Interrogation of Herrenius Gerus

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila, now among the third set of praetors charged with punishing the murderers of tribune Drusus, was eager to get the trial over with. Only one suspect remained, Herrenius Gerus, first accused (based on what Aquila saw as dubious evidence) nearly two years ago by then-praetor Gaius Furius Sulpicianus. Gerus remained in custody -- his lengthy detention an affront to justice, in Aquila's mind. His two alleged co-conspirators had been executed already, but the first had claimed there was some other powerful man behind the assassination...

Aquila sighed. The investigation had not been handled well. Ahenobarbus and Pinaria had both been killed before any of his predecessors had actually determined who, if anyone, had ordered Drusus' death. The only lead was Ahenobarbus' accusation of then-consul Gnaeus Julius Iulus. Sulpicianus had dismissed that as ridiculous and then threw the man from the rock; Scipio hadn't even mentioned it, then killed Pinaria. Oddly, Consul Iulus' son Sextus had defended Pinaria.

The whole thing gave the praetor a headache.

Blaming Carnifex would be a convenient way to wrap everything up, though. The man had a bad reputation already, now known for his violent tendencies. The people would believe it, and the Senate would hardly object. But that would be a difficult case to make, with the proconsul safely in his province fighting some foolish war. Not to mention the lack of evidence.

But Aquila intended to get evidence. He and his lictors were on their way to the Tullianum to pay a visit to Gerus.

"Herrenius Gerus. You are accused of the murder of tribune Marcus Livius Drusus, as you know. My apologies for the delay in your trial, justice has not been as swift as it should be. I have come to ask you some questions, and I hope you will be honest. Clementia favors the truthful."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gerus was drawn, wrecked, a man who looked ready to die at any moment. "My spirit broke weeks ago, Aquila." he said gloomily. "Let us begin this process, so that sooner it may end." Gerus knew everyone else accused had been executed. He had no hope he would survive.

[Okmin]

Aquila looked over the despondent man with a stoic face.

"This too shall pass, Herrenius. But you may yet be of use to the republic. Tell me how you three came to this sorry place. What road leads good Romans to kill a tribune?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"When the tribunes abuse their power and threaten the state with laws that will lead to its unraveling, it is the duty of the leading men of the state to take action, even drastic action, to save the state." Gerus said flatly.

[Okmin]

Gaius gave a single dry laugh.

"Who told you this? The tribunes are sacrosanct, by divine law no man may do them harm. Or did you check with some priest that the gods blessed your killing Drusus?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Just as when Brutus and his cohorts killed the last King and declared our freedom, so I have done with Drusus. those who would act as Kings over us, regardless of their Republican office, deserve to die." Gerus replied with a stern look

[Okmin]

"Drusus was pushing legislation through the legal channels. Radical legislation, maybe, but he was acting within his rights as tribune. The sanctity of the Republic was never in danger. "Besides, only the Senate may declare a man an enemy of Rome, and you are not the Senate." (sorry, I had to)

Aquila frowned. Why did they have to kill all but the stubborn one?

"Gerus, you are either delusional or lying. I will tolerate neither. I will ask you a question. You will answer directly and sensibly. If you do not, I will see you die slowly and painfully. Who ordered the death of Marcus Livius Drusus?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Ordered? Are you some sort of idiot?" The man shook his head. "We wereall free men acting in concert to destroy a tyrant."

[Okmin]

"Funny. Your friend Ahenobarbus told a different story."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I don't care what he said."

[Okmin]

"You should. He accused a consul of treason. The republic cannot let such charges go un-pursued."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gerus smirked and shook his head, refusing to answer any more of these ridiculous questions.

[Okmin]

"I see you have no use to me."

Aquila sighed and made to leave.

"Very well. You will be tried tomorrow and, Jupiter help me, find yourself at the foot of the Tarpeian Rock."