Read Online The Mascherari: A Novel of Venice by Laura Rahme - Free Book Online
Authors: Laura Rahme
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clear. This is my medical report. You ask what and I tell you the cause. But if you ask me how, how – this, I do not know. I leave it to you now, if you wish to accept my deposition.
I stared at him. I watched the sweat trickle down his forehead.
“I believe you, dottore ,” I said at last.
We shuffled away from Balsamo’s decaying body. I presented Abram with the parchments to sign. He leaned toward a quill on his desk, dipped it in ink and prepared to write.
While he did so, I reflected some more.
I recalled that I, too, had seen Balsamo and the other merchants settle a debt incident in Santa Croce on my arrival. There was nothing, I am certain of it, nothing to indicate that he suffered an ailment that would leave him ravaged... And surely not ravaged by the following night? It was unthinkable. My mind latched onto an idea. Yes, certainly the medical symptoms were those of a horrendous illness, but might those symptoms in fact result from a poisonous substance? Or something that Balsamo had ingested...
“Might Balsamo have encountered a malicious substance while in the presence of the carampanas ? Or perhaps a person who wished Balsamo some ill may have crossed him during the banquet…a jettature ?”
The physician glared at me.
“Are you still considering, Signore? About this deposition?”
I relented. “Yes, yes, please sign it.”
He muttered something under his breath before scribbling furiously.
After which I bid him farewell.
And this, Signor Almoro Donato, completes my account.
It would seem there are two deaths that bear no relationship with our case. They appear to be accidents born of the victims’ poor manners– gluttony and love of drink.
But I am not convinced of the same for Balsamo.
Antonio
***
Letter from Almoro Donato to Antonio da Parma
Antonio,
As perplexing as these sudden deaths are: stomach rupture, drowning and disease, it is my deepest conviction that they may lead us astray in the resolution of these murders. Do venture into Ca’ Rampani and question the women, Antonio, but leave fanciful medicinal conjecture to our Jewish doctor. For now, I will accept his deposition at face value.
But understand, that Balsamo’s perfidious coupling that night leaves me no doubt as to how he contracted his mysterious illness. Fornication with a multiplicity of women may have only furthered the spread of this devilish disease on his enfeebled soul. Our religious clerics would be in much agreement with me on this matter. Had Balsamo’s night been spent in prayer or fasting, he may have met another fate.
You will recall, according to the documents I gave you on your first briefing, that Balsamo remained no less than six hours with courtesans, during which he spent a staggering one hundred ducats. One hundred ducats. Might one not conclude that Balsamo coupled with every whore in Venezia for this ludicrous sum?
But yes, if you must, Antonio, speak with them and find what you can. Remember also, that what you find in this brothel may demand the immediate intervention of the Consiglio dei Dieci. Keep me well informed, Antonio, on the matter that you know well is the Consiglio dei Dieci’s duty to oversee.
I concur with your judgment of Lorenzo as a suspect. One thing, Antonio, which surprised me in your investigation is that there is no evidence that all those masks existed. Lorenzo makes mention of several masks, masks that according to the account you sent me, are of much value. We know only of Giacomo and Rolandino’s mask. Giacomo was wearing his when he was stabbed by Rolandino. It has been removed and burned. So too has Rolandino’s mask. What of the others?
I should think that if Lorenzo is indeed guilty of harboring murderous intent, then he may have embellished his deposition somewhat. Could he have confectioned this little tale of masks to lead us astray?
Find those masks, Antonio, and be certain that every detail in Lorenzo’s
I stared at him. I watched the sweat trickle down his forehead.
“I believe you, dottore ,” I said at last.
We shuffled away from Balsamo’s decaying body. I presented Abram with the parchments to sign. He leaned toward a quill on his desk, dipped it in ink and prepared to write.
While he did so, I reflected some more.
I recalled that I, too, had seen Balsamo and the other merchants settle a debt incident in Santa Croce on my arrival. There was nothing, I am certain of it, nothing to indicate that he suffered an ailment that would leave him ravaged... And surely not ravaged by the following night? It was unthinkable. My mind latched onto an idea. Yes, certainly the medical symptoms were those of a horrendous illness, but might those symptoms in fact result from a poisonous substance? Or something that Balsamo had ingested...
“Might Balsamo have encountered a malicious substance while in the presence of the carampanas ? Or perhaps a person who wished Balsamo some ill may have crossed him during the banquet…a jettature ?”
The physician glared at me.
“Are you still considering, Signore? About this deposition?”
I relented. “Yes, yes, please sign it.”
He muttered something under his breath before scribbling furiously.
After which I bid him farewell.
And this, Signor Almoro Donato, completes my account.
It would seem there are two deaths that bear no relationship with our case. They appear to be accidents born of the victims’ poor manners– gluttony and love of drink.
But I am not convinced of the same for Balsamo.
Antonio
***
Letter from Almoro Donato to Antonio da Parma
Antonio,
As perplexing as these sudden deaths are: stomach rupture, drowning and disease, it is my deepest conviction that they may lead us astray in the resolution of these murders. Do venture into Ca’ Rampani and question the women, Antonio, but leave fanciful medicinal conjecture to our Jewish doctor. For now, I will accept his deposition at face value.
But understand, that Balsamo’s perfidious coupling that night leaves me no doubt as to how he contracted his mysterious illness. Fornication with a multiplicity of women may have only furthered the spread of this devilish disease on his enfeebled soul. Our religious clerics would be in much agreement with me on this matter. Had Balsamo’s night been spent in prayer or fasting, he may have met another fate.
You will recall, according to the documents I gave you on your first briefing, that Balsamo remained no less than six hours with courtesans, during which he spent a staggering one hundred ducats. One hundred ducats. Might one not conclude that Balsamo coupled with every whore in Venezia for this ludicrous sum?
But yes, if you must, Antonio, speak with them and find what you can. Remember also, that what you find in this brothel may demand the immediate intervention of the Consiglio dei Dieci. Keep me well informed, Antonio, on the matter that you know well is the Consiglio dei Dieci’s duty to oversee.
I concur with your judgment of Lorenzo as a suspect. One thing, Antonio, which surprised me in your investigation is that there is no evidence that all those masks existed. Lorenzo makes mention of several masks, masks that according to the account you sent me, are of much value. We know only of Giacomo and Rolandino’s mask. Giacomo was wearing his when he was stabbed by Rolandino. It has been removed and burned. So too has Rolandino’s mask. What of the others?
I should think that if Lorenzo is indeed guilty of harboring murderous intent, then he may have embellished his deposition somewhat. Could he have confectioned this little tale of masks to lead us astray?
Find those masks, Antonio, and be certain that every detail in Lorenzo’s
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