“Before I give you one.” Delaney said warily.” first tell mewhy you have chosen me, a stranger to you all, to reveal your thoughts to. Thatmeant taking a great risk. How do you know that I will not denounce you?”
“A fair question.” Cassius said. “And one deserving of an answer.First, we were favorably impressed with what you said last night. You spokeboldly and frankly, expressing thoughts similar to ours. A man such asyourself, strong, clear-thinking, forthright, did not seem to us like someonewho would be afraid to follow words with deeds.”
“There was a risk, of course, in sharing our thoughts withyou,” said Brutus, “but the risk was not so great as you imagine. You are, asyou have said, a stranger and a newcomer to Rome, whereas we are all men ofposition and influence. Them are no witnesses to testify to what has transpiredhere just now save for ourselves. If you were to inform on us-”
“Which would be rash, indeed.” interrupted Casca.
“If you were to inform on us.” continued Brutus. “it wouldbe merely your word against ours. And we are all in a position to make certainthat you could not pose a threat to us.”
“Make no mistake. Q
uintullus,” said Cassius, “we do not intendto threaten you. Brutus merely seeks to explain our reasoning.”
“Your reasoning seems sound, so far.” Delaney said.
“There is yet one more thing.” Cassius said. “Yourfriendship with Lucius Septimus, and the fact that you are staying in hishouse, means that you could be very useful to us. Septimus is close to Caesar,a frequent visitor to the palace. He has Caesar’s confidence. And you seem tohave his.”
“I see.” Delaney said. “And Trebonius is friends withAntony, who is also close to Caesar. I begin to understand your methods.”
“Yes, as you can see. Quintullus. we are careful men.” saidCassius. “We must see to it that not a thing is left to chance. There is muchat stake. The very fate of the republic, to say nothing of our lives.”
“Indeed.” Delaney said thoughtfully.
“So. What is your answer?” Cassius asked “Do you stand withus, or against us?”
“I stand for the republic.” said Delaney.
“Then you are with us?” Casca asked.
“If I am to be asked to risk my life.” Delaney said. “then Iwould be a fool to undertake that risk for nothing.”
Brutus frowned. “Is it payment that you seek?”
“I am not some assassin who works for hire. Brutus,” said Delaneywith an affronted tone. “I believe in the republic and I have come to Rome tobuild a life. But if I am to be instrumental in saving the republic, then Iwould like to have a hand in restoring it. as well.”
“And so you shall,” said Cassius. “We will need men ofability when the time comes. to prevent Rome from falling into chaos. Neverfear. Quintullus. you shall not fall by the wayside. At the very least, atribuneship could be arranged. What say you to that?”
“I think that I would like being a tribune.” Delaney saidwith a smile.
“Then it is settled.” said Cassius. “We shall meet again atmy home an hour before sunset. And we shall drink to the future of Rome!”
8
“This will do,” said Steiger, looking around at the smallapartment in the tenement block that Marshall owned.
“Are you sure about this. Creed?” Marshall asked. “You don’thave to stay here, you know. You’re perfectly welcome to remain at my place.”
“Am I?” Steiger said, giving him a hard look. His pale.blue-gray eyes were like cracked ice.
“Look. Creed, if it’s about last night-”
“Yeah that’s what it’s about,” said Steiger, an edge in hisvoice. “Why didn’t you kill me last night. John? What’s the matter. lose yournerve?”
Marshall hesitated only a fraction of a second. “What thehell are you talking about?”
“Come on, John, you think I can’t tell when I’ve beendrugged? You must’ve slipped me a Mickey in the wine. You had your chance. Whydidn’t you take it?”
Marshall looked as if he were going to protest again. butthen his shoulders sagged and he exhaled heavily. “All right. Look … I admitI thought about it. but when push came to shove, I–I simply couldn’t do it. Ijust couldn’t. You gotta understand. Creed, it wasn’t because I wantedto. it’s … I was just afraid.”