Six for Gold by Mary Reed & Eric Mayer

Author:Mary Reed & Eric Mayer [Reed, Mary & Mayer, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, FICTION, Mystery & Detective, General
ISBN: 9781590581452
Google: 199dhYEXeJoC
Goodreads: 9960985
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: 2005-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

“Soup?” said Anatolius.

“That’s right, eel soup. If you spill a bowl, don’t step in it. It’s slippery stuff, especially after you’ve had a cup or three of wine.”

Francio gingerly patted the bandages swathing his head. He sat on his bed, propped up on huge cushions embroidered with pictures of the geese whose feathers filled them. Compared to his usual finery, his plain, pale green tunic made him appear more naked than he did at the baths.

Felix stood beside the bed. He had been at the house to question Francio when Anatolius arrived. The servant Vedrix lurked at the doorway, looking distraught.

Anatolius explained he had been given to expect much worse.

Francio laughed, then grimaced in pain. “Amazing how these rumors grow, isn’t it? You fall down in your dining room and by the time three people have passed the story on, it’s become a wonder. By tomorrow I shall have risen from the dead.”

He tapped his squashed nose. “Alas, if I’d fallen on this it might have fixed it.”

“You can jest now, but you’re lucky to be here,” Felix told him. “And I don’t mean because you were attacked by a bowl of eel soup.”

Turning to Anatolius, Felix explained. “In the middle of the night, two ruffians got in. Fortunately Vedrix there has sharp hearing, woke up, and sounded the alarm. They departed in great haste.”

“That would’ve been the end of it,” Francio said, “but after all the excitement I felt more hungry than tired. Vedrix brought me the soup and you know the rest. I’ve never had any trouble with intruders before. Do you think they were looking for—”

“Valuables? Yes! What else?” Anatolius interrupted hurriedly, at the same time warning Francio with a glare he hoped Felix didn’t notice. He had made it clear to Francio it would be wise not to tell anyone Thomas had stayed with him. Was it some slip of the tongue by Francio or his servants that had brought the intruders to his house?

“I’ll drop in again tomorrow,” Anatolius said. “Meantime, make certain the doors are kept locked.”

Anatolius accompanied Felix into the atrium. He resolved to say nothing about Thomas to the excubitor captain. Keeping secrets from a friend made him uneasy, yet John must have had good reasons for not telling Felix about Thomas’ presence at the Hippodrome on the night of the murder.

“The city’s gone mad since the plague arrived,” Felix remarked. “Thieves are getting used to finding houses unoccupied. When they discover someone’s at home they go ahead with their business anyway.”

“Have you made any progress in your investigations?” Anatolius asked abruptly.

Felix shook his head. “It’s a complicated affair, Anatolius. Look at it from my position. John was exiled by Justinian. There are hints all is not as it seems. Theodora is involved in this in some way and I’ll tell you why. She ordered me to withhold the funds Justinian intended to provide John when he was sent away.”

“So she forced you to disobey Justinian’s orders? Well, if you’ve done it once—”

Felix gave an exasperated sigh.

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