Contents
Day 4
Overview
Luca receives a fourth-day letter urging him to investigate his father’s past and supposed “victims,” pushing family doubt to the forefront. He probes his mother, installs a hidden camera in the hostel, and leaves a conspicuous street tag. At a pub, a hostile French caller orders him outside to a red envelope, escalating the threat.
Summary
Day 4 begins with a new letter taunting Luca and insisting he investigate his family, especially his father and alleged “victims.” Shaken, Luca calls his mother and quizzes her about their origins, his father’s character, and the notion of sacrifice. She recalls immigrant grandparents, confirms his father’s devotion, hints Tonino had problems, and ambiguously says some sacrifices weren’t possible, then ends the call.
On his way to work at Galwenny’s, Luca buys yellow spray paint and a tiny adhesive camera. He tags a nearby wall with large, attention-grabbing letters to force visibility. At the shop, he forces himself to work carefully under Mr. Galwenny’s scrutiny, determined not to lose the job.
After work, Luca confirms the tag is still visible, then returns to the hostel and secretly mounts the micro-camera to surveil the corridor from his phone, hoping to catch whoever delivers the letters. Restless, he repeatedly tries calling his mother; with no answer, his suspicions about his father darken.
Seeking a reset, Luca enters the crowded Black Diamond pub. He chats with Liv, a friendly Danish glass runner, briefly relaxing. The barman then hands him a phone: a hostile French-speaking man orders Luca to leave immediately and check under car windshields. Outside, Luca finds a conspicuous red envelope on a parked car, signaling the antagonist’s control and the next step in the coercion.
Who Appears
- Luca PortaluppiProtagonist; receives a letter about his father, questions his mother, installs a spy-cam, tags a wall, and is directed to a red envelope.
- Luca’s motherFielded probing questions about family; hints at sacrifice, mentions Tonino’s troubles, then withdraws from the conversation.
- LivDanish pub worker; chats warmly with Luca, briefly easing his tension before the threatening call.
- Anonymous callerFrench-speaking man who orders Luca to leave the pub and retrieve a red envelope from a car.
- Mr. GalwennyBookshop owner; silently scrutinizes Luca’s punctuality and care at work.
- KamalBookshop colleague; continues scanning books, barely acknowledging Luca.
- JoeChildhood friend in memories; once discussed family absence and loss with Luca.
- ToninoLuca’s late uncle; referenced by Luca’s mother as having had “all sorts of” problems.
- Luca’s fatherDeceased; the letter accuses him of terrible acts, prompting Luca’s doubts and questions.
- BarmanHands Luca a phone for the threatening call at the pub.
- ShopkeeperSells Luca spray paint and a tiny adhesive video camera.