Il Pane Della Vita

by Coralie Hughes Jensen

  “First, the visitor had to be local because she visited too often to have to have commuted from out of the area. Second, the blond child in the picture is linked to Brother Pietro by virtue of the fact that she and her mother became members of the San Mattia Church while Father Teo was the vicar there and left when he did. Both Costa and Bauer said the visitor had to be a relative, perhaps a niece, to be allowed into the hermitage without signing in. There’s just too much circumstantial evidence linking Gina to Regina and connecting the same woman to Brother Pietro as his niece.”

  “But Nico said she grew up father south.”

  “Yes, but he wasn’t sure. Hopefully she’ll return soon so we can find out where she actually grew up.”

  Sister Angela carefully removed the baggie from her pocket. “The housekeeper found this note pushed into a crack in his garden wall.”

  “There’s just a number here,” Morena said.

  “Ah, but that is a product number from Busto Sistemi, an electronics company in Roma. I just don’t know what the number is for.”

  “Did you look it up?” he asked, typing the number into the box on the website. “That’s interesting. It’s for a router. What’s that got to do with the case?”

  “Can’t anything be done to find out what the smudge says?”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Maybe it has to do with the company as a whole.”

  “Then why didn’t he write that down?”

  “Because he was afraid his pursuer would find it,” said Sister Angela. “Listen, why would he put a note in the wall to begin with? So someone else could find it? I doubt that. Did he suspect that someone had been in his cottage? Did he know who it was? Did he need to hide the clue somewhere where the pursuer wouldn’t look?”

  “I don’t think it’s important, but the fingerprints on the note might be. I’ll have someone in the lab take a look. Are we going to find your prints?”

  “Yes, the housekeeper handed it to me.”

  “And will we find her prints?”

  “I don’t think so. She was wearing gardening gloves when she found it. You might find soil on it because she was gardening.”

  “Do you have anything else? What about the weapon. What did you find out about that?”

  “Brother Salvatore has to ask at the monastery. No one at the hermitage had seen it before. Pozza, the chef, said it was a filleting knife. I promise we’ll question the cooks at the monastery this evening. Did I tell you that the subject in our picture wasn’t wearing a robe from the hermitage? There was no piping on the sleeve. He could have been from the monastery down below or any other abbey in the area.”

  “Or he could have bought it and wore it so he would fit in.”

  “Also, the cowl was up. They said the monks wouldn’t use the cowl unless it was raining or snowing.”

  “How did he get in?”

  “We’re still working on that, and we’re still trying to find out how he and Brother Pietro got out. Brother Donato was pretty sure he saw Brother Pietro at the gate as soon as the recessional broke up. But somehow Brother Pietro turned back and was replaced by the imposter. Brother Donato thought he heard the footsteps come up behind him and pass him, leading the stranger to Brother Pietro’s front door.”

  “Did you ask any of the other eremiti if they saw Brother Pietro change his mind at the gate?”

  “Yes. No one else mentioned seeing him at all. I talked to a hermit who went back into the church himself. He never said anything about seeing Brother Pietro there either. It’s liked he disappeared. But how did he do it?” The nun suddenly stood up straight. Maybe I do know. “I’ll get back to you by email if I find out more about the weapon, Monte. I just thought of another lead.”

  Twenty

  Alone

  Russo put down his pen and rubbed his eyes. Trying to keep up with the younger seminarians was not easy. He looked at the framed picture of Regina that Ciana had sent him a year earlier. She was gorgeous. Then he reached into the drawer and pulled out the letter that came with it.

  Dearest Dante,

  All is going well here. I didn’t go home with Papà. I stayed here with Regina for three weeks before taking a job with a doctor in the village. He paid better and loved my background. I was able to hire an old woman in our building to watch Regina during the day.

  I have included a picture of your daughter, and I talk about her incessantly. I know she can’t wait to see you. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit us on holidays. We don’t go to church here. I decided to go to the church where we were married to have her baptized. We’ll wait for a number of months before we do. Maybe you can plan to be with us there.

  All our love,

  Ciana and Regina.

  There was a knock at his door, and he dropped the letter back into the desk drawer before answering it. The framed picture remained.

  Ciana bought cans of baby food at the store before returning to their apartment. The woman who babysat Regina smiled and got up as Ciana walked in.

  “Sorry I’m late, said Ciana. “If you don’t have the time to fix dinner, I have leftover soup.”

  The woman thanked her but left Ciana and Regina to manage the meal on their own.

  “We got a letter from Papà,” Ciana said, reaching into her coat pocket. “Let’s see what he has to say about that visit.” After running her finger under the flap and unfolding the paper, she read the words out loud.

  Dear Ciana.

  Thank you for the picture of Regina. She’s beautiful indeed. The wisps of blond hair must be soft to touch. All my seminarian brothers say they think she’s charming and ask to see a picture of you, my sister, too.

  My studies are going very well. I’m trying hard to make Father Valerio proud. The other students are so young, Ciana. I can’t believe the energy they have. I must work ten times harder to keep up with them. But I really feel I’m doing what God wants me to…

  Ciana grimaced but dared not say anything in front of Regina. She began to read again.

  I’m very concerned about you and Regina living there alone. You went to work so early. You have to make the money that you turn around and give the old lady when your daughter still needs a mother. Even though your father remains angry, I suggest that you go to your father and ask him to forgive you. Regina deserves to be brought up by her mother in a lifestyle you and your father can offer her. Perhaps you should ask Father Valerio to give you penance for putting your own career above that of your daughter.

  Her voice broke. She gazed through the tears that flooded her eyes and could no longer make out the letters he so perfectly formed. She shredded the papers and tossed them into the fire. Then she picked up her daughter, rocked her, and held her on her hip as she pulled the baby food from the boiling water.

  Two and a half years past and all was quiet. Then one morning when Ciana got to work, the doctor called her into his office. “Sit down, Ciana. I’m afraid things aren’t working out here. The woman who quit before you now plans to return. If you want a reference, I’d happy to write one. You have done a fine job here, but I believe it would be best if I bring back the woman who worked for me for so many years.

  Ciana left the office in a daze. What was she to do now? She would not even be able to afford the rent at the end of the week. “She stopped to look at shop windows on her walk home, but instead of coming up with plans, her mind remained cloudy. As she rounded the corner to her apartment building, her eyes began to fill again. By the time she climbed to her front door, she had made up her mind. She pocketed her last paycheck and packed as much of their possession as she could take in one bag. She and Regina took the train to Salvi and arrived soon after Russo, now Father Teo, was settled in his new church, San Mattia. Ciana rented a small apartment off the main square. When funds got low, she wheeled her toddler to the rectory and discreetly asked Russo to give her a portion of his paycheck.

  “You don’t act like you want us around,” she said to Russo during one visit.


  “What do you mean? I love seeing you and Regina. We have to watch it though. She’s beginning to repeat everything we say to each other. What if she…”

  “Nonsense. She won’t say anything to the old ladies in the office.”

  “One of them already asked who the father was. She said Regina kept repeating ‘papà’ but there didn’t seem to be any father around.”

  “We’ve stayed away from the church so you wouldn’t get embarrassed.”

  “No, it’s important that you come. I’m supposed to be instructing you during our ‘appointment.’ They’ll wonder why you come here, but never show up at Mass. Did you get a job with one of the local doctors?”

  “No, do I need to? The purpose of your getting a parish was so you would make enough money so I could stay home and care for Regina.”

  “I thought you were happier with a job. I think our agreement was that you go back to your father. You know he wants to be closer to his granddaughter. He only claimed to have disowned you because he thought I only wanted your inheritance. Well, I’m out of the picture now. He’ll take you back without me there.”

  “I like it here with you. I thought you loved us. Let us enjoy being together,” she insisted, pushing the stroller out the door. “I’ll make an appointment for our next lesson with the secretary. See you soon.”

  Father Teo lasted only a couple of years at San Mattia. He left without telling Ciana where he was headed. The mother with auburn hair and small blond child would soon have no money on which to live. She would finally have to ask her father to take them in.

  They lived at the formidable estate of Ciana’s father. Ciana taught Regina to run in the gardens and play with the statues. Enjoying her freedom, the young child ran and hid from her mother and nursemaid.

  Fabri spent little time with his daughter and granddaughter, but he did appear in the dining room one cool evening. “Good evening Ciana. I see Regina is getting taller. I suppose she likes to play.”

  “You certainly wouldn’t know that. We’ve hardly seen you all summer.”

  “I had business in America. We are buying new companies every day. I wanted to let you know that your annulment came through last week.”

  Ciana stiffened. “I didn’t ask for one.”

  “You probably would not have been able to annul your own marriage, Ciana. I even had to get help from the bishop. I suppose it was a thankless errand, but maybe someday you will understand.”

  “I suppose. By the way, I found a job in town. I’m going to work in a lab near the university.”

  “You did not ask if I thought that was wise.”

  “I don’t care what you think. You aren’t in charge of me.”

  “If you had, I would have told you that one of your old beaus has expressed interest in you.”

  “Old beaus?”

  “You met him at one of my summer parties. I remember you dancing with him. Martinus has mentioned you several times, but he dare not approach until your previous marriage was dissolved. He has been waiting for quite a while.”

  “Martinus? You mean one of your partners, don’t you? I danced with him at a party one summer when I was twelve.”

  “He’s not a partner. He has his own company. It is very successful. That man had lots of energy. He tried to take over Busto Sistemi, but I was able to get him off our backs.”

  “Oh my God, Papà. He’s your age. Did you promise me to prevent him from taking over the company?”

  “He was always interested, dear. I am sure the takeover bid was just to remind me that he was still interested.”

  “I can’t believe you gave me away to save your company, Papà. That’s worse than what Dante did by far. No, I won’t be a part of your game. And what about Regina? Was he even interested in her at all?”

  “She will be in school in no time. I am positive he can get her the best nurse around to watch her. His house is massive, even bigger than this place. I am sure you will remember his qualities as soon as you see him again. He is dropping by for dinner this evening so be sure to look presentable.”

  “I’m here to watch Regina while you’re at dinner,” said one of the help. “Your father wants you downstairs for cocktails as quickly as possible.”

  “Please. I’ll go down when I’m ready and not before. I’m taking Regina because Papà’s friend should meet her.”

  “You’ll get me fired if you don’t let me watch her. I think you should go down, and if he is amenable to seeing her, I can bring her down.”

  Ciana appeared in the sitting room a half hour later.

  “Come, darling,” said Fabri. “Please sit down with Martinus and tell him what you are doing? He’s fascinated with science.”

  Martinus took her hand and led her to a chair. “Do you remember me?”

  He was tall, but he was also fat. When he smiled at her, his front teeth look rotten. If he had as much money as her father touted, he could at least see a dentist. “Yes. I remember.”

  “You have grown into a beautiful young woman.”

  “I’m a mother.”

  “I cannot tell that you have had a child at all. Your father has probably told you that I asked for your hand several years ago, and he said he would tell me when it was time. Obviously, events did not make it easy for us to be together. I married another woman, maybe a year or two younger than you, and you married that scoundrel, Russo. Of course neither has worked out. Then out of the blue, your father says that you are available once more. I was the first one in line to remind him of our agreement.”

  “What agreement is that?” asked Ciana. “I hope it’s not about your companies.”

  Martinus sighed. “Of course not. I would never tie my love life to my company. It was more a gentleman’s agreement—some papers he and I signed when you were but twelve.”

  “Wait. You two made up a contract?”

  “Well, I guess you could describe it that way. We wrote up some papers and signed them. We did not have to seek a lawyer because my brother, an avvocato in a famous firm in Roma, was at the party and provided his services.”

  “So you’re calling on my father to pay his debts.”

  The ugly man sat and stared at her. Finally he said, “I can give you anything as long as you agree to be my wife. I am aware there is an age difference, but just think about the gowns and shoes you could have. Just think about the parties.”

  “You want to marry me even though I don’t love you?”

  “I truly believe you will grow to love me.”

  “Is part of the contract that I do my wifely duties when you request them?”

  “I would expect you to act like a wife, Ciana. After all, you are getting almost everything I have out of this.”

  “So you’re trading in everything you have for a good lay whenever you want it.” Ciana smiled in disbelief. “I would need to consult the contract. You must have considered that.”

  “That was not in the contract, my darling.”

  Fabri entered the room, and Martinus and Ciana stood. Fabri kissed his daughter’s cheek. “You have two weeks to have a dress made, Ciana.”

  “I’m not leaving Regina.”

  “Martinus? Tell her your plans for the young child.”

  “She, of course, will come with you. We will all be a family. I have ponies galore for her to ride and lots of nooks and crannies for her to play in.”

  The butler entered and announced that dinner was being served.

  Martinus held out his arm to take her in.

  The two weeks passed quickly. A dress was made for the bride, and a huge wedding at Martinus’ mansion followed. The groom beamed, and the bride held on to him. She had not eaten for days.

  Finally it was over, and she was led to her bedroom, a lavish affair with beautiful lace and silk decorations. Suddenly Martinus appeared in her closet doorway.

  “Why were you in the closet, Martinus?” she asked.

  “Your closet is attached to mine so we can meet in e
ither room without the servants noticing.” His gelatinous gut hung over the waistband of his pajama bottoms. Can I help you with your dress?”

  “Please, darling, could you get me some port and some aspirin. I have a terrible headache. The wedding was spectacular, but it took a lot out of me.”

  “Yes, yes, straightaway.” He toddled back through the closets and returned with the port.

  Ciana downed it with a sleeping pill in one gulp. “Thank you so much,” she said, pulling down the blankets and climbing in before pulling them back up to her neck.

  The old man let his pants drop, and Ciana tried to look away. He caught her chin as he climbed in. It dangled like a sword in its sheathe. He flopped down on his stomach and pulled her under him, his rotting teeth cutting into her lips.

  Ciana had that first night seared into her memory because no sleeping pill could take effect as quickly as her new husband supposedly found his target and ejaculated, which she later noticed as having happened on the sheets beside her.

  Enduring this twice a week for several months, Ciana actually grew accustomed to the old man’s presence and learned to dream and plan about what she would do the next morning with her daughter while he busied himself with the task at hand.

  As fall cast its spell on the landscape, Ciana found that he was no longer coming around. One evening, supposing that she was free to play with her daughter instead of waiting for him in the bedroom, she rose and toddled to the nursery, thinking of the games she and Regina could play. Opening the door, she looked up. The blood drained from her face. Her husband, sitting naked on the floor beside her daughter, was trying to teach his stepdaughter chess.

  Suddenly aware of his wife’s presence, Martinus disappeared through his daughter’s closet without bothering to explain his actions. Ciana grabbed some clothes from the same closet, dressed her daughter and pulled her down the hall. Then she put on some clothes from her own closet before exiting the house with her daughter and nothing else. Martinus did not call Fabri until the next morning, livid that Ciana had run out on him.