Free One for Sorrow by Mary Reed, Eric Mayer Page B

forgotten that the life of every person in the empire hung on the fragile thread of Justinian’s whim.
    “I am sorry about your friend Leukos,” Justinian continued. “Replacing him will be a vexing problem for me. He was a most trustworthy man. Meanwhile, I intend to give you free rein, John, to honor him to the height of your ability, which will be very high honor indeed. But first, there is the question of the manner of his death.”
    “The prefect informs me that an investigation is under way,” John said softly.
    “An official investigation, yes.”
    “It would appear to be nothing more than a common street murder.”
    Justinian smiled. “Do you believe that, John?”
    “I do not yet have enough facts to form any belief, Caesar.”
    “Then you shall proceed to find out the facts. I wish you to ascertain, in confidence, who was involved in this so-called street crime, and the real reason for it.”
    John nodded. “I will report to you and no one—”
    “I’m sure you need your rest now,” Justinian cut in.
    Dismissed, John turned to leave, but arrested his step when the emperor added, “About that ill-concealed weapon beneath your cloak, John….”
    The guards at the door raised their swords instantly. John’s heart seemed to stop. Half asleep, he had neglected to remove the dagger he had thrust into his belt back at the house. He forced his suddenly clumsy tongue to move. “Caesar, in my haste to see you, I must have forgotten….”
    Justinian’s expression was as smoothly blank as the walls of the room. “If I did not know you so well….” He paused and his full lips tightened slightly, although his eyes betrayed no emotion. “But then, how well can one man know another?”
    “I will be more careful.”
    “We must all be careful, Lord Chamberlain. Especially an emperor.”

Chapter Seventeen
    John’s heart was pounding as he strode hastily down the wide steps outside the Octagon. How could he have been so careless? The emperor could have had him executed on the spot. Then again, he reminded himself, the emperor could have him executed on the spot for no reason at all. The thought gave him little comfort.
    Agitated as he was, he had walked halfway home before he realized he was being followed.
    Yet another lapse.
    At first it was merely the sensation of another presence intruding into his consciousness. Then, alerted, he began to distinguish quiet movements mirroring his own.
    Ahead, the path lay dark and deserted. Although the palace grounds were heavily patrolled, he saw no guards, and only a fool would discount the possibility of some cutthroat having managed to slip into its maze of buildings, pathways, and gardens.
    He forced himself to continue at an even pace. Listening hard, he thought he could discern only one set of steps behind him. Against one man he would have a chance. Once he had been a trained fighter. However, his follower might be a military man also, one much younger than he and with more recent training.
    Why would anyone want to follow him from his meeting with the emperor?
    Had Justinian decided to have him killed after all, but on the grounds instead of in his private quarters? John doubted that he would leave such a task to a single guard. The emperor was nothing if not cautious.
    He considered his options. If he cried out for help guards would appear almost immediately. They were never far away on the palace grounds. On the other hand, John’s pursuer was nearer to him than any guard. Would the man flee when John called for help or try to carry out his mission before help arrived?
    If his mission was in fact to kill John.
    A low archway punctuated the stucco wall John’s path paralleled. He ducked through it into a garden. He considered lying in wait to one side of the archway, but decided any trained man would be alert to such an obvious ploy. He heard the gurgling splash of a fountain. Faint moonlight, falling toward the rooftops of the tenements visible beyond the