“That wouldn’t be difficult to arrange,” said Travers. “Youthink he might he involved somehow?”
“I don’t know.” said Lucas. “Is he a native Roman?”
“No, as a matter of fact, he isn’t. He arrived in Rome aboutnine years ago. I think from Baiae, but I’m not sure. In any case, he wasalready quite wealthy when he got here. which helped him make connectionsquickly. The post of aedile is an elective office and word is he boughtenough votes to put himself over. He built a palatial villa on the banks of theTiber near the Aventine and he’s prospered considerably since.”
“Interesting,” said Delaney. “You know him well’?”
“We’ve met on several occasions. but I can’t say I reallyknow him well.”
“Can we arrange to meet him socially?”
“Yes,
I suppose so. I could hold a dinner party in my homeand invite him, but since we’re not exactly friends, it would help if I had aparticular reason.”
“Why not invite him so he can bring along some of the charioteerswho raced today’?” asked Andre.
“Yes. that wouldn’t be unusual. Aristocrats enjoy rubbing elbowswith the charioteers. It makes them feel adventurous.”
“Good,” said Lucas. “Set it up as soon as possible. We haven’tgot much time. There’s only two weeks until the Ides of March.”
“Yes, I know,” said Travers grimly. He glanced down at thearena. “The gladiators are starting to come in. If it’s all the same with you.I’d rather not stay around to watch this. I’ve seen quite enough of death.”
They left the Circus and went outside to their carriage.where their “slaves” were waiting for them.
“Can we take a look at Cleopatra’s house asked Lucas.
“Certainly.” said Travers. “It’s not very far from mine.”
The streets were practically deserted as they drove backtoward the Tiber.
“What did you make of Caesar’s Egyptian guard?” asked Andellas he drove their carriage.
“We couldn’t get a very good look at them,” Delaney said. “Icounted a dozen.”
Andell nodded. “They go everywhere with him. Quite impressive,aren’t they?”
“They looked very fit and capable.” said Lucas.
“What do you think?” asked Travers.
Lucas shook his head. 1 don’t know. I wish we had more to goon. Do they stay with him in the palace?”
“Yes,” said Travers. They have rooms in the same wing ashis:
“They’re going to present a problem.” Lucas said. “regardlessof whether they’re S.O.G. troops or actually what they seem to be. In eithercase, they’re an anomaly and we’re going to have to get rid of them somehow.The question is, how?”
“You’re close to Caesar,” said Delaney. “Couldn’t you convincehim that it’s bad P.R. to have them around?”
“It is, in fact,” said Travers. “There’s been talk aboutthem ever since Caesar took them on. He knows it and he doesn’t like it. Heused to have a bodyguard of Spaniards. a tough and surly-looking bunch, but hedismissed them for the sake of appearances. And those Egyptians haven’t exactlyimproved matters. He knows it makes him look as if he’s being protected by hismistress. I’m not really sure if he’s going along with it just to pleaseCleopatra or because he’s getting nervous now that the Ides is approaching. Ifhe is. he’ll never admit it. He’s far too proud.”
“Could you work on him without making your position difficult?”asked Delaney.
“I could try,” Travers replied. “We’ve gone through a greatdeal together. I could probably get away with more than most people could whenit comes to Caesar. But you can only press him so far. Plus I’d undoubtedlyalienate Cleopatra and she has a lot of influence with him.”
“More than a comrade in arms from the wars?” asked Andre.
Travers snorted. “You haven’t seen her.”