Daisy: Not Your Average Super-sleuth! The Siege of Castle Montazzini: Daisy Morrow, #16

By R T Green

A few days relaxation in an ancient castle on the shores of Lake Lugano in Northern Italy sounds like an opportunity not to be missed for Daisy and Aidan. Until Leonardo da Vinci, a knight in shining armour, and a tale of greed and debauchery rear their ugly heads, that is.

Far from relaxing, our RED heroine begins to wonder if they'll even escape with their lives!

 

"One of the best cozy mysteries I've ever read!"

"A real breath of fresh literary air!"

 

Daisy receives an out of the blue phone call from her one-time neighbour back when they lived in London. Gloria invites her and Aidan to visit their castle in the Italian Lakes for a few days break.

Married to an Italian businessman, her husband Marcello inherited the castle a few years ago when his wealthy parents passed away. Now living in the impressive sixteenth-century family residence, Gloria thought they may like to see 'what they've done with the place'.

As they travel to Italy, Daisy can't shake off the feeling all is not quite what it seems. She and Gloria have been in touch from time to time, but not had that much contact since they moved away. Her ex-neighbour sounded chirpy on the phone... but perhaps a little too chirpy.

Daisy is well aware that sometimes people gush about how happy they are to try and hide just how happy they're not. She says nothing to Aidan, putting it down to her paranoid gut envisioning problems where none exist, and forces herself to look forward to the few days abroad.

They've only been in the castle a few hours when Daisy has to admit ignoring her gut feeling was the worst idea ever, realising that what motivated people centuries ago still motivates them today.

It's not looking good...

 

Read about Daisy and our other major series, The Sandie Shaw Mysteries, set in 1920's Chicago, on the new rtgreen website.

 

And enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wise Owl
• Release date: Sep 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223351238

R T Green

The RTG mission in life is simple... to not be like everyone else! ‘Going Green’ has taken on a new meaning, in the book world at least. Whilst we applaud the original meaning (ebooks are a perfect way to promote that) we also try to present a different angle to it. The tendency these days is that if you don’t look and read like everyone else, you don’t sell books. Maybe there’s some truth in that, but we simply don’t do it. The RTG books have been described as a ‘breath of fresh literary air’, and, by those discovering us for the first time, ‘unexpectedly good’. We know many readers prefer the same-old same old, and that’s fine. It’s just not what you get from the RTG stable. Those who know about such things said it would take five years to become a proficient author... I scoffed at that. They were wise. It took six. It’s one reason why even today we remodel existing books, and will always do so. Right from the early years the stories were always good, but were put into words less well than they could have been! These days we have several series and a few standalones, the hit Daisy series most popular amongst them. In everything we do, the same provisos apply – Never the same book twice. If we can’t think up a good story, it doesn’t get written. The RTG brand is about exciting and twisty plots, a fast pace which doesn’t waste words, and endearing (sometimes slightly crazy) characters. We can never please everyone, but it works for us, and, it seems, for those who appreciate our work. Enjoy! Richard, Ann and the RTG crew

Book preview

Introduction

THE DAISY MORROW SERIES documents the slightly-crazy adventures of our R.E.D. (Retired Extremely Daisy) heroine... she’s fun, feisty, kind of wicked, and rather like the other RTG books, she will take you to places you never really expected to go!

A few days relaxation in an ancient castle on the shores of Lake Lugano in Northern Italy sounds like an opportunity not to be missed for Daisy and Aidan. Until Leonardo da Vinci, a knight in shining armour, and a tale of greed and debauchery rear their ugly heads, that is.

Far from relaxing, our intrepid duo begins to wonder if they’ll even escape with their lives!

Daisy receives an out of the blue phone call from her one-time neighbour back when they lived in London. Gloria invites her and Aidan to visit their castle in the Italian Lakes for a few days break.

Married to an Italian businessman, her husband Marcello inherited the castle a few years ago when his wealthy parents passed away. Now living in the impressive sixteenth-century family residence, Gloria thought Daisy and Aidan may like to see ‘what they’ve done with the place’.

As they travel to Italy, Daisy can’t shake off the feeling all is not quite what it seems. She and Gloria have been in touch from time to time, but not had that much contact since they moved away. Her ex-neighbour sounded chirpy on the phone... but perhaps a little too chirpy.

Daisy is well aware that sometimes people gush about how happy they are to try and hide just how happy they’re not. She says nothing to Aidan, putting it down to her paranoid gut envisioning problems where none exist, and forces herself to look forward to the few days abroad.

They’ve only been in the castle a few hours when Daisy has to admit ignoring her gut feeling was the worst idea ever, realising that what motivated people centuries ago still motivates them today.

It’s not looking good...

Those of you who read the Daisy series will know we often mix fact with fiction. ‘The Siege of Castle Montazzini’ is no exception. Most of the events, and the characters you will meet, are fictional, but occasionally someone and something pops up which is real... or at least was real, several centuries ago. Have fun working out which is which!

Enjoy!

Richard, Ann, and the crew

No Oil Painting

(Five weeks ago)

MARCELLO NARDINI WANDERED into his gallery at Castle Montazzini just as viewing time was over. The visitors were leaving, wandering back to their cars in the small car park on the mainland just the other side of the short causeway. The curator was busy jingling her keys, in a slightly impatient way.

One of the visitors didn’t seem to want to leave, staring transfixed at the almost priceless painting everyone came to see.

He walked slowly over and stood beside her, his hands behind his back. He spoke Italian.

‘It is awe-inspiring, yes?’

She jumped slightly, so focussed on the small painting she hadn’t even realised he was there. ‘Oh, I am so sorry, Signore Nardini. Yes, yes it is.’

‘You are aware of who I am?’

She lowered her big brown eyes. ‘Of course. All scholars of Leonardo are aware of who you are.’

‘I am not sure how to take that.’

‘You should take it with honour, Signore. If it had not been for your family, the lost Salvator Mundi would not have been rediscovered.’

‘Perhaps. But more than one art historian has laid claim to that honour. Do not forget the supposed original is currently collecting dust somewhere in Saudi Arabia.’

She turned to look at him for the first time, making him hitch a breath. Everything about her was perfect... like it could not be any finer. The flowing dark hair that appeared to glow with highlights of the deepest blue, the flawless skin and full, sensuous lips, were all accompanied by an Italian smile that would melt any man’s resolve without her even needing to try. She was indeed a faultless oil painting.

‘I am in no doubt what I am looking at right now,’ she said demurely.

Marcello swallowed hard, trying not to let her see he had. ‘I am at a disadvantage, Signora. You are aware of my identity, but I do not know your name.’

She held out a silky-smooth hand. ‘Catarina. Catarina Pacioli.’

He smiled ironically as he took the hand. ‘For a student of da Vinci, you have perhaps an appropriate Christian name.’

She nodded slowly. ‘It has been said before. I became interested in the maestro at an early age, so there was only one subject I wished to study at university in Milan.’

‘And are you still there now?’

She shook her head, her long hair shimmering mesmerisingly in the soft lights. ‘No. I work in a gallery in Milan, restoring valuable works of art.’

‘I see. You are well versed in your chosen subject then.’

‘Very well versed. As I am also aware of the controversy that inevitably surrounds such a genius as Leonardo... and this work in particular.’

‘I assume that as I find you here, fascinated by the work to which you refer, your convictions are clear enough.’

She narrowed her eyes to him, like she was confused he would even ask. ‘You surprise me. Surely those who visit this castle do so because they feel the same conviction as you.’

He let out a mirthless chuckle. ‘There is a small percentage of visitors who come to convince themselves I am not true to my convictions, Catarina.’

‘They are fools, and should be ignored. There are some who say Leonardo did not paint the Mona Lisa, despite its undeniable pedigree.’

He laughed. ‘I think those are the people who still believe the sun moves across the sky.’

‘An appropriate analogy, Signore.’

‘Indeed.’ He glanced over to the curator, as an extra loud key-jingle filled his ears. ‘Sofia, you may go. I will secure the doors this evening.’

She threw him a stony glare, but handed him the keys and stomped off anyway. Catarina shook her head. ‘I should go. I am keeping you from your evening.’

‘Please, my younger sister is not known for her patience. Do not concern yourself.’

‘She lives here, I assume?’

‘Yes, with her husband. It is the family home after all. My son Bruno resides here too, although he is yet to take a wife. My English wife makes five of us, and yet we still rattle around in this enormous space.’

‘It is also an impressive space, Signore.’

He nodded. ‘Please, do not go. Come take a glass of wine with me. The study is comfortable, and I will confess I... I am intrigued by you, an avid student of da Vinci as you are.’

She smiled demurely, watched as Marcello fired up the security laser grid around the painting, and then followed him along a wide hallway.

He was smiling too. He was indeed intrigued by the beautiful young woman who seemed willing to take wine with him... even though his intrigue was considerably more than the purely artistic.

Catarina sank the last of the expensive wine in her glass. ‘I am still unclear how the Salvator Mundi ended up in this castle, Signore Nardini.’

‘Please, call me Marcello. I am surprised you are not aware of the work’s history, Catarina.’

‘There are several versions, all of which purport to be true.’

He laughed, and refilled her glass. ‘The lesser-known truth is that Leonardo painted the work while he was residing here in this castle. It never left.’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘There was a rumour he was here for a short while, but I will confess I was suspicious, believing it to be a convenient fabrication to support your family’s claim.’

He nodded slowly. ‘I can appreciate your doubts, Catarina, but please allow me to recount what really happened.’

‘I would love to know.’

‘When Ludovico Sforza was overthrown by the French in the year fifteen-hundred, Leonardo fled Milan. To begin with he came here, to this castle, believing it was a safe haven and no one would know where he was.’

‘Because it is connected to the mainland by one narrow causeway, and therefore easy to defend from the French,’ she said.

‘Indeed. But then shortly afterwards a platoon of Italian knights also took shelter here, and Leonardo, extremely intelligent as he was, realised the one drawback of my family home.’

‘Which was?’

‘Connected to the mainland by one short causeway meant it was easy to defend, but was also its weakness, because it left it vulnerable. By cutting off the only access, it was a simple matter for enemies to lay siege to the castle, and wait it out until those inside ran out of food.’

‘There is no record of a siege though.’

‘It never happened, but Leonardo feared it would. He was here for three months, when he passed the time painting the Salvador Mundi. Then he left for Venice.’

‘Leaving the painting here?’

‘It is said he became fearful of some of the knights, who he believed were planning to steal the painting. He left in a hurry one night, with very few possessions. It is also said he hid the painting in a vault beneath the castle, so that at some point he could retrieve it.’

‘I assume he never did?’

‘There was much unrest at the time, for several years. I think it was his belief that if he retrieved the work at that time there was a danger of it falling into the wrong hands. Indeed, in October 1515, King Francis I of France recaptured Milan. That just served to enhance Leonardo’s belief the painting was better left hidden. Then, of course, four years later he was dead.’

‘A sad year indeed.’

‘For sure. I do not know why, but for centuries my family left the painting in the vault. With all that was going on, it was likely simply forgotten about. It was only discovered at the turn of this century when we inherited the castle and began restoring it, starting with the vaults. Imagine our surprise.’

‘It is hard to, Marcello.’

‘It had suffered, and needed extensive restoration, but... well, you have just seen the result.’

‘Your people did a good job.’

‘They did, and it has since been attributed to Leonardo by several specialists in the art world.’

‘Certain Saudi experts will dispute that.’

‘In truth, my dear Catarina, it will always be disputed, especially as others painted ‘copies’. But my ancestors know the truth... as I think do you.’

She lowered her head. ‘I do, Marcello. But now I will leave you. It is a distance for me to return home, and it is getting dark.’

He pulled a face to show his disappointment. ‘Please will you come again? For certain... special people, I am prepared to shut down the security grid, so we can get up close and personal, if you understand me?’

‘Of course. I would love that, Marcello.’ The demure smile to die for was there again, as she planted a whisper of a kiss on his cheek. ‘Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.’

‘Believe me, it is my pleasure. Perhaps the day after tomorrow you will come?’

‘I will look forward to it.’

He watched as she walked away, his heart thumping in his chest. Her flawless beauty, their shared interest, the kiss on his cheek that lasted a moment in time but he knew would remain in his memory a lot longer... all were combining to foster crazy thoughts in his mind.

Thoughts he really should not be having.

_____

Chapter 1

Fly away, high away... bye bye...

‘ANOTHER PURCHASE I didn’t know about dear?’ said Aidan, as Daisy dropped the large cardboard box that had just been delivered onto the island unit.

‘You’d only moan,’ she said, grabbing a sharp knife.

‘Flower, I only moan when you worry the hell out of me.’

‘Well, you needn’t worry about hell this time dear. I’ve given up on wheeled vehicles.’

‘Small mercies I suppose.’

Daisy ripped open the flaps, and removed the foam packaging covering the beast. ‘See... no wheels!’

‘You have got to be kidding me.’

She gave him the glare. ‘Is there no pleasing you, Dip?’

‘But... but it’s got four potentially-dangerous things that spin round very fast, dear.’

‘That’s how a drone flies,’ she said sarcastically.

‘I know that. I just... just didn’t expect to see one in our kitchen.’

‘Don’t worry... I’ll take it outside to fly it.’

‘But...’ the words faded to nothing, so he shook his head instead. Daisy lifted the flying machine out of its box. ‘How cool is this?’

‘It’ll never take your weight, Petal.’

‘Funny guy. You’ll be pleased to know I don’t need to risk my life... see?’ She thrust the controller in his face. ‘It’s got a camera. I attach my mobile to the top of this controller and I can see everything the drone sees. Magic, yeah?’

‘I suppose it’s better to watch it crashing than actually be crashing... like before.’

‘Are you saying I can’t fly, dear? You of all people?’

He nodded his head as the memories came flooding back. ‘Oh I see. That again. I crashed the Antonov onto that beach because it was out of fuel... as you well know.’

‘If you say so, dear,’ she grinned cheekily.

‘As you well know,’ he reiterated.

‘Okay, I know. But at least this time neither of us will be aboard.’

‘Oh, so you do intend crashing it then?’

‘Of course not. These things are a doddle to fly. If kids can do it then so can I.’

Aidan shook his head again, and decided saying nothing was the better option.

‘Here we go...’

The rotors began to spin. Daisy studied the controls, and then pulled one of the tiny joysticks. Then she almost fell back as the drone instantly blasted into the air at a vast rate of knots.

‘Wow... I didn’t expect that.’

‘Just... just try and keep it in the confines of the drive, dear.’

‘Aw, and there was me contemplating a flight to Kings Lynn and back.’

‘I think it might go out of range, Flower.’

Aidan shut up again, the glare taking away any further words. Daisy pulled the joystick back level, and the tiny drone hovered twenty feet in the air. ‘Apparently it flips too, dear.’

‘Maybe try a few gentle circles first?’

This time Daisy nodded, and gingerly eased the joystick to the left. The drone duly moved towards the trees bordering the garden. ‘See, I told you it was easy.’

Daisy executed three perfect circles around the drive... even though in truth the drone might have just missed the trees, the garage and the side of the house. It didn’t seem to faze her, judging by the huge smile on her face.

Then, a shout from the road made her lose her concentration.

‘You cannot be serious!’

Daisy managed to land the flying machine, with only one slightly heavy rebound. ‘Oh, hello you three. Just learning to fly,’ she grinned.

‘Well, really. None of us are ever safe in this village, are we?’ said Doris, probably quite truthfully.

‘Oh come on. I’m an expert already.’

‘Really?’ said Maisie incredulously. ‘How long have you had it?’

‘Um... about two hours.’

‘I rest my case,’ Doris growled.

‘I’ll have you know my hand-eye coordination is... almost perfect.’

‘Okay then... prove it,’ said Maisie.

‘How?’

I challenge you to a race.’

‘Huh?’

‘You know,