Too many things to think about and to do. I wasn’t sure where to start.
“We should visit Chryseis first,” Cassia said as though understanding my befuddlement. “Find out what she did all of yesterday. She might have seen something or someone without understanding that person’s actions.” A crease appeared between her brows. “I must wonder why the killer chose to leave Rufus’s body in her apartment. To terrify her specifically? There was no love between the two if Rufus constantly sought solace with Merope and her sister. There was real affection for Rufus in Merope’s house, even love. I could see that when I was with them last night.”
“Maybe the killer didn’t know Rufus strayed. Or he wanted to upset Chryseis personally.” I touched a callus on the palm of my hand, finding dust from the floor of Nero’s domus on it. “She is not a kind woman.”
“That would mean he did not know much about Rufus and Chryseis at all,” Cassia said. “Apparently it was common gossip that he had other lovers. Which brings me back to the question—why take his body to her?”
“As Nero stated, he’s a madman killing gladiators for sport.” I finished dusting off my hands and pressed them together.
Cassia perused her notes once more. “Merope and Martolia are dancers,” she said. “Gaius plays the drum for them. They’re hired for suppers and other celebrations.”
I hadn’t known this. “They said Gaius worked in the popina below their rooms.”
“He does. But he takes the night off when the girls are hired, and gives the popina owner a small amount of what they earn as compensation.”
Rich men—and women—could afford to employ dancers at a supper. “Whenever I was commanded to appear at a villa or domus, there would often be musicians and dancers there as well.”
Cassia raised her head. “I wonder if this person who fed Ajax his last meal had dancers at the supper.”
“If so, those dancers might be in danger,” I said in concern.
“Perhaps not. I doubt the killing happened before an audience, or we’d have heard aboutthatby now. I wonder if Merope or Martolia could discover if any dancers were present at the supper, which would lead us to the exact house.” Her stylus moved again, quick marks on the wax. “We should also inquire around the Subura. Ajax might have boasted about where he was heading to on his last night.”
“Not we,” I said in a mild tone. “I will ask around the Subura and talk to Chryseis when she is released. You will stay here and bolt the door behind me.”
Cassia’s head came up, the stubborn flash I’d already come to recognize in her eyes. “You heard Nero. He told me to question Chryseis and for us to find this killer—quickly. I cannot help you if I am confined indoors. I would be right beside you, in any case, not racing off to inquire in brothels or the homes of murderers by myself.”
“You were eager to rush alone to Domitiana’s villa,” I said.
“Only because I know Helvius and other of her servants. I hadn’t intended to confront the lady herself.Youdid that.” She sent me a pointed glance. “And besides, Nonus Marcianus went with me.”
“Because he believed you foolish for going alone.” My statement ended in a growl.
Cassia laid down her stylus. “You going alone to all these places is a bad idea as well. This killer is after gladiators, remember? And you are the most famous one in Rome.”
“Used to be.” I looked up at the woodenrudison the shelf. “Now I am only Leonidas.” And I wasn’t truly Leonidas but had another name that had faded into dust.
“The murderer might not make that distinction.”
I spread my fingers. “I am a trained fighter. If a wealthy man suddenly springs hired thugs on me, I will be able to defend myself. What could you do?”
Cassia had helped me in a fight once, smacking my attacker with her bag of scrolls. It had almost been her end.
“I can scream for help, or run for a cohort,” Cassia declared. “I would also be a witness.”
“A witness who could end up dead. Silenced forever.” I came to my feet, anger and worry roiling together. “You will stay here, and I will question. I command it.”
Cassia only ever gave me blank stares on the rare occasion I gave her a direct order. I’d been a slave a long time, and before that, a lowly apprentice, more used to receiving commands than giving them. I had not learned the skill of authority.
“Very well.” Her answer was meek, suspiciously so.
I did not wait for her to argue. Cassia was excellent at arguing, talking me into her way of thinking before I realized it. Had she been a man and free-born, she’d have found a fine career as an orator and advocate. She’d have talked rings around the great Cicero, and it was only because of Cassia that I knew who the man had been.
I left her before I could ruin the moment and thumped my way downstairs and out into the rainy street.
* * *
Once on the Aventine,I asked the way to the house of the vigiles and arrived to find the captain had gone to bed when his shift ended hours ago.
