Chapter 26: A Pen on the Hood

Maura did not remember standing up, but she was on her feet with Finn behind her legs.

Vincent had moved before she did.

He stood between the old man and the boy with his arms at his sides and his jacket still smoking.

"You came for your son's price," he said. "I'm here. Put it on me."

"I came for a son," said the old man.

His voice was dry and quite calm.

He was shaking, and the pistol shook with him.

"Your father promised me the Saraceno name on a plate. I got a nurse's boy and a bad bargain."

"He sold both of us."

"He did. And I paid him. I'm not proud of it."

Behind the old man the sky over Winthrop had gone orange, and the sirens were coming, thin and far.

The old captain's sons stood at the edge of the lawn with their rifles raised.

"Don't," Vincent said to them without looking round.

"Boss..."

"Don't."

Maura felt a small hand close on the back of her jacket.

Finn leaned out around her knee.

His voice came out hoarse from the smoke.

"Nonno?"

The old man's face changed.

It was a small movement only, around the mouth, but it went through his whole body.

"Go back to your mother, Finn," he said.

"Your house is on fire."

"I know."

"Come out. Mrs. Cardigan will be sad."

Maura did not know who Mrs. Cardigan was, and she saw that Vincent did not either.

The pistol came down two inches.

"I taught him to play cards," the old man said, to nobody. "He cheats."

"Give me the gun," said Vincent.

"My son was thirty-one."

"I know. I shot him."

"His mother died of it in a week."

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