Message: Murder in the House of Varrus (Chapter XIII)
Author: L. Didius Silva
Originally Posted: October 22, 2000 (Reposted with the permission of the author)


A voice said: "Quick! Come Inside!"

A three flame oil lamp hung on a hook next to the door. I pulled the hood from my face.

"I'm not the one you were expecting Domina Varrus! But I'll come in anyway."

She let out a smothered cry. I pulled the filthy cloak from my head and shoulders and tossed it into the garden before stepping inside. I closed the door and turned to face the cowering woman.

"Who were you waiting for?" I said in the sternest voice I could muster. Her lips moved but no sound came out. "Speak up woman! I've no time for games."

"I...I wasn't waiting for anyone. I was awakened by the sound of the frogs and feared there was an intruder. So I came back here to take a look and...."

"And asked the intruder to come inside quickly?!? Really Domina, if you must lie, you'd better be more clever about it than that. You were waiting for your lover weren't you? The man that killed your husband! Couldn't you even wait long enough to bury your husband before you let his killer sneak back into his own home? Speak up damn you!"

"It's... it's not that at all. I told you I loved my husband."

"Domina! There's a yawning pit in front of you and you are one step away from it. It's a death sentence for you whether you killed him yourself, or was merely an accomplice. The customary method of execution for a woman sent to the Carcer is death by strangulation."

"But I didn't kill him! I knew nothing about it all I tell you."

I grabbed her arm and yanked it forward. A small cloth bag was in her hand. I took it from her and dumped its contents on the table. A gold aureus and three silver denarii reflected back the feeble light from the oil lamp. In a kinder voice I said: "Domina! I WANT to help you. I'm the only one who CAN help you. But not if you keep this up. Now! Tell me about your marriage and about your brother Lucius. And PLEASE don't lie! You have absolutely NO talent for deception."

A short time later, I left through the front door. The money, of course, was intended for her brother. She had waited up for him every night. She hadn't seen him in days, but felt he was in real trouble this time. He was a drinker, a gambler, and a petty thief. Even though he had a violent temper, he was also a consummate coward. He'd gone from one "get rich quick" scheme to another, his whole life; usually all ending up with him hot-footing it out the back door while the Vigiles were busting down the front. Financially, she'd always helped him as much as she could. The last time he'd come to the house, he'd told her that he was involved in a deal that would make him a lot of money. He just needed a little something to tide him over. She had nothing to give him on such short notice. He didn't believe her of course, and proceeded to call her a few choice names. General Varrus, willing to give in to his wife up to a point, had heard enough, he interceded and threw Lucius out.

"Did your brother tell you what the deal was?"

"No."

"Did he tell you who he was involved in the deal with?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell your husband?"

"Yes. I was so upset that I told Marcus all about it."

"Who was his boss?"

"I...I won't tell you. I don't want Lucius or anyone else to get into more trouble."

No matter what I said, or threatened her with, she refused to budge. I had one lever I could use to pry out the information. I didn't want to use it, unless I was forced.

It was time I met Piso at "The Fat Man's".

Copyright © 2000-2001, L. Didius Silva. All Rights Reserved. All copyrighted material is the property of the original author.