The scarlet Lady
Page 8
Alessandro gave it to her and she examined it very carefully.
It was a golden object of refined workmanship. The shape was very strange to be a renaissance jewel; in its central part, a stone was missing. It was an equilateral triangle which on each corner, on both sides, had something engraved. On the back, two of the corners had the letter H and Z and on the third one the number 09 or 60 depending from where one read it. On the front corners there were three letters: U, N, G.
«Did the entombed woman wanted to hide it or get rid of it? Did she put it there on purpose or had she tried to throw it out without succeeding? And in both cases, why? Maybe she hoped to be saved and she tried to throw it out to get some external attention. But I am not totally convinced about it. And there is also the strange glass sand to consider… I don’t know Letizia, everything is so bizarre.»
«Which sand are you talking about?»
«Did you move the skeleton when you were working on it?»
«No. I didn’t want to change its position before the doctor arrived. Why?»
«Because doctor Tucci noticed that under the right hand there was some strange sand. Here it is, look» he added giving her an ochre envelope.
«What do you think it is?»
«Glass.»
«Glass?»
«Yes. Maybe the remains of some receptacle. As we know, as they used to do with the ancient vestals that lost their virginity or let the sacred fire switch off, they left her a bit of food and water to make her death slower. Maybe there was also a little glass pot or two.»
Letizia was looking at the glass powder: Alessandro’s explanation was plausible but there was something that didn’t really work.
«At the time glass was very expensive. The other bowls we found were made of cheap crock pottery. I don’t know, I’m not convinced» she answered after a few moments.
Letizia wanted to tell him everything about the secret papers. She trusted him totally and she knew he could help her to solve the mystery but seeing what was happening she thought that not saying anything would somehow protected him. She decided not to put him in a greater danger. Not yet at least.
«I believe you should keep the jewel. Insert it in a necklace as if it was a family medallion and bring it always with you. So we won’t have to explain anything and we won’t risk having it confiscated» suggested Alessandro.
«All right. But first write in your notebook these letters and numbers so that we can always easily check them: H Z 60 U N G. It looks like a code, but I can’t think of anything it might refer to.»
«I don’t know either. The only thing I can think on seeing the letters UNG is that it was one of the old committees of the Kingdom of Hungary. You know, one of those territorial units that for many years were divisions of the Kingdom.»
«I didn’t know.»
«I am surprising you again, eh? But this time it is only luck. At University I had a friend from Ungvár which is Ung’s main city. But what the hell has UNG to do with a poor woman walled-in in Sabina? I don’t think that is the right track.»
«At the moment it is the only one we have. Maybe she was of Hungarian origins and H and Z could be the first letters of her name..»
«And 60? No I am not convinced at all. U N G are letters belonging to a rebus we have to solve. Like the strange sonnet.»
Right, the sonnet. If that woman dedicated the last hours of her life to write that sonnet, something incredibly important had to be behind it.
«If I were water, surely I would open up, / If I were God, I’d give him the Torrah – enunciated Letizia word by word – on this I have no doubts, it has to refer to Moses.»
The last words she had read in the secret papers were echoing in Letizia’s mind.
«Jewish… – she said like speaking to herself – of course, Moses was a Jew!»
«And on this we can’t disagree. Even if, nowadays, we have to be careful when we say the word Jew.»
The anger hidden in Alessandro’s comment didn’t elude her. But that feeling was the one that switched a new light on.
«Today is the same as then» said Letizia with a new light in her eyes.
Alessandro looked at her puzzled.
«Our vestal, our skeleton… I believe we should give her a name. I don’t want to go on to call her the skeleton, the entombed, the victim. She had a terrible death and nobody should deserve one like that. Whatever her fault might have been. After so many centuries she sees the world’s light again and we have to honour her memory at least with a name.»
«In the end what is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…» quoted Alessandro.
«I know, it wouldn’t change the fact that she is only a skeleton now, but it’s like finding an abandoned puppy: you take care of it, you feed it, you bring it home with you and give it a name.»
«All right, all right. Just be careful not to grow too fond of it, it is not a puppy to cuddle but a skeleton more than 400 years old!»
«A skeleton with very white bones… what about the white Lady?»
«White lady… I am not sure. It is as if we were offering her naked to the eyes of the world. I think the scarlet Lady could do better. She suggests it with the rests of her red clothes.»
After all what happened in those days Letizia totally forgot that the woman was wearing a red tunic when she was killed. It was an important detail to consider but it seemed one of the less relevant clues so she put it in a corner of her mind. In reality, it was very strange. The soft linen petticoats that were normally worn by rich women were white. Letizia knew that since the middle age brides went to the altar in a red dress but she had never heard that women had worn red underwear.
Red fabric was very expensive and not a lot of people could afford it. Red was the colour that symbolized royalty, it was the colour of kings, of emperors and of the princes of the Church. It was the colour of blood: the symbol of fecundity and this was the reason why brides used it. It was the colour of strength and power, often chosen for coat of arms and emblems.
The few remnants they had found on the skeleton were of refined linen, probably a petticoat. But red.
«The scarlet Lady – said Letizia aloud – I like it. And I think you are right. Even the remains of her petticoat seem to tell us something. It is up to us to understand what.»
Hotel “Da Rosa”, 7.00 p. m.
That evening Letizia was wearing the medallion.
She inserted it in the old chain which once belonged to her mother and put it around her neck.
She wasn’t really hungry but she decided to go downstairs anyway trying to convince herself she did it not to worry Alessandro or Mrs. Rosa. In reality, she hoped to meet the captain.
The perfume of good food could be smelt already on the stairs and Letizia thought that actually she would have liked to eat something tasty. But when she entered the dining room she had trouble controlling the impulse to vomit.
Musone was there, in front of her, with Ugo Morelli, his personal assistant Giacoboni and two other Blackshirts. They were all standing around Alessandro interrogating him.
Alessandro saw her coming in and without moving a muscle, with only his eyes tried to advise her to go away immediately. But it was too late.
«Good evening, Miss Cantarini, I see you have already recovered from this morning’s accident. Unfortunately episodes like those are to be discounted; it often happens to nice looking women who behave a bit too freely. The only problem now is that you killed a man» said Morelli turning in her direction.
«It has been self-defence, Miss Cantarini is not guilty» answered Alessandro for her.
«This is up to us to decide, Mr. Romei. As you know, Mr. Musone here says that Miss Cantarini took advantage from of the situation only to kill a man she hated for many years» hissed Morelli just like a snake.
Letizia missed the air. She could not breathe; it was as if they were suffocating her.
«But they tried to rape her! There is no
doubt about it. There are four witnesses!» Alessandro cried enraged.
«Four witnesses who saw what? Two men holding a woman. And? We were simply interrogating her, holding her only because she wanted to leave before answering our questions» said a very caustic Musone.
«Interrogating?» growled Alessandro back.
«Yes. We were asking her about the papers she found in the secret room. Miss Cantarini wasn’t co-operative and we had to use more convincing ways. As Mr. Morelli just said she is a good looking woman but too insolent and this can be very dangerous. We just wanted to give her a lesson, we wouldn’t have harmed her. And she knew it. She simply used the situation for her own purposes. Now I’ll have to tell my dear friend’s family he is not with us anymore. I really don’t know where I’ll find the words.»
Letizia couldn’t believe her ears. They tried to rape her and now she was not the victim anymore. They were making her look as if it was her fault.
«Haven’t you anything to say in your defence, Miss Cantarini?» asked Morelli coming closer to her.
Morelli’s words hit her like a slap. She opened the first button of her blouse to show him the big blue spot on the neck.
«I believe that this, together with the one on my face, that as you can see the makeup couldn’t hide, are more than enough to demonstrate those gentlemen’s brutality. They tore off my clothes and their intentions were quite clear. I just tried to defend myself.»
«I see. In any case, we’ll listen to the witnesses and then we’ll let the inquiry go as it is supposed to be. This pendant you are wearing is very interesting I must say» added Morelli changing the subject.
«It belonged to my mother. A precious memory I always carry with me» she answered buttoning her blouse up and hiding the medallion under it.
«Strange, I didn’t notice it at our first meeting.»
The man was much more observant that he seemed.
«We are done with you, Mr. Romei, but make yourself always available. I only hope you didn’t help a dangerous fugitive to flee: it would be much more unpleasant for you than you can imagine.»
A dangerous fugitive? What was Morelli talking about? Letizia thought they were questioning Alessandro as a witness of what had happened that morning. She was clearly mistaken. The astonishment appeared on her face and Musone took advantage.
«Did you believe we were talking about our morning meeting Miss Cantarini? You don’t really think you are the centre of our thoughts, do you?» he asked her.
«Now stop it centurion Musone – interrupted a quite annoyed Giacoboni – what happened this morning was horrible and it is time you keep your irritating comments for to yourself. We are here to interrogate Miss Cantarini, not to offend her.»
Letizia nearly smiled.
«We should ask you a few questions, Miss Cantarini. These two men – started Morelli pointing at the other two fascists – came here to find some information about a colleague of yours who seems to have vanished.»
«It is a very dangerous fugitive called Kornblum» said one of the Blackshirts.
«I don’t know anybody with that name. I am sorry, I can’t help you» she answered feigning confidence.
«Does the name Alessandro Pisano tell you something?» asked the other Blackshirt kindly.
«Yes, of course. He was one of my colleagues here. Why do you ask? Did something happen to him?» she said trying to hide her anxiety.
«Not yet» answered Musone.
«Please don’t interfere. Let these gentlemen do their job» Morelli rebuked him.
«When did you see him last?» asked the kinder Blackshirt.
«The day before he left: two days ago. I saw him in palazzo Biraghi in the morning. I know he left because of family problems. I think his father is very ill.»
Letizia pronounced those words paying attention to every pause, every voice tone. She knew Morelli was observing her very carefully and he made her feel very uncomfortable. She didn’t want to betray the Little, a single little hesitation in articulating the words could have made them think she knew something.
Alessandro was looking at her with a poker face.
They asked her some more question about the Little’s habits and work and her opinion about him. They constantly underlined they were talking about a dangerous fugitive. A fugitive who, moreover, who was hiding his Jewish origins.
They spoke for only a few minutes but Letizia found them interminable. When they finally left, Morelli and Giacoboni accompanied them.
As soon as they were alone Alessandro looked at her without speaking.
«They are still speaking in front of the door – Rosa informed them coming in with a tray of glasses – the two new Blackshirts are leaving but the others are sleeping here tonight. If you want to have dinner in your room this is the right moment to go upstairs without having to meet them again.»
Letizia had enough for that day. She nodded in the direction of Alessandro and silently glided up the stairs. He followed.
When Mrs. Rosa arrived with the dinner it was Alessandro who opened the room door. She was collapsed in the armchair observing the medallion.
«I really hope Morelli believed my story. Did you hear his comment on the medallion?»
«Yes, I did. Morelli is a very dangerous man» said Alessandro putting the tray that Mrs. Rosa gave him on the table.
«I am worried for the Little.»
«They won’t find him.»
«How can you be so sure?»
They looked at each other anxiously.
«I am not.»
Letizia locked the door and then she started undressing.
«What are you doing?» asked Alessandro blushing.
«I am undressing» she answered calmly.
«I can see that but…»
«The words stopped in his throat at the very moment the skirt fell on the floor. Under the petticoat he could see a little bulge.
«Don’t look at me like that. I’m not pregnant.»
Letizia took out the bag containing the secret papers and opened it.
«Musone was right. There were many more papers with the skeleton. Here they are.»
Alessandro looked stunned.
«I didn’t want to tell you not to put you in danger, but I need your help to solve the mystery hidden in these papers. And if something happens to me I don’t want the papers to fall into their hands. I haven’t yet succeeded in reading them all but I know the scarlet Lady is hiding a secret that was very dangerous in her times, and probably also in ours.»
Alessandro was listening and at the same time he flipped through the manuscript. The scarlet Lady had left much more than a sonnet.
«She was Jewish» whispered Letizia.
«A persecuted woman. In her times like today.»
At the end of XV century, when the scarlet Lady was living, the Jews had been expelled from Portugal and Spain. In France they were unwanted so they had to find refuge in the more tolerant Rome and Venice.
They were discussing these things when they heard footsteps approaching. Someone knocked on the door.
Maybe Mrs. Rosa had forgotten something, or maybe one of her sons was there to collect the tray. Or was it Morelli? No, why should have been him? The knocking had been soft, like a deadened sound, as light as a whisper.
Letizia hid the papers and Alessandro unwrapped the still untouched food on the tray.
«Who is it?» asked Letizia.
«It’s me. Open» whispered the captain.
Letizia opened and de’ Risis entered, closing the door immediately behind him.
He wasn’t wearing the uniform.
She thought he was incredibly charming.
She blushed.
And he noticed it.
He realized that she had dressed quickly.
He looked at Alessandro pretending to eat and he jumped to the wrong conclusions.
«I am sorry if I arrived at an inappropriate moment, but I am here to save you. There is no time for dinner nor…
anything else» he said trying to contain an irrational jealousy.
Letizia blushed again, realizing the misunderstanding.
«It is not what you think, captain – said Alessandro trying to clarify that embarrassing situation – we were discussing work.»
«I don’t care what you were discussing. There is no time. We have to go» said the captain.
«To go where?» Letizia was finally able to speak.
«Away. Or they will seize you and arrest you.»
«Arrest us? For what?»
«Mr. Romei because he helped a dangerous criminal to flee and you, Miss Cantarini, because you are a murderer.»
Letizia felt the captain for the first time wanted to take her far away. He was there to save her, to make her run away risking his career and his life but now, not even in that private moment he was calling her by name.
«Morelli is still eating. They have the order to come at midnight, throw you out of bed and as you are, without allowing you to take anything or to warn someone, take you away. It is a demonstration of strength; it has to be an example for the others. Take all the money you have, warm clothes and let’s go.»
His tone was now that of a military man used to give orders. Orders not to be discussed. Nobody did.
«We should go down from the balcony – said de’ Risis checking the window – The drainpipe looks strong enough. In any case, it is only one floor. Don’t worry, Miss Cantarini, we’ll help you.»
Letizia looked at Alessandro with a conspiratorial look. They knew perfectly well that the drainpipe was strong enough.
The captain saw the glance and misunderstood again.
The sound of a car approaching made them hold their breath.
«Maybe they are already here – said de’ Risis pushing Letizia towards the window – let’s go.»
The motor they heard was the one from a military jeep stopping just in front of the main entrance. Five or six soldiers disappeared into the hotel. They were probably now in the dining room where Morelli and the others were having dinner.
The captain looked out of the window: from the red embers of the cigarettes he understood that a couple of soldiers were guarding outside.