with defiance. ‘Your information would have to be very good indeed to make us part with something so … meaningful.’
‘I believe it is, Signorina.’
‘More valuable than the knowledge that the candlemaker’s apprentice is, in fact, a girl?’ added Signor Maleovelli.
Seconds ticked away. Baroque gulped. He forced his hands to be still. His mind raced. How on Vista Mare could they possibly know? He’d spoken with the apprentice, watched her from afar for weeks and he never guessed. ‘I was not aware that you already knew this.’
Signor Maleovelli leant on his cane and rose. He hobbled around to the other side of the desk, past the briefcase, searching for something. ‘You’d be amazed to know what we’ve learned in your absence, Baroque. Astonished. A lot can happen in only a few weeks.’
Baroque used the arms of his chair to hoist himself to his feet. The purse in his pocket felt heavy. It reassured him. He would book passage to somewhere, anywhere on the Mariniquian Seas, and start life again. ‘I can see that I’m wasting your time, Signor, Signorina Maleovelli.’ He bowed towards them. ‘We have reached an impasse. I located the Estrattore, which means the terms of our arrangement are over. It serves you no real purpose to keep hold of my … my property; but, if you insist, then I am afraid I will have no choice but to leave Serenissima.’
Signor Maleovelli’s head snapped up. ‘As far as I am concerned, our arrangement is not over, Baroque Scarpoli.’
Baroque frowned. ‘But Signor, I have failed. Tallow Pelleta is lost – he … she could be fish food for all we know. And, frankly, Signor, while I may have fallen on hard times, I also know a great deal about your circumstances. I enter no-one’s employ without at least some knowledge of them, especially regarding their capacity to pay. You not only owe me soldi, but you can no longer afford my services. In light of recent … events, I am happy to extinguish your current debt.’ He began to pull Vincenzo’s cap back onto his head.
‘Ah, but Signor Scarpoli, you are wrong.’ said Giaconda. ‘You cannot afford to leave us. I think your bag would fetch a great deal of soldi, don’t you? Such a fascinating bag with its hidden compartments and false bottom? It’s not what it seems, is it? So many tales to tell. I think the Kyprian ambassador or perhaps the Jinoan one would find it most … diverting.’
Baroque paled. ‘You wouldn’t … There’d be questions … you would come under suspicion yourselves …’
Stony silence met his gaze.
Defeated, Baroque slowly pulled the cap from his head and sank back into his seat. ‘What do you want from me?’ he asked in a flat voice.
Giaconda stood and joined her father, the briefcase propped in front of them. Signor Maleovelli pushed aside a pile of antiquated books and half-unfurled scrolls. ‘As I said, much has happened in the short time you have been away. The end of the Morto Assiderato and the relief felt by wealthy survivors brought much business our way, didn’t it, cara mia?’ Signor Maleovelli brushed a long finger against Giaconda’s smooth cheek. She modestly lowered her eyes. ‘Men who escape a close brush with death like to celebrate in a certain way. My daughter has been in great demand, Scarpoli. As a result, we not only have the means to fund your services, but we also have a very interesting job for you.’
Baroque did not respond. He just sat and waited.
‘Gia, bella,’ said Signor Maleovelli. ‘Pour a drink for Signor Scarpoli. The man looks like he needs one.’
Against her will and with forced grace, Giaconda went to the sideboard and, from a silver decanter, poured glasses of vino for her father, herself and Baroque. She passed them around and resumed her seat. Baroque sniffed the contents suspiciously before taking a grateful gulp.
‘Signor Scarpoli. Our situation has changed in ways that will become apparent to you very soon. But, in order for us to benefit from this change, we require your services again, but not in the usual way.’
‘In what way do you mean?’
Signor Maleovelli took an appreciative sip of his drink, rolling it in his mouth before swallowing. ‘You once enjoyed the reputation of being the finest spy in Serenissima, is that not so?’
‘Once upon a time. Until I was caught and identified, yes.’
‘And, as a spy, you knew all the tricks of the trade – how to speak and write in different languages, how