CHAPTER THREE

The Performer and the Professor

Ispettore Salomone listened to Moira’s theories over the phone with an air of weary indulgence. The idea of a master forger and a theatrical poisoning in his quiet jurisdiction seemed to belong more to the novels on her shelves than to the reality of his paperwork. Yet, the clump of ochre clay was tangible evidence that didn’t fit the simple narrative of a disgruntled farmer. Reluctantly, he agreed to pursue her leads, though his tone suggested he was humouring the imaginative tea shop owner.

His first target was Luca. The Ispettore found the young man pacing nervously in the garden of the pensione where he and Viviana were staying. Under Salomone’s sharp, methodical questioning, Luca’s composure crumbled like a dry biscuit. He was an open book of ambition and resentment. He admitted to wanting Viviana’s role, to feeling perpetually trapped in her shadow. He even confessed to possessing a paralytic agent, a “gift,” he claimed, from a botanist friend he’d met in Milan, intended merely to “relax” Viviana’s vocal cords, not silence them. The confession was tearful, dramatic, and, to Salomone, utterly convincing. The case of the silent nightingale seemed closed.

Moira, however, felt a nagging unease. Luca’s confession felt too easy, too perfect. While Salomone focused on the assistant, she decided to learn more about the other suspect. She found Silvio in his field, his back bent over a row of stubborn grapevines, his face a mask of weary frustration. He was wary of her at first, seeing her as part of the “city folk” who had judged him without a thought.

“I didn’t take his stupid statue,” Silvio grumbled, not looking up from his work. “I’ve got better things to do than rob a man who talks like his mouth is full of cream. But no one believes a farmer. Not when a fancy professor points his finger.”

Moira stayed, not asking questions about the theft, but about the land. She asked about the soil, the seasons, the history of his family’s farm. As he spoke, his gruff exterior softened, replaced by a deep, quiet pride. He talked about the dark, loamy earth of the Speranza hills, the kind that stained your hands for days. He had never, he said, seen any soil like the bright, ochre clay she described. “That’s not from around here,” he stated with the certainty of a man who knew every stone and root of his land. “That’s painter’s dirt. Fake.” Moira left the farm convinced of his innocence, her own suspicions about the Professor hardening into a solid conviction.

Her attention turned back to Albinoni. She needed to find the source of the clay, to prove he was the forger. The book’s clue echoed in her mind: Where the earth is youngest, the old fox hides his dye. The “dye” had to be the forger’s materials. “Youngest earth”… not the ancient, farmed hills, but new soil, freshly disturbed. Her mind immediately flew to the large, ornamental olive tree on the Professor’s private balcony at the pensione, its soil dark and freshly potted.

The opportunity came that evening. Under the guise of delivering a complimentary pot of calming chamomile tea to the “distraught” Professor, Moira gained access to his rooms. While Albinoni was on the phone, his back to her, dramatically recounting his misfortune to a colleague, Moira slipped onto the balcony. The autumn air was cool and crisp. She knelt by the large terracotta pot, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She felt foolish, like a child playing spy, digging in the dirt of a stranger’s plant. Her fingers searched the soil, coming up with nothing but damp earth and the fine, spidery network of roots. Her confidence wavered. Had she misinterpreted the clue? Was this all a figment of her overactive imagination, fueled by a strange book and two clever cats?

Disappointment settled in her stomach, heavy and cold. She was about to give up, to retreat back into the room and admit defeat. She sighed, a small puff of white in the cool air, and leaned back against the heavy pot in a moment of weary resignation. That’s when she felt it. A hard, angular shape deep beneath the roots, something that had no place in a pot of earth.

Her breath caught. With renewed urgency, she dug deeper, her fingers scraping against a tough, waterproof material. She pulled it free. It was a small, oilskin pouch, heavy and tightly bound. Inside, gleaming under the pale light from the room, was a forger’s kit. There were miniature files, small glass vials of acid and chemical patinas, and a larger bag filled with more of the same vibrant, ochre-colored clay Toe had discovered. A faint, acrid chemical scent rose from the pouch—the same scent that had so intrigued Ashwaganda on the lining of the Professor’s briefcase.

It was the definitive proof. She had been right. She carefully re-buried

THIS is a guide to some of the terms, places, and botanicals featured in the stories of Moira Hopes and “La Pagina che Fa le Fusa.”

Part 1: Italian Terms & Places

• Speranza
  • Explanation: The name of the fictional Italian hill village where the story is set. The word literally translates to “Hope” in English, adding a layer of gentle optimism to the setting.
  • Pronunciation: speh-RAHN-tsah (The ‘z’ sound is sharp, like the ‘ts’ in “cats”).
• La Pagina che Fa le Fusa
  • Explanation: The whimsical name of Moira’s tea shop. It translates literally to “The Page that Purrs,” perfectly capturing the shop’s dual themes of books and cozy cats.
  • Pronunciation: lah PAH-jee-nah kay fah lay FOO-sah.
• Signorina
  • Explanation: A formal and polite Italian title for an unmarried woman, equivalent to “Miss” in English. It’s used by Ispettore Salomone when addressing Moira Hopes.
  • Pronunciation: seen-yo-REE-nah.
• Ispettore
  • Explanation: The Italian title for a police “Inspector.” It is the proper rank for the character Salomone in the Italian police force (Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri).
  • Pronunciation: ees-pet-TOH-ray.
• Pensione
  • Explanation: A type of guesthouse or small, family-run hotel common in Italy. It suggests a more modest and intimate lodging than a large hotel, fitting for a small village like Speranza.
  • Pronunciation: pen-see-OH-nay.
• Erboristeria
  • Explanation: An Italian herbalist’s shop. These stores specialize in medicinal herbs, tinctures, natural cosmetics, and herbal remedies.
  • Pronunciation: er-boh-rees-teh-REE-ah.
• Salomone
  • Explanation: The surname of the police inspector. It is the Italian version of the name “Solomon,” famously associated with wisdom.
  • Pronunciation: sah-loh-MOH-nay.

Part 2: Teas, Herbs, and Key Substances

A note on herbal use: The descriptions below are for informational purposes based on traditional and modern understanding. The uses within the story, particularly for poisons and antidotes, are fictional plot devices.

• Rosemary (Rosmarino)
  • Usage & Meaning: A staple Mediterranean herb, its pine-like, pungent aroma perfumes the air around Moira’s shop. In Italy, it’s used extensively in cooking (especially with roasted meats and potatoes). Symbolically, it’s associated with remembrance and clarity of mind.
  • Approach with Care: While a common culinary herb, concentrated rosemary oil can be potent and should be used with caution, especially during pregnancy.
• Lapsang Souchong
  • Usage & Meaning: A Chinese black tea known for its signature smoky aroma and flavor, achieved by smoke-drying the leaves over burning pinewood. Its bold, savory, and powerful character makes it a very distinctive and acquired taste.
  • Approach with Care: Like all black teas, it contains caffeine.
• Chamomile (Camomilla)
  • Usage & Meaning: One of the most popular herbal teas in Italy and worldwide. It is renowned for its calming and soothing properties, often taken in the evening to promote relaxation and restful sleep. Its flavor is gentle, apple-like, and floral.
  • Approach with Care: Generally very safe, but individuals with allergies to the daisy family (like ragweed) may have a reaction.
• Licorice Root (Radice di Liquirizia)
  • Usage & Meaning: Used in Moira’s blend for Signora Bellini. It has a long history of use for soothing sore throats and coughs due to its demulcent properties. It has a naturally intense, sweet flavor.
  • Approach with Care: Overconsumption or long-term use of licorice root can lead to increased blood pressure and low potassium levels. It should be used with caution by individuals with hypertension or heart conditions.
• Marshmallow Leaf (Foglia di Altea)
  • Usage & Meaning: Another key ingredient in the diva’s tea. Like the root, the leaf contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes, making it a traditional remedy for throat and lung issues.
  • Approach with Care: It is generally considered safe but can sometimes interfere with the absorption of other medications if taken at the same time.
• Calendula
  • Usage & Meaning: Also known as “pot marigold.” Traditionally, its bright golden-orange petals are not primarily used for tea but are infused in oils to create salves and creams for skincare. It is prized for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. In the story, its role as a magical antidote is a key fictional element.
  • Approach with Care: Primarily for topical use, though sometimes used in teas. Those with allergies to the daisy family should be cautious.
• Yew Tree (Tasso)
  • Usage & Meaning: This tree was featured in an earlier version of the story as a poison source. In reality, the Yew is a common ornamental evergreen.
  • EXTREME WARNING: All parts of the Yew tree (needles, bark, seeds) are highly toxic to humans and animals. Ingesting even a small amount can be fatal due to cardiotoxins that cause cardiac arrest. It should never be handled without care or consumed in any form. Its use in the story highlights the existence of potent, natural poisons.

General Rule for Approaching Herbal Products: Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a certified herbalist before using any herbs for medicinal purposes. This is especially critical if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a pre-existing medical condition, or are taking other medications, as herbs can have powerful effects and interact with pharmaceuticals.