The Far Shore by Nick Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

Annia.’
    ‘I shall pass on your request at once, sir.’
    ‘Also, those papers in the study. Presumably Memor had a lot of other documentation?’
    ‘Yes. I believe most of it is in wooden boxes up in his bedroom.’
    ‘I see.’
    Just as Trogus was about to head back into the villa, Cassius held up a hand. ‘One more thing. I need you to compile a list of men on the island known either to Ligur or Memor, or to both of them. I am especially interested in short, left-handed individuals.’

III
    Having sent Indavara to look over the rest of the property, Cassius waited for Annia on a chilly stone bench in one corner of the courtyard. The sun was hovering over the roof opposite him and the shadows were long; they would have to head back to the city soon.
    She came out through the kitchen door and hurried over to him. Cassius again noticed how well she carried herself, how purposefully she moved. That high chin and haughty manner were rather off-putting but there was no denying the pleasing proportions of her body, nor the sculptured lines of her face. He stood and waited for her to sit at the other end of the bench before retaking his seat, adjusting his cloak to ensure it wasn’t touching the ground.
    Annia was now wearing a black woollen cape, which she pulled tight over her chest. ‘I asked the surgeon to go out and help the servants. The villagers might take more notice of him.’
    ‘A good idea, miss. How are your sister and mother faring?’
    Annia looked down at the ground. ‘My mother is weak in body, my sister in mind. I’ve long learnt to expect little help from them.’
    Cassius was surprised by the cold detachment in her voice; surely this was just the trials of the day talking.
    ‘This is a terrible time for you all,’ he said. ‘May I formally offer my condolences.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘I’m afraid I have some questions about your father.’
    ‘Ask. Ask whatever you have to.’
    ‘Trogus seems to know little of his work. Did he have a clerk or an assistant of any kind, someone who might be able to tell me more?’
    ‘My father almost always worked alone. Occasionally Trogus or I would take some dictation for him, but he said that the affairs of state were not matters to be shared. When he wasn’t travelling he spent hours writing reports for Rome or dealing with his post. Sometimes we wouldn’t see him between dawn and dusk.’
    ‘Do you know of any recent issues, any mention of a possible threat?’
    ‘No. But if he had thought he was in danger, I’m sure he would have told Trogus. Ligur too; he wasn’t just a doorman, he would often travel with my father as his bodyguard. He was a legionary – he served with my father many years ago.’
    ‘I see. And what of Master Memor’s behaviour – anything out of the ordinary, anything to suggest he was in fear for his life? Think carefully.’
    Annia took a moment, then shook her head. ‘Not at all. In fact he seemed unusually relaxed. Last week he asked Marta and me to sing for him. And yesterday he took his long walk.’
    ‘
Long
walk?’
    ‘Yes, he went every morning. Usually a shorter route, sometimes a longer one around the lake.’
    ‘Away from the property?’
    ‘Yes, it’s about five miles.’
    ‘And he would walk every morning?’
    ‘Without fail.’
    ‘Alone?’
    ‘Always – he said the day went a little easier if he’d time to prepare for it.’
    Cassius looked away.
    ‘What is it?’ Annia asked.
    ‘It seems to me that time was of the essence for the assassin. Had he watched the house for only a day he would have discovered a perfect opportunity to kill your father with minimal risk. And if he arrived very recently, I’ll be surprised if he wouldn’t want to leave with similar haste. It’s late in the year; I can’t believe he’d risk trapping himself on the island for the winter months. We shall focus our efforts on the port tomorrow. There can’t be that many ships sailing in early November.’
    ‘I shall