Affliction by S. W. Frank Page B

with a glowing reputation and then he changed to a career which paid better.”
    “Well, Sophie likes bad boys.”
    Nico looked Alfonzo in the eye. “This one’s out on parole after doing time for drug possession and conspiracy.”
    Alfonzo straightened. Nico had his attention . Mention illegal drugs or underage prostitution in proximity to the Giacanti’s and Alfonzo’s ears perked up.
    “I did some digging and found out he was released five years early for good behavior, but bribery ensured there wasn’t a change of heart from the parole board.”
    “And, what else Nico?”
    Nico stretched out a leg. He scanned the scenery. “Imagine a scholar a thousand years from now reading history. I wonder when he reads the atrocities to people, whether he deems ignorance is bliss.” Nico scoffed. “There are abuses that could have been prevented had the world paid attention. Media brainwashing, the inability to ask questions or think logically I believe remains the affliction of too many. Hitler nearly succeeded in extermination an entire people and when you think, how he managed to dupe others, there’s more of an appreciation on the impact media and charming orators have an audience. Brainwashing can be subtle; architecture can dwarf humans to insect size. Large statues of a dictator are strategically designed to make others feel small. Smiling children, pictures of amenities and assurances to the inquisitive governments that the Jewish detainees are not mistreated, but well-fed, given showers and fresh air, but they’re being starved, gassed and experimented on to make lamps with their skin.”
    “There are many atrocities, past and present Nico, we’re living in a fucked up world.”
    “Sí, I agree. Master psychology of the people, make horror palatable with words and beautiful images because many cannot cope with brutal reality. They are afraid to investigate or confront what they instinctively know. It is the knowing and then the test of what to do with such knowledge. Only the bravest will act, others are too fearful cugino to lose a limb, material items or to die. Fear to act is why atrocities occur.”
    Alfonzo listened. Nico had to have a point to all of this because this is the most Nico spoke in years.
    “Imagine the pain of the survivors of the Holocaust and their descendants. A painting of a family, a child’s doll purchased on a vacation, a ring passed on through the generations pilfered by murderers and thieves are the heartache they carry.”
    “Sí,” Alfonzo stated.
    “What would you do if you could retrieve a tangible item that belonged to your mother or brother who died in horror?”
    “ You know what I’d do.”
    Then Nico released the Atomic Bomb. “Yosef Glavovitz is vile, but he is not evil. Lamps made from the skins of Jews is evil, vile is ensuring that if you die, so does the woman you are now bedding.”
    “Qué?”
    “You heard me. That sonovabitch has Sophie’s life on a timer. The victims of the Holocaust had families. The politician in Israel was one. That bargain for discounted armaments Sophie brokered behind Carlo’s back came with a promise to help Yosef avoid detention. She promised to help him retrieve a family portrait of this high-ranking official’s parents who were murdered at Auschwitz. Yosef did not deliver because Sophie reneged. Yosef went to prison, but here’s the kicker, although this official is dead, he issued a reprieve on the Shabbat to Yosef, a stay of execution for three months to return the artwork to his family. Once this is fulfilled, the reprieve extends for the duration of Yosef’s life and that of his mishpucha.”
    “His what?”
    “That’s Yiddish for family.”
    “ Oh. Well we get rid of him and end this nonsense.”
    “He dies, Sophie d oes too.”
    “I’m lost; Sophie has no part in this reprieve crap.”
    “Sophie was the middle-woman. She goes the moment the painting is recovered.”
    “Not unless we learn who the contractor