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kept her distance.
    One corner of Emo’s mouth twisted upward in a smile when he saw Urbino. “It seems that Natalia has more strength than you have, Signor Macintyre, maybe too much for a woman her age.” Emo’s voice was low and smooth. It forced Urbino to listen carefully.
    â€œIt’s beyond repair this time,” Emo said. “I’m putting in a new lock. The very best.”
    â€œGood.”
    Urbino left him to his work and went to the kitchen. At the counter Natalia was measuring out hazelnuts and dried fruits.
    â€œHe did it on purpose, Signor Urbino! He came half an hour early! He knows I don’t like him! He probably knew you weren’t here. You should have stayed,” she said, in a wounded tone.
    â€œBut you don’t seem to be punishing me, Natalia. Isn’t that panforte you’re making?”
    â€œGo away and take care of that devil,” she replied, not able to restrain a smile. “You’ll have lunch whenever he decides to leave. Sarde in saor and polenta unless I change my mind and just give you a tin of tuna fish!”
    Urbino returned to the ground floor and went to Gildo’s quarters. They were small and wedged in beside Urbino’s studio for art restoration. It was a hobby of his, but he hadn’t pursued it recently. If he couldn’t find more time for it by the end of the summer, he would expand Gildo’s cramped living space.
    The door of Gildo’s apartment was wide open. Urbino called his name. There was no response. Magazines and catalogues about boats and sailing were scattered across the floor of the parlor. Several atlases weighed down a shelf, and one wall displayed a large, detailed map of the Venetian lagoon, which showed all the channels, islands, and mudbanks.
    On a table beside the door was a mobile phone. Urbino had given it to Gildo as a convenience for them both.
    In the middle of the floor was a forcola . Urbino assumed it must be the same one he had seen in the gondola with Gildo a few hours before.
    Not wanting to intrude any farther into Gildo’s private space, he looked at the oarlock from the doorway. When installed it would be affixed to the starboard gunwale. By deft positioning of an oar in its notches and curves, the oarsman steered the gondola in various directions. With its liquid double curves and smooth, polished surface, the forcola , carved from walnut wood, resembled a piece of modern sculpture. This one, however, had some flaws in its carving. Urbino was able to note them even from a distance.
    â€œGood day, Signor Urbino.”
    Urbino turned around. Gildo stood a few feet away holding one of the cloths used to polish the brass and steelwork of the gondola.
    He was slim with curly, reddish blond hair cut short. His face was open, handsome, and ingenuous, and touched with a melancholy that made it more appealing.
    â€œI was just admiring the forcola.”
    â€œIt’s not so perfect, but I like it. Please come in.”
    The two of them stood looking at the forcola . Gildo gave a barely audible sigh.
    â€œIs there something wrong with the one on my gondola?”
    â€œThis is not for your gondola.”
    â€œOh.” Urbino paused. “Where did you get it?”
    â€œA friend made it. He was a remero apprentice in the Castello district.”
    A remero was the skilled craftsman who made the oarlocks.
    Urbino nodded.
    â€œBut your friend should continue as an apprentice. He has a good chance of being one of the best if he sticks to it.”
    Gildo did not respond right away.
    â€œIt’s kind of you to say that, Signor Urbino, but my friend is dead.” He moved his hand over the smooth surface of the forcola . “No one wants it. I’ll keep it here if that’s all right with you.”
    â€œOf course. I was thinking before you came in about how a forcola wouldn’t be out of place in a modern museum. I’ve seen things that aren’t half as