‘I can assure you that the men who have been raiding the coastal settlements and raiding your ships are not Romans. The whereabouts of the vessels of the Alexandrian fleet are accounted for. The perpetrators are a separate element, and their leader has been identified as the fugitive slave, Ajax.’ Petronius paused. ‘With that in mind, I trust I can rely on you to return to your communities and help quash the rumours that are sweeping through every quarter of the city. That is the responsible course of action. If anyone here is discovered to have perpetuated the lie that Roman forces have been involved in these raids, I will have no choice but to have them charged with sedition. Those found guilty will face confiscation of their property and exile, or death.’

A handful of the crowd fell to mumbling, before a man stepped to the front and raised a hand. ‘Sir, may I speak?’

Petronius nodded.

‘It is one thing to discover the truth behind the raids, and quite another to put an end to them. This fugitive and his gang are still at large. What do you propose to do about this threat to our trade? I can tell you that word of our losses is spreading to neighbouring provinces. Shipowners are already refusing to sail to and from Alexandria, and those that do are charging ruinous fees. I am sure that I speak for every merchant here when I say that I pay my taxes and in return I expect my business to be protected to the fullest extent.’

‘Of course!’ Petronius responded loudly. ‘And I am sure that you are equally concerned to protect the lives of the crewmen of the ships carrying your goods.’

The merchant shifted uncomfortably as he nodded. ‘Naturally. It goes without saying that the well-being of our employees and shipping contractors is also close to our hearts.’

‘Assuming they actually have hearts,’ Macro muttered under his breath.

‘That’s quite an assumption,’ Cato replied softly.

Petronius glanced at them and then turned his attention back to the Alexandrians’ spokesman as the latter continued. ‘Sir, the question I asked is unanswered. What are you going to do about this renegade?’

‘The matter is in hand. Prefect Cato is leading a special task force with orders to find and destroy the renegade slave.’

‘Clearly the prefect hasn’t had much luck so far!’ a voice called from the crowd. There was an angry chorus of agreement before Petronius held up his hands and demanded that they hear him out.

‘I have utmost confidence in Prefect Cato. He is the best man for the job and it will only be a matter of days before he completes his mission.’

‘How many days?’ another merchant asked. ‘It’s already been more than a month since the trouble started. Another month will kill my business.’

There were more shouts, against a backdrop of bitter disgruntlement.