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“Yes, and she needed to rest.” Gaetano felt a stab of grief, which was always with him. “I don’t know if you heard, but we lost the baby.”
“I did, I’m sorry.” Carmine lowered his voice. “It happened to us, too. Three years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Gaetano hadn’t known, since such matters weren’t discussed publicly.
“It’s God’s will, I know, and we’re lucky to have the new one.” Carmine sighed. “Anyway, how’s the job search?”
“Not good.”
“Do you need money? I can lend you some.”
“No, thank you,” Gaetano answered, touched. He noticed Carmine was barely eating hispanelleand sensed that something troubled him. “I’ve been selfish, talking about myself. What’s new?”
“Something happened to me the other day, something truly horrific.”
“Oh my, what?”
“I went to the Conca d’Oro to bid on a parcel for Baron Zito. You know, our firm has some of his business. He spreads it around the law firms in town.”
“I know, they all do. We had some of his work, too.”
“Anyway, there were thugs at the auction, intimidating people out of bidding, and one of thembeatthe Baron’s riding instructor to death with afootstool.” Carmine shuddered. “It was so sudden, so violent. I’ve never seen anyonemurdered. It was self-defense, but still.”
Gaetano gasped. “Madonna!”
“The riding instructor’s name was Niall, and we shared the carriage from Palermo. He had a pistol on him, but I didn’t know that. I was told he was going to pick up an Arabian horse and ride him back. Hedidn’t say a word to me the entire trip. He shot at the man, but missed, and the man bashed hisheadin.”
“What a scene!” Gaetano recoiled, appalled. “Why did this Niall try to kill the man?”
“I have no idea. Afterward I gave a statement to thecarabinieri. They told me the thug’s name is Franco Fiorvanti. Evidently, he’s known to them, and the whole awful episode made me question what I know about Baron Zito. If you ask me, something’s suspicious. Someone burns down his palazzo? Then his villa andgiardinoburn down, the same night?”
Gaetano hadn’t heard about thegiardino, too.
“Common sense tells me this Fiorvanti and Baron Zito have bad blood, but why would Baron Zito trifle with such a lowlife? It’s hard to tell the nobility from the criminals anymore.”
“My father believed that those with privileges should hold themselves to a higher standard.”
“Mine, too.” Carmine nodded. “And I told my boss I didn’t want to do Baron Zito’s legal work anymore. My boss said, ‘Do it or leave the firm.’ So, I’m leaving.”
“Really?” Gaetano asked, surprised. “I admire your decision. Do you have other prospects?”
“I’m going out on my own, but I could use a partner.” Carmine smiled in his boyish way, his dimples popping. “Would you work with me?”
Gaetano felt a rush of gratitude. “Carmine, I’m honored you asked, but I’d only weigh you down. I’d attract no clients.”
“I don’t need you to, I have clients. Good, solid businessmen and nobles who are right-thinking. Not the Baron Zitos of the world. Join me, would you?”
Gaetano hesitated. “What about my investigation?”
“Wedge it in around your work. You can earn enough to keep you going. We’ll sort the expenses later.”
“Carmine, thank you.” Gaetano’s spirit soared. “You’ve saved my life.”
“Not at all.” Carmine smiled, then dug into hispanelle.
Gaetano thanked God for sending him this opportunity, so he could continue his work.
Rather, His work.
