Chapter 17We arrived in Florence just before 12:30. I paid Piero and watched as he drove away. When he was out of sight I turned to Tom and said, “Let’s go.” We crossed the Piazza Santa Croce and started down the street. At Via Rosa, we made a right turn onto an ancient cobblestone street. There was a full moon. The light from the moon highlighted the wet stones, giving them and the buildings an ancient texture and feeling. Halfway down the street, I stopped in front of 49 Via Rosa and rang the bell. The large wood door had just been stained, and with all new polished brass hinges and door knob, it shined under the moonlight.
Within seconds of ringing the bell, a window on the third floor opened and a head stuck out for just a moment. Then there was a buzz and the door unlatched and we en
