Free Arms of Nemesis by Steven Saylor Page B

the matter of the woman of Arretium, only shortly after the trial of Sextus Roscius, while Sulla was still alive. And various murder trials, cases of extortion, and property disagreements over the years, not to mention a few private affairs concerning which I cannot mention names.'
    'It must be very rewarding to work for such a man.'
    Sometimes I wish I were mute like Eco, so that I would not have to bite my tongue. I have fallen out and made up with Cicero so many times I am weary of it. Is he an honest man or a crass opportunist? A principled man of the people or an apologist for the rich nobility? If he were clearly one thing or the other, like most men, I would know what to think of him. Instead, he is the most exasperating man in Rome. His conceit and superior attitude, no matter how well deserved, do nothing to endear him to me; neither does his propensity for telling only half the truth, even when his purpose may be honourable. Cicero gives me a headache.
    Gelina sipped her wine. 'When this matter arose and I asked myself on whom I could call — someone trustworthy and discreet, someone from beyond the Cup, a man who would be dogged in pursuit of the truth and unafraid — brave as an eagle, as Cicero said . . .'
    'And stubborn as a mule.'
    'And clever. Above all, clever . . .' Gelina sighed and looked out at the water. She seemed to be gathering strength. 'You have seen the body of my husband?'
    'Yes.'
    'He was murdered.' 'Yes.'
    'Brutally murdered. It happened five days ago, on the Nones of September — although his body was not discovered until the next morning. . .' Her serenity suddenly departed; her voice quavered and she looked away.
    Mummius moved closer to her and took her hand. 'Strength,' he whispered to her. Gelina nodded and caught her breath. She gripped his hand tightly, then released him.
    'If I am to help you,' I said quietly, 'I must know everything.'
    For a long moment Gelina studied the view. When she looked back at me, her face had recomposed itself, as if she were able to absorb the serene detachment of the panorama by gazing upon it. Her voice was steady and calm as she continued.,
    'He was discovered, as I said, early the next morning.' 'Discovered where? By whom?'
    'In the front atrium, not far from where his body lies at this moment. It was one of the slaves who found him — Meto, the little boy who carries messages and wakes the other slaves to begin their morning duties. It was still dark; not a cock had crowed, the boy said, and the whole world seemed as still as death.'
    'What was the exact disposition of the body? Perhaps we should summon this Meto—'
    'No, I can tell you myself. Meto came to fetch me right away, and nothing was touched before I arrived. Lucius lay on his back, his eyes still open.'
    'Flat on his back?'
    'Yes.'
    'And his arms and legs, were they crumpled about his body? Was he clutching his head?'
    'No. His legs were straight, and his arms were above his head.'
    'Like Atlas, holding up the world?'
    'I suppose.'
    'And the weapon that was used to kill him, was it nearby?' 'It was never found.'
    'No? Surely there was a stone with blood on it, or a piece of metal. If not in the house, then perhaps in the courtyard.'
    'No. But there was a piece of cloth.' She shuddered. Mummius sat up in his chair; this was apparently a detail that was new to him.
    'Cloth?' I said.
    'A man's cloak, soaked with blood. It was found only yesterday, not in the courtyard, but about half a mile up the road that heads northwards, toward Cumae and Puteoli. One of the slaves going to market happened to see it among the brush and brought it to me.'
    'Was it your husband's cloak?'
    Gelina frowned. 'I don't know. It's hard to tell what it must have looked like; you would hardly know it was a cloak at all without examining it - all rumpled and stiff with blood, you understand?' She took a deep breath. 'It's simple wool, dyed a dark brown, almost black. It might have belonged to Lucius; he owned many