Persecution (9781609458744) by Ann (TRN) Alessandro; Goldstein Piperno

about what’s happening to us.”
    â€œ ‘That woman’? ‘Gloat’? So is that what you think of her? Some woman who gloats? I’m amazed that you’ve agreed to be friends with such a bitch for all these years.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be a novelty for someone who celebrates her father’s three-year jail sentence. Think what a marvelous party she’d have if they gave him life, poor man.”
    â€œApart from the fact that there exists no more inappropriate word for Rita’s father than ‘poor man,’ I assure you that you are mistaken. Rita loves me, Rita loves us. Not to mention Flavio. He’s the only friend I totally trust. One who would do anything he could for me. It would be insulting to him if at a moment like this I excluded him.”
    â€œAh, and this is your biggest worry? The offensiveness of excluding a friend?”
    â€œI didn’t say
only
for that. I said
also
for that. And then just let Rita try . . . ”
    â€œAnd if she does?”
    â€œI’ll make her shape up, God damn it . . . but it won’t happen. Flavio and Rita know me too well not to know that there’s no basis for any of the things I’ve been accused of.”
    â€œSo that’s it . . . ”
    â€œThat’s what?”
    â€œIf you really think that, if you’re so sure you’re right—and I am, too, dearest, I swear—why do I have the impression that you aren’t doing everything necessary?”
    â€œ NECESSARY FOR WHAT ?”
    â€œNo, listen, if you’re going to start shouting let’s end the discussion.”
    â€œO.K., I’m calm. I won’t raise my voice again. Tell me, explain: I haven’t done what’s necessary for what?”
    â€œYou’re not taking this seriously, my love. It’s the same old story. If you’re in this situation it’s partly because you’ve had too much faith in others. And now it strikes me that you haven’t learned your lesson. That you continue to put too much trust in others. Which is admirable. It makes you a wonderful man. But it’s also dangerous and not practical. You put too much faith in your neighbor. Too much faith in truth. I’ve told you a thousand times. You’re the most optimistic man I know. Your kindness, your good faith are admirable . . . ”
    â€œAnd how do you think the honest man you’re describing, that type of good-hearted idiot, could have accomplished all he has accomplished in life?”
    â€œLeo, dearest, what does that have to do with it? I know you have no equal in your work. I understood it from the way you taught when I met you. Passion, intuition, expertise. You unfolded for us the mysteries of human physiology so magically. My friends were all in love with you. I still have a hard time believing that I was chosen by the young, incredibly handsome, unapproachable Professor Pontecorvo . . . And something tells me you chose me just because I was the one who had the least hope. But that doesn’t mean you’re just as good at managing everything else . . . I really get the impression that for some reason you are underestimating this situation. And that you’ve left me out of the whole business. Why don’t you let me in? Why don’t you let me help? What’s the matter this time? I’ve always taken care of you, full time, why this time no? Why did you keep me from going to the lawyer the other day? You don’t know how it pains me to be excluded. Not to know.”
    â€œListen, whatever you may think, I’m neither stupid nor naïve nor irresponsible. The lawyer for Santa Cristina is an excellent lawyer. And he has reassured me in every way.”
    â€œThat’s just what I’m saying! How can you not understand that your interests are in conflict with the hospital’s? And that if necessary they’ll not only get rid of you but do it so as to pin all the