Spoiler!!!

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A rotting human corpse is found in a chest in the Didius shop at the Saepta Julia in Rome. As usual, it's up to Flavia Albia to investigate the issue, and enquiries reveal that the chest in which the corpse was discovered had belonged to the Callisti, a wealthy clan of boatbuilders who are liquidating part of their assets through Falco. Examination of the corpse by Albia reveals that the corpse had been wearing two rings — a signet ring that is now missing, and a wedding ring which is recovered by Albia.

At the same time, the aedile Tiberius Manlius Faustus is also invoved in the task of helping two friends in an aedilate election, and as usual asks Albia to help in investigating his friends' rivals.

Albia and Faustus consummate their relationship.

Issues

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  • The process of an aedilate election in Rome