Time: afternoon.
Place: patrol house, Aventine.
Subject: conversation between L. Petronius Longus, Fourth Cohort of Vigiles, and M. Didius Falco, informer.
Mood: depressed.
“How was your morning?”
“Dire.”
“Procreus turn up?”
“No.”
“Praetor see you?”
“No.”
“Charges dropped?”
“No.”
“Back again tomorrow?”
“Damn well have to. Any good news for me?”
“Sorry; no.”
“The Second made any progress?”
“No. Perseus is not found yet, and your steward’s a no-go. He’s a freedman. They can’t touch him. They threatened him—but then he threatened them with appeal to the Emperor.”
“He could talk voluntarily.”
“He says no: he’s too loyal.”
“Who’s he loyal to?”
“He’s too loyal to say.”
“Stuff him, then. Stuff everything.”
“That’s right. Take the tolerant view!”
“I’m off home.”
“Best thing, lad.”
“Thanks anyway.”
“That’s all right. What are friends for?”