The Vanished Medici Family
Eastern Venice.
The city of Treviso.
"This court rules in favor of Mr. Matthias Albesio."
The stern-faced judge struck his gavel. "Silence!" Then he pointed at the old man in his sixties seated in the defendant's dock. "Mr. Adrian Casanova, you must hand over the house in the south of the city to Mr. Albesio within one week, or this court will sentence you to imprisonment or flogging."
"They're swindlers!" A boy of eight or nine behind Casanova suddenly stood and shouted, "I can testify for Grandfather..."
Two court officers—men much like bailiffs—immediately restrained the child, then looked up at the judge. "Do you wish to have this brat locked up?"
Old Casanova instantly grew anxious and pleaded with the judge, "You see, he's only a child. Please forgive him. I'll go back and clear the house out at once..."
The plump, fair-skinned man seated at the plaintiff's table said coldly, "No. According to the agreement, the items inside the house also belong to me. You only need to sign the property documents."
The old man whipped his head toward him and said loudly, "Even if that agreement is real, it only says the house was mortgaged! The things inside were left by my grandmother. You cannot take them!"
Plaintiff Albesio's lawyer gave a disdainful snort, then turned to the judge. "My Lord, it is quite obvious that the furnishings inside the house are part of the property. Mr. Casanova has no right to dispose of them."
Without a second thought, the judge struck his gavel. "The court upholds your claim. After adjournment, the house at 71 Rue d'Orléans will be sealed until the transfer is complete."
The little boy struggled and shouted, "This isn't fair! You must have taken their money. Those paintings don't belong