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“But, Dante, there’s something about the ending that I like.” Mamma turned to a page and ran her fingernail down the lines. “Right here, it says, ‘He that has suffered learns many things in life.’ I think that’s true, and that’s what happens in the story. Roland and Oliver suffer, and they learn from their suffering.”
“What does ‘suffering’ mean?”
“Suffering is how you feel when things go badly for you.”
“Like when I want cake and you say no?”
Mamma smiled. “No, worse. If you were to go hungry, or thirsty, or lose people you love. When Roland loses Oliver, and Charlemagne loses Roland,thatis suffering.”
Now, in his cell, Dante heard his stomach growl. He didn’t have enough to eat or drink, and he had lost Mamma and Papa.
He supposed he was learning the most you could ever, ever learn.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Palm trees lined the elegant street, and Gaetano approached the fancy house. He had his list of one hundred and twenty boys, and he was going to visit the families, interview them, and try to find the one who’d had a son kidnapped. The name of the first boy on his list was Carlo Zarella, and his parents were Antonia Tinto and Lorenzo Zarella. They lived in the district opposite from Gaetano’s own, and he was starting here to avoid word getting back to his wife, Maria.
It was midmorning, a time when he knew the family would be home. Men of the upper class didn’t go out early unless they were hunting or riding in La Favorita park, and their wives would be getting the children ready for tutors. Gaetano wouldn’t need to present a calling card. He was of the same class, so his calling card was his presentation, his dress, his manners, even his accent.
He knocked on the lacquered door, which was opened by the boy’s mother, Antonia. She had a pretty face, with a smile that suggested she didn’t have a care in the world, much less a kidnapped boy. Nevertheless, Gaetano was thorough and methodical by nature.
“Good morning, my name is Gaetano Catalano. I’m sorry to bother you. Would you be Signora Tinto?”
“Yes, I am. Pleased to meet you, Signore.”
“Is your husband home?” Gaetano asked, to stay within the bounds of propriety.
“Yes, but he’s indisposed.”
“Perhaps I can speak with you briefly.” Gaetano peeked past her, scanning the living room. There was a canopied bassinet, but he couldn’t see much else. “I know you’re busy, and my wife would have my head for interrupting you.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t.” Signora Tinto smiled indulgently.
“I’m an attorney, and baptismal records show you have a son named Carlo, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Signora Tinto answered, surprised. “Why do you ask?”
“When a son is born, it’s a good idea to have a Last Will and Testament in place, should the worst happen. I have one for my sons.” Gaetano’s heart pounded, because it was his first time telling his cover story. He knew it was credible because lawyers were seeking business so aggressively these days.
“Oh, I quite agree. We took care of that when Carlo was born. He’s upstairs practicing his violin.” Signora Tinto cocked her head, smiling. “If you listen, you can hear him play. I think he has true talent!”
Gaetano listened to the screeching.
Signora Tinto’s eyes lit up. “Isn’t hewonderful?”
“Yes, he is,” Gaetano lied, for the common good.
Gaetano went next to thehome of little Cristiano D’Oliva, son of Attilo D’Oliva and Luisella Donato. It was two blocks up and its façade was similar to the last house. The door was of red lacquer, and the apartment was also on the first floor.
Gaetano straightened when the door was opened by a mustachioed man about his own age, who was just putting on a waistcoat to leave. Gaetano introduced himself, then said, “Good morning, I’m sorry to bother you. Are you Signor D’Oliva?”
“I am. Pleased to meet you.”
“And I, you.” Gaetano peered past him into the living room, where children’s toy soldiers were scattered on the rug. “I got your name from baptismal records and I know you have a son, Cristiano.”
“Yes.”
“Well, my legal advice is that as soon as a son is born, a father must make sure a Last Will & Testament is drawn up. I’m a lawyer in general practice, experienced in drafting such instruments.”
