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Roberto threw up his hands. “Franco, you wentafterthem? Why? Are you crazy?”
Franco halted Arabo, breathing hard, and the twins faced each other on horseback, identical silhouettes under the moon.
“Franco, you idiot, what were you trying to do? Send a message that you’re crazy, so they won’t do it again?”
“No. That didn’t occur to me.” Franco’s breathing returned to normal, and so did his heartbeat.
“Why then?”
“If you think about it, you’ll know why. Just as I knew you were the one who followed me.” Franco realized something. “I went after the brigands because they went after you. You did the same for me. Because weareone another.”
Roberto fell silent.
“Let’s go.” Franco patted Arabo on his neck. “We have to get to La Cala.”
“Okay, partner,” Roberto said softly.
The Fiorvantis walked back to the caravan, side-by-side.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Gaetano loved the Cathedral of Palermo, having grown up in its shadow. Its serene verdigris dome soared above the capital, and the morning sun brought into relief the myriad engravings, inscriptions, and carvings on its honey-hued limestone. Tall Gothic towers anchored its west side and ziggurats lined its long roof, next to small domes of yellow-and-blue majolica tiles. The cornice over the main portico sat atop three Moorish arches, and the center arch sheltered the entrance.
Families gathered in front of the Cathedral, Gaetano’s among them. His wife, Maria, liked that the most important families worshiped here, and today that served his kidnapping investigation. It was reasonable to assume that the victim’s parents would be among the congregation, so Gaetano was on the lookout for a family that seemed unusually upset. Or else, he would see if a family he knew was attending Mass without their little boy.
Gaetano scanned the faces for signs of distress. Appearances were important in Palermo, and the congregation was a moving sea of black mantillas and feathered hats. Perfumed women wore their loveliest dresses with fine coral, pearls, and gold jewelry, and men had on panama hats or straw boaters and tailcoats. No one seemed upset or shaken.
Gaetano knew it would be difficult, sincePalermitaniwere expert at keeping secrets. He spotted Carmine and other members of the Beati Paoli, and none of them acknowledged the others, a case in point.
The crowd quieted as it entered the Cathedral, which was grand inside, lined with statuary and crypts adorned with gold, melon, and gray marble, as well as crimson porphyry. The congregation settled in the pews, and Gaetano and his family took their seats behind the new heliometer, a line of pure bronze inlaid into the marble floor and decorated with zodiac signs, which tracked the passage of the sun.
Mass began, but Gaetano didn’t listen as he scrutinized the families around him. No one seemed upset, and nothing told him that a child who should be there was missing. It was difficult, like proving a negative. Lawyers attempted to do so every day, but his legal degree hadn’t prepared him for a kidnapping investigation.
Mass ended in a collective release of goodwill and chatter, and Gaetano left the pew with his family. Maria took the boys to play on the heliometer, but he spotted his boss, Don Matteo Vigiliano, gesturing to him by the holy water font. Don Matteo had a lined face and a hawkish nose, and he was thin in a custom-tailored frock coat, with a cravat of pure silk.
Gaetano walked down the aisle to meet him. “Don Matteo, good morning.”
“To you, too, Gaetano. I missed you in the office the other day. I was looking for that lending agreement.”
“I’m sorry, I haven’t finished it yet.”
Don Matteo frowned. “I thought it was done.”
“It’s taking longer than I expected.” Gaetano couldn’t tell him the real reason he was busy. “I’ll have it on your desk tomorrow morning.”
“Unfortunately, I’m having lunch at the client’s house today. I would have liked to review the agreement. Is there any change in its material provisions?”
“None, sir.”
“Tomorrow morning will do then.” Don Matteo nodded curtly. “Goodbye. Please give my regards to your family.”
“Thank you, sir, and to yours.” Gaetano managed a smile, then his gaze fell on his reflection in the pool of holy water.
His brow eased, and his face relaxed into a smile.
He was getting an idea.
CHAPTER TWENTY
