The Cleopatra Crisis tw-11 Read online

  “So you think that Brutus would be the most approachable?”asked Lucas.

  “Yes, he’d probably be the easiest to get to know, but ifyou’re planning to infiltrate the conspiracy. Cassius and Casca are the onesyou’ll need to convince. That won’t be easy. They don’t know you. You’re only avisitor in Rome and your cover identity as my brother will practicallyguarantee that he won’t trust you. Of course, we could still pass you off assomeone else.”

  “No. you’ve already told Caesar about me and it could complicatethings if we changed our story. Besides. I wasn’t thinking of myself.” saidLucas. “I was thinking of Delaney. True, we all supposedly grew up together,but he hasn’t seen you in years and people grow apart. We could easily stage apublic confrontation of some sort between you, an argument about Caesar’sautocracy or something.”

  “Yes. I suppose that could work.” said Travers.

  “If possible. I’d also like to figure out some way to getAndre next to Cleopatra,” Lucas said. “What do you think the chances of thatare?”

  Travers pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Probably much betterthan your chances of infiltrating the conspiracy. Cleopatra hasn’t exactly beenembraced by Roman society. She acts as if she doesn’t seem to care, but I’m notsure if I buy that. It’s not that anyone would actively speak out against her,because of Caesar. but she’s been widely blamed for Caesar’s autocratictendencies. She’s a daughter of the pharaohs. after all, and as such, she doesn’tshare the republican sensibilities of most Romans. She’s a Ptolemy and she can’tunderstand or appreciate the freedoms most Romans enjoy. Nor has she made anysecret of her opinions on the subject.”

  “What’s she like?” asked Andre.

  “Well, the most obvious thing about her is her beauty,”Travers said. Then he corrected himself. “No, that isn’t really true. The mostobvious thing about her is her sex appeal She practically radiates sexuality.She knows the effect she has on men and she certainly uses it to her bestadvantage. She lives in relative isolation in the house that Caesar gave her,along with her son, whom she claims is Caesar’s. She was married to youngPtolemy XIII when they ruled together, then after his death, she married hisbrother Ptolemy XIV. Hardly what I’d call a loving family. They all hated oneanother. Ptolemy XIV was supposedly poisoned on her orders.”

  “Nice lady,” said Delaney wryly.

  “Merely a product of her time, her culture, and herposition.” Travers said. “She’s a compelling woman. Sharp, intelligent, andvery willful. Which is only to be expected from the Queen of Egypt. That’s herhouse right there.”

  They slowly passed an elegant, white-faced villa behind ahigh stone wall. There were Roman guards stationed outside it and severalEgyptians watched them carefully from just inside the gates as they drove by.

  “The problem is how to arrange a meeting with her.’ Traverssaid. “I couldn’t exactly invite her over for dinner.”

  “I’ll figure something out.-said Andre.

  Be careful: Travers cautioned her.”Once inside those walls,you might as well be in Egypt. And though she seems very personable. Cleopatracould have you killed instantly, merely on a whim.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” said Andre.

  “All right. then.” Lucas said, “for now, that’ll be our planof action. We’ll try to get Delaney in with the conspirators. Andre’sassignment will be Cleopatra. As your brother whom you haven’t seen in years. I’llbe introduced to Caesar and see if I can’t make myself fascinating enough forhim to want to socialize with me. How much have you told him about yourimaginary brother’?”

  “Not very much, really.” Travers said.”I wanted to leaveroom for you to improvise. All I’ve told him is that we were always very closeand that you stayed behind to run the estate when I went off to the wars.”

  “So I was never a soldier?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Just thinking. Did you write to me regularly’?”

  “Yes, as part of my own cover and to give me an excuse formaking extensive notes on the campaigns. Castelli actually received the lettersand he’s been keeping them for me, for my use when I clock back to Plus Timeand start working on my book.”

  “Good,” said Lucas.”I think I’ve just figured out how tomake myself interesting to Caesar.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “Let’s say that your brother. Marcus. always had a scholarlybent. An interest in philosophy and so forth. I’ll be an armchair strategist.Well say that I became so fascinated with your detailed letters about the warsthat I’ve decided to write a study of military strategy, using Caesar’scampaigns for my model.”

  “But you’ve never read those letters.” Travers said. ‘I’vegot them at the villa now, but I doubt there’s enough time for you to gothrough all of them.”

  “I won’t have to,” Lucas said with a smile. “I can skim themquickly, but I’ve been a student of military history for years. One of myfavorite books was Caesar’s Commentaries. I’ve read it several times and I tookan implant download on it before we left Plus Time, so I’ll be able to discussthe Gallic Wars with Caesar from his own observations.”

  “My apologies.” said Travers. “I should have known you’dcome prepared.”

  “One can never prepare too well for an adjustment mission.”Lucas said. “The only trouble is, more often than not, all the preparation inthe world simply isn’t enough. Those Egyptians worry me. If, as you suspect.they’re undercover S.O.G. commandos, we’re really going to have our hands full.And if they’re not, it still won’t be easy getting them out of the way. I hopeyou can convince Caesar to get rid of them.

  “What if I can’t?”

  “Then we may have no other choice but to get rid of them ourselves.In order for Caesar to be assassinated, we might just have to assassinate hisbodyguards.”

  “All twelve of them?”

  “All twelve. That means timing will be absolutely crucial.If we take them out too soon, it will give the conspiracy away and Caesar willprobably surround himself with legionaries. If we take them out too late …”He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. “Either way, it’s going to be realtricky.”

  “But if there are sixty conspirators,” said Andre, “couldn’tthey simply overwhelm the bodyguard?”

  “One would think so,” Travers said, “except there weren’tsixty men involved in the assassination itself. Only a handful of them did theactual killing. Besides, it’s one thing to attack a single unarmed man, hut it’ssomething else entirely to go up against a dozen armed and well-trainedsoldiers. Even if the conspirators could get through them, the bodyguard wouldprobably slow them down long enough for the Senate House Guard to intervene.What made the assassination possible was the speed with which it was accomplished.In the confusion that followed, the assassins were able to escape, though theywere all condemned afterward and some took their own lives with the samedaggers they had used to murder Caesar.”

  “Here’s a thought,” said Delaney. “What would happen ifthere was an attempt on Cleopatra’s life? Wouldn’t Caesar be concerned enoughto insist that she take the bodyguard for herself?”

  “He might,” said Lucas. “On the other hand, he might simplyassign Roman legionaries to protect her.”

  Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to be protected by herown people’?” Delaney persisted. “I don’t know, but from everything I’ve heardabout Caesar. it makes sense that he’d want her to take them back, to guard herin the house, and maybe assign additional troops to protect the grounds. Itwould seem that she’d want her own people around her, rather than a hunch ofRoman soldiers who wouldn’t know how to treat her properly.”

  “Only what if Cleopatra isn’t really Cleopatra?” Traversasked.

  “The way she reacts to an attempt on her life might tell uswhether she is or not,” Delaney said.

  “You may have a point,” said Lucas. “It might be worth atry. Only if we’re dealing with the S.O.G.. that could tip our hand.”

  “May
be,” Delaney replied.”But it would also tell us what weneed to know, wouldn’t it?”

  “That’s like standing up in the trench to find out if thesnipers on the other side are paying attention,” Lucas said.

  “So? Since when were you afraid of snipers?”

  Lucas gave him a sour look.

  “Sorry. Bad joke.”

  “Did I miss something?” Travers said.

  “It’s another long story,” Lucas replied. “I’d tell you,except I still don’t know how it’s going to turn out.”

  “I’m hoping for a happy ending,” Andre said.

  “So am I,” said Lucas with a tight grimace. “So am I.”

  Dinner in the Imperial Palace, Steiger thought. I’m movingup in the world. Caesar had been so amused at Antony losing a fortune to him atthe races that he had invited “Creon Sabinus” to dine with him that evening.Being an excellent rider, Caesar was also interested in talking abouthorsemanship. Fortunately. Steiger was qualified to discuss the subjectknowledgeably. Not only was he a member of the Pendleton Base Polo Club, butduring various assignments in Minus Time, he had also served with some of thefinest cavalry detachments in history, from the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khanto Jeb Stuart’s 1st. Virginia Cavalry. The only thing that gave him any troubleWas the Roman custom of eating in the prone position while lying on a couch. Hekept wanting to sit up.

  “You should have been a soldier. Sabinus,” said Caesar. laughingas he watched him shift his position uncomfortably. “Like me, you havedifficulty keeping still. I can see that you are not one who is accustomed topampered luxury. A fit. strong man such as yourself, it is a pity that younever joined the legions. You understand a great deal about horses and you seemto have an instinctive grasp of cavalry maneuvers. I could have used a man likeyou in my campaigns.”

  “I would have been proud to serve with Caesar,” Steigersaid. “But my father died young and it fell to me to manage the estate.Besides, I am undoubtedly more useful as a breeder of fine horses for Rome’slegions than I would have been as a ordinary soldier in the cavalry.”

  “I do not believe that you would have been merely anordinary soldier.” Caesar said. “You have intelligence and wit, all the makingsof a fine officer.”

  “I thank Caesar for the compliment. However, my destiny tooka different course. I could not change it now.”

  “I have heard it said that a man could change his destiny.”said Caesar. smiling. “Now that Marcian is purchasing your estate perhaps youwill have the chance to alter yours. I will soon be embarking upon newcampaigns of conquest, adding to Rome’s territories. I will require able men.Why not come with me? I promise you that you would not be an ordinary soldier.For your knowledge and ability, I would make you a tribune with my cavalry.”

  “I am indeed honored,” Steiger said. “When do you intend toleave on your next campaign?”

  “I have an old debt to pay the Parthians, to avenge thedeath of my old friend, Crassus. I plan to depart from Rome on the eighteenthof the month. That should give you sufficient time to conclude your business withMarcian.”

  “But I had planned to engage Sabinus to manage the estate,”Marshall protested.

  “I am certain that Sabinus has slaves and freedmen overseerswho could manage it for you equally well. Marcian,” said Caesar. “And doubtlessyou could pay them less. I have greater need of able men than you. What sayyou, Sabinus? You have already increased your fortune at my friend Marc Antony’sexpense, and you shall increase it further when your business with Marcian isconcluded. Once that is done, you shall be relieved of your responsibilitiesand there will be nothing to prevent you from enlisting with my forces. Youcould arrange for your money to be invested wisely and when you return, youwill be a rich man. And you shall have your choice of properties from the landsthat we shall conquer. You may build a villa, start a farm and live there, oryou could live in Rome and hire a freedman to manage your property for you,along with the slaves you shall receive from among our prisoners. I treat mysoldiers well and reward them for their service. A man such as yourself coulddo well in the wars.”

  “Such inducements would seem impossible to refuse,” saidSteiger. He smiled. “As it would be impossible to refuse Caesar.

  “Splendid! Then let us drink a toast to your new destiny!”

  Parthia?” said Steiger.

  Caesar smiled and raised his goblet. “To Parthia!”

  “What the hell was that all about?” asked Marshall. afterthe evening was concluded and they had left the palace.

  There’s no need for you to join the legions. By the eighteenth.Caesar will be dead.”

  “But what if he isn’t?” Steiger countered. “Suppose this anomalywith the Egyptians turns into a disruption and the conspirators fail to killhim? Then there will be nothing to prevent him from leaving on his new campaignagainst Parthia.”

  “And you intend to be with him.” Marshall said. “So that thefirst chance you get …”

  “You got it.”

  Marshall snorted. “Just like old times. huh? Cloak-and-daggerwet work.”

  “Yeah. A tribune’s cloak and a Roman dagger,” Steiger said.

  “You’re actually hoping it’ll happen. aren’t you? Christ,you really want the conspiracy to fail, so that you can take Caesar outyourself.”

  “I’ll do whatever I have to do.” said Steiger. “depending onhow things turn out. But it would be a hell of a thing, wouldn’t it?”

  “Yes, I guess it would at that. You’d be the man who sanctionedJulius Caesar. Not even Mongoose ever pulled off anything that big.”

  “It would convince Forrester that there’s a place for thecovert field section,” Steiger said.

  “With you as senior section chief, no doubt.” said Marshall.

  Steiger glanced at him.-Why not? I’d be the logical choice.And I’ll need good, experienced agents.”

  “Forget about it,” Marshall said. “I told you. I’m allthrough with that. I’ve got a good thing going here. I’d like to keep it.” hegave Steiger a long look. “I am going to get to keep it, aren’t I?”

  Steiger shrugged. “It’s your choice. John.”

  “Is it?”

  Steiger met his gaze. “What are you saying. John? You thinkI’d turn you in?”

  “You’d only be doing your duty if you did,” said Marshallflatly. “It would be another feather in your cap, wouldn’t it? Busting arenegade agent and using him to nail all his Underground connections. Mighteven net you a promotion.”

  “I don’t want to be general that badly,” Steiger said.

  “So you say.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment.

  “Is that what it comes down to. John?” asked Steiger, histone emotionless. “We can’t trust each other anymore? Is that what being in theUnderground has done to you?”

  “It’s made me very careful, Creed.” Marshall said evenly. “Maybewe’re both working toward the same end. but we’re really not on the same sideanymore, are we?”

  “Aren’t we?”

  Marshall shook his head. “No, Creed. You’re still on theinside. I’ve opted out. That makes me a criminal. You can drop the hammer on meanytime you feel like it. I’m not very comfortable with that idea.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” said Steiger. “But you couldalways leave Rome. Go deeper underground, in some other time period where Icouldn’t find you. Of course. you’d have to start all over, but that wouldn’tbe very hard for a resourceful man like you. If you really believe I’d turn youin, why take the chance of staying?”

  “You don’t really understand, do you?” Marshall said. “I’vegot a good life here. A pleasant. simple. comfortable life. For the first time,I’ve found a sense of permanence. I don’t want to run, Creed. I don’t want tospend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have deserted.” Steiger said. “What doyou want me to say. John? That after all this is over, I’ll go back to PlusTime and forget all
about you? Fine. You got it. Is that what you want to hear?”

  “I wish it were that simple.”

  “Yeah, so do I. but it isn’t, is it? Because you don’t trustme. If that’s the way you feel, then nothing I say will make any difference.You see, that’s what happens when you run, John. Sooner or later, you alwayswind up looking over your shoulder. If it’s not me back there, it could besomeone else. You’ll never really know for sure. So you can keep running. Oryou can stop and face the music.”

  “I’m not going back, Creed. That part of my life isfinished. “

  “Then I guess you’ll have to live with your decision,”Steiger said. “I’m sorry there’s nothing I can say or do to make that easierfor you. but that’s the way it is..

  “I’m sorry, too.” said Marshall. Ile sighed. “Hell, let’s goget drunk.”

  6

  The dinner Travers had planned was a large one and he had invitedsome of the most influential citizens of Rome. Though he had not invitedCaesar. One did not simply invite the Emperor to dinner. even if one was aclose friend of his And there was a reason why they did not want to have Caesarpresent at this occasion. They wanted to be able to talk about him in a mannerthat his presence would not have, allowed. It was to be the occasion for Delaney,in his identity as “Fabius Quintullus,” to make his first move in trying toinsinuate himself into the conspiracy against Caesar.

  Cassius and Marcus Brutus had been invited, as Travers knewthem and many of the others from the Senate. as well as Antony and a number ofhis friends, at least one of whom, Trebonius, was known to them to be involvedin the conspiracy. By this point, less than two weeks before the Ides of March.the conspirators would be well advanced in their plans. The thing to do was seeto it that nothing changed them.

  It seemed difficult for Delaney to believe that a conspiracywith so many people in it could have been effectively kept a secret, but thensuch was the character of life in Rome among the powerful. Everyone seemed tohave two faces. The public face, which was worn from day to day, in the Senateand on social occasions, and the secret, private face, which was glimpsed onlyduring moments of clandestine intriguing. Rome had seen many conspiracies andwould see many more.