“Find someone reliable to guard Jovina’s tent. Then look for Trebonius, but don’t waste much time on it, because we need to move fast. If you can’t find him, use my authority. Eurytus has agreed I can handle this until Trebonius turns up.”“Right.”“Keep everyone here who hasn’t left yet. Get them all together in one or two tents, and keep them there till we come. Try and make a list of everyone who’s gone already.”Titch pulled a face. “They aren’t going to like it.”“Then they can lump it. Aurelia and I will talk to Mallius. If he really killed Jovina, it simplifies matters, and we can let all the rest go.”Titch said quietly, “Like I just told Aurelia, I don’t believe he did. I didn’t see him down by the river alone this afternoon. He was with the crowd. And he was very drunk, unless he was pretending.”“He wasn’t pretending.” I said. “By midafternoon he could barely stand, let alone commit a murder.”“Then why in the gods’ name would he confess to one?”
