The Carnelian Phoenix (Quintus Valerius Mysteries Book 2) by Rogers Jacquie

Author:Rogers, Jacquie [Rogers, Jacquie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Published: 2022-07-27T00:00:00+00:00

To Quintus Valerius, Senior Beneficiarius, at the Castra Peregrina, Rome.

Hail and greetings, brother ,

I write in haste to inform you that Claudia, widow of Magistrate Marcus Aurelianus, is dead. I am sorry to have to tell you it was murder, dear brother, no doubt about it. Surgeon Piso of the hospital here has certified she died of loss of blood after her throat was cut. She was attacked in her own home, in Iscalis. I have had all the slaves there interviewed, but with no evidence forthcoming against any of them, I have taken no further action against the household. The culprit has not yet been apprehended.

Could you kindly inform Lady Julia Aureliana that suitable arrangements for obsequies are being made on behalf of Lady Aurelia, Domina Claudia’s stepdaughter? The funeral will take place here at Bo Gwelt, as the widow’s only living blood relative, her nephew Lucius, remains at large and missing. He is also posted as prime suspect in the case, given his past criminal record, and we have conducted searches for him in case he has returned to Britannia. No trace of him has been found.

One last item to report, and it is a strange one. Demetrios and Britta have kept in touch while you and Lady Julia have been away. Last week they came to see me, with a strange story to share. It appears the ghost of Lady Julia’s brother, Magistrate Marcus Aurelianus, has been seen at Bo Gwelt. He seems to be haunting the deserted west wing; several of the servants have seen him. This seems impious and unexpected to me. I always understood that ghosts appeared only when they had not been correctly buried. So Pliny tells us, says Demetrios. I attended the funeral rites of Marcus myself, as you know, and would vouch nothing could have caused his ghost any distress.

Being cautious in view of the recent killing of Domina Claudia, I have made arrangements to safeguard Bo Gwelt. Two of my best men are posted there to watch, and to accompany your daughter when she is abroad on business. She often spends time at Bawdrip, so I have alerted Decurion Agrippa Sorio of the sad events too.

I hope these interventions meet with your approval, Quintus.

Till your return to the Summer Country, I remain your friend and brother officer.

From Centurion Marcellus Crispus, Aquae Sulis cohort.

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