The Ides of March Read Online Free PDF Page B

you’re saying.
    Couldn’t the work on the walls just be ordinary maintenance?’
    ‘There’s more,’ continued Nebula.
    ‘All right. Now we’re getting somewhere. Let’s hear.’
    ‘This is information that will cost you.’
    ‘I don’t have much money with me, but I do have this,’ said Publius Sextius, his hands flexing the cane that was a symbol of his rank.
    ‘What do you suppose I care about that?’ shot back Nebula.
    ‘Don’t think you can intimidate me. I’ve been doing this for a long time.’
    ‘I’m not leaving here until you tell me what I need to know. I was assured that I would be getting important information from you and get it I will. You decide how.’
    Nebula fell silent for a long moment, weighing his options. When he began to speak again, it was in a different voice, as if he were another person. ‘Give me whatever you can, please. I need money. I spent a fortune to get this information and risked my neck as well. I’ve had to take out a loan and if I don’t pay them back they’ll slaughter me.’
    ‘How much do you need?’
    ‘Eight thousand.’
    Publius Sextius opened one of the bags hanging from his horse’s rump and handed over a satchel. ‘Five thousand. It’s all I have for now, but if you give me the information I need you’ll get twice that.’
    ‘Publius Sextius is known as a man of his word,’ said Nebula.
    ‘That’s the truth,’ replied the centurion.
    ‘Six months ago, at Narbonne, after the Battle of Munda, while Caesar was still in Spain, someone was working on a plot to murder him.’
    ‘I’ve heard the rumours.’
    ‘We all have. But I have proof not only that the plot was put into effect but also that it may still be active.’
    ‘Names.’
    ‘Caius Trebonius.’
    ‘I know him. And?’
    ‘Cassius Longinus and Publius Casca, and maybe his brother. Those are the names I’m sure of. I also believe that Caesar himself knows something, or at least suspects something, though he’s not letting on. But there’s one name he doesn’t know and this is the true shocker. At Narbonne, Trebonius asked Mark Antony if he wanted to join the party.’
    ‘Watch out, Nebula. Words are stones.’
    ‘Or daggers. In any case, Antony refused the invitation and has never made any further mention of it.’
    ‘How can you be certain?’
    ‘If Antony had spoken, do you suppose Trebonius would still be around?’
    ‘All right. But how much can we conclude from that? What I’m interested in is knowing whether this plot is still active. I want proof. The rumour is out and it’s impossible that Caesar hasn’t heard of it. What you’ve told me regarding Antony disturbs me. Did you hear about what happened at the Lupercalia?’
    Nebula nodded. ‘Everyone knows about it.’
    ‘Fine. In the light of what you’ve just told me, Antony’s behaviour is suspect. He offered Caesar the king’s crown in front of the people of Rome. I would call that provocation, or, worse, a trap. Caesar’s reaction confirms it. Antony is no fool. He wouldn’t have done such a thing without a reason. One thing is certain: if Caesar had known what Antony was planning before it happened, he would have stopped him.’
    ‘I could learn more, but I need time.’
    ‘There’s no saying we’ve got the time. The situation might come to a head at any moment.’
    ‘You may be right about that.’
    ‘Well, then?’
    ‘There is a solution. Don’t wait here any longer. You leave now for Rome, taking a route that will allow me to reach you with messages and information.’
    ‘That’s unlikely. I’ll be moving fast.’
    ‘I have ways and means.’
    ‘As you wish.’
    ‘In the meantime, I’ll look for more proof.’
    ‘Do you have something specific in mind?’
    ‘Yes. But it’s still entirely hypothetical. In any case, before I take action of any sort, there’s something very important that I need to know.’
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘Who sent you here? Who are you working