Page 126 of Vita Mia

“I know. But we won’t stop trying.”

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“YOU SHOULDN’T ANTAGONIZEhim,” Sera said.

“Shut up,” Marietta mumbled and walked around the table of food brought in for the team working on Giovanni’s case. Sera spoke to a guard. Marietta watched her as she sucked on a grape. Sera nodded to whatever information she was being fed. Marietta had to admit that she liked the look of concern on their faces. The doctor returned and closed the door for privacy.

“You haven’t won anything yet, Marietta.”

“I won my freedom. And the world knows I’m free, including my sister. I think that’s a big victory.”

“It’s because the Générale needs you. Tie his hands and he’ll let you hang from the same noose he is putting around Giovanni’s neck. Do you want that?”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

“This isn’t a game,” Sera said.

“No bitch! It’s not. It’s my fucking life. I had ten months to rot in a cell and go fucking insane talking to my dead mother. I’m nobody’s puppet. I want my daughter back. I want her now! So, you go tell the Générale that he gets what he gives. And right now, he aint gave me shit!”

Sera shook her head. “All the time with the Battaglias and you have learned nothing.”

“Oh honey, you’re confused. I’m the one that taught the Battaglias everything. Remember I shot Giovanni. Hundreds of men wanted too. But I did that.”

“You’re proud of that?”

Marietta shrugged. “Not ashamed. He fucking deserved it.”

She plucked some cheese and put it on a thick slice of sourdough bread with some ham. She sat down and started to eat from the plate she fixed. The doctor paced the floor. Marietta kept glancing up at her amused by her distress. She chewed and grinned as if she were watching a picture show.

“Where did you go the other night?”

“What?”

“You snuck out. I saw you,” Marietta smiled.

“I did not.” Sera’s voice bristled.

Marietta chuckled.

“Be careful doctor. I know my family. If they get close to you, its terminal. The end game.”

“You don’t care about any of them, do you?” Sera asked.

“Trust me, none of them are losing any sleep over me!” she tossed back and bit into her sandwich. Sera watched her eat. She pulled out the chair and sat.

“Then I have some good news for you.”

“What’s that?”

“Giovanni’s underboss was killed in some kind of prison fight.”

“Carlo?” Marietta stopped chewing. Her eyes stretched. “No. That’s a lie.”

“Oh, you think I’m talking about Carlo?”

Marietta let go a sigh of relief.

“Carlo’s been dead for months.”

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