Aldo pulled the blade from the dead man’s back, wiping it on his tunic before offering the knife to Strocchi. ‘Take this.’ The young officer hesitated. ‘Take it,’ Aldo insisted, forcing the blade into Strocchi’s hand. ‘That could determine whether you go home to Tomasia and Bianca alive when this is done.’ Strocchi stared at the knife, his hand trembling. ‘Ever used a blade to defend yourself?’ ‘N-no.’ Aldo suspected as much.
