Charmer's Death (Temptation in Florence Book 2) (18 page)

Stefano reared back. “She does WHAT?”

Carlina lifted her eyebrows. “She helps at the store. The Christmas season is one thing, being featured in the newspaper is another. They almost trampled us to death today.” She grinned. “At least most of them felt they had to buy something, even if it was only an espresso cup.”

Stefano got up, put his hands into the pockets of his jeans and took a swift turn around the kitchen. “I don't like it.”

She stiffened. “What do you mean?”

He turned and looked at her. “Annalisa is one of the top suspects. She had a motive; she had a pair of the unbreakable nylons; they have disappeared without a trace, and she has no alibi for the relevant time. I don't like her being close to you all day long. I don't trust her.”

“
She had no motive at all!” Carlina jumped to her feet. “I keep telling you, she wanted him alive! She wanted to marry Trevor.”

He didn't budge. “What if they met, Annalisa proposed to him, and he said in unmistakable terms that he would never consider marrying her?”

Carlina rolled her eyes. “Then she would have pouted and would have made a plan to seduce him into changing his mind. She would not have strangled him!”

“
Still.” Stefano shook his head. “I don't like it. She's the most self-centered person I've ever met.”

Carlina crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I do not need to be protected from my family, Stefano!”

He pressed his lips together. “Fine.”

Carlina grabbed her handbag and pointed at the little book on the table. “I really don't know why you harp on about Annalisa. The suspects in there should keep you busy for weeks. Start with Mona Lisa.” She went to the door. “I have to go.”

He followed her. “Carlina.”

“
What?” When he said her name like that, her knees turned soft like Tiramisu. He stood right beside her, so close, she could get a whiff of his scent.
How can I feel so attracted to him even while he makes me angry?

“
Be careful.”

“
I always am.”

He stood in the small entry hall of his apartment long after she had hurried down the stairs.
I shouldn't have said that.
He shrugged and returned to the kitchen.
It's not like me to treat her so wrong - I should have known that any reference to her family would raise her hackles.
But to keep Annalisa at Temptation all day long, and to say at the same time that she was always careful! He shook his head. Carlina was never careful. She took sudden notions into her head and stuck to them, no matter what facts came up.

With a grim mouth, he picked up the book.
I'll make a list. It'll help me to clear my head.
He sat down at the table, took a sheet of paper and started to write. Then he rearranged the lines so that he first listed the women with access to the unbreakable nylons. If only that one pair of nylons hadn't been stolen. Theoretically, every single suspect could have been the thief. Well, maybe not. The morning of Trevor's murder had been quiet, and Carlina would have recognized the face if that person had been inside the store, even if the theft had not been discovered. He hesitated, then decided that Carlina might not have recognized the older pictures, but would definitely have recognized the women of the last five years, so it was safe to cross them out.

Unless several people had worked together. He shook his head, dismayed by the wide range of possibilities that thought conjured up. For the beginning, he would start with the assumption that the murder had been done by one person only, and that it had been unplanned. If that didn't bring any results, he could still rearrange the facts later.

When he leaned back half an hour later, he felt better, even though he winced every time he looked at the first name. He had put it there on purpose, to prove to himself how open-minded he was, but his fingers itched to cross it out with a big stroke.

Suspect / Access to Nylons / unclear Alibi

Carlina Ashley / YES / YES

Annalisa Santorini / YES / YES

Ricciarda Fazzolari / YES / NO

Emma Trentini / YES / ?

“Mona Lisa” / YES / ?

X (the thief who had stolen a pair of nylons) / YES / ?

Leopold Morin / NO / YES

Gertrude Asseli / NO / YES

“Snow White” / NO / ?

“
Laughing Eyes” / NO / ?

Marcella Cervi / NO / ?

Akemi Hateyama / NO / ?

Ileana Marani / NO / ?

Suzanne X / NO / ?

For Carlina, the case was already solved. She knew how many people had access to the nylons, and of the six possibilities, four belonged to her family. He knew her well enough to count Ricciarda as family though technically, she was only her employee - but that didn't stop Carline's fierce loyalty. That left him with Mona Lisa and X.
Just great.

He stretched and got up. Tomorrow, he would arrange for Mona Lisa's photo to appear in all newspapers. Then he would interview Emma. He also had to show the pictures to Ricciarda, to confirm Carlina's statement. As to X, he could only hope for luck.

Garini opened his laptop and wrote an e-mail to Piedro, telling him to find out the whereabouts of Akemi Hateyama and Ileana Marani on December 18. For Piedro's mother, Marcella Cervi, he had to find a different solution. He shuddered as he considered the possible implications. He had to tread with care.

Her honey-colored hair had been swept up into a chignon. Her cheeks were red from the biting wind outside, and her dark eyes looked . . . crazy. Carlina's subconscious noted these facts even before she noted the small gun in the lady's hand.

Disjointed thoughts zigzagged through her brain. Ricciarda had just left Temptation to buy new window cleaning spray and disinfectant. She would not be back for another twenty minutes. Her phone was inside her handbag, out of reach behind the counter. Stefano was nowhere close.

“Close the door by key.” The tall lady made a move with her gun. She spoke with a French accent.

Something hot coursed through Carlina. She knew this lady. She had seen her picture. It was Suzanne, Trevor's lover of last year. The one who had made a scene at the Garibaldi Hotel. Her mouth went dry, and her knees started to feel like mush.

“Hurry.”

Carlina cleared her throat. “The key is in my handbag.”

Suzanne came a step closer. “Get it. I am right beside you. I will watch while you take out the keys, and if you make one false move, I will shoot you. Is that clear?”

“
Perfectly clear.” Carlina's voice came out as a croak. She went behind the counter, moving with deliberation and care to avoid a hasty reaction by Suzanne. Her fingers touched the smooth surface of the cell phone as she felt for her keys, but she didn't dare to press a button.

Suzanne was right beside her, looking over her shoulder. She smelled of perfume and something else, something that made Carlina's pulse jump up another notch in fear. Suzanne was sweating.

“Hurry.” Her voice was low and threatening.

Carlina pulled out the key, went to the door, and locked it. Then she turned around. “Done.”

“Good.” Suzanne made another move with her gun. “Now we go to the back, where no one can see us.”

A sickening feeling swept over Carlina. “The storage room is in the back.”

“Lead the way.”

If only she would stop waving that gun about.
What if it went off? Suzanne seemed a bit too nervous to be in control. Carlina inched past her and swept the curtain aside. The motion detector clicked on several bright spotlights in the ceiling. The familiar smell of dust and new clothes welcomed her. Her sanctuary. Her business. Invaded by a crazy woman. Madonna. She cleared her throat again. “There's not much room in here.”

“
Never mind.” Suzanne closed the curtain behind them without taking her gaze off Carlina. “Now talk.”

“
What?”

“
Talk to me about Trevor. The newspaper says you saw him last.”

“
I didn't.”

“
Don't lie to me.” The gun made an erratic move. “Tell me!”

Humor her!
Carlina forced herself to sound calm. “He came early in the morning, around nine o'clock.”

Again, the gun waved, and the large eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You're lying. The shop doesn't open until ten.”

Carlina's cell phone started to ring.

“
Ignore that and answer my question.”

Carlina pulled herself together with an effort. “We opened early because of a special promotion. He had planned to go running.”

Something twisted in Suzanna's face. “Go on.”

“
He stopped by and bought a few things.”

Suzanne bent forward. The mouth of the gun hovered an inch before Carlina's stomach.

Sweat ran down between Carlina's shoulder blades. She clenched her teeth.

“
Was she with him?”

“
Who?”

“
The current lover.” Hate flamed out of Suzanne's eyes.

“
No.” It came out as a croak.

“
Who is she?”

“
I don't know.” Carlina didn't hesitate but she could feel her face going hot.

“
Don't lie to me!” Suzanne's face contorted. “She killed him. I know that. She will pay for it.”

“
The police are still investigating.” Carlina tried to make her voice firm. “They will find the murderer.”

“
The police are useless.” Suzanne lifted the gun and pressed the nozzle against Carlina's chest.

Carlina inched back until she could feel the wooden edges of the shelf pressing against her shoulders.

“I know you are related to her.”

A drop of sweat rolled down Carlina's brow. “Related to whom?”

“The current lover.”

Carlina opened her mouth and closed it again. She was a rotten liar.
Distract her! Attack is the best form of defense.
“The police are looking for you.” She heard herself say.

Suzanne froze. “For me?”

“Yes. They know you made a scene at the Garibaldi Hotel a year ago. You left your address. If I was you, I would get the hell out of here.” She balled her fists. Would Suzanne believe her?

Suzanne stared at her. “You mean I'm a suspect? They think I killed Trevor?”

“Yes.” Carlina held her gaze.

Suzanne collapsed in laughter.

Carlina stared at her in dismay.

The gun now pointed at her feet. Suzanne doubled over, her voice rising in hysterical gusts of laughter - or was it sobs?

Quick like a flash, Carlina folded her hands as if in prayer, raised them and brought them with a thud down on Susanne's hand.

The gun fell with a crash to the floor and slithered toward the curtain.

Suzanne shrieked something in French.

Carlina threw herself with her full length on the floor and grabbed the gun.

Suzanne landed on top of her.

The breath rushed out of Carlina's body. It felt as if every bone had been broken by the impact. “Get off!”

Suzanne grabbed her hair with both hands and pulled at it.

Carlina gasped in pain, but she didn't let go of the gun. Instead, she tried to twist around, so she could train the pistol onto Suzanne, but now Suzanne grabbed her hands, still pinning her down with her weight. Her long fingernails left marks on Carlina's hands. “Give me the gun!”

Someone pounded on the glass door of Temptation.

Suzanne flinched. For the fraction of a second, she loosened her grip.

Carlina bucked like a horse and pulled the gun underneath her.

Suzanne slid aside.

The pounding on the door became louder. “Open up!”

Carlina twisted aside, ducked away and rose to her knees in one fluid move. Her foot got entangled in the curtain, but she kicked herself free and trained a wobbling hand on Suzanne. The gun glistened in the spotlights. It felt slippery in her sweaty hands, and her breath came out in harsh gusts. “Don't move.”

Suzanne stared at her, her chest heaving. “It's not loaded.”

Carlina's throat turned dry. She took a step back until the curtain stretched around her, then slid aside. She was now standing outside the tiny storage area. “Don't move,” she repeated.

Suzanne jumped to her feet and lurched forward. “Stop me, if you dare.”

Carlina held the gun in the general direction of Susanne's legs and pulled the trigger, her face distorted by fear.

A deafening sound filled the little store room. The glass door and all the windows rattled. Dust billowed up, and the lower end of a shelf collapsed.

Suzanne fell to the floor, clutching her leg. Something red squirted out between her fingers. “You shot me! How dare you!”

The floor seemed to move below Carlina's feet. She stared at the blood, a pounding in her ears.

The front door of Temptation burst open.

Carlina looked over her shoulder.

Garini, Ricciarda, the waiter from across the street, and Carlina's mother rushed in.

Carlina's eyes focused on Stefano. “I shot her,” she said. Little bright shooting stars curved through her vision, and she had the odd feeling that the light was dimming. She felt dizzy.

Stefano gave her one look, then knelt by the prostrate woman at his feet. He fished out a pair of handcuffs and clicked them on with surprising speed.

“What do you think you're doing?” Suzanne tried to pull away her hands, but it was too late. “It wasn't me! She shot me!” She clenched her hands and made a move with her head at Carlina. “Don't you see the gun? I'm the victim here! I demand to see a lawyer! Now!”

“
I knew it.” The stars on Fabbiola's wide skirt glistened as she glided toward them, the cushion as always firmly tucked underneath her arm. “The stars were telling me so. A shooting, and danger.” She looked around her, a puzzled frown on her face. “But where are the children?”

Carlina blinked.

Fabbiola wiped the children away. “Anyway, I am here, my child. I will protect you.”

She grabbed the cushion with one hand so it wouldn't fall to the floor, then opened her arms wide as if to enfold Carlina into a bear's hug, but somehow, Garini managed to come between them. “Let me take that gun first.” He held out his hand.

Carlina handed it over, feeling too stunned to say anything.

His light eyes scanned her face. “That's a new shade of green,” he said.

Carlina managed a wobbly smile. “Do you like it?”

“
I prefer the other one.” His voice was ironic.

She wasn't fooled. She had seen the concern deep below the surface. The ground beneath her stopped shaking. “Will you arrest me?”

“Arrest you?” Fabbiola's voice filled the little store with indignation. “Have you gone out of your mind? He has to deal with me first! No one is going to arrest my child while I am beside her. No one, I say!” She placed her hands akimbo on her hips and pushed a belligerent face toward Garini.

“
As it happens, I don't plan to arrest anyone just now, Mrs. Mantoni-Ashley.” Garini took out his cell phone and punched in a quick number. “I'll call the doctor for this lady first, and then we'll document what happened.”

“
If you don't wish to arrest me, then take off the manacles!” Suzanne gave him a dark look. “You have no right to withhold me. No right at all.”

He gave her a reassuring nod, turned his back on her, and started to talk into his phone.

Ricciarda stood on the edge of the scene, her face white. “Are you all right, Carlina?”

“
Yes.” Carlina swallowed. “How did you manage to find help so quickly?”

Ricciarda took a deep breath. “When I came back and found the door closed, I knew something odd was going on. Then I saw the curtain of the storeroom move. I . . . I don't know why, but it scared me.” She took a deep breath. “I ran to get Enrique's advice, and we called the police. Signor Garini came only two minutes later.” She sounded impressed.

“And I,” Fabbiola drew herself up and squeezed the cushion she held between her hands. “I knew you were in danger. The cards told me, and I knew I had to come.”

“
Thank you, Mama.” Carlina also smiled at Ricciarda and Enrique. “Thank you very much for acting without hesitating. How did you manage to get through the door?”

“
The Commissario did it. He had a special tool.”

“
I can't believe you're talking about doors,” Suzanne still held her leg though it had stopped bleeding. “I am the one who got shot here, but you put ME in manacles and discuss doors. You're not normal.”

Carlina looked at her. The crazy gaze had gone. A petulant woman was left, a woman of great beauty but ravaged by emotions. “Why did you come?” she asked.

“I wanted to know about Trevor.” She started to sob. “I can't believe he's dead. He was so full of life.”

Carlina's face softened. She took out a tissue and passed it to Suzanne.

Garini turned around and assessed the situation with one glance. “The doctor will be here in a few minutes.” He took out a tape recorder. “I'd like to tape your statement.”

Suzanne shook her head. “I won't say anything. I want a lawyer.”

Garini didn't hesitate. “I'll arrange one for you.” He made a short call, then turned to Carlina. “Can you tell me what happened?”

She nodded and glanced at the tape recorder. It blinked with a red light, showing it was running. “My name is Caroline Arabella Ashley,” she said.

“I know your name.” His face was impassive. “You can skip that part.”

The way he said it warmed something inside her. An almost forgotten verse from the bible popped into her mind. “I know your name; you are mine.” When had she last heard that? At her first communion? Carlina smiled and focused on her story with an effort. “This morning, Ricciarda went out to buy some cleaning stuff. As soon as she had left, Suzanne came in.”

“When was that?”

Carlina shook her head. “I really can't recall. Quite soon after we had opened.”

Ricciarda cut in. “It was a quarter past ten.”

Carlina nodded. “Suzanne threatened me with the gun. She forced me to close the door of Temptation. Then she made me go into the storeroom.”