And I would do alike to the friendly foe.
If I were of the Abrabanel, as in fact I am,
The red Fire I’d deprive from his eyes
And leave the living marble, to someone else.
«According to what we have discovered up to now, our scarlet Lady is the daughter of the Borgia pope, Alexander VI, and a Jewish woman. The pope seems to have stolen the red fire from this woman. Knowing Roderigo Borgia’s character I guess he took it before becoming pope to make a nice cardinal’s ring for himself. Verses 3 and 4, it is clear, refer to Moses a Jew persecuted by the Egyptians. Persecuted exactly like the Jews during the period in which the scarlet Lady lives. She even says that if she was emperor she’d give a truce to the Jewish ancestors» summarized Alessandro.
«If I were death, I’d go to my enemy, / If I were life, about him I’d laugh… – repeated the Little – maybe she is referring to Geppo Colonna, the man who condemned her to be walled-in alive. But who is the friendly foe?»
«Maybe the priest of Salisano» guessed Alessandro explaining to the others that in the secret papers the scarlet Lady writes that it was this priest who betrayed her and her lover.
«It is a little bit too easy. Do you really think that a Borgia who faces her death so boldly gives so much importance to a stupid priest? I don’t think so» commented Letizia.
The conversation made Cesare emerge from the long intellectual hibernation into which the fascists had forced him. Now he felt alive again, exactly like when he was teaching in university.
«Maybe she is talking about one of Borgia’s enemies, someone who betrays the family, somebody who first seems to be a friend but then repudiates them» participated Cesare.
«Then it is easy. The Borgias didn’t have a lot of enemies! – exclaimed the captain – As soon as Alexander VI died they all fought against his family or betrayed it. Look for example at what happened to the Valentino.»
«I was exactly referring to Cesare Borgia. I am not a historian but if I still remember it correctly, after the short reign of a pope I don’t remember the name…»
«Pius III» helped Kornblum.
«Exactly, Pius III. After his death didn’t the new Conclave elect one of the Borgias’ worst enemies? And wasn’t he elected with the support of the Valentino who hoped in that way to keep his privileges and territories?»
«Yes. They elected Giuliano della Rovere, pope Julius II, who to gain the support of the Spanish cardinals agreed with Cesare Borgia but then he didn’t respect that agreement. And that was the beginning of the Machiavellian prince’s end.»
«This friendly foe couldn’t be Julius II?» asked Cesare.
It was plausible. But why Julius II at that moment? Probably with her father’s death the scarlet Lady had some difficulties and maybe the new pope threatened her or confiscated her properties. But which was the real connection? Unless the ruby ended up in the hands of Julius II.
Now it looked even more complicated than before and they all had the feeling that the solution to the riddle was further and further away. After a while Tettamanzi broke the silence.
«I am sorry – he said clearing his voice – I don’t understand a lot of these things but from the moment Miss Letizia read the sonnet aloud, I can only think about one sentence.»
«Which one Mario?» asked the captain hoping in a whatever hint, through a chance clue, to solve the riddle.
«The last one. The one about the living marble. My uncle is a priest and I remember when I still was a young boy he told me the story of an incredible statue he had seen in Rome. The statue, he said, was so absolutely beautiful that even its creator, when he had finished asked it: Why don’t you speak? I don’t remember the name of the artist but I know for sure the statue was a Moses.»
«Michelangelo!» they all exclaimed in a chorus.
«Of course, Michelangelo’s Moses!» said Kornblum hitting his forehead.
«I am sorry; maybe I said something stupid…»
«Stupid? What are you talking about Mario? You solved the riddle!» congratulated the captain embracing him.
«What did I do?»
«You solved it Mr. Tettamanzi! As it often happens with intellectuals, we were discussing the sex of angels without seeing the most important thing. It was just there, in front of our eyes and we didn’t see it» clarified Letizia.
«I am happy I helped, but I didn’t understand how» commented Tettamanzi.
«The sonnet speaks about Michelangelo’s Moses, the living marble – explained Kornblum – that is the most important statue of those on a certain tomb…»
«Julius II’s tomb! One of the biggest enemies of the Borgias. The same family to which our entombed lady belongs» concluded Alessandro.
«Also the first verse If I were fire, the iron I would liquefy becomes clear. Julius II’s tomb is in the Eudoxian basilica, built following Eudoxia’s will. She was the wife of the emperor Valentinian III. The tradition says that Eudoxia received from her mother the chains used to keep Saint Peter prisoner in Jerusalem. Eudoxia was supposed to give them as a present to pope Leo the Great – Letizia started to explain – Leo the Great put those chains next to the others used to detain Saint Peter in the Mamertine prison of Rome. The legend says that as soon as the chains touched they melted to become one. For this reason the basilica is called Saint Peter in Chains.»
Kornblum was as euphoric as a kid in a chocolate shop. His excitement was palpable. Alessandro and Letizia wanted to go immediately to Saint Peter in Chains to look for the ruby. It had to be somewhere near Jules II’s tomb.
Their fear was gone. They didn’t even remember anymore that they were supposed to be very careful because all the Blackshirts of Rome were looking for them. If they caught them they would now have much more information to confess.
Tettamanzi, infected with all that enthusiasm, asked the captain to explain to him again how his words helped to solve the riddle because he was not yet sure he understood it correctly.
The Little and Cesare were discussing how clever the scarlet Lady had been to entrust the destiny of the Seal’s treasure to one of the enemies of the family: a pope, the guardian of Christianity, on the tomb of which was one of the most important Jewish prophets.
All mosaic’s tiles were finally going to fit into their places.
Then, suddenly, the clock on the wall stroke: it was two o’clock.
At the second toll the room was invaded by a dark silence. Another half an hour and Kornblum had to try to jump on a train that could save his life.
5th December 1938
Rome, Cesare’s house, 2.10 a. m.
When Tettamanzi closed the door behind him, Letizia had the feeling he was closing a coffin top.
The captain gave the Little false documents and some money hoping that he could reach Switzerland. Now Cesare and Mario were taking him to the station and Letizia wished with all her heart her friend could really get on that train.
She was still there, not moving, staring at the door when the arms of the captain embraced her. She never expected such a daring gesture.
In a normal situation he would have never done it but now, like Kornblum, de’ Risis knew he didn’t have time to lose. And Letizia appreciated it.
During the night the station was quite popular among the soldiers. The captain couldn’t risk being recognized particularly in the company of a fugitive. He totally trusted Cesare and Mario, but he still was worried about Kornblum’s fate.
«I couldn’t do anything else for him» he whispered in Letizia’s ears.
The captain spoke letting a concern that she had never heard in his voice before emerge. Maybe it was because it was out of his control and he was worried that something he couldn’t predict could happen, or he was simply feeling guilty he couldn’t go with him personally. She understood his worries but she was happy he had stayed. And she let him cuddle her for some time. Slowly she turned to look him in the eyes. She did it even though she still was a bit embarrassed: Alessandr
o was in the room pretending to read in his notebook.
«I have to go back to Dolores» said the captain.
«Dolores?» asked Letizia moving away from his arms.
«Yes, the lady that helped you today. She is an old friend»
Letizia’s cheeks went on fire.
«One of her girls is taking care of the young man that Morelli sent to spy on me. I have to be there when he has finished» explained the captain quite amused about the jealousy that he could read on her face.
«You can also go immediately if you want, we are busy anyway» said Letizia pretending indifference.
«It is not what you think» he told her softly.
«The captain has to go soon. Don’t you think we should all look together at the rest of the secret papers?» interrupted Alessandro helpfully changing the subject.
«Good idea. I am really curious to see these papers. Maybe we’ll find other clues» answered de’ Risis.
«Ok. Can you please turn around for a moment?» asked Letizia trying to calm her feelings down.
She slipped the bag with the papers out of her petticoat and put it on the table.
«Here. You can turn around again now» she said starting to read from the point where she was interrupted the night before.
I see the sun is rising and I have a bit of light. Considering my condition nobody would be surprised if this is my last day. I will have to rest here forever, I started it alive.
Alive till the story is written and then the rest.
A little water.
I drank it all.
If I could only embrace my daughter once again! I hope she knows how much I love her. But I will not speak about her now. I need to tell you about my secret.
When I saw the ring on my father finger I immediately understood where the stone was from. My mother thought she had lost it and she was in despair. But she laughed through her tears when I told her where I saw it.
«It is a great joke! I could never plan one like that. The pope himself protects a Jewish treasure.» She was laughing and I wondered why. When I became the representation of the secret I finally understood it. I replaced the stone on my father’s ring with a piece of glass of the same colour and hid it in a safe place.
Future reader who is now reading these papers, don’t be hopeful. I will not tell you much more about the treasure. You have all the clues and the sonnet is the key. Perpetuate and protect, this is what you have to swear. If you find the treasure you will have to take care of it. Those who because of foolishness or greed profane it, will be cursed with all their descendants until the thirteenth generation because I will die today and it is already the thirteenth.
Letizia paused.
«It reminds me of Jacques de Molay’s curse. The last Templar Grand Master» said de’ Risis.
«You surprise me every time! That Padre Ignazio of yours had to be an extraordinary teacher!» exclaimed Alessandro.
«Wasn’t the island in the middle of the Seine called the Island of Jews? And didn’t you say that what we are looking for is a Jewish treasure?»
«Do you believe this is another clue that she gave us?» asked Letizia.
«I don’t know. Maybe. She says not to expect other clues from her and maybe hers is a real curse that doesn’t have to do anything with de Molay. But maybe…» said the captain.
«The thirteen generation of the cursed kings – said Letizia looking at a quite sceptical Alessandro – Philip IV the Handsome condemned de Molay in 1314 and after short time he died falling by from his horse.»
«Don’t tell me you believe in the curse!» said Alessandro.
«Of course not. Even if…»
«Letizia!»
«Come on, I was joking. In any case, let’s try to think about it»
«What do you think she means with the time of the thirteen?» asked the captain.
«No idea – answered Alessandro – it could be the thirteen moon, the second full moon of a month with two. The so called blue moon, the strongest of the year, very useful for curses and spells.»
«You know a lot for someone that doesn’t believe in that sort of things» commented Letizia smiling.
«You have to be informed even if you don’t believe in it.»
«It could be the thirteen night, the Epiphany, the night of truth» suggested de’ Risis.
«Yeah, why then not a reference to the Legio XIII Gemina, the most faithful of Cesar legions?» went on an even more sceptical Alessandro.
«No, no. I believe it is much easier than that. I was thinking that maybe the scarlet Lady tells us the moment of her death. A terrible death that pushes her to curse everyone who would dare to profane the Seal’s treasure. And a curse hurled when one is dying is even stronger because there is no way back» said Letizia.
Alessandro and the captain followed her both surprised and curious.
«I believe that the scarlet Lady used a curse similar to the one of de Molay, the last one of the Templars, on purpose. He was unjustly persecuted and, like her, the custodian of an important secret. The Seal treasure for the scarlet Lady, the Holy Grail for de Molay.»
«This is all very interesting, but I don’t know where you want to get with it» said Alessandro.
«The scarlet Lady measures the words one by one in the whole manuscripts. I don’t think she has chosen such a clear parallel with de Molay by chance. If we count the cursed generations we might get to the year in which she writes. Philip the Handsome is cursed and shortly after he dies. Which are the thirteen kings coming after him? Louis X, Philip V, Charles IV, Philip VI, John II, Charles V…»
«…Charles VI, Charles VII then Louis XI, Charles VIII the one who tries to conquer Italy and we are at ten…» said Alessandro counting the French kings on his fingers.
«Louis XII, François I and if I am not mistaken the thirteen is Henry II, husband of Catherine de’ Medici» finalized the captain.
«Exactly! – nodded Letizia – So she is condemned during the first year of reign of Henry II.»
«Henry II is king in 1547. Aren’t we too far ahead then? I understood that the secret room could be dated around the beginning of XVI century» said de’ Risis.
«You are right – said Letizia deceived – but I was so sure…»
«No need feel mislead! We are on the right track – Alessandro stopped her showing her the list he just finished writing in his notebook – We just missed one. We didn’t remember that after Louis X’s death the king was baby John I the Posthumous, King of France for the five days he survived before it seems, his uncle suffocated him in his cradle. So, if John I is the second on our list, the thirteen is not Henry II but his father François I. And François I becomes king…»
«In 1515! – exclaimed Letizia enthusiastically – I knew I couldn’t be mistaken!»
In that very moment a frozen gust of wind hit her as if a thousand thin needles had suddenly pierced her flesh.
Cesare had opened wide the door coming back from the station, Tettamanzi leaning heavily against him. Alone he would have not been able to walk another step. The captain and Alessandro immediately helped, lifting him and lying him down on the bed.
Letizia needed some more time to understand what was going on. When Cesare slammed the door she did wake up and understood that Tettamanzi had been wounded.
«They shot at him» said Cesare taking a pair of clean sheets.
The captain took Mario’s jacket off. A broadening blood spot was clearly visible on his shirt. Cesare put some water on the fire to boil and gave Alessando a grappa bottle.
«Boil scissors and the best knife you have – ordered de’ Risis rubbing his hands with grappa – then I need a needle and some thread. Boil them as well. Alessandro, please take those fresh sheets and make bandages out of them. We can’t take him to the hospital. We’ll have to take care of him ourselves.»
Letizia was hypnotized by the calm with which the captain was dealing with the situation. His resoluteness soothed her and now she knew she wa
sn’t going to panic.
Tettamanzi lay on the bed, moaning in pain. Now his chest was naked and Giulio was staunching the wound. It seemed it would never stop bleeding. Cesare brought the scissors, the knife and some boiling water.
«Letizia come here and help me. Here, go on staunching the wound and keep it clean while I try to extract he bullet» he ordered waking her up from the torpor she was floating in.
«You two – he added to Cesare and Alessandro – hold him still».
De’ Risis drank a long sip of grappa and then he started to the surgery. The wound was a little bit under the left collarbone and the bullet seemed to be quite deep. Cesare put a wooden spoon in between Tettamanzi’s teeth which he was biting spasmodically every time the captain turned the knife in the wound.
«Here, I see it! Hold him firmly» ordered de’ Risis.
Tettamanzi shouted and then fainted: the bullet was out.
The metallic noise of the bullet falling in a cup hit their ears like a song of liberation: Tettamanzi had a chance to survive.
The captain started sewing up the wound and Letizia helped him. When the suture was finished de’ Risis poured grappa on it and Mario opened his eyes. He smiled and then rested.
«If he survives the night he will live. He has been lucky. If the bullet were a centimetre lower it would have hit the heart» said the captain washing his hands.
«What happened?» Alessandro asked finally finishing the bandage on Mario shoulder.
«The station was under guard – started Cesare sitting heavily on a chair – but we expected that. We hoped that acting so fast and trying to send him abroad immediately would have worked. But we were wrong. Entering the station we realized there were more fascists than passengers. But everything went well, the fake documents were good and he was nearly on the train. Just at the last moment someone stopped him. I think he suspected him because of the bruise on his face.»
Letizia felt her heart in her throat: Kornblum!
The entrance of Tettamanzi in that condition and the extemporary surgery to take the bullet out made her forget the Little. Or better, she had simply believed he was already far away, on that train and the idea that he didn’t get on it didn’t touch her mind at all.
The scarlet Lady Page 14