Inquisition by Alfredo Colitto Page A

better conditions elsewhere.’
    ‘You won’t find them. Just as you won’t find anyone you can trust absolutely, who understands your situation and who will not betray you. Think about it. Anyway, the other thing I wanted to mention besides the conditions that I have already put forward is not more interest but just two guarantors who will stand surety for you.’
    Gerardo opened his arms slightly to let some air circulate between his shirt and tunic, to disperse the wave of heat that had overcome him. He too turned towards St matthew on the wall and silently asked God’s forgiveness for accepting conditions that benefited the sin of usury. Then, through gritted teeth, he said, ‘You well know that I can’t refuse. But I don’t know where to find the two guarantors that you ask of me.’
    ‘You are fortunate,’ said the banker, in a conciliatory tone.
    ‘In fact you need only find one. I can recommend the other myself.’
    ‘Who would that be?’ inquired Gerardo, warily.
    ‘A templar like yourself. He is french, he is rich and he has just arrived in the city. I’ve known him for some time. I will mention your situation to him and I am sure that he will agree to help a confrère in difficulty.’ Remigio rose to his feet and added, ‘I cannot abandon my work right now, but I would be honoured if you accepted to share my table. I will have someone accompany you to the kitchen, where Fiamma will serve you a bowl of minestra . After all it is nearly time to eat.’
    It was clear that the offer of friendship was self-interested. Remigio certainly didn’t want to make an enemy of the Knights of the temple. After all, now that they were under trial, they brought him even better business than before. Hearing the name of the girl mentioned, Gerardo replied impulsively, ‘I will accept to please you, Messer Remigio, but don’t go to too much trouble. A bowl of warm milk and a slice of bread would do very well. However, first of all, I have a question to ask of you.’ ‘Go on.’
    Perhaps the banker knew something of Angelo da Piczano. It was possible that the templar had called on him during his brief stay in Bologna.
    ‘I heard that my friend Angelo da Piczano, who is also a templar, has been in the city for a few days,’ he said. ‘Has he by chance been to see you? I would be grateful if you could tell me where I can find him.’
    The banker had started shaking his head even before Gerardo had finished speaking. ‘I have never heard that name,’ he said. ‘And in any case, even if I did know the person you are looking for, I would not tell you.’ He raised a hand to ward off the young man’s protests. ‘My profession is based on discretion,’ he explained. ‘If someone were to come here and ask for you, I certainly wouldn’t tell him where to find you.’ ‘However, I happen to know that many templars passing through the city have met thanks to you,’ Gerardo answered back, annoyed.
    ‘Certainly. But only after I’ve made sure that both of them were disposed to meet.’
    He explained that the system was simple. A client said that he wanted to meet a person. Remigio answered that he did not know the man, then went to him and gave him the message. If the fellow agreed, he set up a meeting. If not, he did nothing. ‘So if your friend should approach me in the next few days,’ he concluded, ‘I will not fail to pass on your request. And should his reply be positive, I will advise you. Otherwise it is futile to ask. I’m sure you understand.’
    Gerardo nodded wearily. Angelo would not be returning from the afterlife to speak to Remigio Sensi, or indeed anyone else. To find out whom he had met during his sojourn in Bologna, he would have to look elsewhere.
    The banker went over to open the door. He gave instructions to one of the servants to prepare bread and milk for their guest, and then he returned slowly to sit down at the table. ‘Good, now tell me how much you need.’ Gerardo took a deep