Page 41 of Mario
Victoria says, “No, it’s fine.”
We speak at the same time.
The young man freezes.
Victoria looks at me.
I look at her.
A beat passes.
Then she turns to him. “I do need access.”
The technician steps inside carefully.
I stand.
Victoria stands too. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Conti. I can send a follow-up request through Lorenzo for anything else.”
“You can send it to me. My card is in your inbox.”
She blinks once, then gives me a tight smile. “Then I’ll send follow-up questions directly.”
“Do that,” I say. “Have a productive morning, Ms. Murray.”
Her voice is composed. “You too, Mr. Conti.”
I leave before I do something foolish, like stay.
The door closes behind me.
Lorenzo is standing down the hall with a folder in one hand and an expression that tells me he has been waiting just long enough to be irritating.
“Subtle,” he says in Italian.
I walk past him. “Get back to work.”
“I am working.”
“No. You are entertaining yourself.”
“It is possible to do both.”
I stop and look at him.
He smiles smugly.
For a brother I have not yet killed, Lorenzo has always been comfortable with danger.
“You told me she asked for an interview.”
“You were in there quickly,” he says.
“I was available.”
“Of course.”
I continue down the hall.
