The circle held and Cellini and his companions were able to stay inside “until the matinbells began to sound.” Safe at last “the necromancer put off his wizard’s robe, and packed up a great bundle of books which he had brought with him; then, all together, we issued with him from the circle, huddling as close as we could to one another.” Interestingly, later, as they made their way home, Cellini claimed the priest asked for his help “in consecrating a book, by means of which we should extract immeasurable wealth, since we could call up fiends to show us where treasures were.” I wasn’t sure exactly what this meant. Maybe the priest wanted Cellini to help him create a sort of magic book or grimoire with instructions for performing the ritual. The idea made me remember Dworkin and his raving about the dark saying. I shuddered involuntarily. The writing was very evocative even if it was the self-aggrandizing propaganda of a first rate solipsist.
I closed the eBook, put my phone aside, and sat thinking. Benderick had told me he didn’t believe the ‘dark saying’ supposedly woven into the variations could be an evil incantation. He had said the music spoke to him, uplifted him, giving him visions of something lofty and bright, not something dark and evil. Based on my experience of hearing the music, I had to agree with him. Reading Cellini’s account of summoning demons was intriguing though. I didn’t believe in the supernatural or demons or angels for that matter but I did believe people could have experiences that stretched them beyond rationality. Their own belief in those experiences mixed with a penchant for drama could be a force for swaying other people and gaining power over them, even down the centuries to a remote ancestor, locked in an asylum, conversing with an impressionable young music master dreaming of his own future glory.
Chapter 14
Rat de Ville, Rat de Campagne
July 3: London and Powick
I woke the next morning to a text message from Ashna.
—Tracked down the license plate. Registered to Greenbriar Industries.—
—Awesome. So now we’re up against Morgan Jutting.—
—Yep. Fun opponent I’m sure. If you get a chance, use that sneaky little box I gave you. Any open ethernet port will do.—
—I’ll do my best.—
Ashna was still planning on coming to London but her software release had been delayed. She would come as soon as possible. Shortly after, while I was drinking my first cup of coffee, my phone rang. I picked up and the soft voice of Petru Ortoli materialized from across the continent.
“Justin. It’s Petru. My service told me you called.”
“Thank you for calling me back. I have a favor to ask.”
“Name it. I will do my best.”
“Do you know Morgan Jutting? The property developer? He runs Greenbriar.”
“I do not know him personally but I’m familiar with his reputation. We’re in the same business but usually not in direct competition.”
“I need an excuse to meet with him and get inside his house. Apparently he prefers to hold all of his meetings at home. Maybe something regarding a property deal or investment. I was told by an insider that Greenbriar is working on a resort development on the Amalfi coast. Apparently it’s far over budget. They’re searching for additional investors but having a hard time finding anyone to help. I thought you might be familiar with this project since it’s in your geographic area of influence.”
“Yes, I know about this one. I was intrigued when I heard about it but decided to be cautious. Still, when your opponent is most in need you get the best terms. I could look into it again. Can your insider, the one who gave you this information, get me in contact with Jutting? I will tell him I have a representative in the U.K. who can meet with him on my behalf to get the details. It is well known that I only deal in person or by a representative, never without face to face discussion. You can play the part. I know your abilities. I will set up a meeting between you and Jutting. Will that be sufficient? I will not make the investment unless the opportunity seems good but you will get your meeting either way.”
“More than sufficient. I think the person who gave me the information should be able to set up a phone call with Jutting. She used to work for him.”
“Excellent. I am going to give you my private number so that this can go quickly.”
“Thank you Signore. I appreciate your help.”
I copied down Ortoli’s number and we ended the call. My next step was Clelia Nguyen. I dialed her number, hoping she would be willing to help. She picked up on the third ring.
“Justin?”
“Yes, it’s me. Are you busy?”
“No, I have a meeting in a few minutes but I can talk for a moment.”
“Thanks. I was wondering if you can get a message to Jutting. I know someone who might be interested in helping out with the financing of the development you told me about.”
“Probably, I’m still on good terms with one of the senior partners at Greenbriar. Is this legitimate or is it a cover for the project you’re working on?”
“It’s both. The offer could be very legitimate if the terms are right.”
“Good.” Clelia paused for a moment. “I wouldn’t want to have it come back to bite me. If the offer is a real possibility, I can contact him right away.”
“Of course. The potential financer is Petru Ortoli. He’s a Corsican developer.”
“I’ve heard of him. He has some unsavory associates. It seems like most developers do though.”
“Yes, I ran into a couple of Jutting’s unsavory associates last night.”
“You’re not damaged I hope?” She sounded legitimately concerned.
“No, I’m okay. Just a minor scuffle.”
“Are you sure you want to
