The Medici Letters: The Secret Origins of the Renaissance

by Taylor Buck

  She drew open a pair of French doors leading into a large study. The rich scent of Tuscan leather was detectable and inviting. Across the room, a man was sitting in an aged wingback chair reading a book with a nondescript cover. He looked to be in his 50s and was handsomely groomed. His skin was darkly tanned and his styled hair was slicked back into thick, dark curls. He wore a cream-colored button down shirt and loose-fitting linen pants. Seeing Jack and Chester, he removed reading glasses and stood to greet them.

  “Salve! Come in. Mr. Cullen I’m very glad you could make it.” The man walked around the coffee table to greet Jack. “Massimo Forlino,” he said shaking Jack’s hand firmly. He grinned brightly showing impressively white teeth.

  “Jack Cullen. Thank you for having us Mr. Forlino,” Jack said cordially.

  “The pleasure is mine.” Forlino turned to Chester. “Mr. Allen, it is good to see you again. I hope you found the villa easily.”

  “Yes, easy enough,” replied Chester.

  “You have a beautiful home,” Jack said glancing around the study. “I was just telling Gabriela how impressed I am with the architecture of this place.”

  “Grazie,” Forlino said, pressing his fingertips under his chin in a slight bow.

  “It’s just a guess,” Jack said, “but I’m willing to wager this villa has roots in the collection of Medici villas?” Jack knew his guess was brazenly safe given Forlino’s line of work.

  “A probable theory, Mr. Cullen, but I wonder if you can name the architect,” he said with a playful smirk. “In fact, let’s make it a challenge. I wager my finest Barolo to the man who guesses correctly.”

  Chester looked wearily at them both. “Well you can rule me out right away. Tuscan history is hardly my area of expertise.”

  Forlino chuckled heartily and turned to Jack. “Ok, Mr. Cullen that means it’s down to you. My vino Monfortino for your correct answer.”

  Jack felt put on the spot but didn’t mind entertaining the gesture. He looked around, taking into account his surroundings. He quickly scanned the arched hallways and interior columns, the cross vault along the ceiling. “Quattrocento,” he said. “Early Renaissance architecture with subtle Gothic vestiges. That at least narrows it down to the 15th century.”

  Forlino’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

  Jack’s eyes were drawn to the portico outside. He gazed up and down the columns.

  “Composite capitals?”

  “Yes,” said Forlino excitedly.

  Jack rubbed his chin. “Michelozzo?”

  “Si, esatto! Correct, Mr. Cullen! Michelozzo de Bartolomeo, the great.” Forlino turned to Gabriela who was standing at the doorway. “Principessa, would you please retrieve a bottle of Barolo Monfortino Riserva from the cellar? The ninety-seven would be perfetto. Grazie, my love.”

  “I appreciate the kind gesture,” Jack said. “But please don’t feel—”

  “Not at all,” Forlino said brushing Jack’s concern aside. He leaned forward and whispered. “I would have called for it anyway…”

  Jack smiled politely and glanced over at Chester, finding him looking somewhat bemused, as if he were uncomfortable being there.

  “Come! We have much to discuss,” Forlino said as he motioned for Jack and Chester to follow him outside. They stepped out onto a covered terrace, which peered adoringly over the city. The whole of Florence was in stunning panoramic view—like a postcard in a tourist shop.

  “La Villa Sulla Collina,” Forlino said aloud. The title rolled rhythmically off his tongue. “That is her name. One of Cosimo’s lesser-known estates just on the other side of the Arno.”

  “A fitting title,” said Jack pondering the name, the mansion on the hill. “A good place for a philosopher to spend time in his studies.”

  A smile grew across Forlino’s face. He turned to Jack and faced him. “Kathleen mentioned your zeal for classical architecture as well as your affinity to the Renaissance. What exactly is your field of study?”

  “I’m a Classicist.”

  “Classical…antiquity?” asked Forlino.

  “Exactly,” Jack replied. “I explore the ancients—Greeks, Romans, Byzantine history, ancient religion and warfare.”

  “Husband and wife explorers!” Forlino said with a theatrical wave of his hand. “A match made in the stars.” The 3 men laughed.

  “Kathleen is the adventurous one. Much more so than I. My adventures come in the classroom, debating with students,” Jack said with some modesty. “Besides, Kathleen is by far the Medici expert. She knows them like the back of her hand.”

  “Yes, she certainly does,” agreed Forlino. He leaned up against one of the pillars supporting the portico. He looked out over the city and directed his eyes back to Jack. “I’m sorry about her. Really, I am.” He showed a sincerity that Jack found comforting. It was odd. Jack felt strangely at ease speaking with Forlino. Like he knew him…as an old colleague or associate.

  “Thank you,” Jack replied. He felt it to be a good time to broach the topic they had come to discuss. “Mr. Forlino, I must know. What makes you so certain my wife was attacked?”

  Forlino held eye contact for a moment and then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a letter. “Because of this.” He placed the letter on the table as Jack moved in close to read it. Jack scanned the letter, instinctually evaluating the stock and penmanship.

  “It’s handwritten?” Jack observed.

  “Peculiar, yes?” added Forlino.

  “Very.”

  Heed this warning and accept its legitimacy.

  LEAVE FIRENZE IMMEDIATELY.

  The secrets of this city are bestowed to its people. Do not rouse what you are not willing to accept in consequence.

  If you resist, you will suffer persecution. It will be delivered swiftly and mercilessly.

  Kathleen Anna Cullen and Gareth James Foley, if you are still in Firenze tomorrow, action will be taken.

  You have been warned.

  Jack immediately broke into a cold sweat as a wave of nausea suddenly swept over him. He felt a flood of panic as he thought about his daughters—his fatherly instinct welled up inside him. He wanted to call them to make sure they were okay. The words on the letter were threatening and foreboding. They had actually directed the threat at Kathleen. My god, they used her full name.

  “Are you okay, Jack?” Chester asked.

  Jack placed the letter on the table and wiped his brow. “Yes, I just need a moment.”

  “Please have a seat, Mr. Cullen. The sun can get quite hot out on the terrace.”

  Jack sat down and tried to calm himself. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He needed to focus his thoughts to gather himself.

  “Has the letter been analyzed?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” Forlino said firmly. “After I heard of the accident, I wanted to make sure the letter made it into your hands, first and foremost. That was why I was so adamant we meet, Mr. Cullen.”

  “We have our own forensic document examiners—some of the best in the world,” offered Chester. “I’ll also call in a favor to Langley and have them run it, too.”

  “What do you think, Mr. Cullen?” inquired Forlino. “You are a man educated in graphology.”

  “Palaeography,” Jack corrected. I study the ancients only. I know little about forensic document evaluation, at least not enough to add any value here.” Jack restrained himself from pointing out the vast differences in graphonomics. “At the very least, it’s apparent the writer forged his handwriting. Look at the ascenders here.” He pointed to a word, swiftly tracing over the cursive letters with his index finger as he spoke. “There are signs of stress along the ascenders and descenders throughout the document… a telling indication of forged penmanship.” Jack turned to Chester with a look of confusion. “Pardon my ignorance Chester, but how is it that you didn’t recover this letter before he did?”

  Chester opened his mouth to respond, but Forlino interjected first. “I knew about the let
ter before they left for Switzerland, Mr. Cullen.”

  Jack shifted focus to Forlino. “You did?”

  “Yes, Kathleen gave it to me. In fact I was the one who urged them to take the threat very seriously. Grave claims like this are not to be taken lightly… not here,” he motioned to the cityscape. “I pride myself as being involved in all aspects of our fine city, including keeping it secure. However…” Forlino whispered quietly as if someone were listening in, “this city’s history is rather dark… and incidents have occurred before.”

  “So let me get this straight,” Jack said. “Kathleen got the note, packed up, left town and still got attacked? If they left Florence as the note asked, why would they still have been pursued?”

  “Signore Forlino,” Chester interrupted. “We did a full sweep at the site of the accident as well as the dig site. I’m sorry, but based on your story I have to question the validity of this document. TerraTEK is currently involved in a thorough investigation. I find it hard to believe that any new material could surface without our knowledge. Why weren’t we made aware of this?”

  “The same reason you didn’t know they left Florence,” Forlino returned. “Also, to be completely frank, I kept it from you.”

  Chester immediately turned a bright shade of red. “Why? Why would you withhold such an extremely valuable document?” he asked scowling at Forlino. “That’s a criminal offense! As the designated representative of TerraTEK, I’m afraid I’m going to have to confiscate the document.” Chester stepped forward and then hesitated. He seemed to realize he was slightly overreacting and calmed himself down. “Let me make things perfectly clear for you. My employer is extremely… effective at getting answers. It would be prudent for you to cooperate with the investigation.”

  Forlino’s composure was commendable. Jack couldn’t help but notice the wealthy estate owner’s charismatic way of interrelation. He kept a dignified grin and waited for Chester to finish. “I’m quite aware of your company’s reputation,” he replied flatly. “That is precisely why I wanted Mr. Cullen present.” He motioned to Jack. “I wanted Mr. Cullen to decide how to proceed.”

  Chester was speechless, his expression almost comical. Jack, on the other hand, had to admit he was impressed with Forlino more and more every second. He had deliberately not informed TerraTEK of the letter because he wanted to make sure Jack knew the truth first. A move that gained Jack’s trust.

  “Despite the untimely arrival of the letter,” Jack said, “I still want to know why they were attacked. Especially since they left Florence, just as the letter asked.”

  “That is where you’re mistaken,” Forlino said altering his jovial disposition. “Mr. Cullen. Kathleen and Dr. Foley left town, but they did so on Thursday…two days after they received the threat.”

  Jack felt blindsided. Forlino seemed to notice and softened his tone. “Mr. Cullen, I’m sorry to inform you of this, but based on the letter, they had outstayed their welcome by nearly 24 hours.”

  The news sunk in like lead in his veins. Jack felt the churning pit return in his stomach. Why Kat? Why didn’t you leave? What were you thinking?

  Just then, Gabriela entered the terrace through the French doors. She was holding a dark bottle of red wine and 3 glasses.

  “Grazie, my love. Please leave it on the table,” Forlino said.

  Gabriela raised her eyebrows inquiringly as she picked up on the tension. She hurriedly placed the bottle and glasses on the table then faded back into the villa.

  Forlino broke the silence. “Once I heard of their departure, I sent Porto to follow them. Unfortunately… he arrived too late.”

  Jack leaned forward, eagerly listening to Forlino’s account. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Chester, on the other hand, sat back in his chair with a look of supreme irritation.

  “Mr. Cullen, I’m afraid there’s more,” Forlino continued. “Porto said he came upon a figure at the scene, clad entirely in black. He said he pursued the figure but it fled and disappeared into the mountains. Porto called it a fantasma… He said it moved like a ghost.”

  “What?” Jack blurted nearly knocking over his wine glass. “He saw someone there? What did he look like?”

  “Unfortunately, it was from a distance. Porto could not see the man’s face.”

  Chester butted in. “I wasn’t aware of any figure in black…was that information relayed in the debriefing?”

  Forlino turned to Chester with a look of tamed annoyance. “Porto was never summoned to the debriefing. Unfortunately this news is rather recent, Mr. Allen. I apologize that you’re not aware of these new accounts, but I assure you that we are fully cooperating with your investigation.”

  Chester huffed and crossed his arms like an angry child.

  The reality of danger was setting in. Jack felt it. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his body. There was a suspect now. He conjured up savage visions of revenge. He wanted to rip apart this alleged attacker, or fantasma. It was a strange feeling… a foreign one. His instincts to protect his family were heightened and fueled by a primal rage, like a Grizzly bear protecting his den. He felt compelled to scream or at least slam his fist into something. But he had to remain calm. His next steps were becoming clear. If Kathleen had actually been physically attacked, he needed to find the man who had attacked his wife. In order to do that, Jack had to draw him in. A plan already began to formulate in his mind… he would follow the same path Kathleen had taken. If the attacker came for her, they would come for him…but he would be ready.

  Jack emerged from his thoughts, lucid and determined. “Mr. Forlino, I would like you to take me to the dig. In fact, I would like to go now, please.”

  Forlino stood up. “Absolutely Mr. Cullen. I will inform my driver at once.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Chester chimed in. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  Jack didn’t respond. He had already made up his mind. His stoic expression made it clear. The men began gathering their things. Jack noticed that Forlino hung back and hesitated as if he wanted to say something.

  “Was there something else, Signore Forlino?”

  “Well… you should just know, Mr. Cullen, that I was fully aware of them leaving… however I had no knowledge of where they were headed. Their presence in Switzerland was unknown to our whole team. We were all quite astonished to hear of it.”

  Jack nodded. Forlino’s honesty compelled a response. “Then it seems that I finally know something that you don’t.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He loaded Kathleen’s email and read it aloud. As it was read, Forlino’s eyes grew wide.

  “Lorenzo? To… Michelangelo? I had no idea…” Forlino rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “Madonna mia! This… this is incredible! Where is this letter now?”

  Jack and Chester looked at each other. “Well…we were actually hoping you had it,” replied Jack.

  “I can assure you I don’t. But if it’s true, then the motive behind this attack may be layered in more complexity,” Forlino said, still in deep thought as he processed the news. “A treasure? Madonna mia!” he said grinning. “This is all very mysterious, is it not?”

  “It certainly becomes more so each passing minute,” Chester said.

  Forlino fixed his eyes on Jack. “Mr. Cullen, you have my full cooperation. Whatever we need to do, I support you.”

  “Good,” Jack said. “For starters… you can call off bringing in Morgan Forbes. I was informed that you might be utilizing his services to finish the dig.”

  Forlino looked genuinely surprised. “You know Mr. Forbes?”

  “Very well.”

  “And you are not fond of him, I take it?”

  “Not at all.” Jack’s eyebrows shifted. “We have... a history.”

  “I see.” Forlino seemed to be contemplating Jack’s request. As he did so, he donned a troubled expression. “You have to understand that what we have come across is an archaeological marvel,” Forlino said looking rather une
asy. “We can’t simply put this aside now that we’ve uncovered something of its worth. I feel it is my duty to continue moving forward with the excavation…” he paused. “With utmost respect in what happened with Dr. Foley and your wife.”

  Jack nodded. “I understand. To be honest, it is your duty to continue the excavation. You’re uncovering history, and it falls directly in line with what you’re attempting to preserve—the Medici name.”

  Forlino smiled politely. “Thank you Mr. Cullen, for understanding.”

  “I also understand you’re short on supplies.” Jack turned and directed his attention to Chester. “But with access to TerraTEK’s tools and machinery, you should be able to continue research on your own.”

  Chester looked puzzled at Jack’s phrasing. “What do you mean? TerraTEK’s supplies?”

  “Signore Forlino,” Jack said. “You have archaeologists on staff, right?”

  “Yes. Four of them.”

  “Then you have no need for Morgan Forbes. With TerraTEK’s equipment and your availability to supervise the crew, you should be able to continue excavation by…” he looked at Chester for an answer. “When? Tomorrow?”

  “Jack, I—”

  “Chester, you said you were here to help in any way you can. This is that way.”

  Chester stood there sullenly.

  “You and I can help consult on the image analysis,” Jack added, “I’m no expert, but I’ve become somewhat proficient via secondhand exposure. Kathleen’s trained me well.”

  “What do you say, Mr. Allen?” Forlino asked, “Do we have your support?”

  Chester glared at Jack knowing full well that he was being taken advantage of. He appeared to be agonizing over a response. After a moment he sighed heavily. “You have a week. We’ll see if I have a job after this.”

  “Che meraviglia!” Forlino exclaimed.

  Just as the 3 men began to stand up a man walked onto the terrace. Tall and ruggedly built, the man was well-dressed with dark features and an impressively round, shaved head. He wore a tidy beard and looked to be somewhere in his late 40s. Jack noticed a faint scar appeared along the man’s left cheekbone, curved—like a crescent moon. His light eyes, greyish-blue in hue, were deep and penetrating. Jack also noticed a hint of familiarity in the man’s eyes as he spotted Jack among the group.