He seemed upset about his missing aunt and uncle, troubled by the situation, completely dispirited. ‘I was told that my uncle left first, then my aunt went to look for him. She had the sense to order one of their slaves to come and tell me, if she too vanished.’

‘So where did Primilla and Modestus go?’

‘You don’t want to know, Falco.’

I was agog. ‘Try me.’

‘They went to see the Claudii.’ Silanus spoke as if I ought to know what that meant. When I merely raised my eyebrows, he went back to the start of the story. ‘Uncle and Auntie owned property, farmland. Made their money that way, originally, but you know how it is. Nobody stays on the plain, because they soon get sick. Anyone sick soon passes away. Only slaves can be persuaded to stay there for husbandry. People who can afford to move do so. They come up to the hills or go over to the coast. So about twenty years ago Modestus became an art dealer in Antium—though they always kept their land.’

‘My father did business with them, as I told you; Geminus knew them for a long time . . . So whatever happened?’

‘A boundary dispute flared up. I knew about it—squabbles have been grumbling on for years. Some of their neighbours are notoriously difficult to deal with. A few months ago cattle strayed on to Uncle’s land and did a lot of damage. Modestus likes to assert his rights—he went to have it out. He never came back. Aunt Primilla is a spunky woman herself; she set off to find him. She too has never been seen since.’

‘These neighbours are the Claudii you mentioned? . . . So have you reported it? Called in the authorities?’

‘I did my best. It was a long time before I heard anything. Once I knew my folks had gone missing, I had to get someone to look after my business before I could go over to Antium. I managed to interest the local magistrate. A posse went to investigate. They found nothing. The Claudii all denied ever seeing my relatives. So nothing can be done.’

‘That sounds feeble!’

‘Ah well . . . it’s the badlands, Falco. Strangers don’t go there.’

‘What—upset the web-footed marsh sprites and they drown you?’ I was amazed. ‘Troublemaking is a homely Pontine tradition and everyone has to put up with it?’

As I raved, Silanus looked boot-faced. ‘The fact is, Falco, I know perfectly well what happened. My aunt and uncle upset the wrong people and have paid for it. Nobody can find any trace of them. No one locally saw anything. There is no evidence. So I’m not going to tackle the Claudii and be made to disappear myself, am I? So yes, that is how bullies get away with it—but no, I will not leave my children orphans.’