Stealing Venice

by Anna E Bendewald

  “I do.”

  “So go get some sleep, and we’ll talk soon.”

  “I love you, Gigi.”

  “I love you too, V. Give my love to Leo.”

  “Okay. Ciao.”

  Markus helped roll up her drawings and put them away, and then they headed for the bedroom. Walking through the great hall together, he wrapped his arm around her waist and let his fingers play over her stomach.

  “You know that we will make a baby soon.”

  “Mm-hmm…” Giselle nodded very slowly and gave him a sidelong look. “I hear that can happen when two people have sex.”

  “Odds of a baby go up when two people have sex frequently.” Markus smiled darkly, his blue eyes shining from beneath his lashes.

  She spun playfully into his arms and wrapped hers around his neck. “I want to have babies with you.”

  “And I want babies with you, too. But first we should find a way to get married.”

  She stroked the back of his neck with her fingertips. “And I want to be your wife.” She tried the name. “Giselle Shevchenko.” She spun away from his grasp to lead him upstairs. “But right now, I have no idea how we can free me to walk down the aisle with you.”

  “You have been passive for too long, Giselle.” Markus followed her down the long hall.

  “I don’t think of myself as passive.”

  “It is strange. You are not passive by nature, but your destiny must frighten you, because you have given the reins of your life over to Vincenzo.”

  “You see a lot, don’t you?” They entered the bathroom to brush their teeth.

  “Da, and while I can understand a girl who just lost her family being frightened and hiding with her best friend, I cannot believe that you stayed frozen at his side this long.”

  “I was never interested in anyone before you.”

  He smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “I am so happy to be part of your destiny.”

  “What should I do after I take the reins back from Vincenzo? Give them to you?”

  “No! You should ride in the direction that is true for you, and I will ride by your side…most of the time.”

  “Most of the time?”

  “You would not want me to give up my own destiny.”

  “True.”

  “And I do not think anyone can keep up with you.” She heard resignation in his voice.

  “They can if I keep starting sculptures that I never finish,” she pouted.

  “Let us have a party to cheer you up.”

  “Great idea!” Giselle’s mood lightened instantly. “That’s what I need!”

  “Your silly Killing Kings card game and your friends will do you good.”

  They brushed their teeth and headed for bed.

  CHAPTER

  13

  Raphielli felt that she was standing at the metaphorical crossroads spoken of so often in poems and plays. She had a strong urge to change directions. She was done being a helpless bystander as everyone else made plans, voiced their opinions, and pursued their own dreams. She was going to take charge of her life. And while she was at it, she was through being intimidated by the Dour Doublet. She was going to return to her true self—energetic and practical in equal parts.

  Gio had given her a piece of shrewd advice, and she was going to take it. He was right; nobody wanted to see Salvio face-to-face. She’d just carry on as if her husband had gone away. Salvio didn’t have a single friend, and she had enough nerve to keep up the ruse. When Cardinal Negrali called to check on her last night, she’d told him that Petrosino had taken Salvio, and she could have sworn she heard relief in his voice when he’d recommended they never tell a soul what really happened to Salvio, and that she take charge of the house. She knew she was up to the task. How hard could it be to run this household? She felt certain she could do a better job than Salvio had. She would figure out how to access some of the estate funds and hire a proper staff. Just not too soon, or the ruse of expecting her husband to return would be blown.

  Without the constant threat of Salvio’s disproval hanging over her, she felt confident to deal with this situation. When the police came late last night to question Salvio about his report of a plot to kill Count Verona, she had remained calm and told the officers that he’d left the house with no word of when he’d return.

  It was the beginning of a new day, and Raphielli called Rosa, Guiseppe, and Dante to the dining room. She told them that Salvio had left on a religious retreat and had not disclosed the location or duration. She asked them to carry on as usual so the household would be in good order whenever Salvio returned. It had been easy. Guiseppe, who fit squarely in the category of people who did not wish to actually see Salvio, looked relieved as he left to sew some shirt buttons. Dante and Rosa were unfazed, and went on about their business as usual.

  Raphielli entered Salvio’s office, sat at his desk, and spent an hour practicing his handwriting and signature. She’d been quite good at copying sacred script when she was at the abbey, and it wasn’t long before there was no difference between her work and Salvio’s writing. She penned a neat little note in his script, which she placed in his top desk drawer.

  “I long to hear God. I have left on a religious journey and will return in God’s time.”

  She carefully gathered up every sheet of her practice paper, took them to the big office fireplace, tossed them into the flickering flames and watched them burn. Then, going through his desk she found financial ledgers, as well as a list of accounts and passwords poorly hidden in the bottom drawer. She reviewed the ledgers, then accessed the accounts online, and was surprised to find that Salvio had what appeared to be limitless hordes of cash and real estate holdings all over the world. He owned at least twelve islands around Europe, and one off the coast of Castine, Maine in America.

  While Raphielli was sitting at Salvio’s desk, the phone rang. She was fairly certain who was on the other end as she answered, “Pronto.” Smiling broadly, she thought she sounded like a good secretary.

  There was a moment of hesitation. “May I speak to Signor Scortini?”

  Raphielli recognized the voice from listening to Salvio’s meetings with the private detective. “He’s left Venice. May I ask who’s calling?”

  “Alphonso Vitali. Can you tell me when he’ll return?”

  “He’ll be away indefinitely, Mr. Vitali. But of course, you need to be paid your fee. Is it convenient for you to come over and collect it now?”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll come right away.”

  “Good. Please wait in the alcove outside the front door. Don’t ring the bell. I’ll open the door for you.”

  “Okay.”

  Setting the phone down, she decided to terminate his association with Salvio, and satisfy the payment to him and his associate. Pleased with what seemed to be a simple plan, she went to the reception rooms in the front of the house and found her butler.

  “Dante, is the woman who cooks our household meals still in the kitchen?”

  “Sì, signora, she is still preparing lunch and dinner.”

  “While Salvio is away I’d like to eat the sort of food they serve in restaurants. Please go and tell her that I want to be excited by the food on my plate…oh and drinks, you know, teas, coffee, juices. You know, wow me.”

  “Sì, signora. It is good to enjoy one’s food.” The side of the butler’s mouth lifted in the tiniest smile as he moved off in the direction of the kitchen. There was no one around when she opened the front door.

  When she opened the front door, the private detective was standing in the shadows of the marble alcove. He was nothing like what she’d imagined. Salvio had called his head colossal, but the detective was tall and handsome like Samson in the Bible, with creamy olive skin, kind brown eyes, full lips, and dark hair falling almost to his shoulders. He was wearing non-descript clothes in muted browns and blacks that blended in with the shadows of the alcove. He straightened up when she stepped out.

  “I’m Alph
onso Vitali.”

  They shook hands as she smiled up at him. “Signor Vitali.”

  “Alphonso, please.”

  “Alphonso, I’m Raphielli. Please come this way.”

  She ushered him inside, closed the front door, and led him quickly through the halls unseen to Salvio’s office. Choosing not to sit behind the big desk, Raphielli settled the two of them in the visitors’ chairs. Alphonso nervously craned his neck to peer behind him, before turning his attention back to her with an inquiring expression.

  “I’m glad you called, Alphonso. Salvio’s gone away, and he left instructions for me to terminate the project you’ve been working on. ” She nodded.

  “He took off, eh?”

  “Right, he went on a spiritual retreat.” She nodded again.

  “Really? When?”

  “Well, it was sudden. He went away last night.” She continued nodding.

  “And?”

  “And he said that I should pay you and your associate.”

  “Excuse me, Raphielli, but why are you lying to me?”

  “What?” She refused to get nervous. She had felt safe and comfortable with him. But then, she had felt safe with Gio, too. Was she too trusting? Pushing that thought aside, she studied Alphonso’s face and remained silent.

  “I’m a detective, Raphielli. I can tell that you’re lying, and I’d like to know why.”

  “I don’t mean to lie to you.”

  “Now, that I believe.”

  “And I want to pay you.”

  “Sì, that’s the truth, too.”

  “I think that’s all you need to know.”

  “Raphielli, do you like Signor Scortini?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Ah.” He smiled and nodded.

  “What? I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to. Your face answered for you.”

  “It did?” She felt herself blush. “My face?”

  “Sì. You showed a flash of revulsion before your expression changed to confusion. You don’t like him, so I’d guess you aren’t in allegiance with him.”

  “No, I’m not. You’re very good, Alphonso.”

  He gave her a lazy smile. “Grazie. Now I’m going to have to trust you by telling you that I’m trying to get as far away from my obligation to Scortini as possible. And in order to do that, I’d like to know where he is and when he’s coming back.”

  She could feel him reading her. She was conflicted, and didn’t like making decisions in front of him.

  He pressed. “Please, Raphielli.”

  She considered whether she could trust him. But figured that this talented detective would snoop around and find out the truth.

  “Salvio’s been taken away by the Mafia. He won’t be allowed to return to Venice.”

  “Do you know where?”

  “No.”

  “If you had to guess?”

  “Perhaps Sicily.”

  Craning his neck to look around again, Alphonso whispered, “Just the same, it’s hard to shake the feeling that he’ll pounce out of nowhere.” He turned back to her. “Mafia, huh?”

  “Sì. Salvio’s a very bad man. He tried to come between the Pope and members of the Verona family. He failed. Then he hired and double-crossed a killer. That man took Salvio away as punishment.”

  Alphonso leaned forward, and she now knew his eyes were scrutinizing her body language and expression, so she kept very still. He settled his elbows on his knees, his interest piqued.

  “Punishment?”

  “Sort of a purgatory. He made a mortal enemy of this killer.”

  “So if Scortini’s not dead, he will be soon?”

  “No, the Mafia don is a man of his word, and he’s promised me that he won’t kill Salvio. I believe him.”

  “Made you a promise, eh? You personally spoke to this Mafioso?”

  “Sì. However, I don’t believe you’ll be surprised to hear that I also hope Salvio never returns.”

  “I’m with you Raphielli. I hope Salvio never comes back. But you may have taken too high a road in keeping him alive. He’s a maniac.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  “I don’t even want to hear his name again.” He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his palms on his knees. “You said he left my payment?”

  “Well, that was not entirely the truth.”

  “Oh, ho. You’d like to take care of his financial obligations, even though he didn’t leave instructions to do so.”

  “Sì. I’ve been listening in on some of Salvio’s meetings, which is how I know about you and your cousin. So here’s what I’m proposing. I want you two to stop spying on the Veronas, and I need you to agree that you’ll never divulge anything that you learned during this invasion of their privacy. I’d like to pay you and terminate your association with Salvio so we can put an end to this whole endeavor.”

  “Nothing would make us happier.” Alphonso’s relief showed. “We’d like to forget any of this ever happened.”

  “Okay. I’ll need your help getting into Salvio’s safe.”

  “It makes sense he’d never tell you the combination to his safe. You’re his personal assistant, I take it?”

  “No.” Raphielli replied. “I’m his wife.”

  Alphonso’s mouth dropped open. “Wife?” He whispered, “What a lucky guy.”

  She ran her hands over her exuberant black curls self-consciously.

  Alphonso suddenly looked shocked and sucked in a gasp, “Oh my God!” Her scarf must have slipped, because he was staring at her throat. “You poor girl! I hope nobody ever has to see him again—least of all you.”

  She smoothed the scarf back into place and nodded. “Right now, let’s get your payment out of that old safe, shall we?”

  They looked at the ancient safe standing nearby, and Alphonso approached it. “Sure. I’ve seen Salvio open the door without bothering to dial the combination, so maybe it’s unlocked.”

  “I don’t think so. I’ve already tried…unless I’m doing something wrong with that big lever.”

  After they took turns with the handle, Alphonso shrugged and reached for his cell phone. “I’ll call Zelph. He’s a whiz when it comes to locks. This’ll be no problem for him.” He pressed an icon on his cell phone. “Hmm. I’m not getting any signal in here.” Raphielli walked over to the window and beckoned him to join her.

  “This big stone house is so bad for reception. I’ve never seen anyone place a cell call without going to the window. Come over here.”

  He got Zelph on the phone. Hovering at his elbow, she held her hand out to speak to him.

  “Can I ask him to come in through a secret passageway? I can’t have people seeing you two coming and going with Salvio away.”

  He handed her the phone and she gave specific directions to Zelph, and after the call she led Alphonso through the secret passage to the access under Il Ponte Diamanti. Shortly, the cousins and Raphielli were breaking into Salvio’s safe. She was happy for their company, even though she knew they were only here to collect their payment. But she liked them both on sight. They looked so alike, they could be brothers instead of cousins.

  Sitting next to the desk she watched the safe cracking progress. “I can tell you’re both good men. How did you come to work for Salvio?”

  Alphonso raked his fingers through his long hair and shrugged. “I’m a private investigator, and Salvio told me he’d heard of some of my cases. I needed money to pay off a gambling debt...” He jerked a thumb between himself and Zelph. “We both do. We don’t gamble anymore, but our last debts need to be paid off soon.”

  Raphielli pursed her lips, and then she smiled at a happy thought. “However large they are, let’s pay off all of your debts with Salvio’s money.”

  Incredulous, the cousins smiled too. Alphonso said, “I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless by your generosity but…at the same time I feel a twinge of uneasiness taking Salvio’s money this way.”

  �
�You shouldn’t, I’m certain there’s plenty.”

  Zelph kept his eyes on his safe-cracking efforts, but blurted, “You’re too good to be true, woman!”

  Raphielli gave them both pious looks like a disapproving schoolteacher. “Now that you no longer gamble, will you have to keep spying on people for money? Or is there something you can do to make a more honest living?”

  As Zelph concentrated on slowly turning the safe dial, he mused, “Well, my cousin wants to open a restaurant.”

  Alphonso rolled his eyes. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

  Standing, up Zelph announced, “Here we go!” He tensed as if he thought Salvio might pop out of the safe, and then pulled the heavy door open.

  The three of them peered inside. It was packed with stacks of money, neat cubbyholes of official-looking papers, and trays of very old jewelry. They quickly got down to business. The Vitalis sat in front of the desk as Raphielli withdrew two trays of euros, and then went to sit in Salvio’s chair.

  “Tell me how much Salvio owes you, and how much you owe on your gambling debts.”

  “After our last advance, Salvio owes us sixty thousand. That’ll cover our debts.”

  Her abbey upbringing taught her to reject gambling as sinful, and these two men shocked her. “Maria, madre di misericordiosa!”

  The cousins ducked their chins and looked embarrassed.

  “Well, you must be very bad card players. It’s a good thing you stopped, or I think maybe the two of you would also disappear.”

  Zelph twisted his mouth to avoid smiling, and then he relaxed his full lips. “We’re actually both excellent card players.” His expression darkened. “But Pim is a dirty cheat.”

  “Although we can’t prove it,” Alphonso added.

  “Well then, you have bad judgment in whom you choose to play cards with.”

  “We can’t argue with that.” Alphonso appeared charmed by her.

  She pushed stacks of money over to them. “Now help me count out a hundred thousand for your payment, plus a bonus.”

  The three began counting, and when Raphielli was done with her bills, she got up to search for a large envelope. “Your past poor judgment with this man Pim worries me. I need to know that I can count on your discretion and good instincts—one hundred percent.”