“We will begin at once,” Merope promised. “Thank you, Leonidas.”
I paused at the doorway. “Thank me for what?”
Merope gave me a tiny smile. “For coming to us. For not dismissing us because we aren’t rich shrews.”
I gazed about the small room with its crude furniture and few carefully kept belongings. The sisters huddled together, and Gaius cracked his knuckles, as though trying to keep himself from fearing the worst.
I did understand why Rufus preferred this place. It held laughter, affection, and caring, instead of miserly chill.
“You deserved to know,” I said. “Please be careful. Someone very dangerous is out there.”
The three sobered again and agreed.
I had an idea they would be very resourceful, but I also felt a qualm as I left them. I hoped I could run Rufus to ground so the two spirited ladies and their cousin could receive him here in peace.
* * *
As I mademy way northward toward the Pons Agrippae and the villa Cassia and Marcianus were visiting, I checked every popina and eating shop to see if Rufus was enjoying food or drink in them or sleeping in one of their back rooms.
No one I spoke to had seen him. Rufus was a frequent guest at these places, but he had not visited any in the last few days.
I told myself that Merope and Martolia were correct that they’d know more hidden places Rufus might retreat, and left the Transtiberim to them.
I followed a path alongside the river, joining farmers and merchants who headed for their villages. More and more farmland had been bought up closer to Rome so the rich could have vast villas with plenty of space, driving the farmers farther and farther out. But now those villas were becoming cramped themselves as developments in the city grew.
The Villa Flores had so far managed to stave off the invasion of insulae, shops, popinae, and other domii. It sat by itself at the top of a low hill, and several tiers of gardens stepped down toward the Tiber from its rear walls. I spied an ambulatory—a colonnaded walkway—that led from the garden and disappeared around the far side of the house.
The garden contained rows of trees and shrubbery, bare now for winter, but in the summer, the lush growth would more or less hide the entire house from the road that led to it.
I approached a gate in a wall that lined the street. The wall was plain on the outside, dusty from the sand thrown up by the feet of travelers both human and beast. Its gate was tall, a grill closed off by a hatch. Trees showed over the top of this wall, promising quiet, soothing pathways within.
Before I could decide what I should say to the door slave after I knocked on the gate, bolts drew back and the ponderous wooden structure swung open.
Three men I recognized walked out, their beefy bodies and knives in their belts proclaiming they were bodyguards.
Behind them strode a man I also knew. His name was Sextus Livius, and he’d once declared to me that he was one of the wealthiest men in all of Rome.
Dark eyes under thick black hair widened when he saw me. “Leonidas?” he asked in surprise. “What by all the gods brings youhere?”
Chapter 6
Iwanted to ask Livius the same question. “Business,” I answered quickly.
Livius’s gaze skewered me. As when I’d met him a month ago, he wore a plain tunic made of fine linen with a cloak draped carelessly over his arm and wristbands of beaten gold.
“What business is that?” he asked good-naturedly, but I could see he expected me to answer. Wealthy men liked to be obeyed, even ones who’d started life as slaves.
I glanced behind him at the wide garden and the columned path that led to the villa, and decided to confide in him. He’d been helpful before and had resources that I never would.
“In truth, I am seeking another gladiator,” I said in a quiet voice. “I heard he might be here.”
“The one called Herakles? He is indeed within. The lady of the house claimed he had come to entertain guests, but I believe he entertains her personally.” His grin told me what he thought of the woman’s flimsy deception.
I deflated in relief. At least I wouldn’t find Herakles cut to pieces and left stacked in an alley.
“I need to speak to him.”
Livius’s interest grew. “I admit I am curious as to why. As you will never gain admittance without an invitation, I will escort you inside.”
