“Why?” Alessandra asked accusingly. “Because you don’t want me to hear what Don Severino has to say?”
“Because this excitement isn’t good for youorthe baby,” Don Rosolini said firmly. “Bianca, Caterina, Lucia… would you please escort Alessandra to our bedroom?”
“I’d like to stay,” Lucia said.
“Babe,” Massimo said sharply.
She looked over at Massimo in irritation. “My grandmother needs to know about this.”
“Lucia may stay so she can inform Donna Fioretti,” Don Rosolini said. “Bianca and Caterina, if you will?”
Bianca nodded, and she and Caterina helped Alessandra to her feet.
“After the call, I want to know what Don Severino has to say,” Alessandra said darkly.
“Of course,” Don Rosolini agreed.
Alessandra gave him one last discontented look, then allowed herself to be led out of the parlor.
Don Rosolini gestured to Niccolo, who nodded and walked over. “I’m putting you on speakerphone.”
“Don Rosolini,”Severino’s baritone voice said from the phone.
“Don Severino. Thank you for speaking with me.”
Severino sounded amused, like he was enjoying having the upper hand.“Considering what you pulled in Rome, I was surprised to hear from you.”
Don Rosolini looked up sourly at Niccolo, who just shrugged.
“I appreciate your willingness to answer our call.”
Severino dropped the impish tone and became serious.“I understand one of your sisters-in-law has a shop that was firebombed by the Camorra.”
“Yes.”
“Mm. That’s a serious enough breach that it merits reopening the lines of communication. Niccolo also tells me that you captured one of their men, who says the Caproni siblings killed Don Amato three nights ago.”
“Correct.”
“You believe him?”
“That’s why I’m contacting you – in case Don Amato is avoiding our calls.”
“My consigliere is reaching out to him as we speak.”
“Thank you.”
“Niccolo says he thinks this is retaliation for your killing Aristide Caproni in San Vittore.”
“That’s what our prisoner says.”
“Four years is a long time to wait for revenge.”
“It is. Which worries me a great deal.”
“Indeed. It indicates a level of planning, restraint, and surprising cold-bloodedness. Are you formally requesting the rest of the Cosa Nostra’s help in this matter?”
“Not yet,” Don Rosolini said, then added, “Unless that help is offered freely.”
