“No one is safe while the Germans are here,” Rosa said, and the thread of urgency in her voice made the hair on Nina’s nape stand on end. “All the more reason for us to bring their occupation to an end. Zwerger changes nothing.”

Chapter 13

10 December 1943

They were clearing up after lunch when they heard the crunch of gravel under car tires. Zwerger had returned.

Nico was outside; now he came to stand at the door. “Get the children upstairs, Rosa. And you, too, Nina. Best if I speak to him alone.”

The children were curious, of course, and Carlo was desperate to get a better look at the car outside, but one hard look from Rosa stopped their chatter and had them hurrying to their rooms.

Nico had said to go upstairs, but from that distance it would be impossible to hear what he and Zwerger were saying. Her curiosity outweighing her fear, Nina sat on the bottom step and forced herself into stillness. Rosa did the same.

“—offer you a glass of wine? Or perhaps some caffè d’orzo?”

“No, thank you.”

She heard the scrape of chairs being pulled back. Felt the weight of the air in the kitchen. Wondered who would be the first to break the silence.

Zwerger gave in first. “It is strange to see you after so long.”

“It has only been five years, Karl.”

“Still. A lifetime ago. I wonder if you know how much I looked up to you then. You were so immersed in your studies. So devout. So ignorant of the greater world.”

“I was a boy.”

“We were all boys, but some of us could see what was coming. Some of us could see what was happening to the world—and that we might help to change it for the better.”

“You left without saying farewell,” Nico said, as if he were just then remembering. “We never knew what happened to you, and no one there would tell us.”

“Father Superior never said?”

“No. Why should he?”

“I was called home, back to Austria. My country needed me.”

“I see,” Nico said, and there was another long pause. “I can tell you are an officer, but my knowledge of Reich uniforms is lacking. Can you enlighten me?”

“I am an Obersturmführer in the Schutzstaffel of the Third Reich. Presently I am based in Verona with the office of the Sicherheitsdienst. You may have heard of my esteemed commander, Hauptsturmführer Theodor Dannecker.”

“I have not, but then we are very isolated in Mezzo Ciel. If you’re stationed in Verona, why did you come all the way here?”

“A courtesy visit, no more. My work brings me to this corner of the Veneto quite often. I will say I am glad to have found you at home. You are often away.”