Chapter 20: Beneath the Varnish
591 Words
Sofia barely slept.
Marco's words—spoken through Luca's memories—echoed in her mind.
"Violence is usually the least intelligent solution."
A smile tugged at her lips.
It was exactly something Marco would have said.
For the first time since his death, she allowed herself to miss him... without questioning whether he had loved her.
He had.
That much was never a lie.
---
Morning sunlight spilled across the eastern corridor.
The altered portrait waited exactly where she had left it.
This time, she carried purpose.
She had borrowed cotton gloves, a flashlight, and a magnifying lens from Luca's archives.
Primitive compared to the equipment she was used to.
But enough.
She crouched before the painting.
Every brushstroke told a story.
Every c***k whispered another.
The varnish wasn't simply newer.
It was hiding a different pigment beneath.
Someone hadn't restored the portrait.
Someone had censored it.
"Planning to steal it?"
Sofia looked up.
Matteo stood nearby, arms folded.
She sighed.
"You really don't know how to announce yourself."
"I do."
"You just never hear me."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm examining a painting."
"I noticed."
"Do you know what this means?"
"It means I should probably stop dusting it."
Despite herself, she smiled.
"You've been practicing these jokes."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You smiled."
"I most certainly did not."
She laughed quietly.
"You're terrible."
"So I've been told."
The laughter faded as she returned her attention to the portrait.
Matteo watched in silence this time.
"You really see things other people don't..."
"It isn't magic."
She traced the air just above the surface.
"It's patience."
A tiny glimmer caught her eye.
Gold.
Not paint.
Leaf.
Hidden beneath the dark overpainting.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"No..."
She whispered.
"That shouldn't be there."
"What?"
She stepped closer.
"The original artist used gold leaf beneath the family crest."
"But someone painted over the crest completely."
Matteo frowned.
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"But nobody hides something unless they fear someone finding it."
She slowly stood.
"I need proper conservation tools."
"The ones here won't do."
Matteo nodded once.
"I'll tell Luca."
---
Luca was in the courtyard when Matteo found him.
"Boss."
Luca looked up.
"She found something."
A flicker crossed Luca's face.
"What?"
"She says the painting was deliberately altered."
"I believed her."
Luca didn't ask for proof.
He simply nodded.
"What does she need?"
"Professional restoration tools."
Luca was already reaching for his phone when another guard approached.
"A delivery just arrived."
"No sender."
Matteo frowned.
"Open it."
The wooden case revealed rows of immaculate conservation instruments.
Japanese brushes.
Micro-scalpels.
Magnification lenses.
Handmade spatulas.
Every piece chosen with extraordinary care.
Nestled inside was a single card.
No signature.
Only six handwritten words.
Every masterpiece deserves the right tools.
Matteo looked up slowly.
"I'll have security check it."
Luca picked up one of the scalpels.
Perfect balance.
Custom made.
He knew only one man who would think of sending weapons...
Disguised as kindness.
A reluctant smile touched his lips.
"Dante."
Matteo looked surprised.
"You sound certain."
"I am."
He closed the wooden case.
"Have it inspected."
"And then..."
He looked toward the eastern corridor where Sofia was undoubtedly still studying the painting.
"...give it to her."
"No note?"
Luca shook his head.
"She'll understand the tools."
"The sender doesn't matter."
---
Standing alone before the portrait...
Sofia didn't hear the footsteps behind her.
She only heard Marco's voice in her memory.
"Look beneath the surface, Sofia."
She had always believed he was talking about paintings.
Now...
She wasn't so sure.
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