Death Of A Gladiator

Death of A Gladiator Part 7

CHAPTER 7

For me, it was about time to do a little snooping of my own.

On reflection, I was sure that Gordius, tough and hard as he was, wasn't vengeful. It's rare for gladiators anywhere to hold grudges. For too long anyway. They're too busy training and honing their skills so that they can survive in the arena.

Tough old warriors like Gordius don't forget or forgive insults, of course.

They simply have more important things to think of, like staying alive.

I could get back to Gordius later.

Instead, I went out. In the city, I walked for a long time down the main road that runs into the Subaru district of Rome. I took a walk down a dirty street that runs into a dead end,

I knew it very well.

Before I became a lanista, I had started my own career in thuggery and political gangsterism there.

The Subaru. The down and dirty part of Rome.

The smell of this human hive, an acrid smell of streets and food and human bodies, was strong and thick. Of thousands of people who floated and drifted like the foam on the top of a vat of fermentation.

This nest heap of humans, called the greatest city in the world.

Rome, ah, my Rome.

Built on blood and iron and honour, and all the virtues that ennobled Rome, if you listened to the orators and poets.

Built on every piece of filth and greed, every vice, death and cruelty, and precious few virtues, if you ask me.

Pawnshops, wine shops and bread shops. Behind those, dealers in stolen goods. Assassins. Street thugs. Riot mongers and rabble-rousers. Prostitutes, both male and female, and those who were or could be both, depending on the daily market.

Well, I suppose the poets are right in one thing.

One can find all the things here that made Rome great.

I stopped at a wine shop owned by my old friend Samus.

Samus, who knows everything that happens, and everyone who matters, in Rome; every dirty secret and every piece of slanderous gossip, poured wine for both of us and drank with me.

"I declare, today it may rain," I began.

"And yet, tomorrow, it may not," he smiled. "But you aren't here to talk about the weather, are you," he grinned, his little pale eyes dancing up and down in anticipation. Ï heard what happened in the arena today."

"Alas! I am a doomed man, Samus." I sighed and took another sip. "Gaius' snoops are crawling all over me. Already I've made one an enemy."

"Hah! He smiled and held out his hand and ticked off each finger. "I've heard of the three of 'em. Firstly, there's Miletus, Gaius' latest secret bed warmer. A venomous snake to be sure. If you've made an enemy of him, you'd better watch out."

"Second, there's Glabrus, said to be a plodding, sensible, most trustworthy fellow. Gaius and he both served together in the army. He's been Gaius' business partner for many years. Gaius has maybe set him to tag along with Miletus and keep him in check. So I would be very careful, but it things get out of hand, Glabrus might be able to stop him."

"Then Rufius. A man with a brain made of arithmetic, iron balls and veins of ice. Gaius' numbers man. An accountant."

"Cinxor was murdered," I said. "He was poisoned. I found a cup in his room, still with the taste of henbane. One of my gladiators, Gordius, argued with Cinxor. He threatened to kill him. I'm sure now that Gordius didn't do it; it doesn't make any sense for a gladiator to kill another outside the arena. They save their anger and strength for survival on the day of combat. Miletus had given me two days to disprove it. If not, he'll have Gordius executed."

Samus held out his fat fingers and began ticking them off again.

"Well, first, we have a Magistrate that gambles heavily. For him, it's not just money, but honour. He probably lost some big money on Cinxor. But it's still mainly a matter of honour. Then I've heard, on the grapevine, when you let him out at night, this big Gaul has been horsing around with some senators' wives. Pollonia, Drusilla, Corinia. Any one of their husbands could have arranged to slip the Gaul something in his drink."

"In fact," he paused and ran a hand across his greasy, stubbled beard, " Ï seem to remember that I've heard other rumours; that Cinxor has been seen visiting Gaius' house late at night. While Gaius is away, I suppose."

"Screwing his wife, no doubt," I snarled, "and another reason for someone to murder him. And, as you know, I let Cinxor moonlight as a debt collector and enforcer."

"Yes there's any number of broken heads, bones and bruised egos there," said Samus. And those people would be happy to see him dead. And his woman? Did he beat her? He certainly cheated on her."

I put down my wine and scratched my own chin. "So looking for his murderer might be like looking for a coin in a cesspit."

"Exactly," said Samus carefully. "Even for a cunning snoop like you."

He scratched his chin again.

"Now," he looked around, cupped his hand and whispered. "Gaius was a great admirer of Cinxor, nevertheless. It is rumoured that Gaius had promised to adopt Cinxor as soon as he got his freedom. Until Miletus came along. Perhaps Gaius wanted to get rid of Cinxor for that reason ...."

Continued next week...........