The Contessa's Vendetta by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer

his aides distributed cups to the unexpected visitors, he uncorked a flask of wine. “In my opinion, Cesare Negri is somewhere in Vicenza.”
    The sergeant cocked his head and stared at him doubtfully.
    “I speak the truth.” The captain filled the man’s cup. “There is a reward for Negri’s capture, is there not? And I am not a wealthy man. Therefore I will do everything I can to assist you.”
    The sergeant ’s gaze narrowed. “We received information that Negri escaped from Vicenza. His escape was assisted by a man named Ernesto Paccanini, owner of the coasting brig Laura Bella who ships goods between Venice and Pescara. You are Ernesto Paccanini and this is the brig Laura Bella .” 
    “ Ah, I see you are a very astute man!” With exuberance, the captain slapped the sergeant on the back causing the wine to spill from the cup he held uncomfortably in his hand. “You are correct about my name and that of my brig, but you are wrong about Negri.” He wagged his finger back and forth in denial then broke out into a laugh. “But I do not wish to quarrel with you. Have some more wine. Hunting for thiefs is thirsty work. Let me refill your cups, my dear friends. I have plenty more below deck!”
    The officers drank the proffered wine. The youngest-looking of the group, a brisk, handsome fellow raised his cup. “Bravo Ernesto! Let us all be friends together. Besides, what harm is there in accepting a thief and murderer as a passenger? No doubt he paid you better than most.”
    It was evident to me that the man ’s deliberate levity was a means to trap the captain into an accidental confession.
    But the captain was smarter than he looked and would not be caught. Instead, he raised his hands and eyes with feigned alarm. “May the saints forgive you for thinking that I, a simple seaman, would accept one scudo from such a bandit. I would be cursed for the rest of my life. You are mistaken, sergeant. I know nothing of Cesare Negri, and I have never encountered the lout!”
    He spoke with such sincerity that the officers appeared perplexed, yet it did not deter them from thoroughly searching the brig. They questioned everyone on board, including myself, but did not learn any further information. Though they glanced curiously at my white hair, they seemed to think there was nothing suspicious about me, a woman and her servants travelling alone for a brief vacation.
    After more of the captain ’s pleasant cordialities, the guards departed with puzzled expressions over the incorrect information they had received that Negri may have been on board.
    As soon as they were out of sight, Ernesto cavorted about the deck like a child in a garden, and snapped his fingers defiantly. “Those idiots. How dare they think to force me, Ernesto Paccanini, to betray a man who has given me good cigars! Let them hunt in every town and city! Cesare may rest comfortably without the gendarmerie to disturb him!”
    I advanced to bid the captain farewell.
    “Ah, dama , I am truly sorry to part company with you! I hope you will forgive me for not betraying poor Signor Negri who trusts me.”
    “ I wish there were more men in the world like you. Arrivederci .” I handed him the fare for our passage. “Please accept my sincere thanks. I shall not forget your kindness. If you ever need a friend, send to me.”
    He gave me a curious look. “But how can I do that if the dama does not tell me her name?”
    I had pondered this during the night. I knew I must assume a new name, and I had decided to adopt that of an old school-friend, a girl to whom I had been profoundly attached in my earliest youth, and who had drowned before my eyes while bathing in the Venetian Lido. So I answered Ernesto’s question at once and without effort. “Ask for Contessa Giulia Corona. I shall return to Vicenza shortly. Seek me there and you will find me.”
    The captain doffed his cap and bowed. He straightened with a grin. “I was correct that the dama’s hands