As he strode across the room, Macro studied the man they had come to see. Marcus Glabius was short, a head shorter than even Macro, and heavily covered with fat and flesh that made his cheeks pendulous and quivery. Although his wrinkled face indicated advanced years, Macro was surprised to see that Glabius had fine curly black hair, and then realised that the tax collector was wearing a wig. He wore a silk tunic and soft doeskin boots that laced up to just below his knees. He struggled to his feet and bowed towards his guests.

'Welcome, Senator.' He glanced shrewdly at Macro. Cato had manoeuvred himself to stand behind Sempronius's shoulder. 'I had not expected you to bring company. Witnesses to our discussion, perhaps?'

'These men are my secretaries, not witnesses,' Sempronius replied coldly. 'They are here to take notes.'

'Both of them? Surely one would suffice?'

'For a lesser official, perhaps,' Sempronius countered. 'But as a senator, and as acting governor of the province, it is for me to choose how many men I need.'

'Acting governor?' Glabius smiled. 'You have no right to that title, alas. My poor friend Hirtius made that quite clear in his last hours.'

'Nevertheless, I have assumed the governorship, and have written to Rome to seek confirmation.'

A quick frown flitted across Glabius's features, before he smiled again.' How strange. I have written to my good friend the imperial secretary, Narcissus, to ask for confirmation of my own claim to the post. Ah well, we shall soon see who Rome acknowledges. Anyway, I believe you are here to request rations for your men.'

Macro knelt down and opened his bag. With one hand he began to rummage through the contents, while the other stole slowly round, behind his back. The senator cleared his throat and answered the tax collector clearly.

'No.' Sempronius shook his head.' Not this time. I have finished with requests, Glabius. Nor will I condone any more payments, at your profiteering rates, for the rancid stocks that you supply to my men. I have come here to demand that you surrender control of the supplies gathered here. Furthermore, I want you, your friends and your hired thugs to quit the acropolis immediately.'

For an instant, Glabius's eyes widened with a stab of anxiety. 'Sadly, I am unable to comply with your wishes.' He stepped out from behind his desk so that he had a clear line to the door at the end of the room.' Now, if you don't mind, I think I might need a few, er, witnesses of my own in here.'

He opened his mouth to draw a deep breath and call for his guards as Sempronius turned to Macro and nodded.' Now '

Macro surged to his feet, dagger in hand, and hurled himself at Glabius, knocking him back against the wall and driving the breath out of him in an explosive gasp of pain. Before the tax collector could react, Macro spun him round, grabbed him under the jaw with his left hand and thrust the edge of the dagger against his throat.

'Don't move a muscle,' he hissed in Glabius's ear.' The blade's sharp, and will cut through your throat at the slightest pressure.'

Glabius attempted to wriggle, and Macro clamped his left hand tightly about the man's windpipe. 'I said, don't move. And if you make a sound without my say-so, it'll be the last thing you do. Understand?'

Glabius made to nod, but wisely changed his mind and whimpered, 'Yes.'

Cato leaned across the table and turned the tablet that Glabius had been working on round to face him. He flipped it open and ran his eyes over the columns of figures under some clearly marked headings. He let out a low whistle. 'Looks like you're making a small fortune on the commissions on the grain purchases. What am I saying? It's a bloody huge fortune. I think I'll hang on to this.' He turned to Sempronius for permission. 'Sir?'

'Take it. Put it in your bag. I'm sure Narcissus will be delighted to find out how well his friend is doing out of the provincial treasury.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Good.' Sempronius smiled as he stood in front of Glabius and crossed his arms.' Now that I have your attention, and your cooperation, I want you to listen carefully. You will do exactly as I say.

If you manage that, then you will live. If you mess up, or try to make a run for it, or shout a warning, then Centurion Macro will kill you on the spot. So listen. This is what you're going to do...'

A short time after Sempronius and the others had entered Glabius's office, they re-emerged. This time the tax collector accompanied them, following the senator, while Macro and Cato walked behind Glabius. Macro held the dagger in his right hand, concealed in the shoulder bag, which had a small slit to the front through which the point of the blade projected, just enough for him to keep the tip in Glabius's side as they walked steadily along the corridor and down the steps into the courtyard. The guard who had shown the visitors up to the office was waiting in the shade of the colonnade and hurriedly rose to his feet at their approach. Glabius slowed to a stop and beckoned to the man.

'Over here!'

The guard drew up in front of the small party and eyed them curiously, until Glabius started to give his orders. 'I want the men summoned to the side of the Temple of Jupiter, at once.'

'Yes, sir.'

Macro gave Glabius just the lightest of prods, as a little reminder.

'Oh yes,' Glabius added hurriedly.' Make sure they are all there, including the men at the gate and on the walls.'

'All of them?' The guard could not conceal his surprise at the order.

Yes, all of them!' Glabius replied harshly.' D ' you hear me? All of them.'

'But sir, the gate? Who will guard it?'

'That's not important now. I want everyone by the temple, for a... a...' Glabius bit his lip, and then started as Macro applied some pressure to his back. 'A reward! Yes, I want to reward you men. For your loyal service. For all the hard work you have done to help the people of Gortyna come through the dark time that has afflicted us!'

Macro leaned a little closer and whispered under his breath, 'Easy does it. Let's not go overboard, eh?'

Glabius nodded ever so faintly as he cleared his throat. 'Just summon the men. Tell them I want to address them, them and all my family and friends in the acropolis. Send word to them as well, at once. Go!'

The guard bowed his head and turned to stride away.

'Don't walk, run!' Glabius called after him, after another prod from Macro. With a last glance back, the guard stumbled into a trot as he hurried away to carry out his orders. As the clatter of footsteps faded, Glabius swallowed nervously and glanced at Sempronius.' Do you think he believed me?'

You'd better pray he did.'

Glabius stared intently at the senator. 'I don't know what exactly you think you are doing, but you won't get away with it.'

'We shall see. You just play your part and we'll take care of things.'

'What are you up to?'

'You 'll see. Now then, let's get moving again. As far as the entrance. And then we wait there while your men assemble.'

With Macro keeping a close eye on Glabius, they slowly made their way back through the hall and halted just inside the building.

Keeping to the shadows, they watched as the bodyguards and hired thugs began to drift across the acropolis and assemble to the side of the colonnade of the Temple of Jupiter. Sempronius had noted the area on a previous visit, and saw how the bulk of the temple concealed the line of sight to the main gate. They waited and watched as a small crowd of the tax collector's guests ambled around the corner, carrying the wine amphora with them and chatting cheerily as they found a shaded corner to sit down in and wait for their host. All the while Macro kept the point of his blade lightly pressed into the small of Glabius's back. Once, when he swayed forward a fraction, Macro grabbed the back of his tunic and gave him a harsh tug.