16 July, 1500

The blood of Niccolò Borghesi ran through the streets of Siena. Borghesi had been perhaps the most prominent of Petrucci's critics. Borghesi saw his son-in-law rise to power and come to dominate the politics of Siena. He had lead the Municipalista faction, though he had withdrawn from active public office. Yet, neither his faction nor his family ties to the city's leader could save him. This was a sign that Petrucci's enemies saw and understood. Here was a man willing to murder his father-in-law to consolidate his hold over the city, and none of them were prepared to die to oppose him.

Of course, Pandolfo denied involvement in the crime and vowed to bring the men responsible to justice. That's what was expected of him. But that day after the deed was done he knew he was the undisputed master of his city.