Chapter 35

“That’s better,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you lose control of yourself like that—you’re usually extremely stoic.”

Before I could reply, I spotted a nurse approaching us. “Dr. d’Argenzio,” she said, “we have a SignorAlberti in ICU Ward one, and he insists on speaking to you before we do anything else for him.”

“Go ahead,” Gert said, “I’ll wait here and keep you posted if I learn anything.”

“Thanks.”

I followed the nurse down the hall and into the ICU area, which consisted of a pair of two-bed wards. In the first ward, Sal was in the bed nearest the window, one shoulder swathed in bandages. “Hey, Sal,” I said, “how are you feeling?”

“Like shit.”

“They said you wanted to see me.”

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry, Marco.”

“Sorry!” I said. “For what? You saved our lives.”

“Maybe, but I should have seen it coming… I should have had more men with us… I should have….”