The Window Narrows
As Battista traveled between Rome, Florence, and Imola, he became increasingly uneasy about the plot. More and more people were involved, and the likelihood of Lorenzo learning of the conspiracy either through the Signoria or his own network of agents increased each day. Battista had 100 soldiers under his command in Imola ready to speed to Florence, and the Duke of Urbino held 600 soldiers at the ready to storm the city's gates. But the unpredictable movements of soldiers along the southern edges of Florentine territory caused the plot to be delayed a number of times.
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In March, Battista again met with Count Riario and was introduced to two new new recruits to the conspiracy; Giovan Francesco da Tolentino and Messr Lorenzo Giustini. Giustini was a sworn enemy of Lorenzo de' Medici, having been harried by the latter's backing of Nicolo Vitelli who vied for control of Città di Castello, a fortified town near Arezzo. Giustini's career was financed by Papal accounts and he had the personal backing of the Pope himself. Battista voiced his concerns that secrecy could not continue to be maintained with so many conspirators involved.
"Lorenzo [de' Medici] is meant to come to Rome for Easter." Count Riario spoke in an attempt to put Battista's mind at ease, "As soon as we hear that he has left Florence, Francesco [de' Pazzi] will have to carry out his part and the job will be done on the one who remains [Giuliano]. We shall think of what should be done to the other one here, and he will be dealt with so that the whole thing is nicely arranged before he leaves us."
"Will you have him killed?" Battista asked.
"No, certainly not." Count Riario answered, "I do not want him to suffer anything unpleasant here [in Rome], but things will be well taken care of before he leaves."
"Does our lord [Pope Sixtus IV] know about this?"
"Of course he does."
"Hell, he is really consenting to something big!" Battista marveled.
"Don't you know that we can make him do whatever we want, as long as things go well?" Count Riario answered in arrogance.
The conspirators awaited Lorenzo in Rome. But word soon came to them that Lorenzo had chosen to remain in Florence for Easter, foiling their plans. Battista feared the worst; Lorenzo knew something was up, and time was running out.
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The conspirators chose to move ahead in haste - Easter week was the opportune time to strike. Francesco de' Pazzi traveled to Florence; Messr Lorenzo Giustini was dispatched to the Duke of Urbino to inform him of the plans; Battista and Giovan Francesco da Tolentino traveled quickly to Imola to ready their troops and await word from Archbishop Salviati, Messr Jacopo and Francesco de' Pazzi. At ten o'clock at night, on the Saturday before Easter, word came - The assassinations would take place in Florence on April 19. Orders were issued in secret and troops moved into place surrounding Florence. Keeping himself safely out of harms way, Count Riario awaited the outcome in Rome.
Next: The Stage is Set