Under Vesuvius(64)

“No. The town house. It’s only a few streets from here.”

“Julia,” I said, “return to our lodgings. Try to keep Circe and Antonia from meddling in this. You’ll get a full report upon my return.”

She nodded wordlessly, tight-lipped. Earlier in our marriage she would have insisted on accompanying me, and longed to do so now, but she was trapped by her own vision of how a praetor’s wife should behave, and an unseemly fascination with bloody doings was not among the qualities she thought she should display.

We made our way to Silva’s house without delay. The city’s street lighting made torches unnecessary so our walk took no more time than it would have in daylight, a thing unthinkable in Rome. We found a crowd of citizens outside the door with a handful of the city guard keeping out the rabble. They stood aside for me. Inside, we found the duumviri in the atrium. Norbanus spoke in soothing tones to his distraught colleague. Manius Silva was pale and agitated. His Cretan colleague, Diogenes, stood nearby.

“Well,” I said, “we should be getting used to this. Manius Silva, please accept my condolences for your loss, but matters are getting out of hand. We must dispense with the sad conventions for the moment. We will observe them later, I promise. Now, tell me what has happened.”

They were too stunned to object. Once again, my authority here was on shaky ground, but by bulling in forcefully and taking charge as if I were born to command, I got my way. This is a useful tactic that should be practiced diligently by all governors and magistrates sent to the hinterlands. People will usually cede authority to one who demands it with sufficient brazenness.

“I—I found her when I returned—” Silva was stammering, either sorely distressed or faking it very well.

“Returned from where?” I asked.

“We were—” Diogenes began, but I cut him off.

“I wish to hear this from Manius Silva. Please continue.”

“I was at the annual banquet of the perfumer’s guild, of which I am head. It is held every year on this date.” He had gone from the lavish public banquet earlier in the day to another banquet. How typical of Baiae. “When I reached home, all seemed as usual—”

“Quadrilla did not attend this banquet with you?” I asked. I had seen her with him at the earlier event.

“No. Most years she goes with me, but she pleaded that she was not feeling well and wished to spend the evening at home.”

“So, when you returned?”

“When I returned—this was perhaps an hour ago, maybe less—all seemed as usual. The janitor opened the door for me, the majordomo greeted me and reported all was well in the house.”

“Did you speak to any of the other servants?”

“No. The rest had all retired. I do not require them to wait up for me when I am to return late.”

I turned to Hermes. “Find the janitor and majordomo and isolate them in separate rooms. I will question them later.” He nodded and went to do my bidding. “Now, Manius Silva, if you will tell me how you found your wife?”

“Well, from the atrium I walked back to our sleeping quarters. Hapi—that is the majordomo’s name—-walked with me. I don’t believe we said much. I just spoke of how well the banquet had gone, I think. I opened the door as I do every night. I was immediately struck by a—a strange odor.”

I knew that odor well. “You saw nothing at first?”

“Nothing. It was very dark. I assumed Quadrilla had snuffed the lamps. I knew something was terribly wrong. I called her name, but there was no answer. Hapi ran to fetch lamps and we went in. Quadrilla was lying—well, you shall see, Praetor. I saw immediately that there was nothing to be done for her. I ordered Hapi out of the room and backed out myself. Nothing has been touched in there. She is as I found her. I immediately sent messengers to summon you and Norbanus and the civic magistrates.” People were learning how I conducted an investigation.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Manius, you’ve shown great presence of mind under the most distressing of circumstances. I appreciate your foresight. I will make my inspection as quickly as possible, then we can have the libitinarii in to give Quadrilla the proper rites.” He nodded dumbly.

Hermes returned moments later. “I’ve done as you ordered, Praetor.” By this time a small group had assembled in the house, mostly the other civic officials.

“Very good. Here is how we shall proceed. Only I, my assistant Hermes, and the duumviri will enter the room where Quadrilla lies. This is not a spectacle but an official investigation. All will keep silent until [ speak, and then they will speak only to answer my questions. I abjure you to remember what you see and what words are spoken. This will be a matter for court testimony soon. Is that understood?”