The Dreams of Morpheus(25)

As Brutus’ head disappeared beneath the surface Magnus turned to Terentius. ‘It’s probably best if you don’t witness this; the last time you saw him he was still alive.’

‘And in such capable hands,’ Terentius added with a smile as he walked away.

Magnus watched him go for a few moments before turning back to Brutus just as the convulsions started.

*

‘Natural causes?’ Gaius was shocked; he leant forward across the desk in his study, almost spilling an inkpot. ‘At his age? He couldn’t have been more than thirty-five or six.’

Magnus contrived to look equally shocked. ‘I know, sir; but there it is. He was found near the Viminal Gate soon after dawn this morning, in the Via Patricius. Not a mark on him so it is assumed that he just dropped down dead after some mighty exertions in one of the brothels along there.’

‘There’ll be an investigation.’

‘I’m sure there will.’

‘And if they find that it wasn’t natural causes can they trace it to you?’

‘I very much doubt it. He was found on the Viminal; not my area.’

‘Because if they can I might be implicated as well. How did you do it?’

‘You don’t need to know, sir; other than it was the same way he would have killed you.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Because my client who made the original complaint against him was found dead of natural causes yesterday, soon after Brutus had threatened you. I think he was starting a spree of natural revenge.’

‘Yes, well, I suppose I should thank you, Magnus.’

‘Yes, I suppose you should, sir.’

‘But even so, I think that you should get out of Rome for a while whilst I try and persuade the Urban Prefect that young men of his age drop dead all the time of natural causes.’

‘Lucky that he’s in your debt.’

‘Yes, but I think this will use up the last of the favours he owes me; he did grant my request to make Sabinus the Grain Aedile next year. But I’m sure that the Lady Antonia will emphasise the unfortunate tragedy of the thing; especially as she failed to get me that imperial permission for Vespasian to enter Egypt.’ He picked up a wax tablet from his desk and looked at it ruefully. ‘She sent me the message this morning.’

‘Then it would seem that I’m the right man to go to Cyrenaica and tell Vespasian the bad news.’

‘Yes, my friend, it would seem that you are.’

Magnus stepped out of Gaius’ carriage on to the quayside at Ostia, helped by an extremely attractive groom. He ignored the youth’s languid eyes and coy smile and looked, instead, with a sinking heart at the hulking merchantman in which he was to spend the next half a month or so; her sides were stained with age and she exuded an unpleasant smell of rotting refuse.

‘I’m sorry, Magnus,’ Gaius said, ‘but it was all that I could get at such short notice; the sailing season’s over and there’re very few making the crossing at this time of year.’

Magnus glanced back at the terrace of warehouses in which, just six nights previously, he had organised the break-in that had somehow led to his enforced exile; he cursed vociferously.

Gaius smiled in sympathy as he gave him a handful of scrolls. ‘Letters for Vespasian.’

‘I’m sure he’ll be very pleased to have them.’

‘Yes, well, I should be getting back; the Lady Antonia has invited me and the Urban Prefect for dinner. I’m sure that by the time you return this matter will be completely forgotten.’

Magnus took his bag from the groom. ‘I’m sure it will, senator.’

‘Just mention my name to the trierarchos; I’ve paid in advance so there’ll be no problems.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Will you be all right?’ Gaius asked, his eyes lingering on the groom’s legs as he climbed up next to the driver who was equally as lissom.

Magnus grinned and slung his bag over his shoulder. ‘I’ve got nothing to do for the next fourteen or fifteen days, sir.’ He patted a small lump concealed underneath his tunic. ‘So don’t worry about me, I’ll put that time to good use; I’ve got a whole realm to explore.’