‘No point. So you want to be an informer? Well, that could work.’ I put my head back against the rough surface of the wall, remembering the experience. Part of me was envious, though I hid it. ‘Start small. Work for women. Don’t accept any job that comes along—gain a name for being picky, then folks will feel flattered if you take them on. It’s a hard life, depressing and dangerous. The rewards are few, you can never relax, and even when you achieve success, your miserable cheating clients will not thank you.’

‘I can do this,’ Albia insisted. ‘I have the proper attitude—the right bitterness. And I have sympathy for desperate people. I have been orphaned, abandoned, starved, neglected, beaten, even in the clutches of a violent pimp. There will be no surprises,’ she concluded.

‘I see you have convinced yourself! Nothing scares you—even when it should.’ The romantic in me wanted to have faith in her. ‘You are too young. You have too much to learn,’ I warned, as the father in me took over.

‘I have been pushed into it before I’m ready, so it’s not ideal,’ replied Albia coolly. She had spent several days here, thinking up answers to thwart me. Then, because Helena Justina’s teaching had made an impression, she added demurely, ‘But I shall have you to teach me, Father.’

My throat went raw. ‘First time you ever called me that!’

‘Don’t get overexcited,’ Flavia Albia answered matter-of-factly. ‘You have to earn it, if you want it permanent.’

‘That’s my girl!’ I exclaimed proudly.

I stood up, easing my stiff back. I needed to see Glaucus at the gym, get back in shape. Before I left the apartment, I made a few adjustments to the old potted rose trees, pinching off dead wood from spindly branches. ‘Professional question, Albia: when you encountered Nobilis—did you notice his eyes?’

She jumped up eagerly. ‘Yes! I wanted to tell you—’

‘Save it. Come down to the house tomorrow. It will be a good exercise in moving around Rome unrecognised.’

‘What for?’

‘Family conference. We need to talk about Anacrites.’

60

I awoke late. I was alone, Helena’s side of the bed long cooled. I could hear the house thrumming with movement and casual noises, everyone going about their business without me, as they must have done while I was absent, as they would do if I stayed dozing. I was the master, but expendable. However, a wet snuffle under the door from Nux waiting patiently outside told me the dog was aware of my homecoming last night.