CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“I’m glad to hear that Torro and Melanie are doing well,” smiled Father Nicholas. “I’m sad that she was unable to have children, but then again, I would be difficult to explain to any child.”
“Not really,” said Miller. “You weren’t a priest quite yet when Torro was conceived. You were young and confused. Besides, it produced one of the best men I know. How could that possibly be a sin?”
“My son is very lucky to have all of you. We speak almost every day, and I think it has helped me to live as long as I have. Speaking of, how is it that all of you still look so young? You haven’t aged a day,” he said with suspicion.
“We attribute it to great living and good food, Father,” smiled Nine.
“I’ve brought special gifts for all of you from the pottery factory. I hope you will accept them and enjoy.”
“Father, that’s so generous of you,” said Erin. “It’s a beautiful night. Would you like to walk with us through the vineyard? The girls and I have been doing it almost every night we’ve been here.”
“In fact, that sounds wonderful.” He stood and nodded at the men. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to steal your wives for a walk beneath the stars. As my payment, I’ve brought a box of cigars for you to enjoy on the veranda.”
“Now, how could we refuse that,” smirked Miller.
Far enough from Rome, the sky was illuminated with a million stars shining down on them. The moon was full, and it was positively magical as they walked through the vineyard. When they were far enough from the house, he turned to speak with the women.
“Enzo told me that you found something spectacular at the museum.”
“Yes,” nodded Adele. “We’re not sure what it all means yet, but we’re hoping it will help to free those boys.”
“I need to tell you all something. Something that no one knows, and obviously, I should have spoken of it much sooner.”
“Well, that’s not ominous at all,” frowned Lena.
“I’m afraid it is, isn’t it? My father and grandfather were both terrible men. You knew that. They were criminals. Men of death, and they enjoyed their jobs very much. Their friends, or should I say associates, were often even worse.”
“That doesn’t define you, Father,” said Grace.
“No. It does not. But it is one of the many reasons I became a priest. To atone for their sins. My grandfather was friends with Mussolini.”
The women were struck silent, staring at the handsome older man. He was always a good-looking man, identical to Torro. Or Torro identical to him. But it seemed he’d become even more handsome as he aged. His dark hair was peppered with silver, the fine lines around his eyes giving him the look of both wisdom and youth.
“He was friends,” repeated Marie. “Like wave from across the lawn friends, play cards on Saturday friends, or shared secrets friends.”
“I’m afraid the latter.”
“Did you know about the staircase and book?” asked Adele.
“I did not. I swear to you, I did not know about that. But when Enzo called to ask about a particular text, I knew immediately what was happening here. The story of the boys falling off the Colosseum,” he started.
“Thrown from the Colosseum,” said Faith.
“Yes, thrown. That story has been told for decades. In many ways, it was a cautionary tale for children not to skip school. There was a reason the boys being deaf wasn’t reported in any of the newspapers or police reports. That deaf school was run by my grandfather. The wise, compassionate man, so generous with his money, starting a school for the deaf. He didn’t want anyone coming around to inspect the so-called school.
“What he told no one was that he was using those boys in his factories. Making guns, bombs, bullets, and anything else requiring small hands. If the boys couldn’t hear, then all the better because he and his associates could speak openly, and the boys would not know. Some could read lips, but the men were aware of it and tried to hide behind their hands.”
“Jesus, those boys were being used,” whispered Grace.
“I am afraid so,” he said quietly. “I think those boys were killed not just because they saw something that day at the Colosseum but because they knew what might be in that book.”
Father Nicholas stared off between the vines growing up on both sides of the group. In the distance were small hills where the caves were. But that wasn’t what he was looking at. He was seeing something miraculous. He made the sign of the cross, holding his crucifix at his chest.
“Dear God in heaven,” he whispered. “I can see them.”
The women all turned, smiling at the boys.
“They trust you,” said Lissa. “They only allow you to see them if they trust you. They must know that you’ve just helped us.”
Nico stepped forward, rapidly signing to Father Nicholas.
“He says that we will discover the truth now and that they are free to go. They are scared that their family will not remember them.”
“They will remember you,” said Lissa, kneeling in front of the boys so they could see her lips clearly as Father Nicholas translated. “Remember I told you that I have a deaf son. It wouldn’t matter how old he was, how old I was. I would know him anywhere. A love between a mother and her son is unlike anything in the world. Go now. Go home to your families and be at peace.”
Nico gently reached out, his cool fingers touching her cheek. He signed the word ‘bella,’ and Father Nicholas laughed at him as the little boy gave a wink to Lissa.
“He’s a charmer. He says you are beautiful, and I would agree,” he smiled. The boys turned in the darkness and walked down the rows of grapes, disappearing into a fine mist. “You should feel great pride. You’ve done the impossible for those children.”
“Whatever was left behind is in one of those caves,” said Erin. “Tomorrow, we have to find it, or those overgrown children up there on that veranda are going to become suspicious.”
“You will succeed,” said Father Nicholas. “I have it on good authority. For now, let us turn and walk back together, laughing and feeling good about what you’ve accomplished this night. I do believe, other than my son, it is the greatest thing I have ever been witness to.”
“It might be the same for me, Father,” said Lena.
Approaching the cigar smoke of the veranda, the men laughing, the women knew that their adventure was not quite done, but they were getting there. What was really wonderful was to see the men so relaxed, laughing and enjoying themselves like they hadn’t seen in years.
“Maybe this vacation was more for them than us,” laughed Erin, nudging Faith.
“I don’t know,” she smiled. “I’m sure getting a lot out of this one. I can’t wait to see what we find tomorrow. I understand now why the men get hooked on all this. Finding the answers to a mystery, solving a crime, giving someone a sense of peace. It’s addictive!”
“I agree,” Erin laughed. “Maybe we start She-Wolf Security. You know, only taking cases that have anything to do with children or women. We solve purse snatchings, lunch money thieves, easy stuff.”
“I tell you what. If you can convince the men of that, I’ll be your first employee. Otherwise, I’m happy to be support personnel.”