Read Online Saviour of Rome [Gaius Valerius Verrens 7] by Douglas Jackson - Free Book Online

thinking.’
    Pliny limped past the
tepidarium
to the
caldarium
and slipped into the steaming pool of clear water with a groan of ecstasy. ‘I also find a bath eases the pain of the gout. Now, where was I?’
    ‘You were talking about corruption in the goldfields.’ Valerius dropped into the pool beside his friend.
    ‘Ah, yes. Corruption. Bureaucracy is essential to the successful flow of gold, silver and lead from the mines of Hispania to the vaults of Rome. Yet in a system of supply and demand there is always room for a venalofficial to make a profit. Leases are auctioned to the highest bidder, but that bidder will undoubtedly also be the one who pays the largest bribe to the official in charge. Most of the mines are state-operated, but miners have to be fed. How simple for a mine operator to claim he paid out
x
sesterces a day to feed his workers when in fact he is paying out
y
and pocketing the difference? Fortunately, or unfortunately, the flow of gold was so immense that as long as the people responsible maintained it those in charge were happy for them to take their cut. Corruption became part of the system, therefore whatever else you discover you will find corruption.’
    ‘Then how will I know if I’ve discovered something significant?’
    ‘I’m afraid I cannot answer that,’ Pliny admitted. ‘But I’m confident you will know it when you see it, Valerius. What Petronius uncovered plainly went beyond mere corruption – gold production is two thirds the level before the civil war. Perhaps if you can find out what has happened to him you will have taken the first step to discovering what it was?’
    Valerius frowned. It was like being asked to find a single turd in a cesspit. Whatever the outcome, he had a feeling his hands were going to get very dirty. ‘Do you have any suggestion how I go about this?’
    ‘I have an old comrade who lives in Asturica Augusta.’ Pliny’s voice dropped and his eyes flickered towards the doorway. Valerius suppressed a wry smile. If his friend believed his secrets weren’t safe in the very heart of his headquarters they were in deep trouble indeed. ‘His name is Marcus Atilius Melanius. He is one of the city’s leading citizens, but a man who lives quietly in retirement and has no links to the mining industry. Petronius was to contact him in time of need, but I don’t know if he ever did. At least he will be able to show you how the land lies. Do you intend to use the title Vespasian conferred upon you?’
    ‘I don’t know yet,’ Valerius admitted. ‘On the one hand high rank conveys a certain level of power; on the other it makes me conspicuous and could prevent people from speaking. Better, I think, to enter the city as a simple traveller, perhaps with a letter of introduction to your old comrade. Whatever Petronius discovered is likely to be burieddeep, but someone somewhere has knowledge of it.’ He paused for a moment, staring at a wall painting of a sea monster devouring a bireme galley, but his mind was already in the north. ‘The key is to find that person and put pressure on them. That might be the time to bring out the Emperor’s warrant.’
    Pliny nodded thoughtfully. ‘You may be right. Perhaps we can discuss it further in the morning? I intend to stay immersed for another hour. I doubt you will want to stay that long …’
    Valerius thanked him and pulled himself out of the pool. Normally an attendant would have been waiting to dry the governor and his guest, but the slave was nowhere in sight. Valerius had to search through cupboards to find oil for the stump of his arm. When he’d dressed he pulled the cowhide stock of the artificial hand over the mottled purple surface of his wrist and tightened the leather thongs with the ease of long practice. He was preparing to leave when an odd sound drew his attention: a soft gurgling as if someone had decided to empty the main bath.
    He slipped to the curtained doorway. Yes, it was definitely coming