Legacy of Sorrows by Roberto Buonaccorsi Page B

hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Italy and Austria then went into overdrive and were instrumental in bringing to an end the ill feelings generated by the Austrian government’s actions.

Chapter 9
    I was sitting at home with my family and had just finished eating my evening meal and was enjoying my after dinner espresso. I called out to Moreno, ‘Would you switch on the evening news, please.’ Moreno picked up the remote control and the screen came to life. It was filled with a newsreader presenting the news of Reder’s release and his reception at the airport. The picture then changed from the newsreader in the studio to the airport runway at Vienna.
    I sat in shock and watched the screen in silence. Maria came in from the kitchen and sat beside me, holding my hand. Moreno turned the sound up.
    The presenter on the ground was describing the scene as Reder inspected his honour guard. I froze as I recognised Kuller shaking his hand and embracing him.
    â€˜It’s him, Kuller.’ I stood and shouted out aloud. Moreno reached over to the cassette recorder and turned it on to record the events so we could watch it later. ‘He’s a little fatter and his hair is greyer, but that is Kuller.’
    I stopped talking to take in the scene in front of me. The presenter was interviewing Reder on the runway before he left with his friends.
    â€˜I understand that your Old Comrades Association is arranging a special reception for you, Herr Reder.’
    â€˜Yes they are. It’s on Friday night at the Hotel Bristol and I understand that most of my old comrades in arms will be there. I am looking forward to that.’
    â€˜What does it feel like to return to your homeland as a war hero so many years after the war ended?’
    â€˜I served my country and did my duty to the best of my ability and the honours I was presented with then are still relevant today in my eyes.’
    In the background, the honour guard was being dismissed and some of them were heading over to where Reder was. I watched transfixed as Kuller appeared over Reder’s shoulder. Reder looked round and saw them, then said to the TV presenter, ‘These were my men. They served with me in battle.’ He pointed to Kuller ‘This man was my sergeant, Hans Kuller. He also served the Fatherland and did his duty as required.’
    The screen changed back to the TV studio and the newsreader with a different news item.
    Moreno looked at me, waiting for some reaction from me on seeing Kuller. I was very quiet. He’s too quiet for his own good. I wonder what he’s thinking of.
    I got up from my seat and reached for my jacket. Without a word, I put it on and left the house. I drove around the city for a while before I eventually stopped outside the hotel where Italo worked. When I walked in, I saw Italo standing at the main doors to the kitchen looking thoughtful. I wondered if he had seen the news bulletin as well.
    â€˜Italo, did you see it?’ Italo looked at me for a few moments before saying, ‘We have to talk, Bruno. I’ll take my break now and we can go for a coffee down the street.’ We walked along together in silence, both of us thinking the same thing, both planning things in our minds. Every so often, our eyes would meet and we both knew.
    We sat at a corner table and drank our coffee in silence until I said. ‘Can you get the time off. The reception is being held in two days’ time so we would only need three days to do it.’
    Italo nodded. ‘You would need to phone in sick for those days, Bruno. We can come up with a definitive plan as we travel to Vienna.’
    I asked, ‘Do you still have your gun?
    Italo nodded. ‘Do you still have yours, Bruno?’
    â€˜Yes, I’ve kept it in good condition just in case I ever found out where Kuller was.’ I pulled out a railway timetable from my pocket and put it on the table. ‘I picked this up last week. It