and south wings, including the old house. Consult with Magnus over its incorporation, then bring your conclusions to the next meeting, please. Anything else?'
'My bloody collection tank!' put in Rectus gloomily. He was a man who came to site meetings expecting to be thwarted.
'Present your docket and I'll sign for it. Anyone else?'
'The King requests a large formal tree in the central garden,' ventured Timagenes. 'Pomponius had vetoed it- well, it ought to be a pair of trees '
'Trees agreed.' I had not envisaged that this trip to Britain would include arboretum planting. Hades, I was game for anything now. 'Trees, feature quality, two of same. Agree a species with the client, please.' Next I glared at Cyprianus. 'Did you ever obtain a chief stonemason?' I could hardly remember who had mentioned it. Lupus, perhaps.
'Well…' For once I had caught out Cyprianus, who looked startled.
'Has your mason been assigned or not?'
'No.'
'Bull's balls- your footings are in, you need to start- I'll courier Rome and plead extreme urgency. Give me the name you want and his current location, plus a second best in case.'
'Rome has already been told all the details, Falco -'
'With Rome,' I snapped, 'I always tell the full story every time I communicate. That way, no snooty clerk can thwart you with the old incomplete documentation trick.'
There seemed no point continuing the meeting so I called a halt. Magnus leapt for the door first, tight-lipped and clutching his instrument satchel as if he wanted to swipe me with it. I signalled to Alexas that now was the time to deal with the bath-house corpse, but Verovolcus stopped me leaving. I could hardly sweep the others out with a besom, so they all hushed and listened in.
'Falco, the King suggests that perhaps Marcellinus '
'Could be called back here to assist?' I was as brisk with Verovolcus as I had been with the rest. I had expected his plea. Instinctively I was opposed to allowing the old menace to return. It was time someone stopped him agitating in the background as well. 'It is an attractive solution, Verovolcus. Leave the idea with me. I must talk to the King
and Marcellmus too…'
I was being diplomatic in the first instance. From the mutters it caused, the rest of the team failed to grasp that. With Verovolcus mooning at us, I could hardly expound my position. I summed up the previous architect as a difficult autocrat. I wanted him to stay in his retirement villa. But first I would persuade Togidubnus that Marcellinus had served his turn. Then I would have to explain this to Marcelliniis himself- in strong terms.
While the King's representative hovered unhappily, I took myself off to avoid further arguments. Strephon, who had been in whispered conversation with Cyprianus, detached himself and followed me out.
'Falco! What should I do about that man?'
'Which man?' I was anxious not to hang around in case Verovolcus grabbed me again. But I was also waiting for Alexas.
'The statue-seller.' Strephon dodged aside as Cyprianus pushed past him and stomped off hastily somewhere.
'Sextius?'
Tomponius would not see him. Shall I bring him to you, Falco?'
I would be swamped with petty decisions unless I trained this crew to take some responsibility. I grasped the young architect by one shoulder. 'Is there a statue budget?' Strephon nodded. 'Right. Your scheme must allow at least one colossal full-length portrait of the Emperor, plus high-quality marble busts of Vespasian and his sons. Cost in family likenesses for the King. Add a bunch of classical subjects
bushy-bearded philosophers, unknown authors, naked goddesses leering back over one shoulder, cute animals and pot-bellied Cupids with adorable pet birds. Plan enough to ornament the garden, the entrance hall, the audience chamber and other major positions. If there is anything left in your money chest, then you can play with it.'
The?' Strephon went white.
'You and the client, Strephon. Take Sextius to the King. See if Togidubnus likes the mechanical toys. They may be technically astounding, but the King is trying very hard to be cultured and he may have more refined taste. Let him choose.'
'What if-'
'If the King really wants some plaything with hidden waterworks, be firm about costs. If he's not interested, be firm with Sextius. Clear him off the site.'
There was a slight pause. 'Right,' said Strephon.
'Good,' said I.
Neither Verovolcus nor Alexas had emerged from the plan room. Since I had Strephon's attention, I collared him. 'How was your dinner with Plancus last evening?'
He was ready. 'Decent pork, but the shellfish starters make my guts gurgle.' It sounded rehearsed.
'Regular event, was this mutual dining?'
'No!' He thought I was implying his sexual tastes were all masculine.
'So why last night?'
'Pomponius used to lose interest in Plancus. Then Plancus would throw a despairing fit; I had to take him in and listen.'
'How despairing was he yesterday?'
Strephon could see where I was aiming. 'Just enough to drink himself under the serving table and he there snoring until dawn. My house slave will confirm that we were stuck with him all night. And that Plancus snores so loudly, / stayed up playing board games with the boy.' An intelligent bit of self-defence had surfaced there.
I'll have to check with your boy, if you don't mind… Why had Pomponius dumped Plancus yesterday?'
'Same reason as always.'
'Oh buck up, Strephon. What reason is that? Since Pomponius was done in yesterday, yesterday's cause of distress seems relevant!'
Strephon, in whom I had begun to see a glimmer of accomplishment despite his gawky air and his revolting way of copying Pomponius' hair pomade, drew himself up: 'Pomponius was a self centred bastard who easily got bored. Whatever you think of Plancus, he was a true devotee. But Pomponius almost hated him for being so steadfast. When it suited, then Plancus was his darling. When being horrid was more fun, then he avoided poor loyal Plancus.'
'Right,' I said.
'Good!' Strephon retorted sparkily, picking up my own repartee. Well, he was an architect. He should have a feeling for elegance and symmetry.
The door opened behind us. The team was coming out. Foremost in the gaggle, Lupus was joshing Blandus, the chief painter. 'Hope you did an alibi submission for that assistant of yours! He gets around. Whoever knows what he's up to-'
Alexas squeezed out among them. I nodded to Strephon and we left smartly.
XXXVIII
alex as sent for a stretcher to collect the corpse. We walked back to the old house and waited in my suite for the bearers. Alexas thought he might as well take a look at Aelianus' leg. I was impressed by the meticulous care he applied to the cleaning and re bandaging processes. The wounds looked foul now, and the patient had grown feverish. That was bound to happen. It was where my worry started. Many a mild dog bite has turned into a will- reading. Aelianus, clearly feeling rough, said little. He must be worried too.
Alexas spent additional time advising Helena on how her brother should be cared for. He really was thorough.
