Page 5 of Booked for Theft

“We simply don’t know, but I suspect it’s possible. The history of Hadrian and Apollodorus is somewhat uncertain. Apollodorus criticized Hadrian, who was notorious about disliking criticism, but Hadrian made use of Apollodorus’s criticisms in his design. Some even claim that Hadrian had Apollodorus executed for those criticisms.” Senator Thaddens gestured to the codex I held. “There are few who can read that, especially as it makes use of the cursive form of Roman script, but I believe it’s a complete dissection of Hadrian’s designs in addition to a record of them. From the Pantheon to the Temple of Venus and Roma to Hadrian’s Wall, he has left a legacy surpassing the rest of his reign. Nobody remembers Hadrian for how he ruled. He is remembered for the folly of that doomed wall and the splendors of the Pantheon.”

I took care with turning the pages, marveling at the detail of the sketches, which revealed many of the segments of the Pantheon lost to time and ruin. “This is so precious.”

“The full layout for Villa Adriana is within the second codex, and it details all of Hadrian’s aspirations for the estate. It is that codex that makes people question if Apollodorus was involved. Surely a critic could not have such close dealings with Hadrian’s most opulent construction. Or so they say.”

Something about Senator Thaddens’s tone warned me he attempted to convey something with his words—something dealing with our traitorous government. I had my suspicions, and they all involved the carefully constructed theatrics and the lack of any actual choice Americans had for who ruled over them.

The government controlled it all, from who lived and died to every level and layer of government.

Even the public opponents were likely allies in the shadows, and I would be wise to remember that.

“What is Villa Adriana? I haven’t heard of it before,” I confessed.

“Villa Adriana is the heart of Hadrian’s architectural endeavors. It was his personal palace spread over seven square miles of land, containing evidence of Rome’s splendor and glory at her peak. It was his pride and his joy, and it showcased every one of Rome’s proudest achievements. Some say it was a city within a villa, resplendent and glorious.”

“And now?”

“It is nothing but ruins, lost to time, with but a few fragmented pieces remaining, reminding the world of the man who had created such beauty. Ah, if only we had the vision to create such a glorious thing again.”

I wondered what hidden messages lingered in his words beyond the senator’s desire to return to a better time, a time where Americans had possessed at least the illusion of freedom. “Could I take pictures of the plans for Villa Adriana? Perhaps I will visit a crafting store and see what I might build from the drawings held within these codices.”

Senator Thaddens smiled. “I will spare you the effort; I have photographs already. I will text them to your phone so that you might enjoy attempting to capture the past in your hands. It would be my honor, especially if it might mean we witness the rebirth of such a glorious thing, even if in miniature. Let’s finish tending to those precious works, and then we will get to the important business of sending my donation to your institution.”

Everything about the situation bothered me, but rather than betray my feelings on the matter, I smiled.