Page 2 of An Inside Job

Once again it was Chiara who supplied the answer. “He believes the great artists of the Venetian Renaissance deserve to have their work presented in the best possible light. He opposes any public display of paintings in a damaged state.”

“He doesn’t want to spoil the illusion?”

Chiara frowned. “Surely this isn’t the reason you wanted to see us.”

“I wish it were so.”

Copies of the children’s files lay on Dottoressa Saviano’s desk. She set aside Raphael’s—the boy was a math prodigy who was now studying with a tutor at the university—and opened Irene’s instead. Chiara steeled herself for the worst.

“Your daughter is a remarkable child, Signora Zolli. I have been most impressed by her academic performance, not to mention the speed of her assimilation.”

Chiara raised an eyebrow.

“I was just pointing out that Irene is somewhat new to Venice.”

“But her mother is not. The Zolli family has been living here since the fifteenth century.”

“But your children were born abroad.”

“They are as Italian as their classmates.”

Thedottoressasighed. They had reached an impasse. “Perhaps we should begin again.”

“Yes, let’s. What seems to be the issue?”

“Irene is a natural leader. Even the older students look up to her. But I’m afraid she holds rather strident political opinions for one so young.”

“Since when is having an opinion a problem?”

Dottoressa Saviano opened Irene’s file and extracted a single sheet of paper. “Copies of this were posted throughout the school three days ago. We have reason to believe that Irene was responsible.”

“What is it?”

“See for yourself,” said Dottoressa Saviano, and handed over the document. It was a call for a one-day student strike to protest the Italian government’s inaction on the issue of climate change. “I have to admit, it’s extremely well written for a child of her age. Or perhaps you had a hand in its drafting.”

“I didn’t.”

“Does Irene have a computer at home?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Perhaps you should monitor it more carefully.”

Chiara handed the document to Gabriel. He smiled as he read it.

“You find it amusing, Signore Allon?”

“Quite.”

“I don’t. Not in the least. Evidently your daughter has managed to convince nearly the entire student body to boycott their classes next Wednesday. They plan to march through all sixsestieriand stage a rally in the Piazza San Marco.”

“What would be the harm? In fact, it might actually do some good. The young have a right to be worried about their future.”

“The current government does not see it that way. The education minister is of the opinion that global warming is a hoax perpetrated by the political left.”

“There’s a lot of that going around.”

“If the boycott goes forward, there will be serious consequences.”