The Venice conspiracy

Rocco joins them on the raised safe zone. 'I've had a call from the Control Room. The press have found out that something's going on. What do you want to do?'

Vito's face turns angry. 'I don't want people to read about this. I don't want the press to know anything about this. No words, no photographs, no gossip. Nothing must get out. Do you understand?'

Rocco breaks the bad news. 'Too late.' He throws a look towards the back pews. 'The Procurator says there's already been a snapper in here. He had to get him to leave.'

The major just about stops himself swearing. 'Any signs of entry?'

'Nothing obvious,' says Valentina. 'I've got men checking right now.'

Vito looks around and sees steel scaffolding, several buckets of plaster and industrial trowels and boards in the far corner. 'Our man didn't break in. He probably disguised himself as a maintenance or restoration worker, and then found a way to stay behind and hide somewhere when everyone else left.' He climbs down from the forensic plank and walks off the altar. The absence of a liver at the scene is worrying him. He's starting to understand what it could mean.

'The offender still had to get out,' says Rocco, following him down. 'That would have been a gamble. There's more of a chance someone noticed him leaving than entering.'

'Then find them,' snaps Vito. 'I don't have time for debating what's obvious.'

Valentina takes a final look at the symbol before descending. 'We're already interviewing the workers. Asking if they saw anyone leaving early. We'll canvass tourists as well – maybe someone got a snap. Of course, you know how difficult it is tracking tourists.'

Vito puts his hands to his head and closes his eyes. 'Oh God, sweet merciful God, I hope I'm wrong.'

Valentina and Rocco exchange quizzical glances.

Vito shares the thoughts that are troubling him. 'There's no liver because this victim isn't dead yet.' He points back towards the daubed blood. 'But I'm sure that very shortly they will be.'

They all stare silently at the desecration and try to put themselves in the mind of the offender, try to guess his motivation, his end game. Vito motions towards the number beneath the symbol. 'What's going on here? This number, what do you think that means?'

'Numbers are for counting,' speculates Valentina, 'so it's some kind of countdown?'

'Quite. But what? Is it in hours, days or weeks?'

Vito turns squarely to Valentina. 'Find that damned ex-priest of yours. Find him quick, and pray he can tell us what the hell this all means, before someone else dies.'

CAPITOLO LIII 1778

Rio Tera San Vio, Venezia Tommaso can see why Tanina trusts Lydia. She's one of those rare people who has the capacity to listen without interrupting. She's patient and attentive as the young priest explains that he's only recently learned he's been separated from his sister since early childhood and is hoping to find her – and find her quickly.

'Have you approached the convents?' she asks. 'The sisters will have records, and you may be able to gather a list of orphaned girls of the right age.'

Tommaso looks distressed. 'It's what I imagined as I left the abbey, but now I have no time. I also fear that if I show myself at such places then the abbot and the inquisitor will be alerted to my presence.'

'I suspect you are correct,' Lydia nods in agreement, then gives him a positive smile. 'In a few days' time I will have one of my servants make discreet enquiries for you. There are not many convents in the area, and the task should be an easy one.'

Tommaso is in the process of thanking her when Tanina returns with Ermanno and Efran.

'What the hell have you been saying?' Ermanno makes for Tommaso. 'You stupid fool!'

Efran steps between them. 'We know what he's been saying. Now calm down.' He pushes Ermanno back, stares him into submission, then turns to Tommaso. 'We are not beggars and thieves, signor. We sought to do business with you. To profit mutually.'

He looks towards Ermanno. 'Neither my friend nor I know anything of the theft of your property, and we find it offensive that you thought us capable of doing such a thing.'

Lydia stands up. 'Please excuse me. I need to make some arrangements and will rejoin you shortly. I'll have some food prepared.' She turns to Tanina. 'I fear it may be the last decent meal you will have for a while.'

Ermanno watches her leave the room, gently closing the elegant brass-handled doors behind her, then he explodes again. 'Do you not know what the guards will do to us? Have you not heard of the Canal of the Orphans, where they throw the bodies of those they've executed in their dungeons?'

Tommaso dips his head, unsure of how to cope with the confrontation. The past few hours have seen him lose his most prized possession, forsake his vocation and become homeless.

Tanina can see he is frightened. She sits by him and touches his arm reassuringly. 'Brother, I'm sure we can sort things out. Though I confess, everything does look rather bleak.'

He peers up at the men opposite him. 'You really know nothing of the theft? You swear it?'

Ermanno shakes his head. 'Not a thing. We both swear it. Believe me, we do not have your heirloom.'

'Then who does?' asks Tanina. 'Who could have taken it?'

The three friends stare at each other. Tommaso can see they're mutually embarrassed. 'Who else did you tell? It is human nature that you will have discussed this with someone else. Who?'

Ermanno looks nervous. 'My family knew. My sister – she's but nine years old – and my mother and father.' He raises his eyes to Tommaso. 'My father is an antiquities trader in the ghetto. But he is not a thief.'

'I'm sure not. But if he told others, perhaps one of them is.'

Efran lets out a sigh and turns to Ermanno. 'I told you. You are the only person I told.'

All eyes switch to Tanina.

'I told Lydia. And she is certainly no thief. And Ermanno and I spoke of the tablet. In fact, recently that seems to be all we have spoken of.'

He furrows his thick eyebrows. 'And what does that mean?'

Tanina looks exasperated. 'Nothing. Except that you were obsessed by the thing.'

'Meaning you think I took it?'

'Meaning nothing of the sort! I know you didn't take it – you were with me all night. I merely meant that I would have liked you to have been less immersed in discovering the provenance of this damned thing and more attentive to me.'

Everyone's attention switches to the doors as Lydia opens them and breezes in. 'The dining table is set and food will follow shortly. I have sent a servant to a friend's home. He owns a place where you will be safe.'

'Thank you,' says Tanina. 'We're very grateful for your hospitality and assistance.'

'Don't be silly!' Lydia smiles broadly. 'This is all tremendously exciting. Quite an adventure!' She grabs Tanina by one hand and Tommaso by the other and leads them to the doorway. 'Now, come on – let's all get a drink and see what we can do to brighten up your dreary spirits.'

CHAPTER 57

Present Day Carabinieri HQ 'There's no trace of Shaman.' Valentina sounds worried. 'I've called his hotel – they say he left soon after I phoned him last night and he hasn't been seen since.'

'When did you call him?' Vito glances to the clock on his wall.

'About nine-thirty – we were still here, working late.'

Vito turns to Rocco. 'Pull his cellphone records and see if he called anyone after that time.' He glances towards Valentina. 'Best have someone check restaurants, bars and hospitals to see if he got drunk, hurt or sick. Give his description to the foot and boat patrols.'

'Lieutenant Totti is already working his phone records,' says Valentina. 'She was happy to help out.'

'Fine,' says Vito distantly. Suddenly the unthinkable has occurred to him. 'We need to get forensics round to Tom's hotel room. See if they can find some hair on his pillows, towels, robes, anything like that.'