The Dagger of Nemesis: A Judge Marcus Flavius Severus Mystery in Ancient Rome by Alan Scribner

Author:Alan Scribner [Scribner, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

XIV

PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE LAWYERS TALK ABOUT THE TRIAL

The next morning at the 4th hour, the prosecutor Senator Tertullus, appeared in Severus’ chambers following an exchange of messages. Alexander and Vulso sat in on the interview. Tertullus was dressed in formal senatorial clothes, with a bright white toga and a tunic that displayed the broad reddish-purple stripe of the Senatorial Order. He was an imposing looking man, somewhat corpulent, with intelligent brown eyes and an easy-going manner. But when talk turned to the Scapula case, his manner became grim and angry.

“Eminentissime, there’s no doubt in my mind that Scapula, Mucius and Pedo were all guilty. They blamed it on Pedo alone, which was unjust. Pedo was guilty of conspiring with them, but he wasn’t the lone culprit. They were all in it together. One was more devious than the other. It was rare for Scapula to personally take a bribe. He left it to Mucius and Pedo to collect. Both were intimidating, Mucius because of his sinister manner and Pedo because he was big and strong. I believed then and I still believe now that they were all working together to rob the province. They shared the loot, although undoubtedly Scapula got the largest share.”

“How did you come to that conclusion, clarissime?” asked Severus, careful to return the senatorial encomium in return for Tertullus’ use of the equestrian honorific.

“As a witness Scapula wasn’t bad. He was a smooth liar, but still a liar. His story didn’t hold water. I examined the underlying facts of the murder and Rufus was obviously guilty. He was therefore wrongfully acquitted. Bribery was the only way to explain that verdict.

“As for the governor’s aide Mucius, he even smirked while telling his phony story backing Scapula and laying the blame on Pedo. Maybe it’s understandable that he was lying for his father-in-law, but his manner was shifty and his story too convenient, not worth a tuft of wool, as the saying goes.

“Anyway, why this sudden interest in Pedo? The trial was more than ten years ago.:

“Pedo has been murdered and I’ve been appointed by the Urban Prefect to find his murderer as well as the killer of two others whose murder is linked to his.”

“I didn’t know he was murdered. Too bad. Who are the two others?”

“A chariot driver for the Reds named Zephyrus and a courtesan named Atalanta.”

“I was hoping you would say Scapula and Mucius. If Pedo deserves to be murdered, they all do. But I’ve never heard of either of the victims you named, not being a fan of the Circus or a devotee of courtesans.”

“One other question, Senator Tertullus.” Severus nodded to Alexander who picked up a scroll and unrolled it, displaying the face of the unidentified man painted by Atalanta. “Do you happen to recognize him, clarissime?”

“No, eminentissime. I do not.”

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