8

Urbino next spoke with Vitale, the majordomo. His name could not have been more appropriate with all his evident vigor and good health.

“You can be sure I wish to help, signore,” he began before Urbino asked him anything, “but I know nothing about these lost objects. I learned about them only a few minutes ago from Silvia.”

“The Contessa never mentioned them to you?”

Vitale shook his imposing head with its graying hair. “It isn’t something that directly concerns me. Such things are the responsibility of Silvia.”

“In some ways you’re responsible for the security of the house.”

“That’s true, signore, but this isn’t a matter of security in the way that you mean. The Ca’ da Capo-Zendrini hasn’t been entered by any, how shall I say, unknown undesirable person,” he emphasized.

His implication was clear. In his opinion the loss of the Contessa’s objects was to be explained from within the house itself.

“But the Contessa has no electronic system to protect the house.”

This was one of the Contessa’s many peculiarities when it came to the eighteenth-century building. She tried to keep it as close as possible to what it had been when the Conte had died more than twenty years ago.

“Nor is one needed, signore, even here with what is a much larger building than your own.”

Urbino allowed himself an amused smile at Vitale’s condescension to the Palazzo Uccello.

“Nonetheless isn’t it possible for someone unknown—undesirable or otherwise—to enter the house?” Urbino persisted.

Urbino could think of some ways to get into the building, the two most obvious being through the garden or the water entrance.

“Vigilance, signor. We are most vigilant.”

Urbino wondered whether the imperious Vitale was indulging in the ‘royal we,’ or whether he was referring to all the staff members and the Contessa as well.

“I have no doubt about that.”

Urbino then asked Vitale the same question he had asked Silvia, whether someone in the house might be playing a trick on the Contessa. The majordomo’s response was similar to Silvia’s.

“It would be a strange thing to do, signore. We all care about the Contessa too much to play cruel games with her. And we are not children. If you will excuse me, I have something I must attend to.”

“One more question. The Contessa mentioned something about a door knocker.”

“A misunderstanding. The Contessa wished the old one to be replaced but forgot to tell me. It’s been attended to, as you must have noticed. Good day.”