XVI

I went back to see the senator next day. After my party with Frontinus it was an afternoon call; let’s omit details of my morning. Most of it was spent in bed, though there were spasms of painful activity from time to time. When I arrived at his house the senator had mild indigestion after lunch. I had severe indigestion, though I had not been able to face lunch.

I stormed in. He was beginning to judge my moods by the suddenness of my arrival in his sanctuary. Today I popped up like a playwright’s villain, cackling with malice which I was eager to share with an audience. Camillus Verus had the goodness to set aside his paperwork and let me spout my colourful spume.

“No silver bars, but I stubbed my toe on quite a plot! You lied to me, sir; more lies than a sick whore at the Temple of Isis, to much less good purpose, but just as expertly told.”

“Falco! Can I explain?”

No, he owed me a rant at least. My violent excitement held him mesmerized.

“Spare me, senator. I don’t touch political work; I don’t rate the risk. My mother gave one son to Vespasian in Galilee: I’m her only survivor, and surviving suits me fine!”

He looked tetchy. He considered I was belittling the political aspects. Since I considered he was, we were draughts-men in stalemate.

“You’ll see Vespasian assassinated? Oh Falco! Plunge the country back into civil war? Ruin the Empire? More fighting, more uncertainty, more Roman blood spilt on Roman streets?”

“People are paid heavy salaries to protect the Emperor,” I rasped. “I’m paid with lies and promises.” Suddenly I lost patience. There was no future for me here. They had deceived me; they had tried to use me. Cleverer men than this had mistaken me for a country clown in a farce; cleverer men had discovered the mistake. More quietly, I brought the ridiculous piece of theatre to an end.

“Vespasian doesn’t like informers; I don’t like Emperors. I thought I liked you, but any poor sprat out of his depth can make a mistake! Good day, sir.”

I stormed out again. He let me go. I had noticed before, Decimus Camillus Verus was a shrewd man.

I was striding angrily across the hall with its spluttery fountain when I heard a hiss.

“Falco!” It was Sosia. “Come into the garden; come and talk.”