Scandal takes a Holiday

We do not." The declaration gave Cotys great satisfaction.

Do you know who does?"

Does anyone have him?"

If you are asking that question, do you know that he is dead?"

I know nothing about him, Falco."

You knew enough to send his friends a ransom note."

Not me." Cotys gri

Ah! So you knew somebody else had sent the note? You then ambushed the money, stole it from under their noses."

Would I do that?"

I think you're clever enough." He was certainly clever enough to know I was issuing compliments to soften him up. As he chortled at the flattery, I asked quickly, So who sent the ransom note, Cotys?" He shrugged. I have no idea." He knew, all right. This man would steal from anyone, but he would want to be certain whose loot he was hijacking.

Oh come! If you are going home to Illyria, what do you have to lose in telling me?" If he was going home, his partnership with the Cilicians must have broken up. So they could have issued the ransom note and Cotys treacherously took advantage. I'm not official; my mission is a private one," I cajoled. All I want is to find Diocles and rescue the poor sap. So, do the Cilicians have him?"

You must ask them."

I hope I have the chance!" I gri

Someone is worried!" Cotys informed his leering crew. Relax, Falco!" he then sneered. We are just dipping the oars in the ocean on this fine afternoon, while we test out some mended leaks. It's a long journey back to our home country, but we have a funeral to attend before we sail. So we'll take you safely back to Portus, never fear. There was no need for your swordplay and screaming for help." I was careful not to ask whose funeral it was. Their countryman, Theopompus. I had no faith in this promise of a safe return to land. If the crew once decided I had been watching them too closely, I was definitely done for. I lost priority. Cotys turned away, to discuss some ship's business with a big, competent-looking man who seemed to be his sailing master. They checked over the side at intervals. A sailor asked Cotys something and glanced at me wickedly; further mischief was being pla

Oh I think I do, Cotys."

I bet that's right. You look like a man who knows a lot This was a warning that Cotys was aware how clued up I was on his criminal role. A bumboat boy ran up and placed a wreath on my head, amidst delighted whoops from the others. The chaplet was several days old, a relic of some party, its fragile leaves now desiccated and scratchy.

A crown for a hero, hail, Falco! Acknowledge our homage, acknowledge." I forced myself to salute them.

You are fortunate." Cotys aimed his final dart. You have fallen among men of honour. We know of your privileges as a Roman citizen. Appeal to the Emperor. Is that right, Marcus, son of Marcus?" I nodded wearily. There was mock applause as I was pushed and pulled towards the liburnian's guardrail. Knowing what was coming, I tried to resist. It was useless.

Don't think badly of us, Falco," Cotys instructed. This man just loved playacting for his disreputable crew. Far be it from us to hold a Roman prisoner." He gestured to the head of a rope ladder which one of his men had just hung overboard at the rear of the ship. I had heard of this trick. I knew the rest. You are free to go, Falco. There is your road home, take it." I looked overboard. The ladder ended two feet from the water. It was swinging about madly. Slowly, I climbed up on to the guardrail and prepared to descend. A burst of laughter greeted my reluctant move. Clinging to a rope, I remained upright on the rail. The wooden top was wet and slippery. The fine goatshair rope I had gripped cut into my hand. As the ship surged forwards, every wave threatened to upend me. Once I started down the ladder, my fate was certain. I would be flung off it, either by accident or with assistance from the crew. Far out in the open ocean, where the famous Tyrrhenian currents raced, even a good swimmer would stand little chance. And I could not swim at all..

Seamen began to flick at me with ropes. At least the mock toga in which they had wrapped me protected me from the lashing. I climbed on to the ladder.

That's right, down you go!" Cotys gri

You did this! You cheated me."

I had nothing to do with it." No use. Cotys wanted a culprit. Anacrites!" I bawled at Cotys. This was typical of the Chief Spy and his staff. even when he was away, Anacrites" cashiers had automatically worked a fiddle. Knowingly or not, Holconius and Mutatus had become party to a classic scam. The ransom chest must have had coins in the top layer to look good, but it was mainly loaded with stones. This scam usually failed; criminals know to check a payoff thoroughly. But if one group of pirates is stealing from another in a hurry, they might omit this precaution.