‘Augusta,’ Claudia smiled, ‘you asked me a question and I replied. I’m not too sure what the arsonist wished to hide.’
‘It could have been someone else.’ Chrysis’s voice was rich with spite. ‘Oh, how these Christians love each other! Don’t they say that those who attack the teaching of their faith will be consumed, body and soul, in Hell’s fire?’
‘Not at my expense they won’t,’ Constantine grumbled. ‘Chrysis,’ the Emperor got to his feet, ‘find the bastard who started that blaze, and if he hasn’t got a good explanation, crucify him outside the gates. Mother, I’ve seen enough of this. We need to talk.’
The imperial party swept back into the palace. Claudia stayed under the sycamore tree, and in the light from the fire she read the scroll Gaius had given her. The letter was short and to the point. Signed by Dionysius, it was directed to Athanasius, leader of the orthodox party. In it, Dionysius confessed how he had prayed, fasted and reflected, and now saw the error of his ways. Accordingly, at the appropriate time, when the Holy Spirit directed him, he would renounce his errors publicly and accept the forgiveness of his Bishop.
‘Doomed in life! Doomed in death!’ The voice was rich and carrying. Claudia looked up. Three men stood like shadows before her, their backs to the fire.
‘I’m sorry,’ she smiled, quickly hiding the letter, ‘are you talking about me or the late departed?’
The figure in the centre walked forward. Short and thick-set, narrow-faced with fierce eyes and hungry mouth, he was dressed in a simple dark tunic over thick baggy leggings.
‘My name is Athanasius.’ He gestured to his two companions. ‘This is Aurelian and Septimus. We wondered who was speaking to the Empress and someone told us you are Claudia, Augusta’s messenger. Others say you are her spy.’ Athanasius leaned down, lips parted to show fine, strong teeth. ‘Presbyter Sylvester speaks highly of you.’
Claudia moved so she could get a better look at these three members of the orthodox party. Athanasius exuded strength, with his harsh mouth and square jaw. He reminded her of a soldier, his auburn hair cropped close to his head, while his clothes were those of a mercenary rather than an orator. His two companions were more disciples than colleagues, young and smooth-faced with shaven heads. They too were dressed rather coarsely, in long gowns with cords round the middle and sandals on their feet.
‘They’re my disciples,’ Athanasius explained, ‘who have been baptised and accept the one true faith. Do you accept the true faith, Claudia?’
‘I accept the truth,’ she replied, gesturing at the fire, ‘and I do wonder, as your God will, why Dionysius should die in such a horrid fashion and his corpse be so dishonoured. Don’t you Christians have burial rites?’
‘It is the spirit which counts; the flesh doesn’t matter.’
‘Does that include yours, Magister? If Dionysius was murdered, why not another orator? Has murder replaced philosophy in the debate?’
‘We don’t know why Dionysius died,’ Athanasius replied.
‘And we don’t really care,’ Septimus shouted, like a spiteful child. ‘He got his just deserts.’
Even from where she stood, despite the poor light, Claudia could see the prim set of Septimus’s mouth, and the quivering disapproval in his face.
‘People will ask,’ she gestured at the fire, ‘are you responsible?’
‘We are not responsible,’ Athanasius declared.
‘Why are you so certain?’ Claudia took a step forward. ‘Is it because Dionysius was planning to change sides, acknowledge your arguments?’
Athanasius looked shocked; his two companions hissed their disapproval.
‘He was planning to change sides,’ Claudia continued remorselessly. ‘I have seen a letter dictated to you, Athanasius, in which Dionysius denounces his own beliefs and accepts the orthodox position, which, I believe,’ Claudia closed her eyes, ‘is that your Jesus Christ is of the same substance as the Father.’
The smoke made Claudia cough. She felt the phlegm at the back of her throat so she turned and spat, a gesture she knew would offend these men.
‘You say I’m a spy, the Empress’s messenger, so let me take a message to her from you.’
‘Which is?’
‘Where were you when Dionysius was killed?’
‘We were gathered in council,’ Athanasius blustered. ‘Sharing ideas. You cannot place his death at our door.’
Claudia glared at these philosophers so passionately righteous about themselves. Athanasius returned her stare but looked away as Justin came over. He was acting the role of the professional mourner.
‘Even in death,’ he wailed, ‘they will not leave us alone.’
Athanasius immediately asked what he meant by ‘they’ and an argument ensued. Claudia, bored, walked away. The flames were dying, the front wall had now buckled completely and all she could see were a few charred timbers. She crouched in the grass and plucked at a wild flower. She was sure the fire was arson, and certainly started by the same person who had killed Dionysius. The motive could have been to insult the dead man’s corpse, though Claudia wasn’t so sure about that. Arson took time to plan and posed risks for the perpetrator. She recalled the alarm being raised, hurrying across with Gaius. By the time they arrived, the fire had caught hold, so it must have started when they had been sitting near the fountain. The inside would have been soaked with oil and a fire brand thrown in, but why?
She rose to her feet and stared around. The spectators were now drifting away. She noticed Gaius talking with some of his soldiers near the entrance to the palace. She walked over and waited until she caught the Captain’s eye. Gaius excused himself and strode across.
‘Claudia, you should go to bed. There’s been enough excitement for one day.’ He waved a hand to waft away a gust of smoke. ‘Undoubtedly arson.’
‘Were any guards here?’ Claudia asked.
‘Outside the far wall, yes, but I didn’t think two corpses needed to be protected. Apparently a servant smelt smoke and came running out. By then the flames were licking through the door, so the alarm was raised.’
‘Why burn two corpses?’ Claudia asked.
Gauis pulled a face.
‘When you took Dionysius’s corpse to the Death House,’ Claudia continued, ‘how exactly was it done?’
Gaius glanced back towards his men and ran a thumbnail around his lips.
‘I found the corpse,’ he began slowly. ‘I was with a patrol. We were going for a pleasant walk rather than anything else. The Empress was called, and the villa physician, a garrulous old man with watery eyes.’ Gaius smiled. ‘I remember him because he made me laugh. He inspected the corpse very carefully and then pronounced, “Yes, your Excellency, the man is dead.” Even Helena smiled. One of my men tried to cut the ropes, but there was very little slack between the dead man’s wrist and the peg, so we pulled the pegs out. A stretcher was brought, and the corpse was loaded on.’
‘With the ropes and pegs still around wrists and ankles?’
‘Yes, yes, I’m sure! It was then taken to the House of Mourning. There are slabs around the walls, and the place stank from the old beggar who had been found earlier that morning. Anyway, we placed Dionysius on a slab and left him.’
‘What would have happened then?’
‘I’ll make enquiries, but I suppose a slave was sent to strip the corpse and wash it.’
‘So what would have happened to Dionysius’s clothes, and the ropes and pegs?’
‘They would probably have been left in the Death House,’ Gaius replied, ‘unless the slave took them to the rubbish heap. Why?’ He peered at Claudia.
‘If it was arson,’ Claudia declared, ‘the person who started it wanted to hide something. I wonder what? But you’re right.’ She stared at the sky. ‘It must be near midnight.’
She thanked Gaius and walked back to the palace, pausing to admire a bust of the Emperor’s father. Rufinus and Chrysis came out of a chamber, talking quietly to each other. They fell silent when they saw Claudia. Chrysis glared at her malevolently. He resented her presence and her influence with the Empress. Rufinus was about to smile but turned away, then clicked his fingers and came hurrying towards her.