It was hopeless. Just like most of the dud investigations I accepted.
Belatedly, Caesius was taking in the fact that another girl had been killed and another family was suffering.. I must see them.
Please don't!' I urged.. Please let me handle it.'
I could see he would not heed me. Caesius Secundus was fired by the hope that a new killing – if that was really what had happened -would provide more clues, more mistakes or muddled stories, and maybe a new chance.
III
The coffin of Marcella Caesia stood in a dark side room. Its lid was painstakingly forced open with a crowbar. The surly slave who forced the curled lead edges apart plainly reckoned I was yet another callous fraud preying on his master.
Do not expect me to dwell on the contents. The dead girl had been bleached and sun-baked for a twelvemonth on the mountainside and animals had got to her. There were a lot of loose bones, a little shredded clothing. Collecting the relics must have been difficult. The coffin had been on a sea voyage since. If you have ever seen a corpse in that condition, you know how it was. If you never have, be grateful.
How was the body lying, Caesius? Could you tell?'
I don't know. I thought she had been left on her back. That was merely my feeling. Everything was widely scattered.'
Any indication that she had been buried? Could you see a shallow grave?'
No.'
Under the fierce gaze of Caesius Secundus, I endured the experience, walking around to view the coffin from every angle. I saw nothing helpful. Out of decency, I gave it time, then shook my head. I tried to find reverence; I probably failed. Then I left Caesius raising his arms in prayer, while his daughter's remains were resealed by the purse-lipped slave, hammering over the lead lip of the coffin lid as best he could.