“I need to see Luca,” I said, unable to stand still any longer.

“Go,” Giovanni said. “The nurse is on the second floor, first door on the right.”

“I have to make some calls.”

I left the study and walked up the grand staircase.

The house was unnaturally quiet, save for the distant hum of a backup generator.

I found the room where Clara was tending to Luca.

He was hooked up to a small, portable monitor, his breathing shallow but steady.

Clara gave me a reassuring smile as she adjusted his blanket.

“His fever is starting to break,” she whispered.

“The antibiotics Dr. Sullivan prescribed are doing their job.”

“I will stay with him all night.”

“Thank you,” I said, my voice barely audible.

I kissed Luca’s warm forehead and stepped back out into the dimly lit hallway.

I didn’t want to go back to the study and face Giovanni yet.

I walked down the long, carpeted corridor, looking at the dark wood paneling on the walls.

At the far end of the hall, another door was slightly ajar.