Lamberti’s hand shook violently and the small, delicate cup he was holding fell to the floor and rolled across the rug. Romola was also shocked, but she recovered quickly and instinctively lunged for it. Gabe’s attention remained fixed on Lamberti’s face.
Lamberti’s voice was hoarse. “I knew you had come here for a reason. What do you want?”
“I heard rumours of a powerful and unusual ring that your family was supposed to possess. I would like to see it.”
From the expression of dread on Lamberti’s face, frozen in masklike horror, Gabe knew he didn’t need to elaborate. However, he tried to lie. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you do. I can smell your fear. I have no wish to drag up bad memories, or to cause you any harm. In fact, I will do you a favour and take the ring away. It has no place in civilised society.”
A measure of calm returned to Lamberti’s face, and he wiped his brow with a fine linen handkerchief. “What makes you think such a ring is here?”
“Aside from your panicked expression? Something recorded in a diary, years ago.” Gabe gave him a brief explanation. “The entry was about your family. And then, of course, there’s the ex-residence of your niece, now falling to ruin in Palazzuolo sul Senio. The temple in the grounds is of particular interest to me.”
Lamberti started wheezing, gasping for breath, his wizened frame buckling over.
Romola glared at Gabe. “Are you trying to kill him? Grab some water.” She pointed to the jug of water on another side table, and then scrambled to help Lamberti upright.
Gabe, feeling horribly guilty, but also vindicated in their investigations, poured a glass of water and helped the old man recover. “I’m sorry. Take a moment.”
Lamberti glared at him, sharp black eyes boring into his. When he finally spoke, it was with a whisper. “How do you know about that damn temple?”
“Someone tried to kill me. I take it very personally. I decided to get to the root of it. Why don’t you tell me what you know, and then I’ll leave you in peace.” He sat down again, knowing his bulk looming over the old man wasn’t going to help him relax. “I have no issue with you. I just want the ring, and to find out why you seem to be linked to Belial.”
“Not me!”
“Your family, then.”
Romola was now looking at Gabe with tight-lipped annoyance. Not surprising, seeing as he hadn’t mentioned anything about Fallen Angels earlier. He’d rather she didn’t know now, but needs must. Plus, it was a good test as to what she knew. Not much, he’d say so far.
Tomasso’s voice had become a dry rasp. “If I tell you, will you leave me in peace?”
“Of course. But I want the ring.”
“It’s gone!” he huffed, outraged. “I sold it after my father died.”
Gabe leaned forward. “Who did you sell it to?”
“One of my father’s contacts. One of the…” he faltered. “A business colleague.”
“I think you were going to say The Brotherhood.”
Lamberti blinked. “How do you know that name?”
“I do my homework. If you have heard of them, then you know what that ring is and why it’s so dangerous. I bet you know a lot more, too. Where is it?”
“Somewhere you will never find it.”
“You’ll be surprised what I can find.”
Sixteen
“This is unreal,” Jackson said, blinking as he took in the entrance to the emerald cave in JD’s marquee. “I think I’m hallucinating.”
“In that case,” Maggie declared, “we both are. What the actual fuck…”
“Anna,” Jackson said, whirling around to look for JD’s assistant who had walked over with them, “have you been inside?”
She puffed up. “No! I have nothing to do with JD’s work. I just feed him and keep his house clean.”
“But this is The Emerald Tablet! He’s actually cracked it! I mean, you saw it, right? You know what he was doing.”
“Of course I saw it. It was hard to miss. One of his more impressive results, I admit, but when you’ve known him as long as I have, it just becomes one of the many things he’s achieved.”
She really was an interesting woman. To live and work with a genius, and yet have nothing to do with his work. It was its own form of madness. And yet, maybe she was the sanest one of them all. Best to keep out of JD’s business.
“I’ll leave you to it,” she said, backing away.
Then it struck him. “Holy shit! You’re like him. Immortal.” Anna smiled, confirming everything. “For how long?”
“Long enough.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and suddenly Anna, the dour and disapproving woman, became far more interesting. Another immortal… JD must value her more than he had ever let on. Refusing to elaborate, she exited the tent, saying, “I’ll see you later.”
Jackson looked at Maggie. “Can you believe that?”
Her hands were on her hips, lips clenched tight, her eyes boring into his. “Fucking immortal? How many other fucking secrets are you keeping from me, Jackson?”
“Oh, shit!” Why had he forgotten that Maggie didn’t know about JD? “Oh well, one less secret to keep.”
Maggie didn’t budge. “Anything else, before we step inside? And perhaps some details now might be nice!”
