Six for Gold by Mary Reed & Eric Mayer Page B

solution.” He was trying to think of something else to say when she gathered her tools and went into the house.
    Anatolius strolled around the garden for a time and then returned upstairs.
    He decided to put away the will he’d been working on and go to see Thomas again.
    When he entered the study he saw someone bent over the desk, studying the documents scattered there.
    The figure straightened and turned, revealing a scarred ruin of a face whose skin resembled that of a fowl left on the spit too long.
    â€œHektor!”
    â€œWhat are you doing, Anatolius, creeping around the Lord Chamberlain’s former residence? You startled me!”
    â€œI’m staying here in his absence.”
    â€œIndeed? And so it’s true this is your new line of business?” Hektor plucked a document up by a corner as if it were something distasteful. It was the will.
    Hektor let it drop. “You’ve gone from being Justinian’s secretary to sweating in the employ of bakers. Such a pity.”
    The former court page was dressed in spotless white garments decorated with embroidered squares depicting Christ on the cross and the risen Christ.
    Unfortunately there was no finery in the empire that would draw attention away from the disfigured face.
    â€œYou have no right to be here, Hektor,” Anatolius snapped.
    â€œI expected the house to be abandoned after the Lord Chamberlain’s enforced departure, and the carelessly unlocked house door gave me no reason to think otherwise.”
    â€œIt’s still occupied, as you see.”
    â€œYou’re not doing a very good job, are you? What if I were a common criminal?”
    â€œInstead of an uncommon one? Well, if you haven’t come to scavenge whatever you can steal like some carrion-eater then why are you here?”
    â€œI intend to take possession immediately.” Hektor glanced around the room. His gaze lingered on the wall mosaic. “It’s a most desirable property and could be furnished attractively. The Lord Chamberlain’s notion of comfort is not mine.”
    Anatolius observed that John was a man of simple tastes.
    â€œThen he’ll be much happier in a hovel in Egypt.”
    Anatolius heard a step in the hallway and glimpsed Hypatia, who vanished in the direction of the kitchen.
    Had she been listening?
    â€œLeave, Hektor. You’re not welcome here.”
    â€œWhat’s the hurry? John won’t be coming back. Our dear empress was correct all along. He was a cunning villain and now he’s been unmasked. Yet who would have guessed he’d go so far as to murder a senator? Whatever could he have been trying to conceal?” Hektor made the Christian sign. “I shall pray for his soul, sinner that he is.”
    â€œDo I have to throw you out?” Anatolius grabbed Hektor’s arm.
    Hektor jerked away. “Beware, Anatolius. If I appeal to the emperor—”
    â€œYou don’t appeal to anyone now, I’m afraid. Since I was the emperor’s secretary until recently, he knows me well, and I doubt he’d take much notice of whining complaints about me from a prancing fool like you.”
    â€œYou mistake me for the person I once was, Anatolius. The terrible accident I suffered was a gift from heaven. The veils of sin were lifted from my eyes and I saw the vanity of earthly things. However, we must also be practical. Even those who serve the Lord must have a place to live.”
    â€œWhy don’t you find a vacant pillar to crawl up and take up being a stylite instead of causing trouble for everyone?”
    Hektor glared. “Your friend John will not be needing this house again.”
    â€œHe’ll be back before too long. How can you possibly doubt it?”
    â€œBeing in the confidence of those who are highly placed, I’ve been entrusted with more than a few secrets,” the other replied.
    â€œYou mean you’re a keyhole specialist.”
    Hektor raised