Free Murder in Megara by Eric Mayer Page B

is to blame you?”
    â€œWe cannot know what was intended by Theophilus’ murderer or the person who left that basket beside his body, or whether it was the same person in each case. However, I am expecting Georgios to prosecute me for the murder. Towns have long memories. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody remembered a rumor about how Theophilus got that scar.” John dunked his bread in his wine cup and took a bite. “At any rate I found the body, which was on my property, and I have a family connection to the victim. There are three good reasons to suspect me.”
    â€œNot to mention the City Defender will become a hero in Megara for prosecuting you.”
    â€œPerhaps he has designs on the provincial governorship.”
    â€œAn ambitious bumpkin. He’d wouldn’t last an hour at Justinian’s court,” Cornelia said scornfully.
    John swallowed his wine-softened bread. “Oh, I think he would do very well in the capital. It’s his bad fortune he was born in the provinces. A dangerous man.”
    â€œI hope you are wrong, John. But of course you rarely are when judging men.” She stared down at the table top and her face grew thoughtful. She might have been reading auguries from the pattern of scattered bread crumbs. “You’ll begin investigating the matter immediately?”
    John was gazing outside. A light fog had begun to dissipate. Another torrid day was in the offing.
    â€œI shall pay for Theophilus’ funeral if no one else comes forward, which seems likely. Even he deserves decent rites. Beyond that, the matter is out of my hands. I am not Lord Chamberlain now, merely an ordinary citizen. It is the job of City Defender to uphold the laws in Megara.”
    â€œBut John…” She paused, uncertain how to continue.
    â€œAnd beyond that, solving this murder will almost certainly mean raking through my family’s history, I would rather not. I am tired, Cornelia, tired of digging through people’s secret lives, turning over the boulders of the past to see what they conceal. I did it when it was my duty, but it is not my duty now.”
    â€œWhat about your duty to your family? We are all in danger of being caught in the nets the City Defender casts.”
    â€œI do not see that. If necessary I will engage Anatolius to defend me, but there is absolutely nothing of legal significance linking me to the murder, let alone anyone else here. How could there be? His plan is to use the threat of prosecution to drive us away from Megara, that’s all. Remember I said I expected him to try to prosecute me, not that I expected he had any chance of success.”
    â€œYou also said he was a dangerous man.”
    â€œI am familiar in dealing with dangerous men!”
    Cornelia stared at him, speechless. Then she shook her head from side to side and gave a thin laugh. “Oh, John, a heartbeat ago you were explaining to me why you were a suspect. Now you are telling me it’s not even necessary to investigate. And there’s something else I’ve been worrying about. How do you know you weren’t the intended victim?” Her voice rose.
    John stood. “Always losing your temper or asking unanswerable questions, Cornelia.” He put his hand on her shoulder and bent to kiss her furrowed brow. “Or both. Of course I had thought of that possibility.”
    â€œGoddess! You appear remarkably unconcerned,” she snapped back.
    â€œI didn’t want you to worry. We’ll talk about it later today. Now I have retired from my official duties—”
    â€œAn involuntary retirement!”
    â€œIndeed. But an estate owner must direct his men as to the tasks to be undertaken and the sun tells me I am already late in attending to that. You wanted me to be a farmer. That’s what I am now. You should be pleased.”
    As he turned his back to leave Cornelia picked up her uneaten bread. Rather than throwing it