"I tell you, he's missing. How do I know where he is?" Her voice, as shrill and piercing as any fishwife, echoed through the villa. "What do you mean, the entire force is busy with an election parade for the local beauty representative? Find me someone, or I assure you, you will wish you had." Gina slammed down the phone, took several deep breaths, and gave in to the inevitable. She called her father-in-law in Catalbarro.
How could a human voice have the ability to calm, yet terrify at the same time? Gina's father-in-law's gruff voice assured her all would be well, but also assured her she would be made to pay. "Let me handle it," Don Alfonso said. "But first I'll call that idiot son of mine to see if, by any chance, he may have taken the boy without informing you. If that is not the case, I'll fly there immediately. I'll be there before dark."
Commissario Caltabieni was piecing together the story of the missing boy when Don Alfonso arrived. He shuddered, then patted at the air before Don Alfonso as if putting out small flames. "I have interrogated all the staff," he said, his voice a high-pitched whine. "The only people missing are Giuseppe Rettori and Bettina Pertao. Giuseppe played at a chess tournament today, won, and left for the French coast to do some celebrating. Bettina left for her holiday." He paused, took a deep breath, and gauged the effect of his words on Don Alfonso. "I have alerted the local police about Bettina. They'll contact her when she arrives at her destination, which is, I believe, Tarvisio." He glanced down at his notes, then back up at Don Alfonso. "Giuseppe is another matter. We have asked for the assistance of the French police, and they are looking for him. He should, however, return by Sunday night at the latest."
Don Alfonso paced the patio, his face a thundercloud. "I demand immediate action," he said, again and again, each time a little louder. He whirled on Gina. "You're totally useless," he said with a sneer. "You're not fit to handle an Olfrandi. I don't know what my fool of a son ever saw in you. Get out of my sight." He turned away from the crying woman with contempt.
His second victim was the security guard, the next the local police, and finally Commissario Caltabieni. "Caltabieni-I want this operation handled swiftly and in silence. No one must know. It cannot seem possible to kidnap the name carrier of the Olfrandis." He glowered, seemed to grow larger. "I hold you personally responsible for the life of my grandson."