Page 263 of Marcello

“That’s it,” Lucrezia said confidently. “That’s the sign.”

Cesare howled with joy. “Mazzacane pulled it off!”

Lucrezia walked away from the group to make a call. I strained to overhear, but all I could make out was, “We’ve waited four years – we can wait another hour.”

Wait another hour for WHAT?!

Less than an hour later, Adriano Rosolini left the compound.

He was driving, and apparently the only one in the car. I knew it was him because he looked related to Dario and he was furious, just like the description Amato had given Lucrezia.

Adriano’s departure sent Cesare over the edge.

“When the fuck are they getting here?” he yelled at Lucrezia.

“Half an hour.”

“FUCK!”

“Who’s coming?” I asked neutrally as I kept watch at the telescope.

“I told you,” Lucrezia snapped, “need-to-know basis.”

A few minutes later, a second car left the house. Cesare shoved me out of the way to take a look through the telescope.

“Who is it?” Lucrezia asked me.

“I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s the Rosolinis,” I replied. “At least, none of them are driving. It looked like one of their grunts and a blonde chick in the passenger seat.”

“God DAMN IT!” Cesare screamed, and he and Lucrezia argued some more.

At the end, she said one thing of interest: “Follow the plan. It’s a good plan.”

What… fucking… PLAN?!

Lucrezia put me back on telescope duty.

Ten minutes later, things shifted.

“Something’s happening,” I told the others. “There’s… five, six… seven cars leaving the property.”

“WHAT?!” Cesare screamed.

This time I got out of his way as he rushed to the telescope.

“It’s nothing,” Lucrezia said nervously –

But Cesare was done waiting.

“LET’S GO!” he roared as he headed for the SUVs.

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” Lucrezia screamed as she ran after her brother.

“Dario’s getting away!”

“You don’t KNOW that!”

“Yes I do!”