Page 84 of The Medici Return

Know the darkened world has long missed the night and day, which while the shade still hung before his eyes, shone like a guide unto stepsafar. Ne’er will the sweet and heavenly tones resound, silent be the harmonies of his sweet lyre, only in Raffaello’s bright world can it be found.

Then on the copper plate from the Pazzi grave had been—

Ne’er will the sweet and heavenly tones resound, Silent be the one nature feared, and when he was dying, feared herself to die. Forever silent be his harmonies, only in his third son’s bright world be justice found.

Both ended withAuguror eveniat.

I wish it will come.

And the diction and syntax of both writings seemed to suggest that the same person had composed them. It actually made sense that Anna Maria would create an epitaph to be included within her husband’s grave. She had to be sending a message. She’d told her son thatthe pledge was secured with two writings, one for Rome, the other for our family. I leave that pledge to you alone. It does not belong to the people of Florence. Instead, it rests safely under a watchful eye, and this verse will lead the way.

Definitely a message.

He’d brought Anna Maria’s writings with him. Those would stay within his exclusive control. Now he had to obtain what he’d come for.

“I must ask something of you,” he said.

The young priest faced him.

“It is a matter of great importance that I be allowed to open the tomb of Raffaello de’ Pazzi.”

“Whatever for?”

“I need a DNA sample to confirm my blood connection to him.”

The time was approaching 10:00P.M. Late. Which he was hoping would work in his favor. He’d called his expert on the drive earlier, and the man said he could be there within an hour, no matter what the time.

But it all hinged on gaining access.

“I have discovered that Raffaello de’ Pazzi married Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici. They had a child. A boy. Who is my distant ancestor.”

“Why is it so important that you discover this connection?”

A fair question. No way he could tell this priest the truth. So he said, “I have wondered about this all my life. Recently, I was granted access to Anna Maria’s grave, and the DNA sample I obtained proved she is my ancestor, on the maternal side.”

“Is that not unusual? To allow a Medici grave to be opened outside of an official inquiry?”

“Most unusual. But who said this was not official.”

He was hoping the lie might work.

“I would have to speak with the bishop,” the young man said.

“Do you? Really? It would be better if this stays between us.” He could see that the young man was considering his proposal. So he pressed. “It would take only a few minutes and be minimally invasive. I can have my expert here before midnight. We can be done and gone fast.”

Hesitation remained.

“This crypt is not on the national registry, is it?” he asked.

“It is not. It remains a private burial site under the church’s control.”

“Then you can give permission for the inspection.”

“Perhaps so. But I will still need to check with the bishop.”

CHAPTER 57

THOMAS ENTEREDSIENA’S TRAIN STATION.