The cousins returned their neatly stacked money to the center of the desk and gave her their full attention.
“Salvio’ll kill me if he ever finds out what I’ve done here. I need you both to make me two promises. First, that you’ll never admit to anyone that you’ve had any contact with me, whatsoever.”
“So if he ever resurfaces, we act as if he still owes us our payment?”
“Sì.” She nodded. “And second, you never, under any circumstances, tell anyone anything that you’ve learned while spying on the Veronas. You’ll protect their privacy.”
“We’re happy to make both promises. We’re indebted to you—literally—and we’d never want to hurt the Veronas. They’re good people.”
“Raphielli, we can’t thank you enough for trusting us and telling us the situation with Salvio…and for being so generous.”
Zelph cut in, “Yeah, you’ve changed our lives here. After paying Pim, I’m gonna go into business for myself. Start fresh.”
“That’s what great wealth is for, I think.” She gathered her curls into a twist at the nape of her neck and slid a pencil in to secure it. It was a very schoolgirl thing to do, but she felt comfortable with these two men. They seemed like teenagers themselves.
“Before you go, we should plan what the three of us should do if Salvio ever comes back.”
She shared Gio’s plan to secretly send her a message in a box of tea, and the cousins nodded appreciatively at the Mafioso’s foresight.
“Okay, as a contingency plan, let’s trade phone numbers. If we hear that Salvio’s back in Venice, we call each other.”
“I don’t have a cell phone,” she said.
“We’ll buy you one, and deliver it here with our numbers programmed into it.”
“Grazie!” She clapped her hands lightly.
“Are you kidding? We’re happy to do it. You’ll have it tomorrow morning.”
“What if I’m not able to answer your call?”
“Good thinking. If one of us doesn’t answer, we’ll leave a text message.”
She felt nervous about this plan. “It must be a message he won’t understand if he ever gets my phone.”
Zelph offered, “Yeah we can say something like ‘weather report.’”
“Okay. If we get that ‘weather report’ message, we should meet somewhere safe. Will you meet me at the Little Church? It’s Cardinal Negrali’s church, and he’ll help us coordinate communication…or keep us safe if it comes to that.”
She saw them look at each other when she said the Cardinal’s name, and noticed they didn’t look surprised.
“Uh, you know Cardinal Negrali?” Zelph asked.
“Sì. He’s been helping me with this Salvio problem. Do you?”
Again the cousins looked at each other.
She narrowed her eyes. “Well, now I can tell that you don’t want to tell me.”
“You trust the cardinal?” Zelph asked.
“Implicitly,” she answered firmly.
“I’ve been tailing the count, and I know there’s a connection between Negrali and the Veronas. That’s all. Really.”
Satisfied, she said, “Then we have a plan. If any of us hears anything about Salvio, we alert the others and stay out of his way until we can get together at the Little Church. I think you boys had better go pay that man, Pim, now.”
“Yeah.” Alphonso got up and she stood as well. “We can never thank you enough. You’re the best, Raphielli.” He took both of her hands and kissed her knuckles. “I wish—”
Zelph stepped over and pushed his cousin out of the way. Apparently he was a physical kind of guy because he hugged her warmly. “Sì molte grazie, from the bottom of my heart, Raphielli, truly, grazie mille.” He pulled back from her and looked into her eyes. “You keep yourself safe, you hear?”
“Oh, I will.” Flustered, she nodded and felt a blush burning her cheeks.
“You’ll soon have a phone, so you need us, you call us.” Alphonso gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Oh, and you’re not a good liar. So when it comes to your story about Salvio going away, say as little as possible.”
She nodded.
“And that’s one of your tells.” He pointed to her head.
“My what?”
“People who don’t believe what’s coming out of their own mouths nod. It’s a subconscious thing they do to try to convince themselves that their lie is plausible. Stop nodding when you lie.” He winked at her, and then the Vitalis ducked behind the tapestry and left the house via the secret tunnel.
Raphielli looked around Salvio’s silent office. She felt a sense of accomplishment now that she had put an end to the Vitalis spying on the Veronas. Thinking of the few conversations she’d overheard, she considered what else she could rectify. Now that the safe was open, she decided to look through it for anything resembling the Brotherhood of Ironworkers patents she’d heard Salvio yelling about. She began pulling out random drawers and discovered thousands of documents. Some of them appeared to be on parchment and looked like they’d crumble to dust if she lifted them.
Hours later, she set the Brotherhood of Ironworker’s patents aside, leaned back in the big desk chair, and closed her eyes to think. A very powerful person came to mind, someone who could help her return these patents, and without nodding her head or getting caught telling a lie, she would find a way to put this right. She sat up, grabbed her late father-in-law’s desk directory, and dialed Mayor Buonocore’s private number.
Thirty minutes later, the mayor sat across from Raphielli, looking over the Ironworker’s patents. He pulled at his lower lip as his eyes scanned the pages.
“You surprise me, my dear. But I can do what you ask with no problem. I’ll work with the necessary players to challenge Salvio’s claim to these patents and get a court order.”
“Grazie.” Raphielli was exhausted. She moved to the sofa, let out a long exhale, and lay her head back until she was looking up at the ceiling. Her mind was tired, it was hard for her to think clearly. “So no one would know I initiated this? I was obeying a court order to return these documents.”
“Exactly.”
“I knew I could count on you to think of something.”
He glanced down at the note on the desk before him. “So Salvio has had an all-consuming desire to hear God, and went off for some spiritual isolation…indefinitely?” He flipped Salvio’s note back into the drawer where he’d found it, and pushed it closed.
Being careful not to nod, Raphielli let her tired eyes slide over to meet the mayor’s. “Sì.”
He returned the patents to the safe. “When you’re served with the warrant for these patents, just hand them over.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll meet with Tosca of the Brotherhood tomorrow and tell him the good news. I won’t mention you by name.”
She smiled. “Grazie.”
“I admire what you’re doing here. Call me or Elene if you need help while Salvio is away.” Then he walked over to her and took her hand. “Come on, I’ll start helping right now by getting you to bed.”
He reached for the servant’s bell and gave it a pull. She heard Guiseppe racing down the hallway as if he’d been shot out of a canon. He looked terrified when he arrived, looking around the office, and then drew himself up when he saw the mayor of Venice standing in the middle of the room.
The mayor addressed him. “Please arrange for signora’s maid to prepare her a steamed milk, and put her to bed.”
“Sì, onore.” Guiseppe nodded animatedly.
The mayor continued, “I understand that Signor Scortini is away on a religious journey. Being left alone is a strain for one person to run a household of this size.”
Guiseppe wrung his hands. “Oh, sì! I agree.”
The mayor moved toward the door. “I’ve offered to serve this household in any way that I’m needed so Signor Scortini’s important work is not disrupted by his spiritual quest.” And then he left.
CHAPTER
14
The morning after meeting with the Vitalis and the mayor, Raphielli lay in bed mentally preparing herself for another long day of studying Salvio’s financial affairs. The bank statements she’d ordered for Salvio’s Southern Hemisphere accounts would be delivered soon. Mercifully, he had no accountants that she needed to lie to about his disappearance, so by entering the correct security codes, Raphielli had access to more money than she knew what to do with.
Her thoughts were interrupted as her door opened, and she sat up excitedly when she saw that Rosa was carrying the most divine breakfast tray.
“What is this?”
“Breakfast in bed, signora.”
“Breakfast in my bed?”
“The cook insisted that the important women who have employed her in the past have all enjoyed their breakfasts in bed.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“She assures me that it is entirely proper.”
“How lovely!”
Rosa set the tray before her on a stand that straddled her thighs. Oh my! Look at this! Before her was a bowl of ripe fruit, a chocolate muffin that was wafting cocoa-scented tendrils of steam, a pot of tea that smelled of cinnamon spice, a pitcher of hot cream, and a stem of hibiscus in a bud vase. This is living! She picked up the menu that informed her the spices she smelled were called “chai,” and she felt a pang of hunger at the sight the food. No more seed cracker and water for breakfast!
As Rosa went to tend the fireplace, Raphielli wrapped her shawl around her shoulders to stave off the chill in her gloomy room. Looking more closely at the tray, she noticed an envelope with her name on it.
“Rosa, what is this envelope?”
“I do not know. Dante found the message with the flower and vase outside in the alcove next to the front door.”
“When did it come?”
“No idea. It was there when Dante went to turn out the entrance lights this morning.” She shrugged. “You know, that is how messages used to be delivered before phones, though not with crystal vases. That looks very expensive.”
Raphielli opened the envelope, read the note, and for the first time since leaving the abbey, she was excited about the day’s prospects. Contessa Juliette wanted to meet her at the Little Church at eight thirty this morning. She slipped the note back into the envelope and began to eat. Everything tasted so good, she let her eyes roll back in ecstasy. Here and now, I’m going to make myself a promise: I’ll never eat another seed cracker as long as I live.
She lingered over her breakfast, relishing every bite. The fruit was the sweetest she’d ever put in her mouth, and according to the menu, it had been dressed with honey syrup. Incredible! She lifted the hibiscus bloom from its vase and smelled it—such a nice gesture. When her tray was empty, she hopped out of bed and headed to her bathroom to get ready. She was looking forward to seeing Cardinal Negrali. He felt like so much more than just a father confessor now. And thinking of Juliette, Raphielli felt like she was going off to meet a friend. A silly thought, because until recently she’d only greeted Juliette twice, and both times Salvio had yanked her away, telling her to stop fawning.
Dressed in one of her church dresses, Raphielli wrapped Marilynn Bergoni’s green silk scarf around her neck to hide the devastation there. The silk was so refined, she felt beautiful wearing it. It’s incredible how the people I meet are so generous to me, while my own husband was so brutal. When she told Rosa that she was going out, her maid simply nodded and went about her routine of keeping the fireplaces going in the few rooms they still used. As Raphielli walked down the hall she passed Guiseppe, and it occurred to her that Salvio’s absence would probably add years to his life. She’d need to find something worthwhile for that sweet man to do.
It was a beautiful fall morning, and she enjoyed walking by herself as the boat traffic churned and bobbed its way up and down the canals. She breathed in crisp air and diesel fumes punctuated by strong whiffs of espresso as she passed cafes. Arriving at the Little Church, she stepped into the cool silence, dipped her fingers in the marble font of holy water, and blessed herself by making the sign of the cross. The flickering of votive candles and the ubiquitous aroma of hot wax brought her comfort on a deep level. She recognized Monsignor Treme as he approached her.
“Ah, Signora Scortini, you are looking well.”
She dropped into a brief curtsey and bowed her head. “Grazie, Padre.”
He came close and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Let me take you to our safe place.”
She followed him to the back of the church and through a series of hallways and doors before they stopped at a smallish door of solid wood. The Monsignor unlocked it, opened it, and standing aside, he nodded for her to enter. Inside the ancient stone chamber were Contessa Juliette and Cardinal Negrali. The room was well lit with electric candelabras, and on the table was a bunch of cheerful red and white hibiscus. She heard the door close and lock behind her. They were certainly being secretive. The contessa rushed over and scooped Raphielli into her arms, cradling her.
“Raphielli! Oh, you poor, brave, sweet girl!”
Cardinal Negrali rose from his seat at the table, came over and patted Raphielli’s back.
“This is a secure place, my child. Come, let us sit.”
Contessa Juliette said, “My dear we thought it would be best to meet here so I can thank you in private. My family and I admire your strength and courage.”
“Oh my goodness, Contessa, of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t know that I’d married a monster. But when I overheard what he was trying to do to your family, I had to stop him.”
“Hi! You must never call me by my title, my dear. Never…” She leaned back and brushed her hands in little sweeping motions through the air. “Pfft! Pfft!” Then leaning forward, she took up Raphielli’s hands. “Between us there will never be formality. Never. We are equals. Okay?”
Flattered, she felt a lump in her throat. “Okay Juliette.”
“Good.” She laughed and patted Raphielli’s hand playfully.
Father Negrali said, “Now, let us fill each other in on what has happened.”
She told them most of what she knew about Salvio’s plot, and then Father Negrali told how Salvio had tried to enlist the College of Cardinals. But neither Raphielli nor Negrali used the Mafia don’s name. She didn’t think it was a good idea to speak for a man like that—better safe than sorry—and clearly Negrali felt the same way. Raphielli also neglected to mention that she knew the names of Salvio’s spies. She felt protective of Alphonso and Zelph—even from her father confessor and Juliette—and at the moment saw no need to involve the Vitalis further. When Juliette divulged what had occurred in France with the Pope, Raphielli was mortified thinking of what Alphonso could have witnessed.
“So, uh, Salvio’s detective mistook this Carolette for Giselle?”
They nodded.
She’d never met Giselle, but the idea that a family member of Juliette’s could be unfaithful to her marital vows was beyond comprehension. “Well, of course Giselle would never do such a thing!”
“Of course not. But it is an easy mistake to make.” Juliette tipped her head side-to-side. “Carolette is a blonde woman of the same age, at the same house. Our friend Fauve tells me Carolette has been in love with Markus since they were introduced. Of course, they should be married right away. And the Holy Father told me that Markus confirmed his intentions to marry her.”
Negrali took a deep breath and looked relieved. “Salvio’s plotting came to nothing.”
“Well, he’s gone, and I hope he stays gone forever.” Raphielli didn’t know what else to say on the matter, but then she got an idea. “Will the two of you advise me on what I should do with my life?”
“Most assuredly!” Negrali slapped his thighs. “I believe you should be of service to your fellow man. It will do your spirit good.”
Juliette broke into a radiant smile and placed her hands flat on the table, her ancient rings
sparkling in the lights. “Why not open a shelter for abused women?” A shadow passed over her face. “I believe you can relate to the plight of women who must escape the men in their lives.”
“That’s a perfect idea! I can get the money from Salvio’s hoard.”
Negrali seemed to momentarily lose his enthusiasm. “But this may be too ambitious. What if Salvio somehow comes back?”
“I believe our best protection is each other. I plan to tell him that I found his note and acted in the best way I could think of to uphold his reputation while he was gone.”
Juliette bit her lip. “Would he think it was the Mafioso who left you the note?”
“I would hope so.”
“Come. I know of just the place for your shelter. It is a charming building practically adjoining my homeless shelter. It has a cozy feel, but it is quite big when you add up all the rooms. And you will need all the space you can get to offer beds to the women, and cribs for their children, and day care, and therapy, and medical services.”
“It is for sale?” Raphielli reached into her purse for a paper and pen.
“Oh, sì,” Juliette replied breezily. “It has been on the market for almost a year. It needs some work.”
Raphielli practically hugged herself with excitement as she thought about signor Tosca. “Maybe I know some builders who would help me with renovations.”
Juliette took the paper and pen from Raphielli, jotted the information, and handed them over.
“I will call my realtor and arrange for you to see the building. Can you make it today, say three o’clock?”
“Sì, that’d be great.”
“Consider it arranged, then.”
“Now that Salvio is away, everything should return to normal.” Father Negrali rose, went to the door, and unlocked it. Turning to the women, he spoke in a cautious tone. “But I still do not recommend you two ladies be seen together in public.”
“I agree, Americo.” Juliette stood up and took Raphielli’s hand again. “If Salvio hates my family the way I believe he does, there is no telling what his reaction would be if he found out his wife was associating with me.”
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