Page 254 of Marcello

I gave him the best smile I could manage under the circumstances. “I know. Thank you.”

He handed me the flashlight and said, “I wanted to give you something else, too.”

Then he took something out of his pocket and placed it in my hand.

It was a red twisted shape that looked like a tiny chili pepper. It was about three inches long and attached to a metal keychain.

“What’s this?” I asked, mystified.

“It’s a cornicello – a good luck charm. Somebody gave it to me when I first got to Naples… and now I’m giving it to you – the woman I love.” He closed my hand over the red shape. “It kept me safe through seven years of hell; I figure it’ll keep you safe for a few hours.”

I arched one eyebrow. “You really believe in this sort of stuff?”

He smiled. “Non è vero, ma ci credo.”

It’s not true, but I believe it.

I gave him a wry smile. “Thank you.”

I didn’t believe the good luck part, but I really only cared about the other thing he’d said:

Now I’m giving it to you – the woman I love.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “I hate to, but I have to.”

“I know.”

“One last thing – your phone. Where is it?”

“Under my mattress.”

“I’ll bring it to you next time I see you.”

“There won’t be any reception in here,” I said as I touched one of the stone walls.

“I can’t have them find it and then call my number,” he explained apologetically.

“Oh… right.”

“Besides, maybe we’ll get lucky with the reception.”

“Okay.”

He looked at me sweetly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

We kissed one last time, and then he said over his shoulder as he walked away, “Stay safe.”

I nodded.

Once he closed the secret doorway behind him, I slipped the keyring over my middle finger…

Gripped the flashlight between my teeth…

Hooked the grocery bag around my arm…

And began to climb the wall.