"He is old, Decimus. He is in pain. Constant pain. He is not the man he once was. But he suspects. That I am sure of."
"As he should," said the tribune. "He knows you as well as you know him. It is truly astonishing to contemplate the number of years you two have lived as man and wife and one has not tried to murder the other. Truly astonishing."
A cackle of that child-like laughter escaped the old woman"s lips and amused delight flashed across the woman"s still handsome face. A crooked, old finger lifted up into the air and waggled back and forth in front of her dark eyes.
"Before your time, Decimus. Long before your time many years ago. But that is behind us now. Continue, old friend. Enlighten us with your deduction."
"Yes, tribune. Tell me what in the name of the gods is going on h
