“Callista said that Brutus had been at one of Cleopatra’s parties and he talked for a long time with that Indian astronomer, not about astronomy but about some Indian belief in the transmigration of souls.”
“What of it?”
“She said that it was because Brutus was studying Pythagoreanism. The Pythagoreans also believe in transmigration of souls. Yet when I spoke with Brutus he spoke disparagingly of them. He said they were to true mathematicians what the astrologers are to true astronomers.”
“Maybe it was a temporary interest and he grew disillusioned with them,” Hermes said.
“That could be it, I suppose. One more anomaly to cloud the waters.”
“So what next?”
“Something I’ve been trying to avoid. Now I have to talk to Fulvia.” Hermes began to grin broadly. “It won’t be much fun this time,” I told him. “She lives in the house of Antonius now.”
“Oh, yes,” he said, his face falling. “I’d forgotten that.” In previous years, when we had called on Fulvia she had lived in a house famous for the beauty of its female and male slaves. The house of Antonius would undoubtedly be different.
We made our way to the Palatine where that domicile lay. The doorkeeper looked like a professional wrestler and the major domo who received us was clearly one of Antonius’s soldiers. The atrium was full of war trophies, weapons, and other masculine accoutrements. On the other hand, the courtyard to which he led us was full of beautiful sculpture, some of which I remembered from Fulvia’s other houses. Clearly, interior decoration was a matter of some contention in this household.
The lady herself came out to greet us and we went through the usual formalities. Fulvia was tiny, voluptuously formed, and had a husky voice. I had thought she was the most alluring woman in Rome, but having just come from the presence of Ashthuva, she seemed no more seductive than a rather pretty statue.
“Polasser of Kish?” she said, eyebrows going up. “Wasn’t he murdered recently?”
“Exactly,” I told her, “and Caesar has commissioned me to discover who killed him and another stargazer named Demades. How well did you know Polasser?”
“Scarcely at all. I met him at one of Cleopatra’s gatherings, but I’d heard of him before then.”
“Heard of him? How?”
She frowned with thought. “Let me see, somebody mentioned him … you realize that astrologers are all the rage in my social circle, don’t you?”
“I’ve heard of little else since this business began.”
“So the ladies I know are always babbling about this one or that one. Anyway, I heard about him, and when I met him at Cleopatra’s, he seemed so fascinating and knowledgeable that I decided to consult with him about my dear Antonius’s future.”
“Weren’t you put off by the fact that he was a Greek dressed as a Babylonian?”
She shrugged, making her abundant breasts quiver. “I’ve never seen a Babylonian. For all I know, that’s what they look like.”
“So you got Antonius’s horoscope. I take it that Polasser predicted a glorious future for your husband?”
She beamed. “He said that Antonius would become the greatest man in Rome.”
“Did he say for how long?”
“No.”
“A grain merchant named Balesus has told me that you recommended Polasser to him.”
“Did I? I suppose I might have. That would have been when I sold off the last harvest I had from poor Curio’s estate. It’s the only time I ever went to the grain market.”
“It surprises me that a patrician lady would stoop to such a transaction. Why didn’t you send a steward?”
“The only steward I had at the time was Curio’s, and he was sure to be on the side of Curio’s family. Selling grain is far from the most scandalous thing I’ve done.” Fulvia was totally indifferent to her bad reputation.
“In any case Balesus didn’t do as well as you. Polasser told him to buy when it was time to sell. He lost a fortune.”
“Did he? Serves him right. Why should an astrologer be expected to give accurate advice to a petty businessman? The stars proclaim the fortunes of great men, not little money grubbers like Balesus.”
“Spoken like a true patrician,” I said.
“And why not? It’s what I am.”
“Now that Polasser is no longer among us,” I said, “whom do you consult upon celestial matters?”
“Recently I’ve been seeing Ashthuva. I think her knowledge of the art is even more comprehensive than Polasser’s and she is the most delightful company.”