“Have you said hello to my new assistants?” he said. “They asked to be added to my research staff some time ago, and, of course, I could not say no to such excellent candidates once I realized their worth.” There was a vicious humor in the Artifex’s eyes that was meant only for Jess. “Friends of yours, I think.”

For an instant, Jess couldn’t think what he was talking about. Not Wolfe, surely, and Santi was here in his capacity as High Garda captain. He’s insane, Jess thought, and then he realized, as the Artifex gestured somewhere behind him, what the old man meant.

Jess turned, and Khalila Seif and Dario Santiago stood up from the table where they’d been sitting nearby. He hadn’t seen them there; he hadn’t been looking for them. Khalila gave him a tentative smile, but there was fear in her eyes. Dario—more handsome and well-dressed than ever—stepped forward and offered Jess his hand. “Brightwell,” he said. “Still just a recruit, I see. Nice to see you continue to keep to your natural level.” It was just the kind of insult Dario had always given him, but there was a warning flash in Dario’s eyes and his handshake felt painfully firm. “Maybe I’ll request you as a special guard detail when I go shopping.”

Even for Dario, that was laying it on thick, no doubt for the benefit of the Artifex. He watched them like a vulture from the comfort of his overstuffed chair.

“As you wish, Scholar Santiago. I’ll try not to accidentally shoot you.”

“Only on purpose, eh? You haven’t changed, scrubber. I suppose that will do for a fond reunion. I have work to do. Scholar Seif?” Dario gestured to the table where they’d been working and took his seat with a thump. He made a fine show of ignoring Jess altogether.

Khalila walked toward him. “It’s good to see you, Jess. You’re well?”

“I am. You?”

“Very well. I . . . had no idea you’d be here.”

“I could say the same of you,” Jess said, and what he really wanted to ask was, Was it your choice? But he couldn’t. And, besides, he knew.

“The work being done here in the basilica is truly exciting,” Khalila said. “Dario is studying the very pillars of history, you know. It is a field that has always interested me as well.”

Everything interested Khalila, which was one of the lovely things about her. “I’m glad you find it rewarding.”

“Oh, I do. The basilica is amazing, isn’t it? So much history. Rome’s roots go deep.”

“The feet of its moldy old gods may go deep, but I still prefer Alexandria,” Dario said, without looking up. “Rome’s too damp for me, and too chilly this time of year. Like living in a tunnel. Khalila, we have work to do. I’m sure Jess needs to . . . patrol. Clean his gun. Something equally important.”

Khalila turned on him to give him a sharp look. “Dario. He’s our friend.”