Page 302 of Marcello

“…what?!”

“It means ‘the little monk.’”

“What is that, another Camorra nickname?”

“No.” I explained about the medieval workers in their brown robes. “There was an old guy at the place where I worked who knew all the tunnels. That was how he got the nickname. If anybody could get us to Amato’s castle, it’s him.”

“Would he do it if we offered him enough money?”

I shrugged. “Worth a shot.”

“This Munaciello fellow might be able to get us close,” Niccolo said, “but how the hell will we know if it’s the right well on the right property?”

“That part’s easy.”

“And why is that?” he asked, annoyed.

“Because there’ll be a couple dozen dead bodies underneath it.”

Everyone looked at me in shock.

“I had to put them somewhere,” I protested.

Niccolo raised his eyebrows. “Well, that’ll certainly be an unmistakable sign. Alright, take us to this ‘Munaciello.’”

“I can’t. The business doesn’t even open until 8 AM, and I need to get to those two stash houses before then. If you don’t let me go, Lucrezia’s going to know something’s wrong, and this surprise attack of yours will go up in smoke.”

Niccolo glowered at me, then turned to Dario. “Your call.”

Dario searched my eyes as he asked, “You want to see Cesare Caproni dead?”

“Yeah, but that’s not why I’m doing this.”

“You’re doing this to save the woman you love.”

“Yes.”

“What if you die helping us?”

I didn’t hesitate. “I don’t care, as long as she gets out alive.”

Dario stared at me for another moment…

Then nodded. “Let him go.”

97

Before I left, I gave them a time and address to meet. Then I drove my SUV out of Parco Virgiliano and headed for the next stash house.

I never once considered leaving Naples. Giulietta was still in danger. I had to save her. There was no other option.

Despite my initial encounter with the Rosolinis, and despite them being related to Fausto, I believed they would uphold their end of the bargain – especially Dario.

Niccolo was smug, and Adriano was an asshole, but Dario… there was something about him that inspired trust.

More importantly, he inspired confidence.

I actually believed that – with my help – he might just get his revenge against Cesare.