Hamilton, Peter F. Watching Trees Grow
What if: The Roman Empire persisted longer. Also, having succesfully bred for better gladiators, the empire subsequently tried breeding for longer life.
Summary: A Briton investigates a murder, taking two centuries and using ever more advanced technology to do so.
Published: PS Publishing 2000.
— Included in Futures: The Very Best of British SF Today (ed. Peter Crowther), Gollancz 2001 (0575070234), v.t. Futures: Four Novellas, Warner/Aspect 2001 (0446610623BUY).
Original in: English.
Translation: French by Jean-Claude Mallé as En regardant pousser les arbres, in Faux revuer, Bragelonne 2002 (2914370156).