Both officers startled, instinctively tightening their grips. One of them, younger, lowered his weapon a few inches. The other hesitated longer.
"Sir," the older one said carefully, "we're here on official business."
Nonnina scoffed loudly. "Vergogna," she muttered. Shame.
"We got a report of a disturbance and we just came to check, Mr. Genovese," one of the officers said.
"A disturbance," Luca repeated. "You pull guns on an old woman over a disturbance? I am going to sue your asses to hell and back for that alone."
The younger cop glanced at his partner, then straightened. "We just need to talk to a Veronica Scalese and we will be on our way."
Luca turned to Nonnina and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. Her eyes were alert, entirely unafraid. She had survived men far worse than these.
"Stai calma, Nonni," he murmured.
"I am calm. And offended." She glared the last part at the officers.
