Countess Ida, pearl-beaded headband curbing gloriously disheveled waist-length dark-brown hair, unusually thick and ample, was receiving Colonel Gariboldi in her parlor.

It was a rare visit from the Colonel, and although associates for some time now, their relationship retained the formality of the newly acquainted.

Colonel Gariboldi was a discreet man, somewhat introverted and reclusive, mindful of his privacy; unlike Countess Ida who, on the contrary, was rather flamboyant.

She was an admired socialite - vivacious, extravagant, passionate, and widely acclaimed for her philanthropy, notably for the phenomenal work her foundation Società dell'Angelo Nero was accomplishing in the Horn of Africa promoting education and better social conditions for thousands of young African girls.

At the time of the Colonel's visit, Countess Ida was wearing a bare-shouldered dress of a transparent gauzy fabric held loosely with suspender-like bands of pearl-adorned cream-colored cloth reminiscent of the headband.

The Colonel's eyes could not but arrest momentarily on the small, unfettered breasts revealed through the flimsy material, yet pert despite her middle years. Indulging for an instant, he then surreptitiously diverted his eyes from the enticing image and casually scanned the space about him.

The room was large, but with a cozy intimacy, no doubt achieved by means of the elegant furniture and antique accents, together with the extravagant rugs and dramatic velvet drapery; here and there, one could find exotic touches bordering, only grudgingly as it were, on excess.

Later, it was discovered that the Paltroni organization was using the Società dell'Angelo Nero as cover for their illicit sex trafficking operations, and with the explicit aim of recruiting young African women to that end.

When Colonel Emilio considered leaving the illicit organization, Cardinal Bernardini had told him:

'Retiring?! My God, Emilio! In the wake of Ignacio's untimely demise? Good God! Ida will not appreciate it, Emilio. Not at all. You are aware, surely, that beneath that inane socialite posturing lies the heart of a cruel and dangerous woman. Are you not?'