David Wishart - Old Bones

'I suggest you allow Publius to inherit in any case. After all, Arruns took his own life, and surely that must weigh in his favour. When the lad makes his offer let me know you've accepted it and I'll send you a banker's draft for the same amount, cash, payable on transfer of the deed.'

'Good gods!' Cominius murmured.

Aternius's eyes had widened. 'You will what? Why on earth should you do that?'

'Call it payment of a debt,' I said. 'You can collect the draft from a man called Marcus Veluscius in Three Heroes Street. Interesting guy, I don't know if you know him. We had quite a conversation a few days back about forgery and property scams.' Cominius squeaked quietly but I ignored him. 'In fact, I was thinking of inviting Veluscius and yourselves, plus your new fiancée, of course, Aternius – or is she your fiancée yet? – round to dinner when the praetor's representative arrives. She'd be fascinated, I'm sure. Oh, and the rep as well, naturally. I imagine he'd be quite interested too in his professional capacity.'

'Ah…' Aternius's jaw had gone slack. The other guy looked like he'd swallowed a poker butt-end first.

'Yeah. Well. Think about it.' I gave them another grin. 'Oh, and before I forget. I understand Gnaeus Vipena over at Vetuliscum has some cash for you that Titus Clusinus left with him before he died. A loan settlement. It may've slipped his mind, but when you ask him about it mention my name and remind him he put it for safe keeping inside a wine jar. The one with the faulty potter's mark.'

'Ah…'

That should just about do it. I stood up. 'Okay,' I said. 'I'll leave you to your business. A pleasure to talk to you, gentlemen.'

The snooty door slave watched me leave like he was thinking about frisking me for illicitly-acquired spoons, but I didn't care. Jupiter, I'd enjoyed that! It's not often I got to indulge in a gentle bit of aristocratic in-fighting. And I reckoned Arruns would sleep a little more peacefully now.

The holiday started here. And Rome…

Well, maybe I'd think again about Rome.