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“We do not, although, at least, we know he hasn’t left Italy. Anyway, you received this correspondence from him two hours ago.”

“Two hours ago? Why didn’t you notify me immediately?”

Julian wanted to answer that it was because the cardinal had told him not to disturb him, but he said instead, “I wanted to be sure of the authenticity of the email. After reviewing it, I believe it’s legitimate. But we may have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“Slash said he’s willing to make a statement about his father, but it may not be what you expected.”

The cardinal’s set his pen down and swiveled his chair to face Julian directly. “Is that so? What did I expect?”

“I don’t know, but not this.”

“Read it to me,” the cardinal demanded.

Julian cleared his throat. “Cardinal Lazo, if you issue a statement using my name without my permission, I will go viral with a statement you will never be able to stop. In that statement, I will acknowledgeyouas my father.” He looked up from the email. “That’s it.”

“What?” The cardinal’s expression darkened. “Give me that paper.”

Julian quickly handed it over to the cardinal. Lazo read it, then angrily crumpled it in his fist before tossing it across the room. “Where are those DNA results from the hotel?”

“I received a call a few minutes ago, Your Eminence. The results should be in my inbox by the end of the day.”

“They better be, because I want answers and I want themnow.”

Lexi

I sat in the car in front of Father Opizzi’s house, my face positioned inches from the car’s air-conditioning vent. I was beyond grateful Slash had it on full blast so I could think of something other than the fact that I was melting into a puddle of sweat.

“What do we do now?” I asked, putting the hat back on and cupping my hands around the vent to funnel the cool air toward me in a more efficient way.

“We need to find Manuel de Rosa.”

“Okay. Where will home base be for said searching? Do we find a hotel here in Licosa?”

“No. We go to Salerno. It’s the closest big city, and the wifi will be significantly better. I know an excellent hotel where we can work comfortably. I’ll see if they have a room available.”

He pulled up a number and dialed it, and I was quiet while he spoke rapidly to someone. “We got lucky. Someone cancelled their room an hour ago.”

“Great. I hope it has air-conditioning.”

“It doesn’t, but it does have a beautiful sea view. The breeze coming off the water will feel refreshing.”

I sighed, my hopes for a cool evening dashed. “What’s your plan for finding de Rosa?”

“Open sources first,” he said. “It might be that simple.”

“Or not.” I hated playing devil’s advocate, but sometimes things weren’t simple. “Slash, he could be anywhere in the world.”

“I know. But Italy is the best place to start. We’ll find him wherever he is. It’s just a matter of time.”

“But we’re short on time.”

“Then we put our heads together and figure a faster way.”

I looked out the window at the bicycle and thought of the kindly priest sitting inside, praying in front of the small shrine to the saints. Then I thought of Slash and everything he’d been through in his life. I felt like I was missing something right in front of my face.

“Slash, don’t you think it’s strange that de Rosa left the priesthood right after you are brought to the church? Father Opizzi said he was exceptionally handsome. There are some potentially uncomfortable lines to be drawn here. Do you think he could be your father?”