Death by Greek Fire by B.R. Stateham

Author:B.R. Stateham
Format: epub

XX

7 AD

Rome at midnight

The Old Krone

Aulus Nervanus practiced medicine in the Forum Julius in the elegant Basilica Julium, a three-floored building filled with government offices and small shops. Many in the city considered the building to be one of the most beautiful creations Julius Caesar ever commissioned to be built. On any given work day the basilica was a thriving beehive of people coming and going, with many of these same people being some of the wealthiest and most powerful in Rome.

The Forum Julius was, as was the Forum Augustus which sat right beside it, at the heart of Rome itself. In the narrow confines of the forum was the Temple of the Divine Julius on one side, with the temples of Castor and Pollux on the other, along with the smaller, much older Temple of the Vestal Virgins next to it. The three founding strengths of the Roman Empire: Roman law, Roman Government, and Roman Religion all compressed into one forum for everyone to witness and participate in.

Decimus was impressed the good doctor could afford office space in the basilica. He knew the rent was absurdly high. But it only confirmed his suspicions that Aulus Nervanus had a very successful, and very wealthy, practice of medicine. The man had no less than three office spaces, interconnected, on the second floor of the crowded basilica. And apparently, observing the crowd who sat in a long line of chairs in one of the spaces, he commanded a staff of assistance and junior physicians as well. As he approached the doctor’s offices he had to twice stop and greet Roman senators who had, over the years, served with him in one legion or another.

But eventually he, along with Gnaeus, and three young Praetorian guard escorts following, approached the offices and was immediately met by a worried looking Nervanus. He rushed out and reached for Decimus’ right arm to grip with both hands in desperation.

“Have you found the general and his wife, tribune? Are they alive? Please! Please tell me they are alive and in your safe hands again. Please!”

“The search continues, doctor. We believe they are still here in Italy. Most probably somewhere close to Rome. All the ports are being watched. Ships are being searched. We will find them.”

“But will you find them alive? That is the question,” the doctor replied, a look of genuine dread on the man’s face. “But why are you here now? Am I a suspect now in the general’s disappearance?”

The basilica’s heavy crowd moved about them so close the corners of togas and capes briefly touched all six standing in the middle of the hallway. Eyes darted their way. People overheard scraps of their conversation. Far too many curious Romans were finding themselves staring at the doctor and the five men who surrounded him and were inching closer to hear more.

“Is there a quieter place here in the basilica where we can go and talk in private?”

`“Impossible!” the thin little man returned, snorting out a bark of laughter and shaking his head.

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