Chapter 5 Meeting Conte and Chasing Victor
The group of kids walked through the square of St. Mark across from the Basilica. Scipio and Abby lead the group followed by Prosper, Hornet, Mosca, Riccio and Bo. Abby looked around to see if she could notice anyone watching the group. However, it was hard to see through the eye slits in her mask.
"Scip, why did we wear these. I don't think anyone would recognize us here." She whispered in his ear as she reached for his hand. Her fingers interlocking with his. She made sure that the gang didn't see. There was no need for the group to feel awkward or realize something was up.
"Where is your sense of mystery, Abby." Scipio whispered back to her. He looked over his shoulder. The gang was looking all around them, but not at their leaders.
"And you never know a maid or the cook may be out shopping over at that farmer's market." He added kissing her on the cheek as he turned back to the walkway ahead of them.
"Okay Prosper, Mosca, Abby and I will go into the church. Bo, Riccio, and Hornet wait out here and keep look out" Scipio stated when they reached the outside of the church.
"What why" Riccio asked
"There is not enough room in a confessional for everyone" Abby replied
"How do you know that" Riccio asked
"Doesn't matter, Abby and Scipio's orders and we need to follow them" Hornet answered.
The four started toward the church as the three sat down by a fountain. The church was colder than the rest of the outside world and much darker.
"I hate churches. They give me the creeps." Mosca stated looking around.
"Here" Abby pointed to the wooden confessional.
All four filed in Prosper and Mosca stood behind Abby and Scipio. They waited for what felt like an eternity.
"Maybe his is not showing up" Prosper spoke up breaking the deafening silence. Just as he did the curtin on the other side moved exposing a frail old man.
"One does not wear a mask in a church more than he would wear a hat" The Conte stated
"One does not conspire to steal in a confessional, which is what we are doing here" Abby confidently shot back.
Mosca and Prosper looked at each other. Who would speak to an adult like that.
"Wear your masks if you must. I am still tell you are more very young" The Conte continued
"We can see you are very old. Does age have anything to do with this transaction" Scipio asked.
"Not in the least. What you are to steal for me a something made of wood. For which i will pay you fifty thousand dollars." The Conte stated
Mosca looked at Prosper and mouthed the amount they were to be paid. Fifty thousand was a lot of money. Abby looked at Scipio.
"Sounds like a fair price" Scipio said after clearing his throat.
"How do we get a hold of you once we have the item and where do we find it" Abby asked.
"Everything you need will be in this side once I have left" the Conte replied. With that the curtain closed.
"How long do we wait?" Abby whispered to Scipio.
After what felt like a half an hour the four emerged from their side of the confessional. Prosper search the side the Conte had been in and came back with a basket and a note. The basket moved. Mosca jumped back in fright. Abby opened the top and Scipio brought out a homing pigeon. Scipio put the pigeon back in the basket and closed the lid. Prosper carried the basket out as the four left the church to show the others.
As they walked out Abby noticed that Bo was talking to someone who looked like a tourist.
"Where is Bo" asked Prosper as they got closer to the Riccio and Hornet.
Hornet pointed at Bo.
"That the snoop who tried to nab me" Prosper cried as he ran toward Bo. Scipio and Abby ran after him followed by Mosca, Riccio, and Hornet.
Abby ran after the man, who had ran away. But she lost him in a crowd of tourist.
Scipio lead the group to the mask shop where they brought their thief lord masks.
"We have to lose him" Abby remarked as she looked through the glass door. She saw the man, he was dressed differently but she could tell it was Victor the snoop.
Scipio and her came up with a plan, but it was risky. They would have to expose their faces to him. Prosper switched coats with Scipio while Hornet and Abby switched coats. Abby now wore Hornet's fuzzy blue sweater. She pulled the hood up, maybe he wouldn't see her hair color.
Scipio and Abby ran towards Victor. While they did Hornet ran down the street.
"Scusi, do you have the time" Scipio asked.
"It is a quarter past four" Victor replied, checking his watch.
"That is a cool watch does it tell time on the moon?" Abby asked reaching for the watch
As she did the rest of the gang, run off to the Stella.
"Are you a tourist, Where are you from?" Abby asked getting in Victor's way.
Scipio pointed to a side of Victor's mustache that was peeling off of his skin. Victor ran away after he realized the two teens knew who he was.
Victor ran about two blocks aways, stopping to rest at a waterboat station. Scipio and Abby ran back up to him.
"All is well with your false mustache then, I see" Scipio asked smuggly.
"Why you little rats -" Victor started but then Hornet came running up and grabbed his jacket
"Let me go, I don't want to go with you. Let go of me" Hornet yelled jerking Victor around like he was holding her. A crowd formed and women started hitting Victor with their purses.
Hornet ran off followed by Abby and Scipio. They made they way back to the Stella.