The Accusers

by Lindsey Davis

  In addition, Biltis volunteered that she thought the corpse 'smelt funny'. No further details.

  Biltis is a free citizen and willing to give evidence if her expenses (travel and time off work) can be refunded.

  [Note: modest gratuity has already been paid.]

  Interview with L. Licinius Lutea, first husband of Saffia Donata (M.D. Falco)

  Subject discovered at Porticus of Gaius and Lucius, apparently after conducting business of some kind.

  Marriage to Saffia occurred when she was seventeen and had lasted four years, after which divorce by mutual consent took place. There was one child, son Lucius, who lives with his mother but is seen regularly by Lutea. Lutea has not remarried. He remains on what he called spiffing good terms with Saffia; claims he helped her find a new home out of kindheartedness plus concern for welfare of his little son. (He had a previous marriage but no other children.) Denounced bad behaviour of Metelli; cited difficulties over removal of Saffia's chattels from their home: her personal bedding (wool mattress, sheet, down pillows, embroidered coverlet) was 'lost'. Lutea reckoned this was stolen to upset Saffia.

  Asked if Saffia would pursue the issue, Lutea huffed that he himself had smoothed things over, being on very good terms with Metellus Negrinus.

  Asked whether this did not cause complications, Lutea snorted 'why should it?' then left the Porticus at speed, citing a business meeting with his banker elsewhere in Rome.

  [Note: Information from a known source at the Porticus is that Lutea's banker (Aufustius, see below) works from there, and was not 'elsewhere' but present in the upper gallery.]

  Interview with Aufustius, a secure money-holder and loan provider (M.D.F.)

  Aufustius has known Licinius Lutea for the past decade. Declined to comment formally, on grounds of client confidentiality.

  On being bought a morning drink and a pastry, Aufustius opened up and freely mentioned that his client has been through a period of instability lasting several years. Lutea just told Aufustius that morning that he hopes to see a revival in his financial standing as a result of some unspecified turn of luck.

  Asked how he thought Lutea would have been able to negotiate with landlords on behalf of Saffia, if his own credit was tight, Aufustius lost his charm and helpfulness. Accused interviewer of libel. Offered the usual threats about persons who would know where to find him on a dark night, the interviewer left.

  [Expense incurred for entertainment on this interview.]

  Interview with Nothokleptes, a banker known to Falco and Associates (M. D. F.)

  Lutea's banker (Aufustius) is a well-known figure in the world of commerce, with a high-profile client base. Aufustius would wait patiently for a man in difficulties to recover, continuing to accept him as a customer; however, he would demand an assurance that any insolvency was temporary. This assurance would need to be detailed, eg proof of a coming inheritance.

  An upsurge in his client's fortunes would be of clear advantage to Aufustius, so it is reckoned he must have good information about this if he believes Lutea's claim.

  [Entertainment expense ditto.]

  Interview with Servilius Donatus, father of Saffia Donata (M.D.F.)

  Elderly, bald, irascible cove with large family, all daughters. Seems obsessed with manipulating their dowries; groused against obligations on a family to provide settlements in order to secure daughters' marriages, and the subsequent burdens on family estates when dowry payments fall due. Raved against Metelli for bad management of the estates which comprised the dowry of his daughter Saffia. Continually harped on losses incurred to the capital as a result of Metellus senior's mismanagement, which Donatus claims was criminal negligence; Donatus wished to sue and is now considering an action against Negrinus. Special anxiety for financial losses that will affect Saffia's children by Negrinus, especially the unborn. Donatus has other grandchildren and cannot afford to take responsibility for any who are not paternally maintained.

  Has no views on Metellus senior's suicide, though showed strong reaction to mention of corruption charge. Deep distaste for anyone selling contracts and offices. Old-fashioned attitude to ethics in public service. Capable of lengthy, unscripted tirade about slipping standards nowadays, with wild arm gestures and impersonation of hungry hippopotamus in full attack mode.

  Blanked questions about Lutea. Treated Lutea's relationship with Saffia as past history. Went deaf when asked about Lutea's finding of lodgings and current situation between the pair. Spoke lovingly of infant grandson Lucius.

  Notes on information from a female source who wishes to remain anonymous (A. C. Aelianus)

  A contact with inside knowledge gave background on the Metellus family.

  The parents were always pushy. The two daughters were shunted into good marriages at a very early age and have had problems resisting interference by Calpurnia Cara. Carina's husband, Laco, is thought to have put his foot down, causing strain in family relationships. Carina and Laco do not attend family gatherings such as birthdays and Saturnalia.

  Elevation of Metellus Negrinus to the Senate was achieved with much manoeuvring; while not illegal, the degree of open electioneering by his father and grandfather (now dead) was felt to be unsuitable. Negrinus was only elected as aedile by the skin of his teeth; his chances of a praetorship later were thought to be low, even before the corruption case. Retaining his post as aedile after the trial may have been sanctioned because there are only a few months left in his term; it would be unfair to require another candidate to take on the office for so short a time. He may have benefited from of the Emperor's personal interest too; Vespasian may wish to minimise any failure of public confidence which might follow a formal dismissal of an office-holder.

  A person in high places has revealed to our source, in absolute confidence, that the will of Rubirius Metellus contained 'unthinkable surprises'.

  [Note: Falco and Associates are not free to divulge the nature or identity of this source or that of the person who advised our source on the will. However, we can assure our client that the material is impeccable.]

  Interview with Rhoemetalces, an apothecary on the Via Praenestina (M.D. Falco)

  Rhoemetalces, an expensive remedy-vendor of Cilician extraction, sells pills and potions from a discreet booth near the station house of the Second Cohort of Vigiles. This is within walking distance of the Metellus home. With the co-operation of the Second Cohort, Rhoemetalces was approached, in company with the vigiles officer who controls licences and secret lists in that district. After a short discussion of the terms under which he is permitted to sell goods, Rhoemetalces admitted that he had sold pills, presumably those in the sardonyx box which was subsequently seen at the bedside of Metellus senior.

  The pills had been purchased, not by Metellus, his wife or his staff, but 'on behalf of her poor troubled father', by the elder daughter, Rubiria Juliana. She said her father was proposing an honourable suicide and wished for a rapid end. The apothecary claims it was against his better judgement to comply, but he felt that if he refused she would simply go to some other practitioner. He therefore assisted Juliana, in order to ensure that the deceased was not sold some slow and painful concoction by charlatans or ignorant druggists who would take advantage of the family's turmoil. He sold Juliana seeds of corn cockle, a noxious plant commonly found in wheat fields. If the small black seeds are ingested with other food, corn cockle is fatal within an hour.

  Juliana then claimed she was anxious to save her father from his intended course. She wondered if there was a way he could be made to think he was killing himself, but would remain unharmed if - as she believed he would - he changed his mind. Rhoemetalces therefore persuaded her to buy (at enormous expense) pills which were contained within a coating of real gold. We are informed that this is a current fashion among wealthy invalids; the gold is said to increase the beneficial effects of the medicine. Besides, it hides any disgusting taste.

  Rhoemetalces, revealing a secret of his trade, declared that he has
no faith in such pills (though he sells them on request). He is convinced goldplated pills simply pass through the patient's gut undissolved. He told Juliana the effects should be harmless, and to safeguard himself further, he offered to provide gold pills which contained only flour dust. However, Juliana said she feared that her father, a suspicious man by nature, would suspect deception and cut open a pill to check its contents. So corn cockle was included. But in the professional opinion of Rhoemetalces, the pills were safe and it is by some unique and terrible accident that Metellus was killed.

  Rhoemetalces is currently in custody with the vigiles, who are explaining to him their professional view that the 'unique accident' was directly caused by Rhoemetalces supplying poisonous pills. [Accountancy note: no gratuity necessary to the apothecary, but there will be a substantial expense item relating to a payment into the vigiles' fund for widows and orphans.]

  Reappraisal of Rubiria Juliana (M. Didius Falco and Q. Camillus Justinus) Interview conducted in the presence of Canidianus Rufus

  A formal application was made to Canidianus Rufus to interview his wife on a very serious matter, the nature of which was hinted. Rufus agreed, subject to his being present as her head of household, a request which was immediately granted. Rubiria Juliana was allowed two hours to compose herself, then interviewed at her home. M.D.F. directed the questioning; Q.C.J. took notes.

  [Note: it is believed that the informer Paccius Africanus was present in the Rufus house during the interview, though this was not mentioned by the subjects. He was observed entering just before the interviewers, and was later seen leaving.]

  Rubiria Juliana is a fine-boned, fashionable woman, pale and purselipped. She spoke very quietly, though without hesitation. Her husband, previously described to us as unpleasant, paced edgily about the room. He did not sit near, reassure or comfort his wife, as might have been expected. For most of the time he remained silent, allowing Juliana to speak for herself. The interviewers felt he expected her to get herself out of any trouble.

  Juliana confirmed the facts as relayed by the apothecary Rhoemetalces. Her father had known that she had bought pills before, for various female ailments. He asked her to obtain a reliable poison for his intended suicide. Juliana had argued with him, and although she obeyed his request, she wanted to save him if he did change his mind. She was certain he would.

  Juliana gave details of the suicide. The family had eaten a last lunch together, all except the younger daughter Carina, who had refused to attend. Metellus then retired to his bedroom. Juliana and her mother were present in the room when Metellus senior took one of the pills. He had previously talked with his son Negrinus, alone, but Negrinus had been sent outside when the women were called in. Asked why this was, Juliana said her brother was very upset by what their father wanted to do.

  Metellus lay on his bed, waiting for the end. Juliana and Calpurnia Cara stayed with him for about half an hour, at which point he sat up suddenly and, as Juliana had feared, decided he did not after all want to kill himself. Calpurnia abused him for a coward, in the manner of the most stalwart matrons of old Roman history, then rushed from the room.

  Juliana quietly told her father that the gold-plated pills should pass safely through him, and was thanked by Metellus for saving his life. Unhappily, within a very short time Metellus did collapse and die. It appeared that the apothecary is wrong; the gold does dissolve, in this instance causing the death of Metellus, even though by that time he did not wish to kill himself.

  Conclusion

  It is the view of Falco and Associates that the death of Rubirius Metellus should not rightly be classified as suicide. He had expressed to his wife and daughter a clear wish to remain alive.

  His daughter Juliana provided him with the poisonous corn cockle pills, but this was on the basis that she believed them to be safe. Although Metellus voluntarily took one of the pills, Juliana would have come emptyhanded from the apothecary, but for being told that gold-plating would render the pills harmless.

  Expert opinion is needed on whether a charge can be laid against Rhoemetalces for murder, as a result of giving false professional advice.

  Should such a charge fail, it is the view of Falco and Associates that Rubirius Metellus died by accident.

  IX

  'PURE GOLD pills?'

  Silius Italicus had received our careful report with all the thanks and all the applause we hoped for. As men about the Forum, we expected none. Just as well.

  I let him rave.

  'And what's this try-on, Falco? - your substantial donation to the vigiles' widows and orphans fund will obviously all be drunk by the Second Cohort at a better-than-usual Saturnalia knees-up this year!' Even for a man experienced in court rhetoric, the long, irate sentence left him winded.

  If the orphans' fund was all he could find to carp about, we were well landed on the jetty. Of course the fund was a fiction, but he knew the form. The vigiles do have a fund; they look after their own - but that's the point: they keep outsiders out of it. They want the grateful widows to save their thanks for the right people - their late husbands' colleagues. Some are good-looking girls who, being paupers, have to give their thanks in kind, poor dears. Much better to keep it in the family.

  Excuse me if I sound cynical. I am shocked at such goings-on, but this is what I was told by my best friend Petronius. He is a compassionate man who in his time has looked after quite a few bereaved vigiles' families. Mind you, that was before he started looking after my bereaved sister. Well, it had better be.

  'I apologise for the gilded poison pastilles, Silius, but these are the facts we turned up. I put all this to you as a good-quality proof- and it's backed up by creditable witnesses. Trust me: a ludicrous story carries weight. Anything too feasible tends to be a web of lies.'

  'Liars always concoct a probable story,' agreed Justinus, standing at my back.

  'A mad explanation like this would be stupid - if it weren't true,' his brother added piously. As these two burbled, Silius looked even more irritated, but he soon subsided. He just wanted to be rid of us.

  'I cannot take a man called Rhoemetalces before the praetor! I'd be laughed out of court.'

  'With luck, you won't have to go to court. The praetor should be able to rule on this evidence from his warm and cosy office,' I declared. 'You know how to get justice -' I was none too sure of that. 'You should walk out with an edict in your favour the same day.'

  Now Silius looked annoyed that I was teaching him legal procedure. He must think me a bumpkin, but I knew about praetors' edicts. Each year's new praetor issues a revised version of the civil code, with minor refinements where the law has not been working. When problems are brought before him during the year, he decides which 'formula' for redress from the time-honoured code will fit the problem; if necessary he issues an adjusted formula. The praetor's pronouncements are not supposed to be new law, just clarifications to meet modern times.

  I did think it unlikely any wimp of a praetor nowadays would dare to make a judgment in this sticky case. It was a criminal issue, not civil, for one thing. But you have to bluff.

  'Rhoemetalces,' Justinus assured Silius in his most serious and most patrician voice, 'is an old-established, very respectable Cilician name.

  He was romancing. Silius suspected it, and I was certain. I had seen the lousy pill-producer.

  'Don't give me that.' Silius was no fool either. 'The apothecary will be a sinister ex-slave who probably poisoned his master in the recent past as a means of gaining his freedom - and with a forged will!' he added viciously.

  'Luckily,' I teased, 'we will be producing him in a murder case, not testing him before the Board of Citizenship.'

  Even Silius was beginning to be seduced by our wry sense of humour. His eyes narrowed. 'What's he like, this druggist?'

  'Looks successful,' I said. 'Works out of the usual booth. Sits there with a wicker chair and a footstool, surrounded by piles of medicine blocks which he cuts up as required by customers. He
seems well respected in his trade. He owns some up-to-date equipment - a pill machine, where he pushes in the paste, then it comes out extruded into strips and he slices off individual dosages -'