“Silvio De Carlo.”

“Yes. He couldn’t have his protégé do so either. Silvio is destined for high places in the Police of State. Massimo wanted you, a Forestry officer, to take the blame for the case’s failure. So he assigned you to log the evidence in, arranged to have it stolen and pointed his finger at you.”

Ercole took a large sip of wine. “And now my name is on record as having ruined a major investigation. My chances of moving into regular policing are gone. Maybe even my career at the Forestry Corps is endangered.”

“Ah, Ercole. Let us pause a minute here, may we? Think. Rossi has blamed you for a mistake, not a crime. Yet he himself has committed a crime by arranging for the disappearance of physical evidence. The last thing he wants is any further examination of the matter.”

“Yes, that makes sense.”

“So, true, within the Police of State, there will be no career opportunities for you.”

Ercole finished his wine and set the glass down. “Thank you, sir. It’s kind of you to tell me that I’m not, in fact, responsible for the destruction of the case. And to have the courage to break the news to me about the consequences to my career.” He sighed. “So, buona notte. I will get home to my pigeons now.” He extended his hand.

Spiro ignored it. He muttered, “Pigeons? Are you making a joke?”

“No, sir. I am sorry. I—”

“And did I say that our conversation is over?”

“I… No. I’m…” The stammering young man dropped to his seat again.

“Now perhaps you will be silent and let me finish telling you why I have summoned you here. In addition to dining with our American friends, of course.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was invited to dine.”

Spiro snapped, “Why would I ask you to a restaurant, one of the best in Campania, by the way, if not to have you join us?”

“Of course. Very kind of you, sir.”

“Allora. My comment is this: I have made some inquiries. It is largely unprecedented for a Forestry Corps officer, especially one as old as you, to transfer directly into the Carabinieri training program. But, of course, interoffice politics can have a positive side as well as a negative. I have called in favors and arranged for you to be accepted into the service and will begin military and police training in one month.”

“Carabinieri?” Ercole whispered.

“As I have just said. And as you have just heard. I was told that it has been a goal of yours for some time to join them.”

The young man was breathless. “Mamma mia! Procuratore Spiro, I don’t know what to say. Grazie tante!” He took the prosecutor’s hand in both of his and Rhyme thought for a moment he was going to kiss the man’s fingers.

“Enough!” Then Spiro added, “One month should give you time to finish up any assignments that are pending at Forestry. I understand from speaking to your superior officer that your arrest of a particularly troublesome truffle counterfeiter was interrupted by the arrival of Il Compositore. I assume you wish to close that case.”