Gladiatrix (32 page)

He nodded. ‘Two different groups operating. One killed Cruz, the other took Celeste.'

I nodded. That slimy little psychopath, Uribe, had told Victoria the truth. But in such a way she'd never believe him.

‘Alex, this makes sense. Cruz had a criminal past, and it was nearly a decade between him faking his death and Uribe finding him again. He could've gotten into an awful lot of trouble in that time. He could've been involved in stuff that an associate would want to keep secret. Or there was something they had to remove so the police investigation didn't reveal it …'

The possibilities spun out like a spider's web.

‘But what? And how could it link to you?'

‘I don't know yet!' Exasperated. ‘Give me a break, I'm summarising months of detailed notes here. Hold on, Alex.'

I skipped further and further ahead, abandoning the notes to just skim the conclusions.

‘From the looks of this, it took Victoria quite a while to go through Cruz's background, trying to tease out that secret. She started investigating his activities in the year Cruz was killed and worked backwards.'

‘That's reasonable. It was the year the baby was taken, after all.'

I skimmed silently for a while. ‘But she didn't find anything. Seems for all the years Cruz was resident in San Francisco, he was an exceedingly wealthy, but completely law-abiding citizen. Didn't even have a traffic ticket. All his business dealings were above board. He paid his taxes. His friends and neighbours thought he was a bit of a macho bore, but not a criminal. He met and married his wife, Chloe, and lived the American dream. No vendettas. No bad blood.'

I skimmed ahead again. ‘Then she started investigating the year before he set up his new life in the United States. Or rather tried to. But she couldn't find any trace of Cruz in the year between faking his own death in a car crash in Mexico City, and him bobbing up in San Francisco.'

After another few minutes of eye-straining rush, ‘Okay. What she did was start investigating what Cruz was doing just before the crash. Who he was with … Who could help him set up the car crash …'

I skimmed on further. Then further again. It pulled me right in. I stopped skimming. And then I reached the end of the diary.

So that was it! ‘Oh my God.' It all fitted together.

Alex grunted a short pithy demand that didn't translate.

‘Okay. Okay. Victoria found out that Cruz's only surviving family was a sister called Theresa Mendes. But she went missing at the same time as him.'

‘In the car crash?'

‘No. She just disappeared. Left her husband, her children and vanished. Then Victoria remembered there were photos of her, with her brother in Bogata, in the police files. Victoria had used the same ones to link Cruz back to his old Colombian identity. It stood to reason Theresa might know what'd happened in that missing year, so Victoria went back to their home town and started sniffing around. Looking for clues about where Theresa could've gone. Seems Theresa had a rare kidney condition, one that required regular trips to hospitals with a specific kind of dialysis equipment.'

Alex frowned at some of my words, but was too focused on getting to the point. ‘And Victoria could use this … information to find the sister?'

‘Yep. Theresa is now living in Canada. In a place just outside Toronto. That's far north of San Francisco.' And the destination of Victoria's last plane flight.

‘And this Theresa told Victoria about her brother?'

‘Not at first she wouldn't. She was terrified. Denied everything. But Victoria knew it was her. Seems Theresa had been a bad girl when she was young, and the home town police had sold Victoria a copy of her fingerprints.'

At Alex's bewildered expression, I just said, ‘They can use the prints from the fingers to identify someone.'

‘But why was she so afraid? Wasn't Uribe dead?'

‘It wasn't Uribe she was afraid of.' This was where the new pieces fitted in.

Alex twigged immediately. ‘She was hiding from the people who took Celeste!'

I nodded. ‘She finally told Victoria about an
organisation called The Network. She'd gone on the run from them when her brother's real identity had been made public.'

‘But why did they care about that?'

‘Because they were the ones who gave it to him. And her too. They'd staged the car accident. They'd smuggled the brother and sister into the United States. They'd set up false identities for both of them.'

It all made so much sense now. ‘Their business is to take wealthy criminals who need to disappear and give them a completely new identity, in the country of their choice.'

‘And they were the ones …'

‘Who wanted to derail the investigation? Yep. Theresa said Cruz had kept a photo he'd managed to sneak of the two men who ran The Network. Just in case he ever needed a bargaining chip. The photo was of a Yugoslavian called Strega, and an unnamed American, at a ranch in the mountains east of San Diego. The Network kept Cruz and Theresa there for a year, then set them both up in neighbouring suburbs in San Francisco. Houses, bank accounts and backgrounds, completely furnished. When Theresa told her about the picture of the two men Victoria remembered finding it in the safe at Cruz's house, but had never worked out what it signified. Being a cop she'd still put it in with the rest of the evidence anyway.'

‘But if this Strega was such a tough man, why did he wait till Cruz was dead to take back the photo?'

‘Because he didn't know it existed until Victoria found it. Cruz had been in the wrong place at the right time, to get a glimpse of the two bosses. And Strega and his buddy hadn't known they were being watched. Strega only found out because someone with connections to the San Francisco PD tipped him off.'

‘So Strega initiated the kidnapping to keep Victoria from putting all the pieces together?'

‘Exactly. And Theresa was telling the truth. Because when Victoria flew back from Canada, and checked the old police records, the photo was long gone. As well as any reference to it. It wasn't even listed in the evidence register any more.'

‘So that's the answer.' Alex let out a deep breath. ‘Celeste was kidnapped by Strega.'

‘That's what Victoria believes. I can't tell you any more because the diary ends just after she saw the sister in Toronto.' I calculated. ‘Which must be just before she came on this mission to Rome.'

We sat in silence, the air bubbling between us. A short time ago I was convinced this was all a big mistake. Now …

‘So Strega could have had a ranch in your country for the same purpose. To prepare his clients …'

I brimmed over. ‘That's what I'm thinking too. There must have been people who needed to get out of the United States, and maybe they ended up in Australia. And that explains why those two Russian gangsters were found in the park too. Des said they were illegals, on the run from their home country, and in Australia without any papers. That homestead in Kanangra-Boyd National Park must have been Strega's staging post for giving criminals a new start in Australia. Probably in Sydney.'

He nodded. ‘So that could be the link.'

‘Yes.'

Dawn was sprinkling the navy blue horizon with golden rose petals.

‘There's a chance Victoria could be my mother after all.'

We were late.

By the time we'd reached the gates of the amphitheatre, the sun had fully breached the sky. Once inside, the men of the Ludi went out of their way to acknowledge me, with a nod or a curt greeting.

Nothing effusive, but they let me know in their own rough ways that I'd achieved a level of acceptance. Frankly, it just made me uneasy. It would've been completely different if I'd defeated someone other than Lucius. Then they'd have hated me as an outsider, and worse, a woman who'd humiliated one of their brothers-in-arms. Fortunately Lucius didn't have many friends. Not here anyway.

They all knew Alex, but seemed reticent to say much in front of his new owner. He just walked through them with his usual hard-edged aloofness and lethal grace.

Horace had been right on the money, the change from fighter to house slave had been a big one.

Lucius hadn't turned up for dawn roll call, so we went to see Cerebus. He was in his office, set inside the
amphitheatre wall, directly opposite the front gate. He was sitting inside talking with Sextus, his second-in-command.

Or rather Sextus was standing hunched over, while Cerebus tore strips off him for allowing one of their best fighters to injure himself during a routine weight training session. He'd dropped a dumbbell on his own foot. A heavy one.

Pausing mid-insult, Cerebus introduced me to Sextus. ‘This is the Egyptian bird that broke off dickhead's fucking arm yesterday.' I took it as a compliment.

He jerked a thumb at a wooden trestle in front of his sturdy wooden desk so I sat while he finished off his tirade.

On the wall above Cerebus' head, a group of well-tended clay statuettes sat in a little alcove. They were garlanded with flowers and a stick of jasmine incense burnt in a pot in front of them. Alex took up position directly behind me. I guess he was taking his role as back-up seriously. It just made me feel like I was in a gangster movie.

After a final volley of abuse, Cerebus sent Sextus off to set up some special practice bouts, warning him to take more care of the talent. Sextus seemed to take the criticism very stoically and took off at a fast trot.

Cerebus turned back to us, and asked with relish, ‘So how are you, love? Back to fight someone else today? Black-donkey quims, that was good yesterday! That fuckwit deserved what 'e got and more. If it'd been anyone else in the Ludi, and they'd had 'im down like that, they'd have twisted 'is head off. Not just broken 'is fucking arm.'

Just the thought of Lucius' pain seemed to chuff him no end.

‘Fuck me, I've never seen anything like that style.' He slapped the table between us. Heavy as it was, it quivered, but didn't break. ‘It looked like a cross between dancing and wrestling, and something else. It's not like any Egyptian stuff I've seen. Where'd you learn that, love?'

‘Sorry, Cerebus, but it's secret training. Can't talk about it.' He was winding up for a detailed professional chat, and I didn't want to waste time on small talk.

But Cerebus had other ideas. He gave his greying, bristly chin a healthy scratch, and said, ‘Yeah. I've heard those Egyptian cults do that. What are we talking about 'ere? Will they put a curse on you if you talk? I could make it worth your while?'

He twitched his bushy eyebrows together to add emphasis. ‘We've fucking brilliant professional sorcerers on the payroll here. Fully guild certified and everything. Ready to switch off the hex for the right price.' He started musing, ‘I had one here a few weeks ago. A Greek chappie. One of my lads was convinced 'is dead grandmother …'

I tried not to roll my eyes. ‘Thanks, Cerebus. Let me think it over. I want to get through the job for Domitia Crassus first. Then maybe …'

‘You do that, darlin'. There's room here for you if you do.' He leant back in the seat. It groaned. Cerebus was short, but every inch was solid as an anvil. ‘The industry's booming, and we're having problems keeping up with demand. Nowadays half of the Ludi are free — like you. You can make a pile at it, as long as you keep winning. And don't have too many injuries.'

‘Thanks, Cerebus.' He started to spruik again, but I managed to get in first. ‘Look, I need your help.'

That got his attention, the self-interest gleaming in his canny olive-brown eyes.

‘Yeah, love. What's up?'

I made it as concise as possible. ‘Yesterday evening a gang ambushed me. Tried to kidnap me.'

‘How many?' Trust Cerebus to think like a fight manager.

‘Six men.'

‘Six?' Cerebus looked me over for wounds and saw none. ‘Jupiter's balls, that must have been some fight.' He was disappointed at having missed the show.

‘Actually this time Alex did all of it.'

‘Alex, is it?' Cerebus' words swam through an ocean of salacious meaning.

It seemed best not to answer.

Cerebus sent Alex an interested look. ‘So he took on all six for you, love?' But he didn't look Alex over for wounds, which irritated me. ‘What? Were you busy doing your nails?' Then he cackled at his own wit.

Sheesh. Again it seemed easier to let him reach his own conclusion.

Cerebus narrowed his eyes, back to business. ‘So. You need my help?'

‘Yes, I certainly do. I have to find the person that put the men up to it. He has something of mine. Something I want back.' I didn't see any reason to tell Cerebus all my secrets. Not yet anyway.

‘That sounds like you've got a serious grudge going here? Who is 'e?'

‘Not entirely sure. That's what I need your help with.' No point in mentioning he was the Hierophant. ‘But according to the girls at The Bird, you can help me find him.'

‘The Bird, eh?' Cerebus jumped on that. ‘And why did they say I could help?'

‘Because Lucius knows him.'

‘Fucking Lucius.' He thumped his desk again for emphasis. ‘Yeah, well that'd be fucking right. 'e knows every scumbag this side of the Tiber. So what does this prick you're after look like?'

‘Medium height and build, dark brown hair and a badly broken nose. Recently broken too, I believe.'

‘Broken nose, eh?' He screwed up his face as though unsuccessfully dredging his memory. ‘But if 'e's a friend of Lucius — 'e's not one of my men.'

Abruptly Cerebus stood, stuck his head out his window and door for a gander at who was close by, then sat down again. ‘You're a stranger in town, love, and Lucius has some bad gangland connections. I mean real bad stuff. Extortion, even hits. Are you sure you want to follow this up?'

Did I? Grrr …

My expression must've said it all because Cerebus was chuckling before I even replied. ‘One way or another,' I spoke through my teeth, ‘I'm going to find this man. And Lucius is the only solid lead I have. Does that answer your question?'

Cerebus gave a hoot of laughter. ‘That's going to be an interesting conversation, darlin'. One I'd like to see. Maybe you'll have to twist Lucius' other arm off.' He gave another crack of laughter. ‘Bring it back for me, love. I'll have it stuffed and stick it on the fucking wall.'

Enough of the idle banter. ‘So where's Lucius?'

He scratched his chin again. ‘Yesterday Lucius got strapped up, then took off like a rabbit ahead of a fox. 'e's a free man, love.'

He chuckled. ‘Moved very spryly, considering. And believe me 'e had to. After you left, Felix threatened to stuff Lucius' sword up 'is nose. And that was before the others threatened to nail 'im to the arena gates. 'e only
got out alive because the surgeon smuggled 'im out the side door in time.'

This was not good.

The chances that Lucius would come back here didn't sound very high. ‘So you don't expect to see him today?' I said, begrudgingly.

‘Well, feelings were running fucking high yesterday. The slave he cut was very popular. Now it looks like Dimitri is finished. Right arm's totally useless. If 'e'd done well these games 'e'd have had a good chance of being freed. Now …' He paused, shaking his head. ‘It's a bad death in the mines, love. Once you get sick they just dump you down the old shafts.'

‘Bloody Lucius! I should've broken both his arms!'

‘Yeah. Now all the men are out to get 'im. Even if 'is arm heals 'e won't make it through another sparring match. Half my men are slaves, waiting for the chance Dimitri had. They don't take what happened here too kindly. Fucking bastard!'

Cerebus grinned, showing too many missing teeth. ‘But you finished 'im off nicely, love. Now even 'is mighty friends won't want 'im, ay!'

Cerebus glanced over at Alex, and casually changed the topic. ‘What' d ya think of the fight yesterday?'

Alex replied just as coolly, ‘She had him worked out right from the start. He didn't stand a chance.'

Cerebus looked at him thoughtfully, and then said, ‘Well fuck me, Alexander. Sounds like you've fallen on your feet.'

Alex just stared back at Cerebus, giving nothing away.

Before the boys could follow this new line of conversation I cut in. ‘So can you help me find Lucius? This man seems to be busy getting rid of his associates, so he may go after Lucius as well. I have to
get there first. Do you have any idea where Lucius would hide out?'

‘Don't worry, love, 'e'll be here,' scoffed Cerebus. ‘'e's free, but 'e has to report back by noon roll call, or 'e'll have fucking broken 'is oath. Believe me — 'e'll be here all right. Augustus likes to make a fucking horrible example of any gladiators that break the code. And that big girl Lucius knows that. Just wait around here till 'e shows up.'

‘He mightn't come back, Cerebus,' I warned. ‘Not if he knows what happened to the others.' Cerebus hadn't seen the two men lying on the floor of the brothel, with their heads peeled off backwards. ‘Augustus has to find Lucius first to have him executed.'

‘Well, why don't you stay here, love, and let me find out what I can about where our friend Lucius might be?' He stuck his head out the window, and bellowed, ‘Sextus!'

Sextus sprinted back in at the double. Cerebus barked at him, ‘Find out about a friend of Lucius,' pointing to me for the rest of the description.

I gave it and Sextus took off at a run.

‘While you wait, love, why don't you give my offer some serious thought? It's a gladiator's fucking wet dream. Fighting for Augustus in front of the richest crowd in the world. Get yourself some generous fans. What more could you want?'

I shook my head.

He gave Alex a considering glance. ‘Well, what about 'im? If 'e'd stayed in the ring 'e'd have been the best. Fast and mean. What are you going to do with 'im? We could use 'im here. 'e could be a very nice little earner for you.'

‘I told you, I'll make up my mind after I finish this job.'

‘You won't get a better offer.'

For the next hour or so, Cerebus continued pushing his sales pitch in increasingly ingenious ways. I was running out of ways to say ‘no' politely by the time Sextus reported back. He arrived in the middle of Cerebus' description of the amount, and kind, of free sex the more successful gladiators were offered as their due.

Sextus came running in to slam to a dust-stirring stop in front of the desk. Cerebus said curtly, ‘Well you took your fucking time, Sextus! What' d ya find out?'

‘Not that much unfortunately, sir.'

Cerebus raised his shaggy eyebrows.

‘But, sir,' Sextus' voice quivered slightly, ‘a couple of the men said they'd been at Stinky's tavern yesterday morning, when Lucius and the man with the dented-in nose arrived. They said Lucius called him Fabius.'

‘And?' roared Cerebus.

Sextus was sweating pearls. ‘That's it, sir, I'm afraid.'

Damn. That wasn't much.

Not much, not nearly enough, but something. So the Hierophant's name was Fabius. Now at least we had a first name to go with the physical description.

Unfortunately, as the day went on, it didn't get any better.

The noon roll call had come and gone with no sign of Lucius. While the rest of the Ludi dispersed out of the blistering sun to take their meal and a rest, I wondered what to do next. Alex stood at my side, helping Cerebus give Felix the details of our search for Lucius.

‘He must have heard about Argos and Caractacus,' said Alex. ‘The steaming coward's run like a …' The last word didn't translate.

‘Well he's fried now — he's broken his oath,'
replied Felix, with a heavy sauce of equal parts revenge and gloating.

‘Yeah, the Praetorians will hunt 'im,' said Cerebus. ‘'e'll end up nailed to a flaming cross somewhere public.'

The two Ludi men laughed. Cerebus gave me a pointed look. ‘If the Praetorians find 'im first, love, you won't get your answers. It will just be tap, tap, tap.' He made a hammering motion, while he said it. When he looked over at Felix they both laughed again.

‘Now I not only have to find him — I have to race the Praetorians as well?' Lucius was slipping further and further away from me.

‘Oh yes. Augustus doesn't take this kind of matter lightly,' said Felix. ‘The oath we take here's considered as being made to Augustus himself. Big mistake.'

Cerebus cut in. ‘Yeah, a real big mistake. Sextus has already gone to notify the Praetorians. They'll be under orders to make an example of 'im by tomorrow night at the latest.'

Alex caught my gaze. ‘That's right.'

‘Why tomorrow night?' I asked.

‘It'll be all over Rome soon, love. The Forums will be humming with it,' said Cerebus. He puffed his chest out. ‘We're Augustus' own men. Everyone knows us.'

Alex nodded. ‘And if Lucius isn't caught by tomorrow, it's more likely he'll make it overseas to the provinces.'

‘If the Praetorians don't find him soon, Augustus will lose face.' Felix paused for emphasis, ‘And we all know that if Augustus loses face — everyone's going to suffer.'