Inside a Brothel

Miriam and Phoebe do not spend time inside brothels, but they might stand outside them to catch the gossip or spy for a client. In “The Brother,” a story in The Deadliest Deceptions, Miriam is trying to locate one of Bion’s employees who may have stolen a valuable manuscript from his boss’s bibliopōleion.

“How much could that scroll be worth today?” Miriam asked Bion.

His voice dropped to a whisper. “About 2000 drachmas, enough to buy the grandest house.”

A fishy reflux rose in her gorge.

“Quite rare,” he continued. “An almost complete edition of what is still regarded as the best example of Athenian New Comedy.”

I pinched my lips. By now, it could be on a ship headed anywhere pinched my lips.

By now, it could be on a ship headed anywhere.

“It was right here.” Bion, in a characteristic gesture, pointed with his chin. Then he threw up his hands in despair.

For enough money to buy the grandest house in Alexandria, I too might stand outside a brothel, at least for a while. But does Miriam find out enough to recover the edition of Menander’s Dyskolos? And if you know Miriam, then even murder is possible with stakes this high. To find out more, click here.