it now, but Lord Statius doesn’t believe that. He keeps going on and on about how there’s truth in wine, and no smoke without fire, and…”

“…and all the usual sayings people come up with when they can’t think of anything original.”

She laughed. “That’s about it. The main thing is, he’s decided he doesn’t want an alliance with the Mallius family.”

“How extraordinary! You’d imagine he would be only too glad that Mallius is innocent, and want to support him. Do you think he means it, or is it just a fit of temper? He does seem to have rather a—well, an irascible character, from what I saw yesterday.”

She shrugged. “You’re not wrong there. He walked out of the hospital in a real rage, that’s all I know. I’ve always felt sorry for Miss Chloe, having the prospect of Statius for a husband. He’s rich, certainly, and the family never seems to have enough money even though the master is a senior officer now. Sometimes I’m quite glad I’m a freedwoman and can marry anyone I like. Well, anyhow, Miss Chloe will be delighted if Lord Statius has permanently changed his mind. Though whether that means she’ll get her soldier-boy…”

“I need to come over and have a word with Statius myself. Didn’t you say this morning that he went out early into the village looking for news of Chloe and Vitellia? I’m wondering if he might have seen something to do with Eurytus’ murder. He hasn’t said anything about it, I suppose?”

“Not about that. But,” she lowered her voice, “he says he’s delighted Eurytus has been killed. He hated him. One of his lads let it slip that they’ve been enemies for years, over some of Statius’ property in Italia.”

“He was telling me about it yesterday. And of course the way Eurytus more or less took possession of Chloe didn’t help.”

“I’ve been thinking about that.” She hesitated. “Mistress, I’ve found something and I think I should show someone, but not the master, not the way things are. May I show it to you? You’ll know what to do about it.”

“Yes, by all means, if you think I can help. Let’s go into the office—we’ll be private there.”

We went inside, and when I offered her a mug of wine, she accepted gratefully.

“This is the first time I’ve sat down since we got here.”

“You look tired, Selena. You’ve been working hard, and you’ve been holding everything together for the Mallius family.”

“Oh, I don’t mind hard work. It’s the worry that wears you out. Now, tell me what you make of this.” She took a folded piece of papyrus from her pouch. “I found it among Miss Chloe’s things when I was unpacking her little travelling-chest just now. Tucked in among her clothes, I don’t suppose anyone was meant to see it.”

It was a short note in Greek, in an elegant hand.

Lord Eurytus sends greetings to beautiful Chloe.

My dear, you must know how you have captured my heart. Ever since I saw you yesterday, I have longed for your touch, for your kiss. I shall fly to your arms this morning, my dearest. Be kind to your adoring and devoted lover when he comes to ask for your favour.

I laughed aloud. “
Merda,
Selena, now I’ve seen everything. Eurytus, the most important Imperial official in Britannia, writing schoolboy love letters to a child! It came this morning, presumably?”

“While I was asleep, I suppose. And I’m thinking it may explain why she wanted to leave the house.”

I saw where she was driving. “She didn’t want to meet him, and thought she’d take evasive action. But why didn’t she come to the fort, instead of going off into the country?”

“She probably reckoned Eurytus would be at the fort himself later on.”

“It may explain something else too. About Eurytus’ assassination this morning…”

She recoiled in horror. “You’re not suggesting Miss Chloe had any hand in that?”

“No, of course I’m not. He was found in the village, not far from Brennus’ house. Quintus Antonius will know more. He had a look at the place before he went off searching for the girls. But I’ve been wondering, why would an important man like Eurytus be wandering about Isurium on foot, and on his own? If he was off to call on Chloe, he may have thought she’d be more likely to take notice of him if he didn’t have half a cohort of bodyguards with him.” I put the papyrus into my own pouch. “This is very helpful, Selena. Thank you for bringing it to me. I’ll show it to Quintus as soon as he gets back.”

“That’s a weight off my shoulders. I’ll see you again shortly then, when you come to talk to Lord Statius.” She stood up, and gazed down at me for a few heart-beats. “You’re looking pretty exhausted yourself, Mistress.”

“I can’t deny it. As you say, it’s not the work that wears you out, it’s the worry. I thought by now I’d be pretty sure who murdered my poor cousin. But there are still two possibilities, and I can’t find any way of separating them.”

“Trebonius and Nikias,” Selena said.

“Exactly so.”

“Well, nobody could do more than you’re doing, that I’m sure of. You’ll find the evil man who killed my lady and bring the Furies to punish him.”

“If I don’t, it won’t be for want of trying.” Then my brain caught up with what she’d just said. “Say that again, Selena.”

My sharp tone alarmed her. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, Mistress. I just mean…”

“No, you haven’t said anything wrong at all. I just…I just didn’t hear you clearly. What did you say about the Furies?”

“All I said was that you’ll find the evil man who killed my lady, and the Furies will punish him, like they do all murderers. Follow them and punish them for ever.” She smiled sheepishly. “I suppose my lady or the master would call on them by some fancy Greek name. But the old-fashioned Roman name will do for me.”

“And for me.” I couldn’t believe I’d missed something so obvious. Whoever tried to murder Mallius had spoken of “the wrath of the Erinyes.” He had called the Furies by their Greek name. So he was either a Greek, or fluent in the Greek language.

Nikias was a Greek. Trebonius was an old-fashioned Roman, and although like all educated Romans he’d be bound to know Greek, he would never speak it from choice.

On an impulse, I got up and gave Selena a hug. She was surprised, but not displeased. “Thank you, Selena. You’ve just shown me how to find out for sure who killed Jovina.”

“How?”

“I won’t say just yet. It’s a wild idea, but I need to talk to Mallius to be completely sure. I’ll go and see him now.”

She smiled. “There now, I said you could do it. The gods go with you.”

The guard at Mallius’ door recognised me, and I went straight through to see his master. As I entered the room, Mallius was pouring some wine into a beaker from a big clay flask.

“Ah, Aurelia, you’ve come at just the right time. I’ve had a present of some Falernian, I assume it’s the rather good stuff they sell at the mansio. Have you tried it yet?”

“I had some the other night. You’re right, it is good. And I’ll take a beaker with you, if you’re offering, thank you.”

He poured it out for me. “I suppose you haven’t brought me any news to celebrate? Nothing about Chloe yet?”

“Nothing, I’m afraid. The searchers are still not back.” I took the wine and sniffed it, which is normally one of the pleasures of drinking good Falernian. “This isn’t the wine from the mansio, alas. Never mind, it’s welcome. Who sent it?”

“The doctor.” He raised his beaker. “So I’ll drink his good health…”

“Don’t drink it, Marcus!”
I shouted. I ran across to his table, snatched the beaker he was holding, and with my other hand grabbed the wine jug. “Don’t touch a drop. It’s poisoned.”