Master Touch

by Brandon Barrows

About the Author: Brandon Barrows is the author of several novels, most recently 3rd LAW: MIXED MAGICAL ARTS, a YA urban fantasy, and over one-hundred published stories, mostly crime, mystery, and westerns. He is a two-time Mustang Award finalist and a 2022 Derringer Award nominee. Find more at http://www.brandonbarrowscomics.com

Excerpt

“This is not a request; it is an order from the Minor Council and you have but to comply, Signore Vacarro.”

As he spoke, Magistrato Orsatti leaned forward on the great, oaken desk that dominated the room, as if he could lend the weight of his body to his words. Now he sat back, almost sinking into the thick cushions of the chair. Both desk and chair dwarfed the man, but, though he was slight in stature, as chief bureaucrat of Genoa’s ruling families’ council, his power was outsized.

“It has already been a full day since the murder of Maestro Cambiaso and every further moment that slips past is unacceptable. Do you understand me, signore?”

Despite his position, his influence, the magistrato was clearly worried in a way that was out of proportion to the death of a minor artist, whether suspicious or not. Politics were of little interest to me, but there was no one in the Republic unaware that the newly elected Doge took power in a week’s time. A new administration often brought changes at every level of government—there were always favors to hand out and family members in need of meaningful work. A ranking bureaucrat with no recent achievements had little hope of retaining his position.

“Sergente.” It was the first word I spoke since being ushered into Orsatti’s office.

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