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“But there’s been a second kidnapping, and I’m not sure everyone knows about it. It could relate to the first, so we need to discuss it as a full membership.”
“Nevertheless, they may not come.” Carmine hesitated. “There may be the press of other business, and it was short notice.”
Don Fabiano looked up. “Gaetano, not all these meetings you call have been true emergencies.”
Carmine interjected, “Gaetano likes to keep us informed. I think that’s a good thing.”
Don Ugo added, “I think they’re absent because of the fire at Baron Zito’s palazzo near La Favorita. It’s the talk of the town.”
“What fire?” Gaetano hadn’t heard, given what had been happening at home.
“It’s a disgrace.” Don Leonardo frowned. “A fire destroyed the Baron’s palazzo, one of the nicest. Of historic import, too. Many of us who have palazzos near La Favorita want to find whoever is responsible. The rumor is that the cause was arson.”
“Arson!” Don Fabiano exclaimed.
Don Ugo gasped. “A truly awful crime. That’s Palermo’s history, up in flames!”
Don Vincenzo chimed in, “What if the fire had spread to La Favorita, aroyalpark?”
Gaetano blinked. “To me, the destruction of a palazzo pales in comparison to a kidnapping. One is a crime against property, the other is against a person.”
Carmine nodded. “I agree, and what’s worse is that we live in a city where lawlessness is so rampant, we can’t choose between crimes.”
“I agree.” Gaetano felt grateful for Carmine’s support. “This is a terrible state of affairs, caused by the corruption of thecarabinieriand the judicial system.”
Don Vincenzo wagged a finger. “Nevertheless, a crime like arson is intolerable. I’m too old to have my children kidnapped, but Iamat risk of having my palazzo set afire.”
Gaetano blinked, surprised. “Crimes that affect us personally aren’t more important than crimes that don’t. It’s irrelevant, as a matter of principled thinking. Otherwise our motives are selfish, not selfless.”
Don Vincenzo recoiled. “I’m not selfish! I come to every one of these meetings!”
Don Fulvio shook his head. “Gaetano, I recognize that you’re invested in this kidnapping case, but your interests aren’t the only ones in the room.”
Gaetano didn’t understand. “It’s not my interests, it’s the interests of the boys.”
Don Fabiano frowned. “But we cannot ignore our own interests, especially a fire. Palermo doesn’t have the resources to fight fires if they increase. We cannot sacrifice thecapital!”
Gaetano countered, “Nor can we abandon the kidnapped boys. If we had solved the first kidnapping, the second one might not have occurred.”
Don Fabiano waved him off. “Gaetano, I fear you’re becoming tooemotionally involved in this matter. My cousin saw you outside the Questuramaking a scene, and I heard that Marshal Rosselli is refusing to see you. We must maintain good relations with thecarabinieri,no matter what we think of them. Appearances matter.”
Don Leonardo nodded. “Gaetano, I’m sorry, but I heard your wife left you and you’ve been unable to find another job. I think that’s why you’re so obsessed with this kidnapping case.”
Gaetano stiffened. “I’m concerned, not obsessed, and she’s only visiting her parents.” He began seeing the Beati Paoli with new eyes. They were dedicated to the public good, but they were still aristocrats who were concerned about palazzos. He knew what he had to do, even as his chest wrenched. “I’m sorry for my words, which may have been imprudent. However, you’re right, I do feel single-minded about the kidnappings. I care about them, above all. So I think it’s time I went my own way.”
“What?” Carmine asked, dismayed. “You mean you’re quitting the Beati Paoli?”
“Yes,” Gaetano answered, and frowns appeared around the table.
“Gaetano, please don’t,” Don Fabiano said, his regret plain.
Don Ugo chimed in, “Gaetano, perhaps we can prioritize the fireandthe kidnapping.”
Gaetano picked up his hat. “Gentlemen, thank you, but no. We cannot prioritize two matters equally, and we shouldn’t try. The kidnappings are my priority, but that doesn’t mean they’re yours. I don’t want to force that upon you, nor do I want to compromise my own beliefs. Thank you for your efforts to further the investigation. I admire and respect every one of you, but I have to go.”
Gaetano felt tears in his eyes, knowing he was doing the right thing. “Gentlemen, I’ll see you when we’ve finished the race.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
