The Front Matter

The Contessa and her confederates had a good scam going. They invented a Renaissance artist, "discovered" him, and are now selling his art.

She's settled down to a good life -- a villa in the Florentine countryside, money enough, no cares.

Until a buyer has started to ask questions. Uncomfortable ones. And her confederates begin to feel the pressure. And what was once a tight-knit crew has begun to fall apart.

And the Contessa has been forced to take some extreme measures....