The small list of suspects had been a sweetener for making me take the job. I would not have agreed if there were big squads to investigate.

Aelianus’ advice was practical and focussed: ‘Start by asking specifically who was in the bedroom. Were any attendants present when the thieves rushed in? If so, they absolutely ought to have defended their master, regardless of risk to themselves. Identify any who failed to help, and any who did try to defend their master but were unsuccessful.’

‘Not forgetting,’ argued Justinus, who never entirely agreed with his brother, ‘those elsewhere who might have assisted, but who were unaware an assault was happening.’ He told me to list the Aviola household and draw a plan of the apartment, plotting people’s whereabouts. Well, obviously I would do that. ‘Albia, check who was within earshot. Was it night? Had the whole household gone to bed? Were the newly-weds …?’ He tailed off demurely.

‘At it?’ I suggested, looking helpful.

‘Enjoying a full marriage …’

Most couples in Rome made love with half the household listening in. Often with servants right there in the room. ‘If they were wrestling conjugally,’ I teased, ‘any cries for help might have been mistaken for joyous sound effects.’

Faustus shot me a prudish look, but Justinus simply carried on. ‘If they liked privacy and were alone together, it’s critical whether any slaves nearby could hear calls for help. You might even ask how loudly could the murdered couple shout? What about slaves who were hard of hearing and have an excuse? You see what I mean.’

Aelianus must be growing long-sighted. He leaned back and squinted down his nose at a scroll as he put in his thoughts: ‘The law is usually interpreted as saying that any slaves in the house had a duty to come running. But does “in the house” mean in other rooms or corridors, or does it include the garden or grounds, or even the street outside, if shouts and screams might reach that far? Think about that as you negotiate the apartment.’

I had a vision of conducting aural experiments. Standing in different places and yelling ‘Help!’ while an assistant checked off results on a list …

‘You sound as if you would like to put these questions to a court.’ Faustus looked nervous. He must be hoping the Temple of Ceres would not have to pay for litigation, simply to fund my crazy uncles’ professional curiosity. With slaves, the authorities had probably thought there would be no trial.

‘Good advocates try to avoid lawsuits,’ returned Justinus, smiling.

‘Too expensive?’

‘Too prone to uncertain outcomes.’

‘You distrust juries?’

‘Seen too many.’

‘You said silverware went missing. What about the burglars?’ demanded Aelianus, changing tack.

‘Persons of interest – serious interest, clearly,’ said Faustus.

‘But persons unknown? Aedile, do not involve Flavia Albia in tracing them.’