The small village in the mountainous region of northern Italy receives very few tourists.
On this day, the man sitting at the little table was just another local resident. He was seen as a strange addition to their community; he kept pretty much to himself, was very quiet, but certainly polite. He was thinking of returning to his villa when he noticed the back-packer across the street; he seemed to be staring across. Suddenly there was recognition in the tourist’s eyes. With a beaming smile, he rushed over and took his hand.
“From the old company, right? Four, five years ago?” he gushed.
After a long hesitation, the man said, “Yes. I remember you,” he looked him over, noticed the camera, “back-packing I see.”
“Yes. I’ve been doing it for several years now. Somewhere different every time.”
The man looked around. “On your own?”
“I am. On my own and still single. I often think that none of this would be possible, if I weren’t. You could say I’ve been bitten by the bug; I’d hate to give it up. But you, do you actually live here?”
“I do. You could say I’ve also been bitten, but by a different bug. I found I could afford to buy a small villa here and I just love the life. It’s simple, yet it’s exactly what I want.”
The back-packer laughed. “Well, there you are then. You have found your place in the world.”
The man pointed to the camera. “Do you take many pictures?”
“Do I ever? Hundreds of them. Especially in places like this. Coming up from the valley I was continually looking back and taking shots.”
The man said, “Well, before passing through, I can highly recommend the vista from my balcony. It’s only two minutes off this road. It was the main reason for me buying it.”
“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.”
With that, they took off and soon arrived at the villa.
The tourist was thrilled with the view as he stepped out onto the balcony. He said, “Wow! I’d like to take several shots, if that’s OK?”
The man lifted his shoulders and said, “Of course, take your time. I’ll get some cold drinks.”
As the man attached the silencer to his gun he knew that it had to be done, although the tourist obviously knew nothing. Only those from the old underworld would know why he was there. He had been in the witness protection program for two years now.
He’d like it to stay that way.
