Murder on the Appian Way by Steven Saylor Read Free Book Online

then grunted. "You're Meto's father, aren't you? And this is Meto's brother, Eco."
    "Yes." I tried to get a better look at him. I could make out his rugged features - the strong brow, the flattened boxer's nose - but I still didn't recognize him.
    "You and I met last year," he said, "briefly, when you came to visit Meto in Ravenna. I serve under Caesar, too." He paused for a moment. When I gave no sign of remembering, he shrugged. "Well, then, what's happening around the bend? That glow in the sky - not a house on fire?"
    "No. Just a great many torches."
    "There's a big crowd gathered at the house?"
    "Yes. They've come to see the body. His wife, Fulvia —"
    "Fulvia?" He spoke the name with an odd intensity, as if it had a secret meaning for him.
    "She grieves. You might be able to hear her from here."
    He sighed again, a deep, rich sigh. "I suppose I should see for myself Farewell, then, Gordianus. And you, Eco." He rejoined his companions and moved swiftly on.
    "Farewell —" I said, still unable to remember his name. I turned to Eco.
    "As he said, Papa, we met him last year, at Caesar's winter headquarters up in Ravenna. A bit modest, the way he says, 'I serve under Caesar, too.' One of the general's top men, according to Meto. We were barely introduced. I'd forgotten about it myself I'm surprised he remembers us. But then, the man's a politician, of course. He's been back in Rome for several months, running for office. I've seen him in the Forum, canvassing for votes. You must have seen him, too."
    "Have I? What's his name?"
    "Marc Antony."
    III
    Over breakfast, Bethesda and Diana demanded to know everything. I tried to soften my description of Clodius's corpse in deference to their appetites, but they insisted on all the gruesome details. The wrangling of the politicians was of less interest to them, but they listened attentively to my impressions of the famous house and its furnishings, and they were especially curious about Clodia.
    "Can it really be four years since the trial of Marcus Caelius?" Bethesda blew gently on a spoonful of hot farina.
    "Almost."
    "And to think we haven't had a glimpse of Clodia in all that time."
    "Not surprising, really; we hardly move in the same exalted circles. But I don't think anyone's seen much of her. The trial took something out of her. She seemed a changed woman to me."
    "Really? It sounds like she made quite a show of inviting you into the very heart of her brother's grand house, as if she were doing you a great favour, making you feel privileged and special. She wants something."
    "Really, Bethesda, the woman was distraught."
    "Was she?"
    "I told you, she could hardly keep from weeping." "To weep is one thing. To be distraught is another." "I don't follow you."
    "No?" Bethesda sat back from the table. "Be careful of the farina, Diana. You'll burn your tongue."
    Diana nodded absently and gulped down a heaping spoonful "What do you mean, Bethesda? About Clodia?"
    "Well, I have no doubt that she was very upset about her brother's death. We all know how close they were, or at least the way people talked about them. And such a bloody death, from the way you describe his body. Awful!" She stirred her farina. Little puffs of steam rose from the bowl.
    "But?"
    Diana cleared her throat. "I think that what Mother is trying to
say is-" .
    "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Bethesda looked at Diana and they nodded in unison. "Her litter, her bodyguard -"
    "And using the main entrance. Yes." Diana pursed her lips sagely.
    "What in Hades are the two of you talking about?"
    "Well -" Bethesda tried another spoonful of farina and finally deemed it cool enough. "From your description, it seems that there's the main entrance to the house, and also the secluded little side door that you took."
    "Yes ..."
    "And they both end up in the same place." "Yes, in the main foyer."
    "Well, I can't speak for Clodia, but if I were distraught, I should have no stomach for facing a huge crowd. I'd want to avoid