Alexandria Part 15

'Oh no,' Chaereas a.s.sured us.

On arrival, he left us to go in by ourselves. Roxana had rooms in an anonymous building, up a dusty staircase, off an uninspiring street. This was typical of Alexandria. In Rome it would have told us she was a struggling manicurist, with five children by three fathers. Here, it meant nothing.

Inside was quite different. Discreet servants padded about a large apartment that was decorated with subtle, extremely feminine opulence. There were rugs everywhere; there were seats formed from enormous cushions; there was much gleaming copperware, ivory and elaborate small pieces of furniture carved from rare woods. I could not see any scroll boxes to confirm the claim of intellectual competence, but I was prepared to believe philosophy and plays were hidden away somewhere. Either Roxana had inherited money or she had had a rich husband - whether living or deceased; or a lover, or more than one, spent a lot on her. Helena was making an inventory scathingly.

Cleaned up, the Zoo Keeper's ladyfriend looked like a Vestal Virgin's younger sister. When she appeared (which took some time), Roxana wore discreet robes in dark colours, a plain hairstyle and little jewellery. She moved into the room in a quiet hum of unnerving perfume, but was otherwise not exotic. Mind you, she gave the impression she could could make herself just about as exotic as anybody wanted, if she chose. make herself just about as exotic as anybody wanted, if she chose.

Helena Justina failed to warm to her. Somehow I expected that. Helena's presence at my side clearly surprised the lady. I must be the first good-looking man who, on coming to see Roxana, brought his wife. Well, that just showed her what clean-living persons Roman husbands were. And how well supervised.

Roxana's evidence about the Heras tragedy was as well thought out and organised as her appearance. She told us exactly the same story as Philadelphion. They corroborated one another as tightly as Chaereas and Chaeteas had done. Rarely can descriptions have been so mathematically co-ordinated. My instinct was not to waste much time here.

It was Helena who took charge of the situation.

'Thank you, Roxana. That was, if I may say so, an extremely clear and beautifully expressed witness statement.'

Throughout our interview so far, Roxana had given the impression of being slightly pent-up, but at this warm-hearted praise she relaxed, at least technically. If anything, she seemed puzzled, as if unsure how to take Helena. I enjoyed watching these two engage so stiffly.

Helena then turned to the servant who had placed herself near the doorway in the att.i.tude of a chaperon. Placing a hand delicately on her pregnant belly, my trusty a.s.sistant begged sweetly, 'I am so sorry to be a nuisance, but could you possibly organise something to drink for us -just water will be absolutely fine, or mint tea would be delectable...' The maid withdrew, muttering darkly, then Helena snapped upright. 'Marcus darling, stop jiggling about like a three-year-old. If you want to stretch your legs, go and do so.'

I never jiggle. Still, I knew a big hint when it hit me. I shuffled from the room with a shifty expression - then applied my ear to the door.

Helena must have turned back to Roxana. 'Right! Now we are quite alone, so you can be frank, my dear.' Perhaps Roxana had fluttered her eyelashes. Waste of time. Helena was crisp. 'Listen to me, please. My husband was nearly killed last night and another poor young man did lose his life most terribly. I want to know who caused that and I am not interested in pathetic taradiddles, cobbled together to preserve people's reputations.'

'I have told you what happened!' Roxana cried.

'No; you have not. Now here is what will happen. You can tell me the truth now, then you and I, like sensible women, will work out how to handle it. Otherwise, Marcus Didius, who is neither as stupid nor as susceptible as you obviously think, will explode your false evidence. Of course you thought he swallowed your story. Believe me, he doubts every word. Being a man, he won't say so to a pretty woman's face. But he is utterly competent and always direct. If - that means, when - when - Falco uncovers the truth of what happened at the zoo, he will make it public. He has no choice. You must see that. He is the Emperor's man and must be seen to expose lies.' Helena dropped her voice. I could hardly hear it. 'So, I suppose Philadelphion bullied you into telling us this tale. Is it him you are afraid of - or someone else, Roxana?' Falco uncovers the truth of what happened at the zoo, he will make it public. He has no choice. You must see that. He is the Emperor's man and must be seen to expose lies.' Helena dropped her voice. I could hardly hear it. 'So, I suppose Philadelphion bullied you into telling us this tale. Is it him you are afraid of - or someone else, Roxana?'

I never have much luck. At this point, the d.a.m.ned servant decided to mooch back with a beaten-up tray of skinny refreshments. For several minutes I was locked in a sign-language tussle with her. In the end, the only way I could get rid of the inept factotum was to shoo her off as if sending a bunch of heifers through a hedge; it must have been fully audible from inside the room.

I had seized the tray myself from her clammy grasp. I knocked quickly and entered the room just as Roxana exclaimed, with heartfelt drama: 'Somebody let out Sobek deliberately. They cannot have known I would be there with that boy, Heras.'

'What - up to no good with him?'

'I deny it! Normally Philadelphion would have been going around to check on all the animals - so what you should be considering is that somebody somebody was trying to make the crocodile kill was trying to make the crocodile kill him!' him!'

The ladies turned their gaze on me. 'And who might that have been?' I enquired, mildly. 'Who wants Philadelphion dead?'

'Nicanor!' blazed Roxana. 'You fool, Falco - it's obvious!'

I put down the tray on a small table and set about serving mint tea for everyone.

x.x.xIII.

A guilty lawyer - oh I like that!'

'Don't say I told you!'

'Trust me, lady!'

Helena's eyes sweetly accused me: you dog, Falco! you dog, Falco! She let me continue the questioning, however. She let me continue the questioning, however.

According to Roxana, Nicanor's hatred of the Zoo Keeper was all to do with her. Nicanor was not simply a silent rival, l.u.s.ting from a distance; she said he had been approaching her on the sly for months. He had publicly sworn to s.n.a.t.c.h her from Philadelphion, whatever it took. She found his persistence a menace. She was a little scared of him; he had a harsh reputation. The Zoo Keeper refused to tackle Nicanor, feeling himself secure in possession of Roxana's favours and not wanting quarrels at work. She, of course, had always known it would end badly.

She was a self-centred piece. It was only because she dimly understood that stressing her own importance might reflect badly upon her, that Roxana allowed a possible contributing factor: Philadelphion being favourite on the Chief Librarian shortlist. She knew Nicanor felt fervid professional jealousy. I asked how Philadelphion really felt about the post, given his known resentment that the Library attracted more attention than the zoo, where his heart clearly lay. Roxana thought he saw taking over the Library, if it happened, as potentially a way for him to right the balance. Whether that would make him a good Librarian I doubted, though I could not see Nicanor doing any better. He too wanted the post for personal reasons - his raw ambition. If he could s.n.a.t.c.h Roxana from Philadelphion as well, that would double his triumph.

In my experience lawyers make good haters and they never flinch from revenge. However, they are skilled and subtle, rarely descending to violence. They don't need to. They have other, more potent weapons.

It would be easy to dismiss Roxana's claim as a flight of fancy. Lack of evidence at the scene made it difficult to accuse Nicanor or anybody else - of setting Sobek loose. If somebody did it, their plan was extremely risky. Yes, Philadelphion was known to make his rounds at night to check on the animals, but actual events showed all too clearly that other people might be blundering around the zoo as well. Besides, even if the Zoo Keeper had found the croc, Sobek might like Philadelphion. He might just have waddled up, wagging his tremendous tail and hoping for treats.

On the other hand, if someone really had let Sobek out to kill, their plan had a simple glory: but for them abandoning the goat, the resulting death would convincingly have looked like an accident. If only Sobek had slaughtered the right man, it would have been perfect. This argued for a bloodthirsty killer. The victim died a horrific death. Anyone sufficiently mad and vindictive to arrange it would have enjoyed those screams.

Anyone that mad, I thought, might try to strike again.

I a.s.sured Roxana all her claims would be investigated. I would do it in the true Falco style: discreetly, effectively and as soon as possible. Meanwhile, she was not to approach Nicanor, nor admit him to her house. She should warn Philadelphion of her fears for his life, but discourage him from tackling the lawyer. I would approach the man - at the right moment.

In fact, when Helena and I left, I said that I would first want to consider whether anybody else had a big grudge against the Zoo Keeper. 'What did you think about the doting mistress?'

'I thought,' replied Helena acidly, 'the lovely Roxana was a tribute to the powers of a good night's sleep.'

'Really? You mean, she had just seen a young man die a hideous death, with herself and me nearly killed too, yet she was not beset with nightmares?' You mean, she had just seen a young man die a hideous death, with herself and me nearly killed too, yet she was not beset with nightmares?'

Helena was scornful. 'Where were the puffy eyes? The signs of weeping? The gaunt cheeks? The ravages to the complexion? Marcus, that woman has no conscience.'

We both then had the same intriguing notion about the luscious hostess: would Roxana Roxana have had any motive to let Sobek out? have had any motive to let Sobek out?

When I suggested it might be useful to investigate Roxana further, Helena Justina scoffed. 'No need! I think we know exactly exactly what that woman is all about!' I concurred meekly. what that woman is all about!' I concurred meekly.

She was obviously tired. I sent her back to my uncle's house in his palanquin, which we had borrowed that morning.

On the excuse of discussing the late Heras, I took myself back to the Museion to see Philetus. Heras was already on his mind when I was let into his office. 'As Director of the Museion, I shall have to write to tell the parents what has happened.' He was soon in full flow, lamenting his time-consuming responsibilities and the burden of trying to keep order among the young scholars.

'Had Heras come to your attention before?'

'I try to know all our scholars personally.' So he had never heard of the young man.

'Was he a model student?'

'His tutor says so. Hard working and well liked. 'That was the natural response to an unexpected death. It had no value. I bet the tutor could barely remember which one Heras was.

'What is known of his background?'

'His father owns land and collects taxes.' That fitted what Heras himself had told me. 'Of course everyone of any standing in Egypt farms and collects taxes, Falco - but I am told the family is respectable and of good repute.' Surprisingly, Philetus did seem to have done some homework. Perhaps he was not all bad - or perhaps some minion winkled out the facts. A diplomatic letter was needed for the family, to protect the Museion's reputation. Philetus was clearly nervous that an angry father would storm here, demanding answers and trying to apportion blame. I wondered if his anxiety was based on prior experience.

If there had been negligence, I wanted no part in any cover-up. I changed the subject. 'I'd like to tap your wonderful knowledge, Philetus -' I managed not to choke myself.

'You are stuck then?' he rasped. I nearly decided not to ask him anything. Still, he was right to some extent.

'May I speak in confidence?' Philetus nodded, eager to see how much trouble I was in. 'I have one death that looks like murder, but which may be suicide. Another looks like an accident, but I believe it was attempted murder.'

'What? Who would have wanted to murder Heras?'

'n.o.body, as far as I know. The suggestion is, another man was the intended victim. Heras died by mistake. Apparently you have a slew of feuds among your shortlist candidates.' The suggestion is, another man was the intended victim. Heras died by mistake. Apparently you have a slew of feuds among your shortlist candidates.'

'Oh that's no secret, Falco!'

I tackled the subject as delicately as I could. 'I could not help overhearing your pleas with Philadelphion to set aside his mistress. She seems a liability! I am looking at her carefully in case her involvement last night is suspicious.' As I expected, that thrilled the Director. He was so pleased, I even wondered if he had wooed Roxana himself and been rejected. 'Can you tell me anymore about the woman?'

'A papyrus merchant's widow. He was wealthy, it goes without saying. It wouldn't surprise me if her husband was helped on his way - though the story was, he died of a tumour. Somebody should have made sure Roxana remarried and was kept firmly out of trouble - but who would have her now? Several of my junior colleagues pay her far too much attention. She enjoys it and will not be discouraged.' He was wealthy, it goes without saying. It wouldn't surprise me if her husband was helped on his way - though the story was, he died of a tumour. Somebody should have made sure Roxana remarried and was kept firmly out of trouble - but who would have her now? Several of my junior colleagues pay her far too much attention. She enjoys it and will not be discouraged.'

'Are members of the Museion allowed to marry?' I enquired.

'No reason why not. n.o.body has ever suggested,' Philetus pontificated, 'that a man may not copulate and think at the same time, Falco.' n.o.body has ever suggested,' Philetus pontificated, 'that a man may not copulate and think at the same time, Falco.'

I stayed calm. 'Nor that a rich s.e.x life lessens mental facility. Men with fine minds often rush to lower themselves - and being known for their minds seems to increase their chances. Power is a fast-acting aphrodisiac. Women find high position an attraction in a man - and busy men feel extra virile.'

'Some of us know how to control our urges.'

'Oh good!' I was no prude but I flinched from the idea of Philetus controlling his urges. 'So your objection to Philadelphion's flirtation with Roxana is purely moral - he is supposed to be a family man. Others, I am told, resent it out of pure jealousy' I was no prude but I flinched from the idea of Philetus controlling his urges. 'So your objection to Philadelphion's flirtation with Roxana is purely moral - he is supposed to be a family man. Others, I am told, resent it out of pure jealousy'

'A woman with such a soiled reputation? I cannot see the attraction,' Philetus sn.i.g.g.e.red. I cannot see the attraction,' Philetus sn.i.g.g.e.red.

'Not tempted?' I bet he was! 'What about Nicanor? People say he l.u.s.ts after her.'

'A man of upright principles.'

'An honest lawyer?' I let a smile show. ''Well, I do not think Nicanor would risk his grand career over a woman. However, he has vile ambition. He might do absolutely anything to obtain the prestigious librarianship.' I let a smile show. ''Well, I do not think Nicanor would risk his grand career over a woman. However, he has vile ambition. He might do absolutely anything to obtain the prestigious librarianship.'

'Would he? You had better ask him, Falco.'

I probably would do eventually. At the moment, seeing I had no evidence, Nicanor would simply deny it.

'So give me a steer, Philetus: now you have announced your shortlist, which of your four candidates is the hot name?'

'What do you think of them, Falco?'As always, the slippery Director dodged the ball, throwing it straight back to me. If he was being discreet I could have borne it, but he was just indecisive.

'Philadelphion must be the front-runner - though would you relish working closely with him? Apart from the black mark for Roxana, is there anything else against him?'

'I shall be perturbed if it comes to light there was something amiss with zoo security last night. It appears,' mused Philetus grimly, 'at the very least there must have been carelessness in locking up the crocodile. I now have to see whether Philadelphion is running his zoo properly...' So count him out! Philetus could not leave it alone: 'He is too quarrelsome, anyway. He was always wrangling with Theon and he continually argues with Zenon, our astronomer.'

'So what of Zenon?'

Philetus' eyes narrowed. 'Extremely competent.' That was terse. I got it: Zenon knew far too much about the financial background. Zenon was dangerous to Philetus.

'We were talking about Nicanor. Is he as good as he thinks he is?'

'Too reluctant to make contributions to discussions. He holds back - and thinks himself very clever and manipulative.' That was such a good a.s.sessment I thought Philetus must have filched it from someone else. He holds back - and thinks himself very clever and manipulative.' That was such a good a.s.sessment I thought Philetus must have filched it from someone else.

'Apollophanes? You get on well with him, I think?' You get on well with him, I think?'

Now I had pleased him. 'Oh yes,' agreed the Director, like a feral cat who had just stolen a particularly rich bowl of cream from a bunch of pampered house pets. 'Apollophanes is a scholar I always find congenial.'

I left, thinking how very much I would have liked to see Philetus dead, embalmed and mummified on a dusty shelf. If possible, I would consign him to a rather disreputable temple where they got the rites wrong. He festered. The man was only good for a long eternity of mould and decay.

x.x.xIV.

This was a mess. At risk of increasing the slurry, I went to the Prefect's palace and told the staff not to allow any movement on the Library appointment until my investigation finished.

'The Director is nagging us for an early announcement, Falco.'

I smiled serenely. 'Let him nag. You are the bureaucrats. Your prime task is to find convoluted systems that necessitate delay.'

Anything that avoided work seemed clever to the aides-de-camp.

'When the Director sent through his list, did he tick his preferred candidate?' I recommend you make additions.

'Philetus? Make a decision?' Even the senatorial wide-boys laughed. Make a decision?' Even the senatorial wide-boys laughed.

They had pa.s.sed the list in to the Prefect like a red-hot brick. Knowing how to take care of himself, he biffed it straight back out and asked them to brief him on what action to take. It was too important to remain in an in-tray. They were stuck. They asked me.

'If in doubt, consult the Emperor. 'That could take months. 'The list is a travesty, incidentally. I recommend you make additions.'

'Can we add names?' we add names?'

'A Prefect can always call in extra candidates. He should do so. It demonstrates that he is exercising his judgement and experience, not just acquiescing weakly to whatever is put in front of him.'

'He will like that! Who should he call in?'

'Timosthenes, for one.' They wrote it down. Beneficiaries of fine educations, they could write. I was pleased to see it. 'When the old man asks why, say: They wrote it down. Beneficiaries of fine educations, they could write. I was pleased to see it. 'When the old man asks why, say: ''Timosthenes is already holder of a similar post at the Serapeion. He runs that library well. He is not so academically eminent as the others, but a solid candidate, so in view of the Emperor's preference for appointments made on merit, you advise that Timosthenes should be considered''.' ''Timosthenes is already holder of a similar post at the Serapeion. He runs that library well. He is not so academically eminent as the others, but a solid candidate, so in view of the Emperor's preference for appointments made on merit, you advise that Timosthenes should be considered''.'

They wrote that down too. One of them could do shorthand. 'Sounds good.'

'I am an informer. We earn our fees.'

'Anybody else?'

'If the Prefect - or his n.o.ble lady - has ever shown a particular interest in tragic drama, suggest a man called Aeacidas.' 'His wife enjoys lyre music. He follows gladiating.'

'Goodbye, sad tragedian then!'

The Palace was cool. Out of doors, the Khamseen had dropped but without the wind we had a stonking hot midday which made me just as stressed. Wherever I decided to go next, even home for lunch, I would find myself sweating and debilitated. I faced this prospect with mild depression.

Fortunately, I spotted Numerius Tenax, the centurion. I told him if he could find an excuse to go for lunch so I could pick his expert brains, I would buy him the drink he had offered to buy me when we first met. He pretended to be unravelling the clauses in my offer. But he appreciated drinking on my imperial expenses (as he thought). When he took me to his local bar, we raised a toast to Vespasian.

I relayed the latest developments. Tenax grimaced. 'I'm glad you're in charge, not me.'