The Shadow (The Florentine 2)

Don’t forget what happened to Faustus, the Prince of Sardinia.

The voices of his brethren rang in his ears. They wouldn’t hesitate to deliver Raven to the Curia, in exchange for the possibility of peace. In fact, they’d likely kill anyone who opposed the exchange.

William placed the letter in his jacket pocket and strode out of the room.

Chapter Thirty-seven

Raven waited until Monday evening to tell William about her encounter with Batelli.

William was upset but distant. He spoke to Raven only on Ambrogio’s telephone, instructing her to stay indoors for the evening. He insisted he’d see to it Batelli was dealt with, promising his measures would not include execution. There was no need to court the Curia’s attention with the murder of another policeman.

Raven asked William what was troubling him but he refused to confide in her, saying only he was worried about the city. He insisted he had to go and turned the telephone over to Ambrogio without another word.

Raven was greatly disquieted by the conversation but, short of tracking William down and confronting him, there was little she could do.

She sent another e-mail to her sister and went to bed early, gazing through her bedroom window at the sky and worrying.

The following evening, Raven went to the orphanage after work. She spent time with the children, including Maria, the girl who was likely to be adopted by Gabriel and Julia Emerson, helping them with their reading. She ate dinner with the children, too, since Ambrogio had responded to her text by saying that his lordship was engaged that evening and would speak to her Wednesday.

After dinner, she returned to her lonely apartment and spent the rest of the evening listening to music and reading. But not even Prince Caspian could keep her mind entirely occupied, distracted as it was by worries about William and his city.

Just before bed, she received an e-mail from Father Kavanaugh. He hadn’t sent a reply to her previous message, but rather, had initiated a new exchange.

She found the decision curious.

Dear Raven,

I was relieved to receive your message.

There is a new restoration project beginning in the Pontifical Palace this September. The team will be working on Raphael’s frescoes in the Room of the Segnatura. I’ve already spoken to the director of the project and passed on your résumé. If you want the job, it’s yours.

Vatican City is the safest place on earth. Certain beings cannot set foot inside our borders. I can ensure that you have a job and a place to live here. You will be under our protection.

It took some effort, but I persuaded Cara to speak with me. I confirmed what you said to her and I encouraged her to contact you. We are supposed to speak again by telephone tomorrow. I pray I’m successful in helping you two repair your relationship.

I remember you and your family in my prayers, praying that you all will find peace. Even more, I pray for your safety.

If you want to be free, all you need do is step inside a church. You will be safe there.

I will text you my new cell phone number. You can call me at any time, day or night, and I will ensure you safe passage to Rome.

Your situation in Florence is precarious. I hope to hear from you soon.

Father Jack

Raven lifted her gaze from the computer screen and stared into space.

She was relieved to discover that Father didn’t know that holy ground made no difference to William. She took this to be a sign that William’s secrets had not been uncovered by the Curia.

She wasn’t sure William would be able to enter Vatican City. But it didn’t matter. She had no intention of going to Rome. She had no intention of leaving William. Not even for one of the greatest restoration opportunities the world had to offer—Raphael’s Vatican frescoes.

She sighed. For a man of the cloth, Father Kavanaugh was perfectly adept at tempting her. She typed a brief reply, thanking the priest for defending her to Cara and reiterating her eagerness to speak with her sister again. She made no mention of the restoration job.

Raven considered sending Father Kavanaugh’s e-mail to William but decided she’d speak to him about it in person. Then she crawled into bed, tossing and turning until just before dawn.

Now that she knew the wonder of sleeping in William’s arms, it was painful and difficult to sleep alone. She didn’t even have an article of his clothing—a shirt perhaps—to wrap herself in while they were apart.

Raven’s loneliness was made greater still by his cold demeanor the last time they’d talked. After being so close to William on Sunday evening and early Monday morning, it now seemed there was an interminable distance between them.

A distance made all the more sinister by the recognition that several forces were trying to tear them apart.

Chapter Thirty-eight

“It’s beautiful.” Patrick squeezed Raven’s shoulder appreciatively as they admired the newly restored Birth of Venus.

It was Friday afternoon. The Uffizi had closed early and invited its entire staff to the restoration lab in order to admire the finished piece before it was returned to the Botticelli room upstairs.

“Professor Urbano is very pleased.” Raven nodded in her supervisor’s direction. He was beaming with pride, shaking hands and clapping people on the back.

“Everyone is going out for drinks to celebrate.” Patrick touched her shoulder. “Are you coming?”

“Yes.” Raven smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“What about your boyfriend? Gina and I would like to meet him.”

“He’s busy.” Raven’s smile faded.

Patrick squeezed her shoulder. “Trouble in paradise?”

“No.” Raven toyed with the bracelet on her wrist. “He’s just busy this week.”

“What about Batelli, is he still bothering you?”

“I haven’t seen him since he cornered me on Monday.”

“Good. The guy’s a jackass.”

Raven nodded, neglecting to mention that William’s reaction to her tale about

Batelli had been much, much stronger. Gina walked over to them and, instantly, Patrick took her hand. They smiled warmly at one another.

Raven felt a sudden pang of envy.

“Are you two coming to the gala tomorrow night?”

“Si, certo.” Gina leaned against Patrick and he smiled widely. “What about you?”

“Yes. The restoration team is going to be introduced by Dottor Vitali.”

“Dottor Wood.” Professor Urbano approached her from the side, shaking hands with her and exchanging pleasantries with Patrick and Gina before asking if he might speak to Raven privately.

“I’ll see you tonight.” Patrick nodded at her before she moved away.

Raven tried not to be nervous at the thought of speaking to her supervisor privately. They walked toward the painting and, as they did so, the small crowd of people parted.

“The restoration is beautiful.” He gestured to the artwork, his face expressing satisfaction.

“The colors are so vibrant,” she said. “It’s like a completely different painting.”

“Yes.” He gave her an appreciative look. “I have good news. The gallery has been awarded funding to undertake a complete restoration of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith and Holofernes.”

“Really?” Raven breathed. “That’s wonderful. It hasn’t been restored before, has it?”

“No. The painting is very dark. There are multiple coats of varnish that will have to be removed. I have the chance to pick the members of my team. I would like you to be part of it.”

“Yes,” Raven replied without hesitation. “Thank you.”

He laughed. “Perhaps you would like time to consider? It is another year contract here at the gallery. Perhaps you’d like to return to the Opificio?”

“No. I like working here and it would be a great honor to restore that painting. I’ve always admired her work.”

“Good. As you probably know, Artemisia’s paintings have only recently been given some of the recognition they deserve.” Professor Urbano stuck out his hand. “Welcome to the team.”