villain, then we’re completely in schtook. Right?’
Libanius looked even more unhappy. ‘Indeed,’ he said. ‘And that is exactly where we’re likely to remain. As far as Veturina is concerned at present - assuming she wasn’t responsible - her husband died a natural death. Nothing and no one has suggested otherwise. It would be unreasonable to expect her to approve an enquiry even if she were completely innocent, and if we did hold one she’d have a perfect right to refuse her co-operation.’
‘I’ve told Quintus that, Hyperion being to all intents and purposes a client of mine, I would be prepared to bring a formal legal charge myself,’ Marcia said. ‘The drawback is that I would have to cite a specific person as the one responsible. Which of course in advance of a proper investigation would be a nonsense.’
‘Yeah. Yeah, right,’ I said. Bugger! This was not looking good.
‘So you see, Corvinus,’ - Libanius spread his hands - ‘we’re caught. No proof of murder - or no formal accusation - no investigation; no investigation, no proof of murder. Oh, yes: if Hyperion were to report the business with the medicine bottle officially, even now, I could take unilateral action myself. Unfortunately, in law that would immediately entail, ipso facto, at least the torture of the household’s slaves, and Hyperion will not accept this under any circumstances. Barring that, and given the Lady Marcia’s understandable scruples, I see no course of action but to leave things as they are.’
Shit. ‘So what you’re saying,’ I said, ‘is that you need some piece of evidence - some solid piece of evidence - besides the medicine bottle, that points to a murder.’
‘Yes. Until we have that then I’m afraid -’
‘Excuse me, sir.’ Bathyllus butlered in from the direction of the lobby. ‘But there’s a messenger arrived to speak to Quintus Libanius.’
‘Ah.’Libanius frowned. ‘I’m sorry, I left word with my major-domo that I’d be contactable here if I was needed for any reason. If you’ll excuse me a moment?’
‘Sure,’ I said.
He left. For a moment, there was silence. Then: ‘Corvinus, you can’t give up!’ Marilla snapped.
‘Marilla’s right,’ Clarus said. ‘Hostilius was murdered, you know he was. We can’t just -’
‘Princess. Clarus.’ Jupiter, this was a real downer. ‘You heard the guy. I told you, without some sort of official standing here my hands are tied.’
‘That hasn’t stopped you before,’ Perilla said quietly.
‘No, it hasn’t.’ Marcia glared at me. ‘Nor should it be stopping you now. Marcus Valerius Corvinus, I’m surprised at you. If Libanius says we need additional proof then we will simply have to think how it is to be got. There’s the Hostilius household for a start. One of the slaves might have seen something, or -’
‘You heard Libanius, Marcia. I can’t go questioning Hostilius’s slaves without his wife’s permission, and she isn’t likely to give it.’
‘Nonsense! Hyperion could arrange something easily. Couldn’t you, Hyperion?’
‘Certainly. Nothing easier,’ Hyperion said. ‘I’m sure under the circumstances Scopas - that’s the major-domo, if you recall - would co-operate fully, and I’d stake my life that he’s above suspicion himself.’
‘There you are. It’s a beginning. Also, Marcus,’ - Marcia’s chin lifted - ‘I may not get around as much as I used to, but I do have some influence not only locally but in Rome, which if necessary I am fully prepared to use.’
I was grinning despite myself. I didn’t underestimate that last bit of unsolicited support, either. Given the choice of having the authority of the Castrimoenian senate behind me or a damn-your-eyes war-to-the-knife commitment from the widow of the Divine Augustus’s friend and chief adviser, I’d take the second option any day. Like it or not, the steel-strong Old Boy and Old Girl network still runs the empire. A few carefully-worded