Page 62

“Thank you, but we can read ourselves.”

“Ah, wonderful, how things are changing! Here we are.” He placed the book on the countertop next to the melted comfits, and noticed the gloom of his surrounds.

“Excuse me one moment, signoras, I think a light might be in order.” He shuffled into a back room.

“Ginevra! This place is so dirty, I don’t feel well—”

“Shhh...let’s look at this book quickly and then we’ll leave.”

They brought the book into the light of the doorway. Each page contained a woodblock print illustration of a reliquary, and a messily written description of how to properly pray to it. The women leafed through quickly.

“Look, Lucia! Santa Reparata and the Baptistry are right here. The first places robbed...”

“Of course. They’re the most famous churches in the city. The first stop for anyone.”

“True,” said Ginevra, “but next there is Santa Maria Novella and the chapel of San Barnaba. Also robbed.”

“Yes, and the four churches of the Rogazione procession are here, too,” said Lucia.

Ginevra took out the inquisitor’s list and ran her finger down it. “And from those churches are taken the torso of San Piero, the left foot of Santo Stefano, and the left and right buttocks of San Paolo.”

Lucia nodded and continued flipping. “And if all those places are present, there must be... Yes, my Santa Trinita on the opposite page...but Giovanni Gualberto’s crucifix is recommended, not his shoulder, not the bit that was taken. Ginevra, this is just—”

“Lucia, the thief must have come here and been shown this very book!”

The proprietor returned and placed a lumpy tallow candle on the counter.

Ginevra gave him what she hoped was a charming smile: “What a wonderful and useful treatise.”

Lucia brought the book closer to the feeble light.

“Ah, yes! San Paolo’s left buttock,” said the apothecary, glancing at the open page. “A most worthy and effective relic.”

“Ser Apothecary,” said Ginevra, “we will buy the book, as well.”

“I’m afraid not, signora. It’s a very rare volume.”

Lucia scoffed and the apothecary looked at her.

“Quite rare. The very last copy, I couldn’t do without it. You’ll have to make do the old-fashioned way, with what you can remember.” He shuffled to put it away in his back room.

Ginevra looked at Lucia.

“No! Ginevra, I don’t want to spend any more money here. And besides, this book just has—”

“Alright, fine, there is another way without money—do you have that bottle of holy water? I saw you fill it up yesterday at Santa Trinita.”

“Yes...”

“Quick, then—put this in.”

“What is it?”

“It is a selenite, whoever drinks water touched by it will become very agreeable for a very brief moment.”

She dropped a translucent grayish crystal into Lucia’s little flask.

“But does it have to be holy water? My holy water? I need it.”