The dessert plates were cleared away, but the dinner continued. Valerio insisted they stay for one more glass of wine—a special vintage from his private collection. Pierre sensed it wasn't really a request. Everything about this man was a command wrapped in the veneer of hospitality.
"Have I told you about the Meridian Oak?" Valerio asked, swirling amber liquid in his glass. "No? It's quite a story."
Pierre watched Valerio's hands as he spoke. They were perfectly manicured, not a callus or scar to be seen despite his claims of being a craftsman. These were the hands of someone who directed others to do the actual work.
"The Meridian Oak was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Marquis of Coral Bay's new ship," Valerio continued. "A massive thing, nearly two hundred years old. Perfect for the main mast of a flagship vessel."
