The Bequest by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epub3
Publisher: Penzler Publishers

CHAPTER SIX

The following Wednesday I wrote down a tentative dissertation title: “The Falcone: Constructing Dynastic Identity Between Italy and France 1550–1600.”

When Niccolò opened the door at the end of the day I waved him over.

“You look happy,” he said.

“I’ve been reading about one of your ancestors, Federico Falcone.” I paused, studying him for a reaction. “Do you know anything about him?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“Federico’s father, Giovanbattista, moved his family from Genoa to France. Federico, who had lived in Genoa until he was a teenager, finagled his way into high circles in Paris, and became a close adviser to the French monarchy. Federico’s rise to power and wealth made him the target of envy.”

“Mmm-hmm,” said Niccolò, his hand reaching up to block a yawn.

“Today I was reading about Federico’s trips between France and Genoa. Federico was often charged with garnering financial support from Genoese bankers. I also found a document outlining a series of debts Federico owed to the Croci, a Florentine banking family. Federico’s first wife was Ginevra de’ Croci, so it’s not surprising, but I’d like to know what the money was used for. The Croci also lent money to the Spanish king. The French Falcone may have turned to Florentine bankers after making enemies with the doge. Federico may even have been an intermediary between the Croci and the Spanish king.

“On one trip to Genoa, Federico filed a lawsuit against his cousin, Filippo, after Filippo’s father Pierfrancesco died, over the ownership of your palazzo. The new doge ruled in Federico’s favor, and Federico was able to keep the property, as the eldest son of an eldest son, even though his father had been disgraced. Federico didn’t live here permanently, but he stayed in the palazzo when he was in town. After Federico’s death, ownership reverted once again to Filippo’s family.”

“Porca puttana! ” Niccolò said, rubbing his hands together. I smiled. “It’s fucking cold in here!” he said. “I’ll ask Emiliano to boost the heat.”

Before bed, in my daily email, I didn’t mention these latest findings. Rose had told me to focus on the letters, but the letter I had found in Rose’s desk outlining Tommaso’s assassination plot—the original of which I hadn’t yet seen—had given me an idea. Maybe the fate of the emerald was related to Federico’s debts?

On Friday, the sky was full of foreboding clouds. At noon I stood up and stretched. Three weeks had passed since the day I’d spent with Niccolò.

As I was going through the final box of letters, I heard a clicking in the door and held my breath. Niccolò was still in class. Emiliano. Or the Contessa? I started gathering the papers when the door swung open, and Severina walked in. Her hair was pinned back in a bun, and she was wearing glasses and jeans. I let out my breath.

“Isabel? What are you doing here?”

“Severina, I’m so glad it’s you.”

“Why are you in this room and why is the cabinet open?” she asked. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her lips were pressed together tightly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.