The Germanicus Mosaic (29 page)

‘And the purse?’

‘Oh, he stole that, just in case the body was found. It made it look like robbery, and besides Crassus could never resist a chance of money. We found most of it in the cave. It will go back in the coffers now, and the books will almost balance. Andretha will be a slave, but not a menial one.’

‘Better than he deserves, perhaps.’

‘Much better. After all, he hit me on the head. I still have a lump.’

‘He did?’ Junio looked surprised.

‘Oh yes, it must have been Andretha. I should have realised it before. He was afraid that I would find that empty chest under his mattress – I had told him I was going to search the slaves’ quarters. He watched me closely after that. It must have been Andretha who followed me to the nymphaeum: only he could have kept the other slaves away from that path.’ I stopped. ‘That’s a good tile,’ I said. ‘We’ll have three more of those.’

Junio looked pleased.

‘And when I went into the slaves’ quarters, and started searching the beds,’ I continued, ‘Andretha was right there outside, supervising the loading of the cart. I saw him there myself. I imagine he picked up one of the logs and hit me before I could reach his sleeping room. Then he sent in Aulus to “find” me. Aulus then reported to Andretha, who was still outside the door. I don’t think he meant to hit me so hard – he was terribly apologetic afterwards. He almost split his sandals running about trying to help. Thought that I suspected him, and was about to report him to Marcus, I suppose.’

‘And Paulus? I thought you might have felt sorry for Paulus.’ Junio finished the third tile and stood up. ‘He almost died of fright yesterday, thinking he was to be executed. And all the time he was innocent. I thought you would do something for him. Will you commend him to Marcus as a barber?’ He brought me another beaker of spiced mead.

I put down my tools and sat back on the stool to drink it. ‘No. Commending him to Marcus would not help. He is not as innocent as all that. Paulus is not a murderer, but he has been flirting with the Druids. That is explicitly forbidden, you remember, on pain of death. That was why he ran away, of course. He ran to Lucius because of the head.’

‘I had forgotten about the head,’ Junio said. ‘You did not mention it yesterday, to Marcus.’

‘Of course I didn’t. Paulus nearly did. I had to have the soldiers gag him, so that he didn’t blurt it all out to them in a panic. Then he would have been executed, murders or not. I haven’t mentioned Druids to Marcus. No, better that Paulus is sold, and goes somewhere as far from here as possible.’

Junio took my drinking vessel and refilled it without comment. Sometimes he seems to read my mind.

‘And the poison phial on the kitchen heap? Was that Crassus’ own?’

I grinned. ‘No, it was Faustina’s. Only it wasn’t poison. It was Regina’s cure for the flux, as Faustina always said. She took it, of course, once Crassus was dead. She wanted to get back to Rufus. Only he didn’t believe that when she told him. They will have some making up to do, those two. Never mind. I think they will enjoy it.’

‘So,’ Junio said. ‘That solves everything. Except that there is no librarium pavement in the villa. Although Marcus may commission a proper one, in time . . . What are you smiling at?’

‘I was thinking how apt your design was, in fact.
Beware of the dog
. Perhaps I should have left it as it was.’

Junio glanced at me. ‘Your alteration wasn’t very apt, was it?
Art is long
. It only lasted a few weeks.’

I laughed. ‘Well, next time you design a pavement, let’s hope the art lasts a little longer.’

He grinned. ‘So what will you do now, master?’

I stretched out my feet luxuriously and took a long sweet sip of mead. ‘Tomorrow,’ I said, ‘I shall try to finish Didio’s border, and then, perhaps,’ I gave a deep contented sigh, ‘we can go to Corinium.’