'We were a syndicate.'

The big word impressed him more than me. 'Shipping what?'

'Statues.'

'That fits.' Fine art was the family business on our father's side. 'Was the cargo from Judaea?'

'No. Greece.' That fitted too. There was a voracious appetite in Rome for Hellenic statuary.

'So what happened? And why are you only calling in your debt three years after his death?'

'There's been a damned war in the East, Falco-or hadn't you heard?'

'I heard,' I replied grimly, thinking of Festus.

Censorinus took more of a grip on himself. 'Your brother seemed to know what he was doing. We all put in with him to buy the stock. He promised us high percentages.'

'Then either the ship sank, in which case I feel sorry for both him and you but there's nothing I can do about it-or else you should have received your money long ago. Festus lived on the wild side, but I never saw him cheat.'

The soldier stared at the table. 'Festus said the ship did sink.'

'Hard luck. Then why in the name of the gods are you bothering me?'

He didn't believe it really had sunk; that was obvious. But he still had enough loyalty to Festus not to say so outright. 'Festus told us not to worry; he would see we didn't lose by it. He would get us the money back anyway.'

'That's impossible. If the load was lost-'

'It's what he said!'

'All right! Then he must have meant it. I'm not surprised that he was offering to make good; you were his mates. He wouldn't have let you down.'

'Better not!' Censorinus was incapable of keeping quiet, even when I sympathised.

'But whatever plan he had for recouping the loss must have involved further deals. I don't know about them, and I can't be responsible for arranging them at this stage. I'm surprised you're even trying it on.'

'He had a partner,' Censorinus grouched.

'It wasn't me.'

'I know.'

'Festus told you?'