Magnus shook his head slowly. ‘Nasty business.’
‘Indeed, but what makes it nastier is that Sejanus did eventually believe the Urban Prefect’s word that they were not involved. He went immediately to the Lady Antonia and accused her of murder; something, Pallas informed me, that she vehemently denied.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Yes, so can I. She asked him what grounds he had for such an accusation and the good prefect replied that it was the manner in which Blandinus was found. He said that the raid must have been set up as a screen to disguise the murder.’
‘That seems overly fanciful, Senator,’ Magnus observed proffering his cup for a refill.
Gaius obliged him. ‘According to Pallas, the Lady herself said something along those lines. She then asked Sejanus what was it about the way in which Blandinus was found that had led him to such a bizarre conclusion, at which point the prefect exploded in anger. He almost screamed at her that his tribune had been found with his head languishing in a dead, naked boy’s lap, his throat cut, a stab wound in his back and an easterner’s arm, with its bearded but deceased, trouser-wearing owner still attached to it, hanging out of his backside.’
‘What some people get up to, eh?’
‘I know. Shocking isn’t it? As you might well expect from a lady of Antonia’s breeding she was appalled by the image and suggested to Sejanus that in future he should spend more time looking to the moral standards of his officers and less time involving himself in the politics of her family.’
‘Good advice. Did he take it?’
‘Pallas didn’t know because Sejanus stormed out at that point, but he rather doubts it. Still, as the Lady Antonia said after he had taken his leave: “He can’t say that he hasn’t been warned.”’
‘Well, the machinations of the powerful are nothing to do with us, eh, Senator?’
‘Indeed not Magnus, but I thought that I’d tell you because now that establishment on the Viminal has been closed down I would assume that Terentius’ place will be making a lot more money, a goodly percentage of which will come your way I believe. That should please you tremendously.’
‘Yes but Sempronius, my counterpart on the Viminal, won’t be so thrilled.’
‘Oh I wouldn’t worry about him. I guessed that might be his reaction so I shared my worry, as your patron, with Pallas, without reference to your name of course.’
‘That’s very good of you Senator.’
Gaius waved his hand airily. ‘Don’t mention it. Pallas has promised that should Sempronius come to the mistaken conclusion that it was not the Cohort who was responsible for his loss of income, then the Lady Antonia will see to it that he is fully compensated. Until, of course, he has set up a new business – she doesn’t approve of whore-boys. The offer will naturally come with a warning to him not to look too deeply into her affairs.’
Magnus inclined his head acknowledging the favour. ‘That should do it. So no more whore-boys on the Viminal and Sempronius will think that it was either the Cohort or the Lady Antonia. That’s a very satisfactory conclusion, Senator.’
Gaius beamed. ‘Yes but what makes it even sweeter, from my point of view, is real the reason for Pallas’ visit this morning. It wasn’t just to share idle gossip.’
‘Of course not.’
‘Apparently the Lady Antonia has been put into such a good mood by all this that she will be inviting me to an intimate dinner in the very near future. Not one of those lavish affairs with scores of guests where one can never get a chance to speak privately to the hostess, just myself and a couple of close friends.’
‘A step closer to the consulship.’
‘Yes, and a chance to promote my nephews’ careers. They should be arriving any day now.’ Gaius took a self-congratulatory swig of wine and stood up to show that the interview was at an end. ‘Where would we be without patronage, eh Magnus?’
‘It makes you wonder, don’t it Senator,’ Magnus said getting up and heading towards the door.
‘Before you go, my friend,’ Gaius said, stopping Magnus as he opened it. ‘As I’m sure you’re aware, being a keen supporter of the Greens, there are races tomorrow. I’ll need you and some of your lads to be here soon after dawn to escort me and my clients down to the Circus Maximus.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow then, Senator,’ Magnus said, stepping out into the atrium and closing the door behind him.
‘HAVING OUR VERY own tame senator so close to Antonia has to be a good thing surely?’ Servius said, shaking the dice cup vigorously.