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"Mario, you said the infrared ii Aht there, under a grove of pine trees" He pointed in the direction of the ca over the area, but drop lower We want to make sure" He contacted Caltabieni on the plane's radio "I think we got theive you the exact location"

"I have a problem here," Caltabieni replied "Two forest fires have developed in the region You probably see them"

"We can see one It doesn't threaten our i A quickly One is blowing in the direction of the village of Albena, from the northeast The other is in the e"

"Now, I see them both"

"The largest mountain blaze covers an area of approxi force Three aircraft have been called in for support" Caltabieni paused "I can't get to you, Luigi Amedeo I can't move I'll be there as soon as possible"

"Don't worry, our ood tenin front of theher altitude If the wind doesn't change direction, they'll be fine We'll do a loop around the coast and come back"

"Keep an eye on the Olfrandi boy until the rescue helicopter can get there…" Caltabieni said, his voice strained "Please, Conte…I beg you, as a personal favor, protect the boy"

"It will be done," Luigi Amedeo assured, his voice a breath of calainst the s the irritation or his cold, and brushed his hand across his tearing eyes He stopped to listen, certain his kidnapers were close on his trail He doubled over, coughing, then jumped, alert to sounds He heard an airplane, but couldn't see it through the smoke His kidnapers didn't seem to be behind him, but he couldn't trust his own instincts He had to run, had to escape, had to find his way hoht hand over them, then ran with his left arm thrust before hi… He crashed through the underbrush, then ran headlong into a large, isolated pine He fell, his hand punctured by a s at the foot of the pine