After having finished unloading for the main contractor, and after having delivered to Thurenza the goods she expected, surprise included, there were a few more commissions to make, but Beppin left them for later. His steps brought him to the Arsenale, where his friend Dominic was working, and where he expected to find him. He passed by the ward at the gate, when told whom he was seeking, and he went to the journeymen's ward, their usual meeting place. It was a sort of a busy lounge, as an entrance to the huge Arsenale compound, where journeymen and apprentices happened to be, ready to be sent to bring the men occasional visitors needed to talk to.

He wasn't sure how to start telling Dominic the bad news. He thought about this aspect until the man arrived.

"Hello! I am glad to see you. I have just returned from England. Unfortunately, I have some very bad news too," he added, seeking for the newspaper article folded in his pocket.

It was in English. He had no idea if Dominic could read English or not - but if he didn't, their common friend Michela could. And the drawing accompanying the article was easier to be understood...

Dominic had heard that the Colomba had returned... and he waited til work was done... but Captain Beppin arrived just before the day was done... To his dismay, he was summoned to the lounge area... and when he arrived he smiled largely at the Captain... <span style='color:darkblue'>&#8220;Cap&#8217;n... so good to see you. I heard the ship had arrived, but I was surprised to see you already.&#8221;</span> He was his usual jovial self... despite the lost book....

Unfortunately, I have some very bad news too," he added, seeking for the newspaper article folded in his pocket

The newspaper article was torn from a London newspaper... and Dom, a man of many languages, knew English... but the drawing that accompanied the article is what caught his attention first... and as he read the article, his face flushed... and he looked at Beppin...<span style='color:darkblue'> &#8220;This... this is my design... from my book... but the article...&#8221;</span> and he stammered a bit. <span style='color:darkblue'>&#8220;It says that the company is producing them as a contract with the Empire.&#8221;</span> The look of dismay crossed over him in waves.

And many reasons for his book being lost flashed and echoed in his brain... thoughts that maybe Michela and her associates had taken the book... or even the Captain. Why? Money !! And Dominic swallowed hard, his eyes began to sparkle from the tears. <span style='color:darkblue'>&#8220;Shall we have dinner at Mica&#8217;s later?&#8221;</span>

<a href='index.php?showuser=26' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>@Beppin Pasqualigo</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=84' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>@Michela Cellini</a>

Dominic was so glad to see him. Beppin would have been too, if he hadn't been the bringer of bad news. He gave the inventor the newspaper article, and, to his small surprise, the man was reading it.

"I know it is your design, and your folded boat. I have seen it, tested the boat, recognized it at the British prototype launching in London; I was there. I didn't know more about the contract because I understand limited English and I can't read it. Therefore, the only thing I could do was to bring you the proof. I am sorry that all these have happened to you. It seems the thief might have been from the East India Trade Company..."

He understood what it meant for Dominic, and his heart was aching for his friend's grief. Not to mention how much he hated injustice of all kind. Tears were sparkling in Dominic's eyes and he couldn't do anything to soothe him. At the invitation to dinner, he promptly replied:

"You tell the hour and I'll be there. I agree we need to analyze the facts on all sides, and her bright mind might help us."

He was willing to help as much as he could - which unfortunately wasn't much. He would announce Liao right after leaving the Arsenale that he was busy this evening.

Dom was despondent at the news... and he shook his head... all sorts of scenarios were streaming in his mind... and his eyes would fixate at the one nearest him... Was it Beppin? Did HE profit from the design of his boat, to finance the Colomba&#8217;s future trade shipments? Had Michela hired someone to take it? Who knew about his book and its contents? Who would want his book? Oh sure Captain, blame the EIC, why not?

Dom nodded at the man... <span style='color:darkblue'>&#8220;I will arrange with Mica and she can send you word...&#8221;</span> and meanwhile his mind started devising how to get the truth from them about his book. The genius had now embarked upon a destructive path of blaming his friends... still he refused to blame the blue-eyed demon.

<a href='index.php?showuser=26' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>@Beppin Pasqualigo</a>
<a href='index.php?showuser=84' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>@Michela Cellini</a>

Beppin had no idea what was crossing Dominic's head. He knew he had always been his friend. He knew he wanted to help, even if he wasn't sure how. And he hoped that Michela would have a better idea about this. He was a Venetian and he knew better that women had always bested men at diplomacy and intrigues.

"I am looking forward to hear her opinion on this mess. If anyone can give us a good idea how to investigate what happened, she is the one."

In the history of mankind, everything could be misinterpreted at any time, and usually the innocent ones fell prey to such misinterpretations, transforming them in suspects or simply in villains. Beppin had no idea that he was just becoming the villain of Dominic's story.

Maybe that dinner would clear all misunderstandings and would get a way to solve the mystery.
@William, @Morrighan