Delayed Death (Temptation in Florence Book 1) (26 page)

Garini waited until Carlina and her brother were lost in the crowd, then he went to the man Carlina had almost married. The thought turned him cold. "Signor Montassori?"

"Yes?" Giulio turned around.

"I'm Commissario Stefano Garini from the Homicide Department. Would you step aside with me for a moment?"

Montassori lifted both hands. "I've no connection with the family; I've just come to pay my respects to the dead. Signor Mantoni was a friend of my grandfather."

What a louse.
"I understand." Garini made sure no trace of emotion crept into his voice. "Still, I would like a few words with you."

"Is that really necessary, Commissario? I'm a busy man, and I--"

"If you prefer, you can accompany me to the police station." Stefano met his gaze without blinking.

Montassori clenched his jaw so hard, the muscles bulged. "What do you want to know?"

"You used to be engaged to Caroline Ashley."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all," Garini said. "Is it correct that you ended the engagement?"

Montassori hesitated. "We didn't suit."

"And who decided to end the relationship?"

Both hands came up. "Listen, Commissario, I see no reason to reply to these very private questions. It was all more than five years ago, besides, they can in no way be related to the murder of Nicolò Mantoni."

"They are." Garini made sure his voice sounded hard. "But I can note that you refuse to help the police, if you prefer that."

Montassori's chest swelled with indignation. "Really, I see no reason to become so aggressive, Commissario . . . What was your name again?"

Stefano lifted his eyebrows. "Garini. Can you tell me how you didn't suit?"

Montassori laughed. "I didn't offer her enough. She wanted more. You can see what her behavior got her. She's still waiting for someone to top what I had to give."

Stefano wanted to hit him. "She refused a prince."

Montassori looked a bit confused. "Well, I might not be a prince, but I'm not a nobody either." He laughed so loud, the people behind him turned their heads. "Nice comparison, though." He splayed out his legs and rocked on his heels.

"When did you meet your wife, Mr. Montassori?"

"My wife?" Montassori shook his head. "Now what does that have to do with the price of fish?"

"Please answer my question, Signor Montassori."

"I've known her since school. Our mothers are friends. My family was delighted when we tied the knot. They had never liked Carlina." He shook his head. "She's too independent. Too headstrong. You know, I didn't think so at the time, but I may have had a lucky escape."

Stefano smiled at him. "I think she did."

"Hi, Gloria." Stefano walked past his colleague with a nod.

"Stefano!" Gloria waved to stop him. "How come you're all dressed in black? You look sexy."

"I was at a funeral," he said.
If only she didn't make those outrageous compliments all the time.

"Which one?"

"The old man close to Santa Croce."

"I remember." Gloria nodded. "The crazy family."

"Exactly." Stefano said. "Have you heard from Piedro?"

"He's ill for another two days."

I don't believe this.
Stefano shook his head. "Thanks." He went up the stairs to his office and hung up his jacket.
If this so-called illness continues much longer, I'll have to talk to Cervi about it.
He didn't relish the idea.

At least Piedro had managed to hand in his report about genetics before he fell ill. Stefano took it from the pile of paper on his desk and started to read. A minute later, his hands sank, and he stared unseeing across the room.
Piedro didn't write this.
He returned to the file. It was written in a complicated way, full of medical expressions. Two paragraphs long, it continued in this style, then a transition that didn't make sense followed before it went into another rambling report.

He shook his head. Piedro had remembered to add the sources of his information, so Stefano pulled up his keyboard and typed in the website. He found the same paragraphs, but this time, set in their context, he managed to follow them. Because more than one gene makes up eye color, a child could have blue eyes even if both parents' eyes were brown. His mood lifted. Finally something good to tell Carlina.

He stopped dead and re-examined his feelings.
I'm becoming too involved. It shouldn't matter to me.
He couldn't deny it; he enjoyed being in her presence. He enjoyed her sense of the ridiculous, admired her readiness to fight for her convictions, for her family. Not for one second did he believe she had killed her grandfather and her great-aunt, not any more, but he couldn't afford to overlook any details. Too many clues pointed her way, but not all of them. A sense of urgency gripped him. He knew the killer was dangerous, even more so now, after having had a taste of killing without being found out. He had to find the truth, and soon.

Hours later, he stifled a yawn. He had listened to the taped conversations, had paid attention to every inflection of voice, had recalled how they sat and looked while they spoke, and had written his report. It helped him to organize his thoughts and to find the things he had overlooked.

First Benedetta's husband. Piedro had returned from his trip to the hospital with the name of a doctor, but the doctor had died in the meantime. Upon looking up gastric ulcers in the Internet, Garini found they were often attributed to stress, but not always.
Great.
Stefano sighed and made a note in his report.

Next, the Mantoni family doctor. He confirmed a severe case of the flu which laid him low for a whole week. No lies there.

Stefano continued checking the report for holes. He was fishing in the dark, every lead a dead end. Aunt Maria's death had not brought him a single step forward. She mentioned a secret many people knew. He had suspected as much. But if so many people knew about it, why hadn't the killer acted earlier? It must be obvious, so obvious that nobody talked about it. His head ached.

With a sigh, he opened a drawer and took out a picture. Carlina's father looked at him with amber eyes. He thought he could see Carlina in the shape of his eyes, in the twist of his mouth. Disgusted with himself, he pushed the photo back and picked up another. Carlina with her cousin at the wedding, both smiling into the camera. Maybe he shouldn't trust her too much. Seeing them like this, nobody would ever have believed they had carried around a body two hours previously. He remembered the way she had smiled up at him at the funeral, her cat-like eyes luminous, her mouth so inviting. He shook his head. She had told him in no uncertain way she didn't like him, and it was better to believe her. Besides, he couldn't become involved with a suspect.

Too late, Stefano
, a voice inside him whispered.

His office door opened with a squeak of protesting hinges.

Stefano jumped.

"Ah, I see you're still working." Signor Cervi came in and dropped onto the chair in front of Stefano's desk.

"
Yes." Stefano suppressed a sigh. If Cervi stayed long in the office, it meant his wife was not at home and so Cervi had time to chat for ages. Unfortunately, he never remembered that others might have different plans for that night.

"I've read there's another murder."

"Yes."

"Any clues?"

"A few. Not enough." Stefano glanced at the window. Soft drops of rain ran down the pane. Too bad. Cervi hated to get wet and would stay even longer than usual.

Cervi placed the tips of his fingers together so his hands built a tent. "I just got a call from the manager of the Banca di Italia here in Florence. He was upset about a letter you sent."

Garini frowned. "A letter?"

"Yes. Something to do with an inquiry about one of his employees in Dubai."

"Ah, now I know." Stefano nodded. "Alberta raised her son to be a criminal."

Cervi looked blank. "Am I supposed to understand that?"

"No. It's part of my investigation."

"Well, in the future, consider that your investigation might ruffle some important feathers. If you can avoid it, do so."

Stefano pressed his lips together. "I don't see how I will ever get anywhere if I treat people like fragile flowers. They don't offer their secrets voluntarily."

Cervi shook his head. "You're treating them all in the same way. That's not clever. Look at the flower and think about the political consequences before you act. That's all I want."

How about justice? How about treating everybody equally?
The questions burned on Stefano's tongue, but he held them back.

"Anyway, the bank manager said his employee is working exactly as he should, hasn't been to Florence in the last six months, and he, the director, would appreciate if you would in the future arrange a personal interview instead of sending a letter anybody could read."

"It was a confidential letter, addressed to him personally. The hint about the bank employee in Dubai was one of the weakest leads in the Mantoni case, and I just didn't have the time to see him eye-to-eye."

With one impatient hand, Cervi wiped the time problem away. "As I said, look at the flower before you act. You need to consider that when you set your priorities."

Yeah, sure. Trample on the weak and bow before the strong
. Stefano clenched his teeth.

"One other point." Cervi narrowed his eyes. "The mayor called."

Oh, no.

"He's asking us why we still haven't arrested anybody. He's asking us if any citizen of Florence is still safe or if we're all going to be killed in our beds." His tone of voice made it clear he was quoting.

"The latter." Stefano made sure his voice sounded dry.

Cervi's mouth tightened. "I know you like to be ironic, but this is not the right moment to be funny. You don't want me to tell him that, do you?"

Stefano didn't reply.

"So?" Cervi bent forward. "What about this owner of Temptation? Didn't you say all clues point in her direction? I've heard the second victim died in her store."

"I also said she didn't do it." Stefano made sure his feelings didn't show.

"Do you have proof?"

"No." Stefano closed his mouth with a snap.

Cervi narrowed his eyes. "I believe you have to re-think your strategy, Garini. If you want to advance in this job, you have to keep other factors in mind."

Stefano clenched his teeth. "You mean a quick arrest would make the mayor happy."

"No need to put it as crudely as that."

"The mayor would only be pleased for a short time." Stefano bit off the words. "If a third victim crops up the minute Signorina Ashley is in prison, we would be ridiculed."

Cervi shrugged. "If the killer is clever, he wouldn't continue but let well enough alone."

Their eyes met, hard and challenging. Then Stefano slowly said, "I must have misunderstood what you mean."

His boss got up. "I think you understood very well."

Stefano jumped from his chair. "You want me to arrest an innocent to satisfy the killer and the mayor?"

"I never said so." Cervi picked a bit of dust from his navy-blue jacket. "The interpretation is up to you." He went to the door. "You still have a lot to learn, Garini."

If learning means arresting innocents, I don't want to learn.
It cost Stefano a conscious effort of will to keep his mouth shut.

"We need results." Cervi's eyes were hard like polished marble. "Soon. I think you get my meaning."

He opened the door and left the office without another word, leaving only a trace of aftershave and a sense of fear coupled with desperation.

Stefano hit his balled fist on the table. He had no other choice. He had to scare Carlina into action.

Carlina draped the last thong over the back of a kitchen chair and sighed with relief. What a job, to wash thirty thongs, all smelling of garlic. It had taken her longer than expected. Now she only had a few minutes left before she had to leave home and rush to Temptation. Her hands were white and bloated from the long contact with soapy water, but they were nothing compared to her mood. She missed her grandfather. She missed Aunt Maria. She missed the sense of security she had taken for granted before someone had suggested she wasn't her father's daughter. A hush had fallen over the house; a sense of fear and death permeated every corner.

The door bell rang. Carlina jumped. Who would call her so early in the morning? She went to the intercom. "Sì?"

"Garini here."

Her heart did a somersault.

"I need to talk to you." He sounded ruder than ever.

What had put him into such a bad mood? She pressed the button that would open the door downstairs and looked around the apartment. Garini would have to manage.

A knock came on the door. Carlina opened it and stepped to the side. "Ciao."

"Ciao." His leather jacket was black with rain. With him, a wave of aggression and cold air came into the room.

Carlina watched for his reaction and chuckled when she saw his eyes widening.

Without a word, he took in the lacy thongs spread out in the apartment, from the window sill to the sofa, from the armchair to the low table.

Carlina had used every imaginable surface, knowing it wouldn't take long for them to dry.

He pushed a hand through his hair. It remained slicked back, making him look more than ever like a hawk, lean and dangerous. "New decoration?"

She shook her head. "I had to wash them all by hand. They stank of garlic."

"Can we sit somewhere?"

"Em. Not really." She looked at him.

He was watching her out of narrowed eyes as if she might start to pull out a gun any minute.

"I have to go to Temptation in a few minutes," she said. "You can join me. I have a very comfy footstool there. You might remember it."

He didn't smile; not even a hint of warmth entered his glacial eyes. "All right."

She turned to get her handbag and raincoat. "Why are you in such a black mood?"

He didn't reply.

He's back to being a panther. Great. Just great.
She led the way downstairs without a word, her fingers caressing the smooth wooden railing for comfort. His black motorbike stood right in front of the door. Signora Electra hung out of her window and watched the street. Sometimes, she pretended to clean the window pane, but in the pouring rain, she had omitted the camouflage. "Hello, Stefano!" She waved at him.

Garini acknowledged her with a short nod.

"You're here mighty often." Electra laughed. "One could believe you're hunting more than a murderer."

Carlina glanced at Stefano.

His mouth was pressed into one thin line. If she was Electra, she would stop teasing him right now.

"Have a nice day, you two." The tone suggested much more.

Garini swung himself on top of his bike and started the motor with a roar that filled the narrow street.

Carlina grinned, started her Vespa and followed him at slow speed.

When they arrived at Temptation, he waited until she had opened the door wide and gone to the cash register. Then he said, "I'm supposed to arrest you."

Her keys dropped to the floor. She stared at him, her mouth half open. "You . . .you're supposed to? What do you mean?"

His hard eyes bore into hers. "It means I need to close this investigation. Soon." He bent and picked up the keys, held them out to her.

Carlina took them without a word. She cast around for something clever to say. He hadn't arrested her. Yet. If he had wanted to do so, he could have done it at home. So what was going on? "Why don't you?"

He frowned. "Did you know your grandfather was a friend of the mayor?"

"What?" Carlina blinked at the abrupt change of topic. "Yes, I did. They sometimes played cards."

"Nico was a lousy card player," a voice behind them said.

They both swiveled around.

"Uncle Teo!" Carlina gave her great-uncle a hug. "What are you doing here, so early in the morning?"

"It's not early." The skin around Uncle Teo's eyes looked crinkled and saggy. "I've been up since six. I walked here. I'm still fit for my age." His stance was a far cry from his old swagger.

Her heart went out to him. With both his wife and his brother dead, what was life like for him now? "Would you like some water? I'm afraid I don't have coffee."

"No." Uncle Teo shook his head. "I came to make you an offer."

Carlina gulped. "An offer?"

"Yes." Uncle Teo looked at her with a determined expression. "I wish to work at Temptation."

Garini turned to the shelf behind him with a sudden twist and studied the label on a golden bra as if he couldn't find anything more fascinating on the whole earth.

Carlina's mouth went slack. "What? But . . . you don't have to work, Uncle Teo."

Her great-uncle frowned and made an impatient move with his hand. "I know that. But I think I could help you. A free worker is always welcome."

"I'm honored that you'd consider working for me."

"I don't consider it. I'm offering it. You just have to snap it up." He rocked back on his heels and beamed at her.

Carlina swallowed. "Yeah. I mean, thanks. It's only--" She threw a helpless look at Garini's back. Was he shaking with silent laughter? "Actually, I need especially trained people. Selling underwear may sound easy, but you have to know a lot and be very tactful."

His eyebrows pulled together until they looked like a scraggly ridge. "Are you telling me I'm not tactful?"

You're the least tactful man on earth. With the exception of the guy standing behind you.
"Em."

Garini turned around. "It sounds like a great idea."

Carlina glared at him. "This is none of your business."

Uncle Teo shook his head. "That wasn't a tactful thing to say, Carlina."

She clenched her teeth. "I don't think it would work, Uncle Teo."

"Why not?" Her great-uncle adopted a belligerent stance.

Damn.
Carlina threw a fleeting glance at Garini. He seemed to be having the time of this life. At least he'd snapped out of his bad mood.
I don't have time for this.
"You have to know a lot about women's underwear to work here."

Uncle Teo winked. "But I do know a lot. More than you'd think."

Carlina suppressed a shudder. If he winked like that at any of her female customers, they'd turn on their high heels and vanish quicker than the last piece of tiramisu at a family party.

Garini chuckled.

That did it. Carlina clenched her teeth. "All right," she said. "Sell him something." She leaned her shoulders against the shelf and pointed with her chin at Garini.

Garini's eyebrows went up. "Me? I don't need underwear."

"Never mind. Pretend you're buying something for--"

His eyebrows climbed even higher.

"For your sister. It's a gift. For . . . for her birthday."

"She'd faint if she ever got underwear for her birthday from me," Garini said.

Carlina nudged her great-uncle. "Go ahead. He's only shy. Many men are. Get him out of his reserve."

Garini looked revolted.

Carlina smiled. Maybe this was fun after all.

Uncle Teo cleared his throat. "
Buongiorno
, young man."

"Do you mean that young bit ironically?" Carlina cut in.

Her great-uncle frowned. "But no. From my point-of-view, everybody is young."

"I'm thirty-four." Garini sounded put out. "In my book, that's not old."

Uncle Teo beamed at him. "But that's what I'm saying, young man."

Carlina grinned. "Go on, Uncle Teo."

He waved at the display. "Anything take your fancy?"

Garini rolled his eyes. "No."

"Come on," Carlina said. "Be a bit more spontaneous. You have to buy a birthday gift for your sister. You only have two days left, and this is the last chance."

"Her birthday is in six months."

"Spoilsport."

Their eyes met.

A smile quivered in a corner of Carlina's mouth. "Waded in too deep, Garini?" She made sure her voice sounded sweet.

A tiny flame sprung up in his eyes. He turned to Uncle Teo. "She has the same size as your great-niece." A move with his chin left no doubt which niece he was talking about.

Damn.
Carlina could feel her face going hot. She was not going to discuss her size with him or anybody else, for that matter.

Uncle Teo nodded, his face split into a delighted grin. "Now we're getting somewhere."

We're not.
Carlina clenched her teeth.

"What's your size, dear?"

He had no shame. Carlina took a deep breath. "Few men know the sizes of their wives, lovers, or sisters.” She looked at Garini. “In fact, many women don't even know their own size. The size of a bra is separated into two different units, the circumference of the chest, and the size of the cup. As we have a lot of tourists in Florence, you don't only have to know the Italian size, but also the American, the British, the French, and the Australian sizes. They all differ. Depending on the system, you have at least ten different circumferences, some in centimeters, some in inches. The size of the cup varies from A to H." She saw Uncle Teo's eyes glazing over. "Depending on the use, you have different styles. Some bras are especially made for sports, some have straps you can take off for evening wear, some are made to maximize the size, some to minimize. I offer stick-on bras for dresses without a back, and on request, I order bras for breast feeding as well as bras that help the healing process after operations."

Uncle Teo held up his hand. "All right, my dear. I can see it's a complicated business."

"I haven't finished." Carlina said.

"Please don't." Uncle Teo shook his head. His shoulders sagged forward. "I can see you don't have any use for an old stick like me."

Carlina bit her lips. "I'm sorry." She cast around for something to offer, anything to make him feel better, but nothing came to mind. She felt like a louse.

"Maybe you can work for the police," Garini said.

Carlina thought she'd misunderstood.

Uncle Teo's face brightened. "Really?"

Garini looked at the old man. "We sometimes need people to spy for us. You would blend in better, sitting somewhere in the sun, than many other people."

Uncle Teo nodded. "Yes, I could do that."

"However, we can't start until this case is solved," Garini added.

He got cold feet.
Carlina frowned.
I hope he won't leave Uncle Teo hanging for ever.

"When will you solve the case?" Uncle Teo asked.

Garini's eyes met Carlina's. "Soon. Very soon."