Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT MARCO CAME HOME
Marco Bandi contacted Nicolo at 11:43 p.m.
One message.
Meet me alone. We can fix this.
Nicolo stared at the screen.
For thirty-eight years, Marco had been his brother.
His closest friend.
The person he trusted most.
Now he was asking for another chance.
Nicolo showed the message to Sofia.
She read it.
"Don't go alone."
He nodded.
"I wasn't planning to."
She looked surprised.
"Good."
Investigators arranged a controlled meeting.
Nicolo agreed to cooperate.
The location was a warehouse office near the waterfront.
Marco arrived wearing a dark coat.
He looked tired.
Older.
But still familiar.
"Nicolo."
"Marco."
They stared at each other.
Marco smiled sadly.
"Look at us."
Nicolo said nothing.
Marco continued.
"I never wanted you dead."
Nicolo looked at him.
"Then why send men to my café?"
Marco's expression changed.
"It wasn't supposed to happen that way."
Nicolo stared.
"Four people died."
Marco looked down.
"I know."
"Two of them were an elderly couple eating dessert."
Marco swallowed.
Nicolo stepped closer.
"You knew their names?"
Marco shook his head.
Nicolo's voice hardened.
"Neither did I."
A long silence followed.
Then Marco whispered:
"I made a mistake."
Nicolo looked at him.
"No."
Marco raised his eyes.
"You made a choice."
At that moment, investigators moved in.
Marco was arrested.
He didn't resist.
As officers led him away, he looked back.
"Nicolo!"
Nicolo turned.
Marco's eyes filled.
"I'm still your brother."
Nicolo stared.
Then said:
"I know."
May you like
A pause.
"That's what makes it worse."
