Page 96 of Secrets of the Brother
She gasped.
I turned and slammed the office door shut behind me.
As I marched back toward my own office, I rapped a sharp knock and then immediately opened Cesare’s office door.
He looked up from his computer. “Hey brother, not for nothing but when Milana’s back at work you may want to wait for a shout-out before opening that door so quickly,” he said with smirk.
“There’s an inspector in my office about Renata.”
His lips straightened to a thin line. Rising, he grabbed his suit jacket from off the back of his chair and shrugged it on. Buttoning it as he walked, he said, “Game on, brother.”
When we entered my office Longo was loitering around the open files on my desk.
I cleared my throat.
He looked up, his loose jowls shaking as he complained, “You rich people think the rules don’t apply to you, but theArma dei Carabinieriis not in the habit of being kept waiting.”
My brow lowered as I turned to Cesare. “I wasn’t aware that was a rule, were you?”
His eyebrows raised. “I wasn’t either. Look at that. Learn something new every day.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Although to be completely fair, we were aware of the rule that the rules don’t apply to obscenely rich people like us.”
Cesare smiled and wagged his finger at me. “I have to say, I’m a big fan of that rule.”
I returned his smile. “Me too.”
Longo yanked up his too-large black uniform trousers, straightening the red stripes along the sides which had bagged when the trousers had slid low on his hips. “This is no laughing matter. A woman is dead,” he sputtered, foamy spittle forming at the corner of his mouth.
Jutting his loose-jowled chin up at me, he swiped his hands over his lips. “Your wife, Signor, is dead.”
My gaze narrowed. “I’m aware, Longo.”
“That’sLuogotenente Carica SpecialeLongo to you.”
Cesare placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Listen,Longo. We are all aware of the tragic situation. No one in this room killed her, so why don’t you tell us why you’re here.”
Longo shrugged Cesare’s hand off. “I’m not so sure about that.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notebook and pen. Flipping open the cover, he gestured with the tip of his pen and recited, as if quoting from verse, “The coroner has ruled the death of Renata Cavalieri anOmicidio volontarioaccording to the Italian Criminal Code, specifically Article 575 which states voluntary homicide is committed when a person intentionally kills another human being. This carries a prison term of not less than twenty-one years. ThePubblico Ministerointends to seek the maximum penalty for this egregious offense to such an innocent young woman.”
It was frustrating but not unexpected. We had tried to avoid this, of course, but whoever ordered the coroner’s report wanted to make sure there was an investigation.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Who ordered the coroner’s report?”
Longo scribbled on his pad. “That seems a very suspicious question. Why would you want to know?”
I shrugged. “Our local police determined her death was the result of a tragic fall. My wife loved the Apennine mountains' hiking trails, but they can get treacherous, especially after a rainfall. I believe I have a right as her husband to know why there is a report conflicting with what I was told.”
That was all bullshit of course.
“That information is confidential. Besides, it is the prerogative of theArma dei Carabinierito investigate any death they please.” He checked his notes. “Neither of you have an alibi for her time of death.”
It was bad enough I was implicated in this mess. I wouldn’t have my brother dragged in as well. “That is not accurate as you well know. Cesare was at the hospital, at the bedside of his intended, Milana Carbone.”
“Yes, it seems tragic accidents seem to befall the women of your acquaintance.”
Cesare cupped his right fist in his left hand. “Go ahead, say something else flippant about my girl being in the hospital and almost dying. I dare you.”
