Page 124 of La Dolce Vita

The General smiled, proud of himself. "I know everything. I know that Giovanni’s enemies hid several of you Calderones in Turkey. That you entered the special corps program with thepoliziaout of Bologna to help them go after Giovanni Battaglia in particular. And my guess is, it's personal, eh?"

Adara didn't answer.

"So here you are, working undercover, while concealing your true agenda. Very crafty of you to do so well so fast. Four years. Look at what you have accomplished."

The General went to the wall where the family bosses and their loved ones were posted. "Tell me this, if your family hadn't been killed because of the Battaglias, would you have turned to legal justice as a career?"

"I loved my family. Before they were taken from me I wanted to be a teacher."

"And now you're a specially trained instrument of vengeance?" he asked. "Willing to do anything to get your own justice?

"What is it you will do to me? For lying?"

The General’s gaze slipped up to Don Battaglia's brooding picture. He stared at the Don while he spoke. "Did you know that most men in theCarabinieriare from the Campania?"

"No," she said.

"Did you know that I too was from the Campania? Grew up fishing along the Amalfi, poor, poorer than anyone."

Adara shook her head no.

"There is a reason why men give their lives over to theCarabinieri. It is not for fortune. It is not for power. It is for justice. Because most of us have lived under the brutal laws and injustices ofla Camorra. Tyranny by men like Giovanni Battaglia, who thinks he should decide who has the right to liberty and freedom. Italians are good and honest people. Men like Giovanni pollute our children, destroy our women, take whatever they want with impunity. And together we right that justice." The General’s gaze swung back over to Adara "Your lying to join us, to seek revenge, makes you useful to me. Because I understand vengeance. It is a powerful motivator. Especially in a woman. See that woman!" The inspector pointed to another picture. Adara stepped closer.

"She is Isabella Mancini. And she is the only one on this board powerful enough to bring downcapo di tutti capi. I need to find her before Giovanni Battaglia does. And you are going to help me."

"How?" Adara asked.

The General chuckled. "Last night you got closer to the family than any agent. You spent the night with The Butcher."

"You were following me?"

"We were following him. That little scene with Senator Banfi. We know the set up. It's classic tactics fromlaCamorrato corrupt our lawmakers."

"Then arrest him!" she said.

"For what?" The General laughed. "Extorting the man who is extorting his boss? No. We have a bigger purpose. Carlo and his men will be on the hunt for Isabella. The Battaglias have submitted a travel visa and will be vacationing in the United States. There is something brewing and it’s big. The Butcher is going to be taking the lead and you will be at his side. Do you understand? This is your purpose now. Not only vengeance, but justice."

Adara nodded. "I understand."

***

"Catalina?"

"Come in," Catalina said as softly as she could.

The door opened. Zia peeked in at her. "Is he sleep?"

"Yes," Catalina smiled at Gianni who had resorted to sucking his two middle fingers after the pacifier was taken from him. She kissed his brow. Zia crept over and peeked down at the toddler who lay against Catalina's breast.

"Only you and Mira can settle him after one of his fusses," Zia chuckled. Catalina stared down at her nephew. Earlier she had put his unruly hair into a ponytail. She had to remember to take it out before Giovanni saw it. The boys were in desperate need of a haircut.

Zia lifted Gianni from Catalina's breast and carried him over to the bed in the room. "Gino and Eve are downstairs eating lunch. Come join them."

"I think I might lie down with Gianni," Catalina said.

"What?" Zia frowned. She stared at Catalina with concern. "You have been in this room all day sleeping. You made me turn Marietta away. What is going on with you? Do you not feel good?"

"Tired," Catalina shrugged. She went and stretched out on the bed next to Gianni. She rubbed his back.

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