10
Every Man Must Make His Own Decision
Aemilia and Asina were talking in the entertainment room as Argolicus and his tutor passed through the peristylum on their way to the office. Sunlight fell in an afternoon slant from the open ceiling onto the plants and tiles of the big room. Servants passed carrying food and drink to the entertainment room. Sabinus and Philo were in the office, but they had ceased looking at accounts. Each of them sat in silence staring at the books on the table.
Argolicus told them about the morning in the forum, his conversations with the men, and his disappointment in finding no clues to his father’s murder except the encounter with the ruffian.
“But you are describing Asina’s man, Altan. Everyone in Ostia knows him and stays clear of him.” Philo said, astoni
