Kindle Notes & Highlights
‘You lie more often than the politicians in the Senate,’ Aldo said. ‘I resent being compared to politicians,’ Lippo retorted. ‘I have some honour.’
‘Are you suggesting I become a nun?’ ‘Not at all.’ ‘Good, because I doubt the Lord would take me.’ ‘Then when the diavolo comes for you, we will both be in good company,’
Perhaps if they had found each other years ago, in a different time or place . . . But that was an idle fantasia. They were who they were. There was no other life for them. Only this, only now.
If someone plans to burn me alive, they shall have to face me – here, inside my palazzo.’ ‘That is your final decision?’ ‘Hopefully not.
Aldo would come of his own meddling volition soon enough. He could not help himself. It was in his nature.
Evidence would have been reassuring, but Aldo was still certain.
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tempting farmers and the faithful to believe their prayers for rain might soon be answered. Aldo placed little hope in such efforts. If there was an Almighty, would he be concerned about rain in this one particular valley?
‘You speak as if you don’t believe.’ ‘I speak about what others believe,’ Aldo replied. ‘My faith is my own business.’
Whatever his other flaws and frailties, Aldo had an ability to understand what drove people to kill. Strocchi was not sure he would ever possess the same insight.
Aldo pulled the blade from the dead man’s back, wiping it on his tunic before offering the knife to Strocchi. ‘Take this.’ The young officer hesitated. ‘Take it,’ Aldo insisted, forcing the blade into Strocchi’s hand. ‘That could determine whether you go home to Tomasia and Bianca alive when this is done.’ Strocchi stared at the knife, his hand trembling. ‘Ever used a blade to defend yourself?’ ‘N-no.’ Aldo suspected as much.
Strocchi held up the knife in his own hand. ‘You will not get by me,’ he warned. ‘I . . . I know how to use this!’
he rolled a nat 1 on deception
‘I look ridiculous,’ Strocchi lamented. ‘Comical, certainly,’ Aldo agreed.
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For once, I don’t think the signore is the man behind these deaths.’ ‘How reassuring,’ Ruggerio announced from the doorway, startling Strocchi. He had not heard the silk merchant’s approach. ‘Signore,’ Strocchi said, rising from his seat. ‘I’m sorry, we did not—’ ‘Hush,’ Ruggerio cut in. ‘It is not often I hear Aldo absolving me of blame.’
Ruggerio snarled, his face pale. ‘I’ll see that you suffer for this. I’ll see that everyone you care about suffers for this!’ ‘You already have,’
There was no escape. Not for Ruggerio, and perhaps not for him. Cassandra’s anger had eaten away at her. Now she had no reason to hold back.
Ruggerio kept shaking his head, as if denying the truth would protect him.
