Page 38 of The Unraveling of Julia

Gianluca paused, reading his phone. “I found a few investigators, but most do divorce or paternity matters. There’s one who sounds good for family searches, a Tancredi Ferrucci. Let me have your number, and I’ll text you his information.”

“Thank you.” Julia told him her number, and Gianluca plugged it into his phone.

“As for Caterina Sforza, we do have a book or two about her in English. Would you like to see them?”

“Yes, if it’s no trouble.”

“Not at all.” Gianluca was already on his feet. He left the garden and returned quickly with a large book bound in blue cloth. “Here we go.”

“Perfect timing. My ride will be here soon.”

“Good. I could only find the one book. Other portraits of Caterina don’t do her justice, but I like this one by Lorenzo di Credi in 1487.” Gianluca set the book down, opening it to a glossy portrait. “You see, she was beautiful.”

Julia recoiled, caught unawares. She hadn’t realized Gianluca was going to bring a portrait, and it showed Caterina facing right, her eyes ablue that made Julia flash on the blue eyes from the ceiling fresco, chasing her into the vineyard. She masked her reaction while he continued talking.

“Her coloring is northern Italian. She was Milanese, the seat of Sforza power, but she’s an integral part of Florentine history. Her first marriage was to Girolamo Riario, and they ruled a town called Forlì. If you ever get to see it, it tells you so much about her.”

Julia couldn’t deny that Caterina’s coloring was like Rossi’s and even her own. “Is Forlì far?”

“No, about two hours from Croce, in Emilia-Romagna.”

“I wonder if they have tours of her castle.”

“No, only a self-tour. I could take you and show you around. Tomorrow’s my day off, if you’re free. I swear, I’m not hitting on you.” Gianluca crossed himself. “I’m just redeeming my fellow Florentines.”

Julia smiled. In truth, she’d love to see that castle, and Gianluca seemed to know a lot about the subject. “Okay, thanks. I’d like to go, but not on the Vespa, right?”

“Totally, it’s my sister’s and I only use it in town.” Gianluca closed the book. “I can pick you up tomorrow morning at ten. If we want to visit both locations, it’ll take the day. I suggest we get an early start.”

“Okay.”

“Good, it’s a plan.” Gianluca tucked the book under his arm. “Let me show you out through our offices. There’s a group of graduate students in the library, and I don’t want to disturb.”

“Okay.” Julia followed him into the modern wing and a hallway lined with antique maps of Florence. They passed several offices, where women looked up from behind the desks. They craned their necks at her, and Julia got the impression that Gianluca was the library hottie.

“This is my office.” Gianluca stopped at an open door, and Julia peeked inside. His office struck her as cool, if happily cluttered. Therewas a big window behind his desk, and its large sill held an array of plants. Books lined both sides, and one wall held a large charcoal sketch of the library’s main room, remarkable in its detail.

“That’s a great drawing.”

“Thank you.”

“You drew it?” Julia asked, impressed.

“Yes. Here, everybody’s an artist or thinks they are. I’m the latter.” Gianluca smiled. “So have I redeemed my countrymen?”

“Yes,” Julia answered, smiling back.

“Sons of Florence, I am your champion!”

Julia called the new investigator from the car, but he didn’t answer. She left a voicemail, asking him to call back. She put down the phone and looked outside the window, relieved to leave Florence behind. She couldn’t imagine why the man in the black ballcap had been following her, and she doubted she’d see him again.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept more than a few hours. “I’m tired,” she said to herself.

Piero motioned to her to recline the seat.

“Thanks,” Julia said, happy to obey.

But when she woke up, it was dark.

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