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“My granddaughter…”
I knew exactly what she was thinking.
If the Widow had been targeted for kidnapping, then there was a good chance that her only living relative would be, too.
Especially once Fausto learned that his plan to capture the Widow had failed.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“The Università Ca’ Foscari.”
The most prestigious university in Venice.
“Hold on,” the Widow said, then yelled loudly, “Roderigo!”
One of the suits poked his head through the door. “Signora?”
“Call my granddaughter, now!”
The man pulled out his phone as he rushed over to the Widow.
Then he dialed, put it on speakerphone, and held it out so we could hear.
We listened to the dial tone –
Followed by a recording of a young woman’s voice.
“It’s Lucia. Leave a message… BITCH.”
It’s fair to say I was completely taken aback.
The girl’s voice was young, snarky, and disrespectful – a complete 180 degrees from her grandmother.
Well… maybe 90 degrees.
They both had a good deal of snarkiness in common.
The Widow glanced over at me with a weary expression.
“My granddaughter,” she said in a disgusted tone of voice. Then she turned back to the phone. “Lucia, this is Nona – call me IMMEDIATELY. There was an attack on the palazzo. I’m fine, but I’m worried for your safety. I’m sending Roderigo and some of my men to come get you – ”
“I’ll go with them,” I offered.
“ – and a gentleman named Massimo Rosolini. Call me as soon as you get this.”
Then she nodded at Roderigo, and he hung up.
“Text her what I said,” she ordered.
Roderigo began typing out a message with his thumb.
The Widow turned to me. “Thank you for your kind offer. Given what you did earlier, I’m relieved you’ll be accompanying my men.”
“It’s my pleasure, Signora.”
She clasped my hands with her cold, tiny fingers – and for the first time, I could see real fear in her eyes.
“I implore you, Signore – return her to me safely, and I will meet whatever price you ask. She is all I have left in this world.”
