by Simon Hawke
“No. I suppose you wouldn’t have.”
“Damn right. You guys tried to take Steiger out in Plus Timeand you couldn’t do it. Well, I’m giving you a chance to hit him when: he won’texpect it and I intend to collect on that contract.”
“You do your part and I’ll see to it you get the money. Butbe careful, Marshall. Don’t tip him off.”
“Don’t worry. I know what’s at stake.”
“Where is Steiger now?”
“Asleep at my house. It would be the perfect time to do it.”
Simmons shook his head. “No, not with a potential temporaldisruption going down. We simply can’t take the chance.”
“So what the hell am I supposed to do’?”
“Hang tight and don’t lose your cool. I’ll bring some peoplein to cover you. In fact. I’ll take charge of this myself. I’d like to see thisso-called Col. Priest.”
“You know him?”
“We’ve met. We’ll move in close and keep an eye on things.Let Steiger and the adjustment team do what they have to do. Then once thetemporal threat is over with, we’ll take care of Steiger.”
“What about the adjustment team?”
“Do they know about you’!”
“I don’t think so. Steiger’s playing his own game, close tothe vest, as usual.”
“Then they may not be a problem. With any luck, we might beable to pull it off without them catching on. But if they get in the way, it’llbe just too bad for them.”
“So what you’re saying is that I’m supposed to hang out inthe breeze until Caesar’s been assassinated, one way or the other.”
“Or until they’ve neutralized the S.O.G.”
Marshall grimaced. “Terrific. So we’ve got Steiger, the adjustmentteam, the fucking S.O.G., and me right in the middle of it all, out in theopen. Damn it. I want some protection!”
“Take it easy. I said we’d cover you. If they don’t suspectyou, then all you’ve got to do is continue to cooperate with them. Long as youdon’t lose your nerve, you should be okay.”
Marshall moistened his lips and nodded. “All right. But ifthey make a move on me. someone had better be there.”
“Don’t worry. They will be. I’ll be in touch.”
Simmons clocked out and disappeared.
Marshall reached into the folds of his toga and took out apack of cigarettes. Normally. he never took the chance of taking them outsidehis room, where he could smoke with the door bolted and the wood braziermasking the smell, but his nerves were on edge and he really needed one. As helit up, carefully hiding the flame with his hand and holding the cigarette withhis palm cupped around it, he thought about the laser pistol he had hidden in asecret drawer in his room
The trouble with Roman clothing was that it wouldn’t hide itvery well. A tunic wouldn’t hide it at all, the bulge would be easilydetectable beneath the drape of his toga and he couldn’t very well walk aroundwearing a cloak all the time. He’d have to leave it where it was and count onhis dagger to protect him, which any Roman male could wear openly withoutarousing any suspicion. But the thought of going up against Steiger withnothing but a dagger made his stomach churn. He had no doubt what the outcomeof that would be. He wouldn’t stand a chance unless he took Steiger completelyby surprise. Get him while he’s asleep, thought Marshall, and drive the son ofa bitch up to the hilt into his kidney. Either that or cut his throat. Helooked out over the rippling, moonlit surface of the Tiber and exhaled heavily.He wished there was another way. but there simply wasn’t. Steiger had himbacked into a corner. Damn cowboy, he thought. This wouldn’t have happened ifhe’d just gone along with the others in the organization. Or if he’d simplykept his mouth shut. But no, he had to get up on his white horse and take onthe Network. Had to form the I.S.D. just to clean out all of the so-called “corruption.”As if there was any harm in people trying to make a little money on the side.
The agency expected you to risk your life and all you gotfor your trouble was a lousy government pension. So what was wrong with tryingto salt a little away for your retirement? All right, it was illegal, but sowhat? Everybody always looked the other way. Even the old director had been inon it. But then old man Forrester came in and got all tight-assed about it.Decided to put the Network out of business and bust everyone who was involved,right up to the old director. Jesus. It was his own fault the Network put acontract out on him. People were only trying to protect themselves.
Steiger should have stayed out of it, thought Marshall. Heshould have just kept his damn mouth shut and stayed out of it. It’s not myfault, thought Marshall. He’s left me no other choice. It was too had thatSteiger had to die, but there was just no way around it. And if it had tohappen, why not collect on the contract, so at least some good would come ofit? If not him, somebody else would get it. It might as well be him. You justdo the best you can and take what comes. thought Marshall. That’s how the gamewas played.
7
Drummond and Andell had both hated the idea, as had Travers.They thought it was much too dangerous, but Andre had overruled them, and totheir surprise. Priest and Delaney had hacked her up. The timing. they hadsaid, was too good to pass up. They thought it was a chance worth taking. AsDrummond and Andell were conducted into Cleopatra’s presence, each of themtried to keep his nervousness from showing. If this goes wrong. Andell thought.we could all be dead in the next few minutes. “Stop! What have you there?”
“A gift from Caesar,” said Andell, trying to keep his voicesteady. “For Queen Cleopatra.”
A tall, well-built man approached them. His head and facewere both shaved and he was dressed in Roman style. in an immaculate white togaworn over a gold-embroidered tunic. He was slim. but his muscular definitionspoke of a man who was given to sport and exercise rather than luxury. He had,thought Andell, the bearing of a soldier. He frowned as he met Andell’s gaze.Andell tried to keep his expression neutral. he lowered his eyes. as a slavewould be expected to do.
“Have you examined it?” the man asked the two guards who hadconducted them inside.
The guard hesitated. “No, Apollodorus. But if it is fromCaesar..”
“Fool!” Apollodorus said. “Set it down at once!”
Suddenly Andell heard a throaty. feminine laugh.
“Apollodorus. do you not recall what day this is?”
Andell glanced up and sucked in his breath sharply. It washis first close glimpse of Cleopatra. Her hair was jet-black, worn in theEgyptian style. long and straight down to her shoulder. on the back and sides,in bangs over her forehead. She was a small woman, delicately framed, with anarrow waist, full breasts, and long, shapely legs. The thin, silky white shiftshe wore was diaphanous and it clearly outlined the lush curves of her body. Herface was sharp-featured, with a graceful, Macedonian beauty and her eyes weredark and striking, outlined in kohl and heavily shadowed.
“He remembered,” she said with a smile.
“Caesar’?” said Apollodorus. frowning. “Remembered what?”
“Do you not recall, Apollodorus?” she said. “It was on thisvery day that you first brought me secretly into Caesar’s presence, concealedwithin a carpet. And now he sends me one, to commemorate the occasion of ourfirst meeting.”
It should still have been carefully examined.” said Apollodorus.still frowning. “We do not know it came from Caesar. You have many enemies inRome. my Queen. We cannot be too careful.”
“You worry too much. Apollodorus.” she replied. “Do you reallythink that some assassin would dare attempt to murder me here in this veryhouse, with all your guards’? And with Caesar’s soldiers outside? I am as safehere as I would be in my own palace.” She turned to Drummond and Andell. “Unrollit. Let me see.”
Andell bent down and untied the fastenings. then he andDrummond unrolled the carpet. The guards gasped and reached for their swords asAndre was revealed, rolled up inside the rug. Cleopatra stared in astonishment.
“What is the meaning of this?” said Apollodorus angrily.
“I hope that you will not take offense, Your Highness,”Andre said, rising to her feet. “but I am not a gift from Caesar. Nor am I aslave.”
Cleopatra frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Who are you?” Apollodorus said. “Explain yourself this instant!”
“I am Antonia, wife to Marcus Septimus,” said Andre.
“Septimus?” said Cleopatra. “You mean Caesar’s friend?”
“That is Lucius Septimus,” said Andre. “My husband, Marcus,is his brother. These two men are his slaves. To be truthful, my husband knowsnothing of this. I fear that he would not approve. But I had heard so muchabout you and I wanted so very much to meet you! I had heard it said that youfirst came to Caesar in this manner when you met in Egypt and I struck upon itas a way to meet you. I thought that you might be amused. but I had no ideathat your first meeting with Caesar took place on this very day. I apologize ifmy little ruse had made you angry. Such was not my intent.”
“This is insufferable!” said Apollodorus. “You must leavethis house at once!”
“She shall do no such thing,” said Cleopatra.
“But. my Queen …”
Cleopatra smiled. “Do you not see. Apollodorus? It is anomen. Since I first came to Rome. I have had no one save yourself, my guards,and my female slaves for company. Except when Caesar comes, I am always lonely.And, unlike other Romans, who merely suffer my presence, this woman has soughtout to meet me. The manner in which she chose to do it shows cleverness andwit. No. Apollodorus, she shall stay and dine with me this evening.”
“But, my Queen,” protested Apollodorus, “we know nothing ofthis woman!” ‘“We know she is the wife of the brother of Caesar’s closestfriend.” said Cleopatra. “Septimus has always treated me with courtesy,deference, and kindness. Caesar’s regard for him speaks for his quality. Iwould expect no less from his brother.”
“But we do not know his brother.” Apollodorus persisted.
“Then we shall arrange to meet him,” Cleopatra said. Shesmiled mockingly. “Or do you believe that he has sent his wife to murder me Ido not know what has come over you, Apollodorus. You see conspiracieseverywhere. Come. Antonia. Pay no mind to my servant. He is merely overzealousin his duties.”
“Perhaps he would like to search me, to make certain that Ihave no weapons,” Andre said.
Cleopatra laughed. “Your wit appears to be a ready weapon.”she said. “Come, sit with me. Apollodorus, we shall have some wine.”
“As you wish. my Queen.” Apollodorus said, though he wasobviously displeased.
Cleopatra led Andre over to a couple of couches and a smalltable.
“I must admit,” said Cleopatra. “that I am disappointed thatCaesar did not choose to commemorate our meeting with this gesture, butdoubtless, he has much on his mind now that he is preparing to leave on newcampaigns. I fear he has forgotten. Still, I am pleased you came to see me inthis fashion. It has added spice to a most dreary day.”
“I was afraid that you might be angry at such an intrusion,”Andre said.
“I might have been,” said Cleopatra with a smile, “but Ihave too many other things to occupy my emotions these days.”
“What things’?”
“My son. Caesarian. who is growing up more Roman thanEgyptian; my servants and my guards, who bore me; Apollodorus, who stifles me;Romans. who despise me.. and Caesar, who maddens me when he is absent, butwhose presence fills my heart with lightness. But tell me about yourself.Antonia. What made you want to come and see me?”
“I was curious,” said Andre. “My husband says that it is myworst trait. I had heard that you were very beautiful and that your beauty hadmade Caesar your captive. Ever since I had arrived in Rome. I have heard oflittle else but you and I was seized with a compulsion to meet you.”
“You do not live in Rome, then?” Cleopatra asked.
“We live in Cumae,” Andre explained, reciting her cover. “Ihad never before visited Rome. Marcus came to visit Lucius. as they had notseen each other since Lucius left for the wars. We came with our friend FabiusQuintullus. Marcus, Lucius, and Fabius have been friends since childhood.Marcus is very interested in Caesar’s Gallic campaigns. He thinks that Caesaris a great general. Perhaps even greater than Alexander.”
Cleopatra smiled “Caesar would love to hear that.” she said.“only do not say ‘perhaps.’ Tell him that he has eclipsed the fame of Alexanderand you will make a friend for life.”
“What is he like?”
“Caesar? You have not met him?”
“Not yet. but Lucius had promised to introduce us. I do notknow what to expect.”
“You may expect to find him very charming,” Cleopatra said. “Heis not the handsomest of men, but there is much about him that is appealing.His wit, his strength of character, his self-possession, his intelligence …He is a most unusual man. When I was still in Egypt, before we had met. and Ireceived word that Caesar wished to see me, I was prepared to meet an arrogantRoman. I expected a man full of his own self-importance and disdainful of allothers. Yet Caesar was none of those things. He had an easy manner and aconfidence that required no boasts to support it. I was very taken with himright from the beginning. I know they say in Rome that I am some great seductresswho has used her wiles to ensnare the Emperor. but the truth is that I wasmyself seduced. Caesar is a most compelling man.”
“You must love him very much.” said Andre.
Cleopatra smiled a bit sadly. He is the first man I haveever truly loved. I left Egypt at his bidding to be in Rome with him, bothbecause I wanted to be with him and because it is here, in Rome and not inEgypt, that I can best serve the interests of my subjects. I have borne Caesar’sson, though I know that there are many here in Rome who denounce my claim asfalse, despite the fact that one can see his father’s features in his own. Yet,unlike you, Antonia, I may not marry the man I love. Caesar will not divorceCalpurnia and he cannot marry me. He is Emperor of Rome and I am Queen ofEgypt, by his own decree. Egypt is little more than Rome’s possession now. Andas Caesar is Rome, so I am Egypt. A mere possession.”
Perhaps it was her loneliness that had made her vulnerable,perhaps she had caught her at an unguarded moment. but Andre found Cleopatra tobe nothing like what she had expected. Instead of the cruel and imperiousdaughter of the pharaohs, the cold and calculating seductress that history hadpainted her as, here was a woman of warmth, candor. and perception. A woman whocared about her subjects, a woman of passion. As Andre sat listening to her, itseemed difficult for her to believe that this was a woman who had coldlyordered the murder of her own husband, who was also her brother, and yethistory had reported that as fact. Although there had been many times when Andrehad discovered that history had been in error. According to history. there hadnever been any love lost among the Ptolemy family. They intermarried, they quarreled.they fought and intrigued and killed each other, and yet Cleopatra was regardedby her subjects with affection. Though she was portrayed as one of the greatseductresses of history, there was never any evidence that she was eversexually involved with anyone but Caesar and Marc Antony. What Andre saw beforeher was not some Machiavellian female bent on manipulation. but a woman whoseemed earthy, lonely, and very much in love.
fear for him,” Cleopatra continued. “Between Caesar himselfand Apollodorus, as well as my slaves who run my errands for me. I hear much ofwhat goes on in Rome. Caesar has made many enemies. They say that it is I whohave fed his lust for power, but the truth is that I have only tried to feedhis caution, which has hut little appetite. He says that the republic can no longerfunction, that the nobles have grown decadent and cannot rule. Without him, hesays. the government would collapse and there would once more be civil war. Hecannot believe that Rome would wish that. Perhaps Rome does not. but I fearthat th
ere are many Romans. men who seek influence and power, who do. Caesar isa great man. Antonia. and great men inspire jealousy in lesser men.”
“But Caesar is well protected. is he not?” asked Andre. “Doeshe not have the Egyptian guard that you presented to him?”
“Yes, he does.” said Cleopatra. “but he keeps them only becauseI begged him to take them for my sake. he begrudges their presence. He saysthat they make him look afraid, distrustful of his fellow Romans. He says thatno man can truly guard against assassins who are determined. Must one live inconstant fear. he says, trusting no one. afraid to eat without a taster. afraidto set foot outside his rooms without a dozen guards? I have changed my destiny,he says. I have set my feet upon a new path. I know not what he means when hesays such things. He believes that Rome cannot do without him and so there islittle risk to him. But I am happy that he keeps the guards, even if he does itjust to please me. It was Apollodorus who suggested it. He picked the men himself,knowing my concern for Caesar. He promises that they will keep him safe. but Ifear for him just the same. Even now, there are doubtless those who plotagainst him. Frightened, desperate men. I have learned.” she added with a lookof grave concern. “that desperate men do desperate things.”
The thermae or the Roman baths. had not yet reachedtheir zenith. In the 2nd century Roman baths were little more than small washhouses, reserved for men, but in time, they grew to tremendous size, becomingluxurious in their appointments, a place where Romans could spend the entireday bathing or taking steam or fortifying themselves against the cold withbrisk baths in the frigidarium. They were places where Romans could engage in impromptuwrestling bouts or be massaged by slaves or simply relax and gossip with theirfriends. For the price of one quadrans. the smallest Roman coin, acitizen could gain admission to the baths for the entire day. It was a placewhere one could get away from the cramped, noisy, and often smoky gold andexquisite tiled mosaics. The baths were not only a place to bathe, they werealso recreation center., equipped with gymnasia, gardens. libraries, andreading rooms. No expense was spared in making the baths a palatial andcomfortable community resource.
