That would leave Faustus stuck with them in sanctuary – though I guessed if we proved they committed murder, the temple authorities would take a hard line. ‘You hired me to show the slaves were innocent. But it begins to look as if they must all have ignored the fracas – and that makes them guilty.’

10

I went back to the Esquiline in a carrying chair. Faustus paid the fare in advance. Expenses up front? That was civilised, for a client of mine.

He kept Dromo, saying he would send him over tomorrow with a Stargazer breakfast and other supplies. A take-out from the Stargazer had many drawbacks, but the street-food I knew was still better than what I had found so far anywhere around the Clivus Suburanus.

Arriving at the Aviola building, the carriers bunked off smartly, leaving me in the street. Now I had a quandary. The apartment doors were closed and locked. One door porter was dead, the other in sanctuary. Thank you, gods!

Knocking failed to induce the girl Myla to let me in; I suspected the dozy lump would not have responded even if she heard me. Hades, I was thinking like an owner: blaming a slave simply because she lacked vivacity.

I tried that trick with a hairpin, which never works. I had a go with my paring knife. I even walked around the block, looking for the usual weak point, a back entrance. No luck.

I stayed calm. A lock-out could easily have happened at home in Fountain Court, where the ridiculous porter Rodan often fastened up, vanished and went deaf even to tenants and legitimate callers.

It was evening, but not so late that I felt anxious, even though I was alone and very tired. At least this helped me envisage how the robbers must have faced their break-in: the apartment’s narrow entrance through the street-front shops meant only these double doors would give access, and they were strong. They were designed to look formidable; the lock was a serious one, needing a good key. A sliding spyhole would allow a porter to look out at visitors, but although it was wooden (some doors have a metal grille) it was so small there was nothing to gain by smashing it.

I would have done if it would do any good. Every girl should be ready to find a stray brick – and to use it.

I knew the steward lived somewhere up above. However, I might not need to go knocking at the other apartments to find him. Three of the shops were closed up now, but one showed light. When I approached and called out, there was a pause, then two men of North African appearance pulled open their shutter a crack and looked out cautiously.