Beneath a Scarlet Sky: Chapter 29 Summary & Analysis

Pino and Carletto throw a party for the Americans complete with wine, women, and music. The next day, Pino wakes up hungover and heads home. On his way, he spots bodies littered across the streets. He also runs into Mario and has a brief, friendly exchange with him. After their conversation, a man walks up to Mario and points a gun at him. He accuses Mario of being a Fascist and then shoots him in the head. The man then turns his gun to Pino, who runs away.

Before heading home, Pino goes to Dolly’s apartment, hoping to find some of Leyers’s papers. Upon arriving, he finds that the apartment has been destroyed. He becomes especially concerned when he discovers a handbag that Albert gave to Anna lying in Anna’s room. Pino knows Anna treasures the bag and would never leave it behind, leading him to think that Anna is in danger. Pino ends up back outside where he sees a mob forming and heading toward Castello Sforzesco. Pino gets a sick feeling in his stomach about what will happen next.

Pino follows the mob and finds some partisans bringing out a group of accused Fascists for execution. Among the group are Dolly and Anna, who have been stripped down to their underwear and have had their heads shaved. Pino finds a partisan guard and tries to convince him that there has been a mistake. However, the guard does not believe him and before Pino can do anything else, the firing squad unloads on the accused Fascists, killing them all.