Page 310 - The Grotesque Children's Book

“Ten percent will suffice,” said Zaccario.
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“You’re an easy bargainer. I mistook you for someone who would take advantage of my
desperation.”
“Ah, no, there’s the mistake. I’m perfectly happy to take advantage of your desperation,
Allesandro,” said Zaccario. “I will even practically revel in it, if we are able to strike a deal.”
“But we have struck it. Ten percent.”
“That’s just the monetary component of the deal. There’s a personal favor I would also
need you to do for me.”
Allesandro Allori’s felt some wriggling under his skin crawl and then vibrate. “I don’t
like the sound of it,” he said.
“No, you won’t. It’s something you ordinarily otherwise wouldn’t do.”
“What’s the favor? I’m not saying I’ll grant it.”
“No, I understand. However, if you don’t grant me the favor, I’ll make sure that not only
our Duke, but all the merchants across all Italy, over the Alps and onto the Silk Road hear about
your illicit trafficking in untariffed Lapis lazuli.”
Allori paled. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would. And you’d never be able to paint a single figure in blue ever again.”
“The color of my paintings would be the least of my worries if you expose me, Allori.
The Duke would have me hung.”
“Oh. Yes. I suppose he would. I didn’t think of that.”
“What do you want, Zaccario? What’s the favor you want of me?”
“Easy for you to grant. I want you to hide a significant amount of arsenic in the offices
of Doctor Ludovico Valerius. That’s it.”
“You want me to poison Dr. Valerius? I won’t do that.”
“I don’t want you to poison him. Merely hide some poison in his offices.”
“Arsenic.” Allori rubbed his chin, wondering what Zaccario was up to.
“Arsenic.”
“And, I assume, ask no questions.”
“Surely there are better hiding places than Dr. Valerius’s office. Why there?”
“Now, now, that’s a question.”

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