Act Ten
Scene One
Sub-Scene One
The picture is taking shape.
Mark sat by himself on the porch, overlooking
the lawns at the mansion. He was reading the folder for the third time, or was
it for the fifth time? The names mentioned ran through his mind: Cicero,
Brutus, Pompey, and Moses. Two are dead, but the other two remain. One is a
Consul member, and to remove him requires Caesar’s approval. The latter is
silent in Egypt, and Mark heard of the new leader there, Queen Cleop.
Mark did have second thoughts on the request
by Caesar to reinforce the boys there in Egypt, but he was in a fix then. If he
did as requested, he would be outgunned by Pompey and Brutus. More so with
Visigoths and Tongs seated on the fence. He also wondered about the Sicilians;
they may not remain on the sidelines if the Romans are weakened. He took the
risk of ignoring Caesar’s request but was not prepared for the change of
leader. He did send a message to Demetrius and Philo.
“Caesar’s fine. He remained at the Queen’s
side.”
Mark’s thoughts went to Elliot Ness. He sent
the agent there on a wild goose chase and found the agent was either
resourceful or bluntly idiotic in his action. He made no headway but got
himself as a target there. Albert has requested a homecoming, which was
overdue. He must make his call soon.
“Boss, I have the boys ready.” Enobarbus
approached Mark. “We will go in four vehicles and...”
“How many of the boys?” Mark asked.
"Thirteen, not including you and me.”
Enobarbus said. “I could not pull too many away. They are guarding the shops or
warehouses, or making sure the other gangs remain in their territories.” Mark
heard the call made by the lieutenant.
“We are shorthanded, Boss.” Enobarbus admits
the fact. “Pompey held some influence on the wharfs, and the boys there are
his. I could get the others, but you told me to keep it discreet.”
Mark nodded, as that was his request. He did
not want the other gangs or even the coppers to see the situation as another
war that they could win.
“I can send you some of the boys.” Lady Fulvia
arrived. “Mark, you cannot take the risk with your small numbers.”
Mark looked at the lady he married. She
inherited Curio’s boys and business. It was not big but manageable to get her
to look like the mistress. Her action on Cicero gave her the aura of the
goddess again, and even the followers of Cicero have joined ranks with her.
“I can send you fourteen boys. Lucius will
take charge.” The lady was pushing her brother to be the front leader. “Take
them and take care of him.”
“Boss, it is good advice.” Enobarbus looked at
Mark. The latter nodded and told the lady where and what time the boys were to
meet. Lady Fulvia took her leave of the two to make her arrangements.
“Boss, I got to know that Brutus was...”
Enobarbus was cut off in his words.
“Implicated in the plot? I am not surprised at
that.” Mark looked at the enobarbus. “Brutus may be seeing the new light of
Rome, or he was the instigator behind the works. He does not like Caesar, but
he is a Consul member. That means I cannot touch him, except Caesar. Pompey is
my target for today. I need to make amends for Caesar.”
“Noted, Boss.” Enobarbus was diplomatic on the
move. “I will get the vehicle.”
Mark watched Enobarbus walk to the garage. He
was having thoughts about that man. He hardly knew Enobarbus; they survived a
shootout, but that does not make him a buddy in Mark’s term. He was resourceful
to provide some information, but how were they gathered? Was he feeding Mark to
get in the game or to cover someone’s flank?
“More coffee, sir?" Jeeves appeared,
holding the pot.
“No thanks, Jeeves. I am to leave now.” Mark
got up from the seat. “Jeeves, between Brutus and Caesar, who is more...
likeable?”
“I would not know, sir. I am just...” Jeeves
looked at Mark.
“Never mind, Jeeves. I am leaving now.” Mark
took leave of the porch. He watched from the window at the library.
“He is leaving, Agrippa.” Menas told the
other. They were gathered there with Lepidus. “Shall we...”
“No, Menas, this is an issue that Mark needs
to resolve. Caesar expects the ending to it.” Agrippa cut in. “In that mess,
Moses was killed. Not that I cared for Moses, but the task was to find out who
and what happened to him. Mark may have solved it, and due credit shall go to
him. As for us, we are still the Triumvirate until Caesar returns.”
“If he returns.” Menas smiled.
"True, but till then, we will rule the
Romans. Let Mark clear the murky side of the Romans while we maintained
cleanliness." Agrippa smiled. It was then that Menas excused himself to go
to the restroom. He saw Jeeves and left him a message.
“Call Pompey.”
“I did, sir. He is ready.”
“Where is Brutus?”
“He is with the Consul members about the
contents of the folder. It was edited by him, with some names removed,
discreetly. And reporting on Egypt.”
“Fine.” Menas returned to the library.
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