Chapter 81

The bombs were heard all over the territory. The fires were visible for miles and the fallen ash settled on the ground even in the most far fetched corners.

The soldiers flocked to the army centre and now I was stood amongst a crowd of thousands of whispering men awaiting an explanation.

I held my hand up, ordering a silence which instantly swept over the entire army.

"I'm sure all of you heard the explosions. And before rumors spread and the truth is distorted, I better inform you of the truth," I began, speaking loudly so all could hear, "tonight at quarter past midnight, bombs planted by Andrea Martinez were detonated in the homes of Commanders Eduardo Siciliano, Paulo Salvatore, Mario Rossi, Emiliano Fruili and Rafaello Carlucci. They and their families were all killed."

I had every single set of eyes on me as a deadly silence took hold. Only the crackling of the distant fires and cries of wild animals trapped in the flames could be heard.