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“Many lawyers solicit—”
“Lesser lawyers, notme. Notyou. You’re Judge Catalano’s son! That’s not how we get clients! What’s next,advertising?” Don Matteo threw up his hands. “Do you think you get a baron by knocking on adoor? What the devil has gotten into you? You used to have excellent judgment.”
“I thought I would help.” Gaetano still needed information. “Signora Catena seemed sad, and I wondered why.”
Don Matteo pursed his lips. “She’s unwell. Not that it’s any business of yours.”
Gaetano bowed his head. “I’m very sorry to hear that. That must be difficult for her, not to mention her family. I didn’t see the boy at home. Is he?”
“No, he’s away with his father.” Don Matteo shook his head. “To return to the point, I don’t need your help to attract clients.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry, I should have thought of—”
“Wait.” Don Matteo’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I bet I know what you’re up to. You’re about to go into practice for yourself, aren’t you? You must be soliciting clients for your own business.”
Gaetano gasped. He hadn’t anticipated this turn. “No, not at all—”
“How could I have been so blind? It’s the only explanation that makes sense.” Don Matteo started shaking his head. “Your frequentabsences, your sloppiness of late. Are you sabotaging me? Is that what you’ve been up to? Sabotaging me so you can steal my clients? Do you think they’d come with you, young man?”
“No, I swear.” Gaetano had no choice now but to tell the truth. “Don Matteo, I’ll be honest with you. I’m here because I’m investigating the kidnapping of the boy from the Saint Rosalia festival—”
“What?” Don Matteo’s eyes went wide.
“—and Signora Catena seemed melancholy, so I must ask you, was her son Dante kidnapped from the festival?”
“Of course not, I just told you, but youliedto me? Have you lost your mind? You used to be so trustworthy, so moral, like your father.” Don Matteo eyed Gaetano with disappointment. “I can never trust you again, Gaetano. As a result, you can no longer work for me. Your employment is hereby terminated.”
“Sir, please don’t! I’m sorry and—”
“I’ve made up my mind. Bartolomeo was right about you. Do not return to the office. A courier will deliver your personal effects to your home. Please give the courier any client files in your possession.”
Don Matteo stormed off.
Gaetano stood alone in the alley, feeling the walls closing in.
“Gaetano, no.” Maria moaned. Theysat together at the dining room table, and the boys were playing downstairs at the neighbor’s.
“Don’t worry. I’ll find another job.”
“How could this happen?” Maria’s lovely eyes filmed with tears. “We have two sons and a baby on the way. We need the money.”
“We have savings.” Gaetano had no inherited money, since his father had never taken a bribe like the other judges.
“How much?”
“Enough to support us until I find another job.”
“Why don’t we ask my father?”
“There’s no reason to. I can support my own family.”
“But if we ask my father, we won’t have to worry. How long will it take you to get a new job?”
“Not long, I promise you. I’ll begin looking today.”
Maria bristled, wiping her eyes. “Will you have time, when you’re not playing police? You put a stranger’s child over your own.”
Gaetano felt pained. They had been quarreling so much over this lately. “My investigation is part of who I am.”
