The Patrician Read Online Free PDF Page A

justice have done little to assist me in discovering who is behind these thefts.”
    Damon began to roam the room, stooping now and again to pick up bits of debris. He paused next to Jared, a large shard of a clay amphoreae in his hand.” How many times does this make? Three?” 
    He arched a brow at his friend. Odd that in his year long absence Damon would be aware of his previous losses. Still, he always did have an uncanny way of finding out things. He stared at the roll in his hand. “Five,” he ground out between clenched teeth.
    Damon whistled low. “Five times? That has to be making a dent in your vast and glorious empire.”
    Jared grunted. A dent didn’t begin to describe the toll such losses were taking on his business. Five thefts in as many months had left his once bulging coffers hollow and empty. Soon, he would no longer be known as the most successful merchant in Alexandria. 
    And he’d be damned if he would let that happen.
    He rolled his shoulders, a futile attempt to ease the tension gripping him. “I’ve taken every precaution.”
    “You may have overlooked one.” Damon draped an arm over Jared’s shoulder.
    He stiffened. He hated for people to stand too close. And Damon knew it, the bastard. He dug his elbow into Damon’s ribs, pushing him away. Unperturbed, Damon swung around to the other side and linked their arms. Had his childhood friend always been so bothersome? Pulling his arm free, he sent Damon his most intimidating glare. It hadn’t worked as children and it didn’t work now.
    In usual Damon fashion, he chuckled and stepped away. Sobering, he asked, “What precautions?”
Jared ran a hand over the rough stubble of his chin. “I sent my agents out along the wharf and among the ships crews to make discreet inquires.”
    “Ah, yes. Discreet is always best. News of thievery makes suppliers nervous.” Damon crouched down and tossed the gluttonous rodent a handful of wheat. The rat stuffed his cheeks full and scampered back to the safety of his hole. 
    Jared tamped down his aggravation and the overwhelming urge to throttle his friend. “My agents found nothing. So I sought out informants.”
    “Who took the coin you gave them and disappeared.”
    Jared nodded his head curtly. “Damon, you provoke me.”
    A slow grin spread over Damon’s face. “It’s a tiresome chore, but one that must be done.”
    Jared pressed his lips together, suppressing the smile that tugged at him. “After the third time, I hired men to guard the cargo from the moment it was loaded onto my ships at Ostia until they were deposited here, under lock and key.”
    “It would not be the first time thieves have posed as mercenaries,” observed Damon.
    “No,” he agreed. “But all of the men were hired from reputable sources. A total of six have lost their lives or were grievously wounded.”
    “And how many are missing?”
    Jared narrowed his eyes at Damon. “I’m fully aware that mercenaries work for those with the most gold. The amount I offered was quite generous. More generous than I could afford.”
    “Then the person or persons behind these thefts has a deeper pocket. That or the missing men worked for the thief.” He stood and rubbed wheat dust from his hands. “You, my friend, are being targeted.”
    “Your powers of deduction must be a great boon to Senator Tertius,” he answered wryly.
    A shadow fell across Damon’s features at the offhand remark. He picked up the shredded basket and tossed it forcefully across the room. The rat squealed and retreated deeper into his hole, yellow eyes glittering from the dark.
    Jared frowned. “What. . .”
    “Nephew! I came as soon as I heard.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut, stifled a groan. He was wrong. His day had just become worse. Jared sent Damon a pointed look that promised more questions. Damon shrugged a dismissive shoulder and returned to surveying the damage, ignoring the commotion filling the room. Jared, unfortunately, could not. Sliding