11
Cosimos guided me through the maze of platformed houses to a large plateau that covered a space as big as six homes. Unlike the thatched roofs, the building that stood on that platform was made of sun-dried brick and thick wooden beams. The two floors of tall, narrow windows looked over the tops of the houses with a mixture of a protective sigh and an imperious glare.
A short set of wide stone steps led up to a small portico and through the open front doors. We found ourselves in a large lobby where a long desk guarded the halls that led off to the wings and rear of the building.
Two officers sat behind the wide desk, and at our coming in one of them, a woman with long dark hair tucked under her cap, looked up and smiled at us. “Good evening. What can I do for you?”
Cosimos led
