‘This is hardly an amicable gesture—and after we all had such a rollicking time at your hog-roast too! Still, help yourself. I dare say there is no point objecting. If you find him squatting on my property, I’ll want compensation for his upkeep.’

This terse banter was interrupted by new arrivals. For an instant I thought the spy had brought the Guards after all. Someone banged the front door knocker in a military manner, though then a key scratched in the lock angrily: Albia. She had been roaming on her own again. I knew Helena had been unable to find her when the others left for the Janiculan; I was supposed to send the girl on. She looked disgruntled and, curiously, was accompanied by Lentullus.

‘Thanks, jailor, you can go now!’ she ordered him crossly. She stalked across the vestibule. From choice I would have ordered Lentullus to wait, so he could explain out of the spy’s hearing. Albia turned back from the stairs and made furious signals for him to clear off.

Lentullus stood to attention and announced, ‘Camillus Justinus asked me to return your young lady, Falco. He saw her outside our house, staring—it’s a habit she’s prone to recently.’

‘Oh Albia!’ I dreaded having to play the heavy-handed father.

‘Looking is not a crime,’ she snarled.

‘You have been harassing a senator,’ I disagreed, all too conscious of Anacrites listening in. ‘If I know you, girl, you do your best to make your glare upsetting. Lentullus, please apologise to the senator. Thank Justinus for his kindly intervention, and assure them all this will not be repeated.’

‘It’s just that the Greek lady was getting spooked,’ said Lentullus. ‘The tribune said we’d better whip your girlie back home today and have a word with you about it.’ He beamed at Albia, showing his admiration. ‘She’s a bit of a one, isn’t she?’

‘One and a half,’ I grumbled. ‘Anacrites, would you just excuse me for a moment while I sort out a reward for Lentullus—’

Anacrites waved me away, since he was then able to approach Albia. I heard the bastard offer that if she ever needed a refuge from family troubles, she knew where his house was . . . This evening had become a disaster.

Behind the spy’s back I quickly passed to Lentullus the cameo jewel, pressing it against his palm the way Aulus had given it to me. Being Lentullus, he needed a really big wink to help him get the point. ‘Remember the time we hid the tribune in that old apartment of mine? Can you find it again—above the Eagle Laundry in that little street? Could you possibly take a detour up there on your way back home?’ I muttered where there was a hiding-place in my old doss, and Lentullus promised to conceal the jewel.