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Blinking in the hot sunlight, the women gulped the rot-tinted air of the city, now fresh and sweet after exiting the apothecary’s gloomy lair. They ran away, taking several twists and turns until they were sure the apothecary could not follow them.

“Ginevra, did you see—”

“The anchovy in his beard, I KNOW.”

“Oh, yes, that. But I meant how the selenite worked—could we not have given it to him at the start and saved my florins?”

“I didn’t think of it, sorry—I’ll pay you back when I’m a doctor. But look, now we have this book! Surely, here is the answer. There are nine relics in here and all are missing.”

“Ginevra, that is what I have been trying to say! This is not a rare volume. He was just trying to swindle us. This book—the relics inside are famous! Together, they are called the Divine Nine and they sell this sort of guide at the gates, on every street corner.”

“The Divine Nine? I never heard of this.”

“It’s new, since you left, to attract more pilgrims. I was a fool not to see it right away! The thief might have read about them in this book from the apothecary, but he also might have asked anybody where he should go.”

Ginevra felt deflated. All this running around and all she had learned was what she should have known right from the start. “The inquisitor should have told me all this! Wine has dulled his wits.”

“He certainly should have mentioned it,” said Lucia, indignant. “But looking at it laid out like this, do you think maybe the thief is from an enemy city? From some place jealous of the Divine Nine?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” said Lucia, “last night you said the thief spreads word of his deeds as soon as they happen. He leaves behind these bottles when he could easily keep the crimes hidden for months. This makes sense if he’s from a rival city—he would want everyone to know that Florence cannot protect its most precious possessions.”

“That is brilliant, Lucia! You may have hit upon it. And by the way, your sneeze back there was also brilliant. I’ll take the selenite back now.”

Lucia took out her holy water flask and shook it. Then she dumped the whole thing out on her hand.

“Ginevra, I’m sorry...it must have flown out...”

“Damn. You’re sure?”

“I’m so sorry, let’s go back and look for it.”

“No, no, it’s alright. He won’t be pleased to see us. It’s my own fault for putting you up to it. If I’m being honest, I have no idea how to catch a thief. I don’t know why I thought I could solve a mystery that has stumped all the holy men of this city.”

“I know what we should do next.”

“What?”

“Go home and take a nap. We have been awake since yesterday morning. It’s so hot right now and the air is heavy like thunderstorms will come. It’s unnatural to be awake on an afternoon such as this.”

“I can’t sleep now. I must go to little Zenobia and then prepare to see the inquisitor. I hope my elixir has settled...”

“I’m sure it will turn out alright. And, Ginevra, please don’t be hurt, but I can tell by the circles under your eyes that you need rest as well. It will be easier to think after.”

“You sleep, then. I promised Zenobia I’d come back...”

“If you run yourself ragged, you won’t help anyone. You’ve got to keep your wits about you and there’s no doing that without sleep. In normal times, I’d rest every afternoon. My mother taught me it’s important to retain one’s youth.”

“Well, we’ll see. I suppose if the medicine is still bubbling when we get home, I could try to rest for a moment before going out.”

“If it’s not done, we’ll pray for Zenobia to be safe until it is, which should give you some extra time.”

THIRTY-ONE

DINNER AND AN EXPLOSION

July 9th of 1348, Palazzo Tornaparte