“Where are you going?” She demanded angrily.
“To check my beeper. Do you mind if I use your phone to call the firehouse?”
“But you’re off duty. Why would they be calling you at this hour?”
“Because as of midnight, I’m on call for twenty four hours. They must need me.” Still naked, he turned to race downstairs and contact the firehouse.
Sabrina fell back against her pillows, feeling used and heatedly angry. She could hear the muffled sound of Gio’s voice on the phone, but could not comprehend his words. The phone conversation was over as quickly as it started, and Sabrina sat up in bed as his ascending footfall on the stairs came into earshot.
He was a looming shadow in the hallway, now fully clothed and apparently ready to bolt from her house. He gave her a protracted perusal with a veiled expression in his eyes and then spoke. “Sabrina, I’m really sorry, but they need me at the firehouse. It’s been a busy night so far and they want to have a few extra men on hand.”
Sabrina tried to hide her bitter disappointment, and it was a trying feat. With as little emotion as she could muster, she said, “I understand. Good night, Gio.”
He remained fixed in place in the hallway for a moment, then groaned and walked over to her. “Good night, Sabrina. I’ll call you as soon as I have a moment.”
With that, he kissed her on the cheek and charged down the stairs leaving Sabrina nude on the bed. Feeling overexposed, Sabrina went to her dresser and reached for the most conservative nightgown she could find: an ankle-length cotton frock with girlish yellow flowers. She donned it, buttoning all the way up to her neck, and crawled into bed.
Morning brought with it a veil of frost over the grass and a pure aquamarine sky. Sabrina gazed out the window at the sunlight, feeling imprisoned in her house. Her first thought upon waking had been of Gio. Then, she had deliberately banished him from her mind and designed her second thought of Martinique. Now she was pleased that she had not yet told him of her pending business trip. If Gio’s cooling behavior last night were any indication of his true feelings, then he likely would not have cared anyway.
To Sabrina, the trip was a beacon in the distance, calling her back to an uncomplicated life with career as the proud centerpiece. As she headed downstairs to brew coffee and feed Softy, she tried to convince herself of this. Soon, though, her traitorous mind was speeding back to Gio against her will.
*****
After being paged at Sabrina’s house, Gio had reported to the firehouse as back-up for an electrical fire in an empty factory on the city’s perimeter. The rest of the night was uneventful and he had been able to return home to get some sleep. Pal had slobbered all over him as soon as he walked in, not used to extended absences from his master. As weary as Gio had been, he had taken the exuberant pup for a brisk walk before retiring to bed. Now on Sunday morning, lounging aimlessly around his loft, he began to think of the abrupt way he had exited Sabrina’s house and the foolish things he had said.
The force of Gio’s physical and emotional reaction to Sabrina had left him reeling. Generally, sex was an unremarkable, albeit pleasant, activity. He had never thought twice about it. But the night with Sabrina had been cataclysmic and left him fearful of falling deeper under her spell. He could not allow himself to become emotionally attached to this woman. Not after having lost everyone in his life who ever mattered. For a moment, Gio thought sadly not just of his parents and brother, but of Madeline, who had been so quick to take another lover. She had not stood by his side in time of tragedy, nor had his own family. Gio had learned to rely solely on himself. Max was the only person in his life that he felt even remotely close to, and that relationship was platonic. Intimate relationships were much too dangerous.
Gio turned on the television mindlessly, still entrenched in his thoughts and fears. He wanted hopelessly to see Sabrina again and to touch her and make love to her. But the emotional ramifications were more than he was willing to handle. The phone ringing interrupted his daydreams.
“Hello?” Gio answered, half hoping to hear the musical sweetness of Sabrina’s voice.
“Hey buddy.”
“Hey Max, how are you?” Gio asked, consciously hiding his disappointment.
“Not bad, not bad. I just got back into town and wanted to give you a ring. Are you still planning on investigating the fire?”
Gio hesitated, then said firmly, “Yes, I am. And I have a lot to tell you about that. Are you in a hurry?”
“Not at all man. Shoot.” Max listened to his friend tell the distressing tale of Stefano and Helena’s frigid welcoming at the party. His keen intuition told him even before Gio finished that the aunt and uncle were hiding a rotting skeleton in their closet. When Gio finished, Max let out a low whistle of amazement.
“Gio that is some story, man. I have to tell you that I think we’re getting closer to the culprit and we haven’t really even started digging yet. I’m sorry Stefano and Helena are such dogs, but their reaction is critical to this investigation.”
“What should our next move be?”
Max was pensive. “Well, we want to lay low for now with Stefano and Helena. I don’t want to go after them just yet. First we have to get a hold of Cooper. And I have some information on him.”
“Really? What did you find out?” Gio sat up, interested.
“You know I can’t reveal my sources, but I can tell you what the source told me.”
“I’m listening.” Gio said impatiently.
“Glen Cooper is retired from the Mount Hollow Fire Department. He has been for a little over a year now. His record at the firehouse was pretty stellar, and he got a huge retirement party. He’s been divorced since 1975, and he hasn’t remarried. He still lives in Vermont, and my source was able to track his address. His phone number is unpublished, though. Now get ready for this because I’m about to tell you the most important tidbit of them all.”
Gio listened on the other end of the line in expectation. “Max, I’m all ears. What’s the most important part?”
“My source did a little research and found that Cooper’s name is on several charity event guest lists across New England. Most of them relate to art. There’s one in particular that is going to be held here in Vermont very soon. It’s a wine and cheese photography exhibit in Montpelier. The event is black tie and by invitation only, but if we could somehow discreetly crash the party, then it would be the perfect opportunity to get Cooper to talk. Better than showing up at his doorstep and making him instantly suspicious. Instead, he’ll have a drink in his hand and be relaxed. We’ll pretend like we’re mingling with him and catch him off guard. I just need to think up a scheme to get us in the door.”
“Slow down, Max. We don’t need a scheme. Sabrina is a photographer for a national magazine. She could get us tickets to the event without anyone blinking an eye. Who knows, maybe she’s already planning to attend for professional reasons.”
“That would be excellent. I was prepared to get us in by any means necessary, though.”
“Keep your scruples, Max.” Gio said wryly.
“I’ve got scruples. What are you trying to say, man? I do things by the book until the book runs out of solutions. Then I write a new book and make sure that justice is served. It’s all in the pursuit of truth. And I don’t hurt anybody.”
“OK, relax! You’re on the defensive for no reason.”
“Just don’t ever question my integrity, Gio. Not after all these years of friendship.”
“I’m sorry, Max. I guess I’ve been saying some very dumb things lately.”
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind. Listen, let me go now. I’m going to give Sabrina a ring and talk to her about the reception in Montpelier. What’s the name of it?”
“It’s the annual New England Nature Photography Exhibit to be held at the Waters Gallery on May sixteenth. Hope you wrote that down.”
“Yup, just did. And thanks. I’ll be in touch later.” Gio set th
e receiver back in its cradle and decided to make an impromptu visit to Sabrina’s house. With this news from Max on the forefront of the investigation, he had no time to waste with phone calls. Besides, after the all too brief night of passion they had shared, he was yearning for more of her.
*****
Sabrina was sipping hazelnut coffee and reading the morning paper when her doorbell chimed. Lethargically, she left the kitchen table to see who the unexpected visitor was, hoping fiercely that it wasn’t Mrs. Benjamin asking to borrow a cup of flour or sugar as she often did to covertly initiate a conversation. Tying her terrycloth bathrobe so that it cinched her waist, Sabrina opened the door and did a double take when she saw Gio standing there expectantly.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He said from behind the screen door. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything important.” His voice was laced with a tang of sarcasm that infuriated Sabrina. Why didn’t this man ever call before coming over? After his rude exit last night, she was hesitant to let him back inside her house lest she fall prey to his charms and be abandoned once again.
“I was just enjoying my Sunday morning ritual. Coffee and world news. I hope this won’t take long.” Sabrina refused to meet his gaze as she spoke.
Gio was nonplussed by her brisk attitude, but did not comment on it. “Can I come in for just a few minutes?” Sabrina pushed open the screen door and waved her arms for him to step into the living room.
“Would you like a cup of coffee? I just brewed a pot of hazelnut.” She offered with deliberate formality.
“No, thanks, I’m fine. Sabrina, is everything alright? You seem a little on edge this morning.” Gio observed.
“On edge?” Sabrina was offended. “Not at all. Please, tell me why you’re here.” Her ceremonious treatment of Gio persisted, leaving him now feeling on edge.
Brusquely, he said, “I have some news from Max pertaining to the investigation. He has a plan for us to interview Glen Cooper.”
Sabrina’s expression softened. No matter what transpired between them on a personal level, she was a person of loyalty and would not renege on her offer to help him get justice for his family. “That’s good news, Gio. Tell me more.”
Encouraged by the shift in her tone, Gio relayed the phone conversation with Max. At the conclusion of his story, he said, “Here’s the part where you come in. There’s going to be some sort of photography exhibit held at Waters Gallery in Montpelier, and since Cooper is confirmed on the guest list, we were hoping that you could somehow get us tickets to the event.”
Sabrina nodded enthusiastically. “I think you’re referring to the annual New England Nature Photography Exhibit. I’ve covered those for the magazine in past years, but this year I wasn’t assigned to go. But I could ask my boss Darlene if she could get us some complimentary tickets. I don’t think it should be a problem, although it is a little last minute. The exhibit is always held the third weekend in May if I’m not mistaken, and that’s next weekend.”
“Yes, Friday, May sixteenth to be exact.” Gio interjected, recalling what Max had said.
“In that case, I’ll have to talk to Darlene first thing tomorrow. It’s a black tie gala, so you and your friend will need tuxedos. Come to think of it, I should ask my sister Cara. This could be just what she needs to get her out of the slump she’s been in since breaking up with her boyfriend.”
“That sounds great, Sabrina. I don’t know how to thank you. As soon as I get the green light from you, I’ll tell Max that we’re in. It’s not going to be fun renting those tuxes though.”
“You don’t have a tuxedo?” Sabrina inquired teasingly.
“No ma’am.” He grinned boyishly. “I’m a hard working man with the wardrobe of a lumberjack. There’s no time to be flitting about in fancy clothes at dumb parties.”
“This event is not a dumb party! It’s very prestigious and draws photographers and other artists from all over New England.” Sabrina defended, as Gio shrugged, unable to get excited about an event that he would be attending in such an unfortunate context. Seeming to read his thoughts, Sabrina changed the subject. “How did things go last night after you had to rush out?”
“I had an industrial fire to tackle, but since then it’s been mercifully quiet. I’m still on call, though, as we speak.”
“So at any time you could be paged on that beeper?”
“Correct. Does that bother you?”
It wouldn’t be fair for either of them to be expected to choose between career and relationship, so she was diplomatic in her response. “You don’t work a nine to five job, and I understand that because I don’t either. But the idea of being on call like an emergency room physician is new to me.”
Gio considered her words. “I’m not on call all the time, but I do have to accommodate the needs of the firehouse. We rely heavily on volunteers, but they’re extremely difficult to recruit and retain. People have a hard enough time risking their lives for a paycheck and health benefits, let alone for altruism. But I’m glad you understand.”
Gio leaned over on the sofa to slip a hand under Sabrina’s robe onto her bare thigh. Her body desired his touch instantly, but her heart and mind warned against a repeat episode of last night.
As gently as she could, Sabrina removed Gio’s hand from her thigh and said, “Let’s not let things get out of hand.”
More befuddled than before, Gio accused, “Seems like you’re hot and cold, Sabrina. How could your thermometer plunge so dramatically from last night to this morning?”
Sabrina’s response was frosty. “I am perfectly consistent, Gio. You’re the one who seems to run hot and cold.”
“How’s that?” Gio inquired, frowning.
Not wanting to bring up the subject of his hectic schedule again, Sabrina sniffed, “Never mind. I would like to dress and get on with my day if that’s alright. I’ll be sure to talk to Darlene as soon as I get to the office tomorrow.”
Gio was insulted as she hustled him out of her house. “Don’t bother. Max and I can do this without you and your sister.” He jerked himself off the sofa as she rose to follow him.
“Hold on a second. I can’t believe you don’t know why I’m upset.”
Gio did know but didn’t want to admit it. “What are you talking about?”
Sabrina felt awkward as she said, “The way you---well, the way you just thanked me. It seemed so impersonal after everything we shared.”
Unwilling to bare his emotions, Gio said brusquely, “I’m sorry for any misunderstanding between us, Sabrina. Have a good day and I’ll speak with you soon.”
Gio proceeded to shuffle out the door without so much as a hug or kiss good-bye. Shaking her head in despair, Sabrina trudged back to her kitchen table where her coffee had grown cold and soupy. Crumpling the newspaper into a ball, Sabrina threw it across the room in frustration. She would help Giovanni Salvatore with his arson investigation, but that would be the extent of their relationship, she vowed, tasting the saltiness of her own tears.
Chapter 10
Monday morning, as promised, Sabrina waltzed into Darlene’s office and easily obtained four complimentary tickets to the photography exhibition. In exchange for the tickets, Sabrina had agreed to take pictures of the gala for publication in the magazine. After work, she had called Cara and persuaded her to come to Vermont on Friday. Initially, Cara was resistant, still preferring to wallow in her heartbreak rather than face reality without Bruce. When Sabrina had casually mentioned that there would be a cheese tasting, Cara had erupted in mocking laughter, saying, “New Yorkers have wine tastings and this dairy party sounds like it should take place in a barnyard!” Cara’s snobbery had only made Sabrina roll her eyes. In the end, the hilarious prospect of a cheese tasting reception had been too much for Cara to resist. She would arrive at Sabrina’s house on Friday morning and stay for the weekend.
After her conversation with Cara, Sabrina had felt obligated to call Gio and tell him where they stood with the tickets. Not letting pri
de be a hindrance, Sabrina had picked up the phone and called the man, only to have the line ring off the hook. She tried several more times that evening and eventually went to sleep without having reached him.
Northern Moonlight Page 12