I sneaked in a question". Was it an arranged marriage?' All marriages are arranged by someone, even ours, in which we two had simply decided to live together.. Did the couple know one another? Were they childhood friends?'

No They had met several times in adulthood; they were content to be partners.'

How long ago was the wedding?'

Only four months… Tullia Longina wiped away an invisible tear At least this time she made the effort

Valeria was nineteen. And your son?' I pressed on.

Five years older.'

So who arranged things for Valeria' Had she family?'

A guardian. Her parents are both dead.'

She is an heiress?'

Well, she has – had – a little money, but to be honest, it was something of a move downhill for us. So the careful Tullii had got away with putting in a small marriage portion. Money, therefore, seemed an unlikely motive for killing Valeria.

I. asked for, and to my surprise was given, details of Valeria's guardian. Not much hope there; he was an elderly great-uncle, who lived away in Sicily. He had not even attended the wedding. Fixing up Valeria must have been a duty call.

They were not close,' Tullia told us.. I believe they had not even met since Valeria was a very small child. Nonetheless, I am sure her great-uncle is heartbroken.

Your son less so?' I queried coolly.

No!' Tullia Longina exclaimed.. Even the magistrate could see in the end that he is innocent. The whole party were exonerated and allowed to go on their way.'

What happened to Valeria's corpse?' I asked.

A funeral was held at Olympia.'

Cremation''

Of course,' said Tullia, looking surprised. Thank the gods. That saved me sniffing at another set of bones.

Helena moved slightly, to break the tension.. What was your reaction when Caesius Secundus came and told you something similar had happened to his daughter?'

Oh the circumstances are quite different.