Chapter 12

GABRIEL

I didn't hear the news about Felice's passing until I left the hotel and went back to the palazzo. I still couldn't get over the fact that Pop was here, that he was no longer fighting me on this, though I think his presence is a two-edged sword. I'm sure that though he says he's given up fighting me on this that there's some underlying purpose going on that I can't see clearly yet.

Sal was looking even more beleaguered than he had this morning, and the house was a whole lot fuller than it was then too. Everyone had gathered to commemorate and commiserate with each other over the dead woman. "I'm sorry niputi, that you had to be here for this. I will understand if you want to take dinner in your rooms, but it would do me a great honor if you should stay."

"If you want me to, I will." He clung to my side all evening, introducing me as his grandson, and the proof that he held such power over everyone else in the room was evident by the mere fact that no one asked how I came