David Wishart - The Lydian Baker

There was nothing more to say. I stood up. 'Okay. Thanks for your help.'

'Don't mention it.' He turned back to his reports. 'I'll let you know when a meeting has been arranged.'

'Fine,' I said.

I didn't slam the door as I left; but it took all the willpower I'd got.

I was fuming as I left the building. Sure, Callippus was within his rights to let this Demetriacus guy know we were coming, but it made the whole thing a useless exercise. Worse, it was counterproductive. What I wanted was to go through the place like a dose of salts, and if Melanthus was there catch him with his metaphorical pants down. Preferably his literal pants, too, just to show Callippus how silly his notions of academic disinterest in fleshly pleasures were. Demetriacus needn't be personally involved in the Baker business, but that was no reason to tempt fate. And if the guy was bent then tipping him off was crazy.

So what could I do?

While I was thinking that one out I made the trip across town to the Piraeus Gate to ask Dida why he hadn't been waiting in the alley as per instructions. I thought maybe I'd have to hang around until he came back to the rank, but he was shooting the breeze with a few of his pals over a skin of wine and a loaf. He gave me a wave and I went over.

'You want a carriage this morning, lord?' he said.

I shook my head. 'No thanks, friend. When I pay good money for a return trip I don't expect to walk.'

I must've still looked angry, because the other guys, scenting trouble, did a fast disappearing act. Dida just looked puzzled.

'I'm sorry, lord,' he said. 'I don't understand.'

'Last night at the Scallop you said you'd wait. You didn't. You care to tell me why?'

'Because you told me you'd changed your mind.'

' I told you?' Now it was my turn to look puzzled.

'Not you personally, lord. Of course not. But you sent a messenger out.'

This was beginning to make sense. 'A big, squat guy, built like a docker, right?'

Dida's face cleared, and he grinned. 'That's the one. I don't blame you, either. The Scallop's some place.'

I nodded. So. Prince Charming had sent Dida packing while I was talking to Cotile. Hermippe. Whoever. That was interesting.

'You say I sent this guy out,' I said. 'He came from inside, then?'

'Maybe. Maybe not; I was in the alley, remember. All I know is he told me he came from you.'

Yeah, well, it'd been worth a try. And the story rang true. If Dida was on the level — and I didn't have any reason to think that he wasn't — Prince Charming wouldn't want him hanging around when he sapped me.

Dida was inspecting my war wounds. He frowned.

'You've been in a fight?'

'Yeah. You could say that. With your pal the messenger.'

I could see that one going in: the guy was no fool.

'So you didn't send him after all,' he said.

'No, I didn't send him. You were suckered, chum. We both were.'

He nodded glumly and passed over the wineskin in silence. I drank.

'Good stuff,' I said. It was: an honest swigging red with plenty of body and a kick like a mule.

'My cousin makes it. He's got a farm out by Brauron, and he knows vines.'

I passed the skin back. 'Brauron's local. I thought you said you were from Kyrenia.'

'Yeah. But I moved. So did my cousin.' He paused. 'If it's any help, the man who delivered your message was Cypriot too. Probably a Paphian, from his accent.'

'Is that so, now?' Interesting: my Greek's pretty fluent by now, but I still can't place accents very well. 'Thanks, pal. That may be useful.'

'He hasn't been in Athens long either. Unless he's slow to change. Hick accents tend to get you laughed at in the City.'

'Uh-huh.' I took out a silver piece. 'Here. That's for the information. And by way of an apology.'

He shook his head. 'Put it back, lord. You already paid me. And I don't like letting a customer down, especially if he gets rolled as a result.'

'Fair enough.' I turned to go. 'I'll see you around. Thanks for the wine.'

'Don't mention it.'

Well, that was one problem solved. I walked away, still thinking about Melanthus, the Scallop and Callippus's note to Demetriacus. If I waited for Callippus we might as well not bother with a search at all. The question was, how the hell could I get to search the place before Melanthus found out what I was up to?

I'd got about five yards before the answer hit me.

Obvious, right? Too obvious. But it was the only way.

I turned back.

'You forget something?' Dida looked up in surprise.

'Would the Scallop be open this early?' I said.

He grinned. 'I told you before, lord. It never closes.'

'Fine.' Shit! What was I doing? Perilla would kill me! 'You've got yourself a fare.'

In the interests of research, you understand. Purely in the interests of research.

I had my second thoughts on the way, and they had nothing to do with Perilla or moral rectitude. If the Scallop was bent then I could be making a big mistake here. On the other hand, paying customers don't need an archon's warrant to hang their cloak up in a cat-house lobby, and once I was in I was in. It was a gamble, sure, but then there's nothing wrong with gambling if the odds are right.

'Okay, pal,' I said to Dida as I climbed out of the coach. 'Get it straight this time. You wait here until I come out, and you don't budge for nobody. I don't care if Zeus himself comes down from Olympus with half the pantheon and a dozen naked female flute-players to tell you different, you spit in his eye and call the Watch. Understood?'

Dida grinned down at me. 'Understood, lord.'

'Good.' I knocked at the door.

It was opened by Antaeus. He didn't look fazed when he saw me, which was a good sign, but then I'd already decided that Antaeus was a pretty cool customer.

'Valerius Corvinus,' he said. 'How nice to see you again. Welcome.'

I went in and he closed the door behind me.

'The Lady Hermippe around?' I said.

He paused. 'That depends on why you want to see her, sir.'

'No sweat. This visit's social.' I tipped him the ghost of a wink. 'You get me?'

He nodded; the smile came back. 'Of course, sir. In that case if you'd care to wait in the salon I'll fetch her at once. I think you know the way.'

'That's okay. This time I'll just stay here and look at the pictures.'

'As you please.' He made for the stairs.

I let him get to the landing and out of sight, then tried the three other doors off the lobby. Two of them were locked, but the third gave out onto a passageway. Sure, it might lead to the cellars but I couldn't risk a foray down it, not yet. I shelved that for later. I was examining the Achilles painting when Hermippe came down.

'That a real Panainos?' I said.

She smiled. 'You have an eye for art, Valerius Corvinus. Rare in a Roman.'

'Not me, lady. I just know someone who does.'

'Then she taught you well. No, it isn't a Panainos, but it was done by one of his pupils and the style is almost identical. Beautiful, isn't it?'

'It's okay, yeah.'

'Shall we go into the salon? It's more comfortable.'

'Sure.' She led the way. No Cotile, not this time: the room was empty.

'Now.' She sat on a chair and waved me to a couch. 'Antaeus tells me this is a private visit. I'm delighted. It's always a pleasure to add to our clientele, and to welcome new friends personally. Do help yourself to wine, by the way.'

I did. 'You like some?' I said.

'No thank you. Wine isn't one of my weaknesses.'

Jupiter! If this was a cat-house then it wasn't like any I'd ever been in, and it was making me nervous as hell. Any minute now she'd start passing round the almond cakes and ask how my mother was doing. 'Uh…you are open for business, aren't you?’ I said. ‘I mean…'