Canna groaned. “Is it that late?”
Claudio glanced at his watch. “Nearly.”
“I never want to get up,” she moaned and snuggled under the covers.
“Did you have that much fun last night?” Claudio asked he sat down on the bed next to her.
“It was okay. That’s the beauty of these things; half the guests have been arrested themselves in recent years, for fraud, tax evasion and similar crimes. Sure, murder is a little different, but still, no one judged me for it.”
“That’s because you all sit above the law,” Claudio said with raised eyebrows.
Canna tucked her head out from under the bed sheet. “That’s the power of money and good lawyers.”
Claudio watched her yawn. “Can I make a confession?”
“Sure, I love confessions.”
“I got up early and had the morning papers delivered to the room.”
“Wow, that the most bland confession I’ve ever heard.”
“There is a photo of us on the front page of the entertainment section of Italy’s largest newspaper.”
Canna laughed. “Let me guess the headline – Whore Gold-Digger Countess Marries Spanish Playboy Amidst Sex and Murder Scandal.”
“You should work for the media with an imagination like that. It says, ‘Recently Widowed Young Contessa Marries Again’. We didn’t give them much info, so they had to work with what they did have.”
“Did they write much about you?’
“They know I divorced Veena and she gave birth, and that you and I had a rushed wedding in Madrid on Friday.”
“How do they find out these things?”
Claudio shrugged. “Who knows? None of it is nasty.”
“Give them time. It will get worse.”
“My phone has been ringing. My parents and Veena have called. I ignored them.”
“I’m sorry.” Canna reached out and took Claudio’s hand. “None of this is your fault.”
“It’s not yours, either. We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I have done plenty of things wrong. I killed Yuri Dementyev.”
“You defended yourself against Yuri Dementyev. There is a difference.” Claudio leaned over Canna, and she put her arms around his neck. “You don’t have to feel bad about it.”
“As long as I don’t admit to what I did, it won’t ever be over.”
“I don’t know what the answer is for that problem.”
“It’s my cross to bear.”
“I support what you did to the guy. He tried to hurt you, and you defended yourself. I’m here to help you through it.”
“You’re a marvellous man.”
“I am well aware.” Claudio leaned down and kissed her, and Canna held him tight so he couldn’t get away.
“I’m guilty of another crime,” she whispered.
“Oh boy.”
“Guilty of loving you.”
“You should be jailed for that cheesy joke.”
“I hope we get the all-clear to leave for London today.”
“Me, too.” Claudio kissed her again. “I’m looking forward to seeing my son again, even if Veena will be very angry.”
“I hope Veena doesn’t stop you from seeing Casamiro.”
“I don’t know what she will do. Maybe…” Claudio paused and let out a sigh, “maybe, it would be best if you didn’t join me to visit Veena.”
“I don’t want to make the situation worse. My existence is already driving a wedge between you and Casamiro. I backed off being in London with you for the sole purpose of not destroying your relationship with Veena and your little boy.”
“And I know you’re not happy I have a son.”
“I’m happy for you. But it still hurts, deep down inside me where a soul should be, it hurts. My ovaries sting with jealousy.”
Claudio couldn’t help but snigger. “I thought you only had one ovary.”
“One mad ovary.”
“What is it trying to tell you?”
“It tells me that Veena gave you what I can’t. It hates Veena. The ovary isn’t asking for a baby, so don’t worry.”
“I’m going to try and do the best I can for you and Casamiro, Blinky.”
“You need to do the best for baby first, not me. Sometimes I won’t mind, sometimes I might. It’s only for the next 20 years or so!”
“I value your commitment to getting annoyed with me for another 20 years!”
“You’re welcome.”
The faint sound of Claudio’s phone in the next room halted another long kiss. “I’ll ignore it,” he mumbled against Canna’s mouth.
“No, at least check who it is first.”
Canna waited in bed as Claudio dashed off to check the call. “It’s Henri!” she heard him call out.
“You can put up with him, can’t you?” she called back. A moment later Claudio reappeared. “Put it in speakerphone.”
“Good morning, Frenchie,” Claudio said as he sat on the bed.
“For fucks sake, Ramos, you got married and didn’t mention it? Are you mad?”
“Good morning, Henri,” Canna said to the phone Claudio held in his hand.
“Oh, sorry,” came Henri’s voice. “I didn’t realise you could hear me, Canna.”
“Would you like to rephrase your congratulations?” Claudio asked.
“Congratulations to you, Claudio and Canna, on your marriage,” Henri replied. “But seriously, what the fuck?”
“We went to the registry office in Madrid and got married, and had a few photos taken together in the park. That’s it,” Canna explained. “You haven’t missed the party.”
“Good!” Henri replied. “You two are nuts.”
“But we don’t care,” Claudio reasoned with his friend.
“Lea and I got up this morning, and they were Google alerts about Virtuosi. Lea sat down to check them, and there is the pair of you, all dressed up in your Milan finery, visiting the Italian Prime Minister as a married couple!”
“You know newspaper stories, Henri, they make something out of nothing,” Canna said.
“I know, but it’s great for CD sales!”
Claudio laughed. “Glad to be of service.”
“We were wondering if you were coming back to London, we have our Christmas special to film so it can be viewed over the holiday period.”
“We will be back this week. Now that Canna has finished helping the police here in Milan…”
“They don’t think you’re a murderer?” Henri asked. “That’s great, Canna!”
“This is one of the weirdest phone calls I’ve ever had,” she replied with a grin.
“We didn’t think you were a killer, just crazy for loving someone like Claudio!” Henri laughed. “But I did call for another thing. Holly rang this morning; she and Erik had Rebecca on their doorstep in tears. Dane broke up with her.”
“What?” Canna frowned. “What happened?”
“Dane said that he has things he needs to take care of, and he can’t be with Rebecca while he does it. Dane said he would hurt Rebecca if they were together at the moment.”
“Trust Dane to be a fucking asshole,” Claudio quipped.
“Now Rebecca won’t work for Virtuosi, so Lea is trying to get a replacement stylist for our performance at the Royal Christmas show. Lea doesn’t need the stress.”
“Is Lea okay?” Canna asked.
“She is better than okay, but I’m not supposed to say anything, not until after the New Year anyway.”
Canna looked at Claudio. “Is Lea pregnant?”
Henri was silent for a moment. “Oops.”
“Oh my God, Henri, that’s terrific news!” Canna cried.
“Wow, now we’ll have a staff member more hormonal than you!” Claudio said to his friend.
“Claudio, that is offensive – to Lea,” Canna added.
“Wow, thanks for the love,” Henri joked. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
“Our lips are sealed
,” Claudio replied.
“Our lips are busy,” Canna teased.
“I’m going to pretend your lips are busy talking about your marriage,” Henri said. “I’m happy for you guys. As long as Dane isn’t sulking about Rebecca, then the last few days of work we have before Christmas should run nice and smooth. What the future holds with Lea pregnant, we don’t know.”
“Everything will be fine,” Claudio said. “We are all going to be fine.”
“I suppose I should go,” Henri sighed. “Work to do. I only called to see if the marriage rumours were true.”
“We know you love to gossip, Henri,” Canna said as she sat up in bed.
“Seems like everything is working out for Virtuosi at last,” the Frenchman replied. “Claudio, will you be back by Friday?”
“Sure will.”
“Okay, let me know when you get back, and we can all go out for a drink, except my lovely wife, of course.”
“My lovely wife can skip the drink, too,” Claudio said.
“Yeah, tease me for being an addict,” Canna shot back.
“You two are so weird,” Henri said. “See ‘ya later.”
“He’s right,” Claudio said as he tossed the phone on the nightstand.
“We’re weird?”
“Yes, and about the fact that everything is finally going well for Virtuosi.”
“It had to happen,” Canna said with a gesture for her new husband to join her under the covers.
The phone rang again. “That’s your phone,” Claudio said and fetched it off the desk across the room. He glanced at the screen. “Silvio Costa.”
“Ooh,” Canna said and Claudio tossed it across the room. “He will be telling us we can leave the country. Legally this time!”
“How refreshing,” Claudio commented as he looked out the window of Milan’s winter day.
“Silvio, buongiorno,” Canna answered. “Tell me what you know.”
“I know we have a very big problem.”
Canna looked over at Claudio; he was still taking in the view. “Can you explain?”
“You’re in the clear; there is no trouble in that score. You can leave Milan whenever you want to go. They have your alibi as a formal statement now. Dane Porter is in Milan as we speak.”
“What?” Canna cried. Claudio spun around, and she couldn’t hide her panicked expression. “What the hell happened? Lui non aveva bisogno di fare una dichiarazione.”
“I know Dane didn’t need to give a statement, but he just turned up in Milan and filed his own statement. I guess he thought he was helping. However, you are all over the news today, with your new marriage. Now imagine if the police leak news you were sleeping with your new husband’s friend on the night of Giorgio’s murder?”
“Holy mother-fucking shitballs,” Canna said. By now Claudio looked upset. He didn’t need to hear the filthy tirade to know disaster had struck.
“Signore Porter is at the police station right now. I can get down there myself and see what’s happening.”
“Yes, please do. Voglio venire con te.”
“No, you don’t need to go there.”
“Yes, I do. I want to know what’s going on right now.”
Silvio sighed. “Well, he is your friend, so it’s your call. I will be there regardless, but I suggest if you want to catch him, then you need to get straight down there, he can’t be far away from finishing his interview. I can pick you up, I’m not far away.”
“I’m on my way down right now.” Canna ended the call and ripped the bedcovers away. “I have to go out,” she said.
“What? What’s going on?” Claudio asked. He stepped forward to touch Canna, but she flew past him into the direction of the wardrobe.
“I have to go to the police station on Via Fatebenefratelli,” she said as she yanked on her jeans. She pulled a sweater and her leather jacket from their hooks and forced them on her body. “I have to take care of some details right now.”
“What’s happening? Blinky, tell me.”
Canna stopped and took a deep breath. “There is a detail I need to clarify on the case about Giorgio. I will go there, sort it out, and come straight back. Then we can leave Milan.”
Canna darted into the bathroom and brushed her hair and teeth at warp speed. Poor Claudio felt stuck on the spot in confusion. “My darling,” she said and rushed over for a quick kiss. “Everything will be fine.”
“It doesn’t seem fine. I feel as if you’re lying to me.”
“I just want this to be over.”
“Can’t I come?” Claudio asked as he watched Canna grab her handbag.
“No, my darling. I need you to stay here. Please, I would prefer it. Don’t worry, Silvio said they are convinced I had nothing to do with Giorgio’s murder. I’m not being arrested or anything like that.” Canna kissed him and ran out of the room.
One more lie. All Canna had to do was silence Dane one way or another, and all this could be finished. Just one more lie.
CHAPTER 42
MILAN
Claudio paced the hotel room for a few minutes; something had gone very wrong. Canna lied, and he knew it. The very second everything seemed safe, another fiasco seemed to break out and threaten his life. He hurried around the room and got himself ready; Canna had said the police station on Via Fatebenefratelli. He could catch a taxi and be there for Canna when she came out of the station, free of suspicion. Claudio had the right to the truth; they were married now.
The car ride was a short one; Claudio spent it hoping his Italian would be up to scratch when he arrived. Canna wouldn’t be that hard to find. Claudio jumped out of the car onto the narrow cobbled street right in front of the large archway entrance to the police station. It seemed rather quiet for a Monday morning. He watched a police officer through the glass doors, who looked him up and down once. Go in, or just wait outside? It was bloody freezing in the December air. Canna would be pleased to see him in the waiting room when she finished her interview and was free to leave Italy. He pulled his phone from his back pocket, and sent Canna a quick message to let her know he would be waiting.
The self-opening doors opened, and Claudio glanced up on instinct. The sight shocked the life from him, his blood cold in his veins.
“Claudio,” Dane said with a wide smug smile. “Fancy meeting you here!”
Claudio shook his head. What the fuck? “Why are you in Milan?”
“I arrived last night. If there is something I can do to help Canna, then I’ll do it.”
“Help her how?”
Dane let out a small chuckle as he pulled his black leather gloves from his jacket pocket. “Oh dear, she never told you, did she? Such a shame too, now that’s she’s your wife.”
“Canna tells me everything, you need to be more specific,” Claudio bluffed. The tight pain of anxiety returned to his chest.
“Her alibi for the night of the death of Giorgio Savelli.”
“I know where Canna was, in Aosta.”
Dane shook his head with a grin as he pulled on his glove. “Sadly, no. Only I knew where she was that night.”
“Stop talking shit, Dane.”
“Fine.” Dane paused and pulled on his second glove. “Do you remember back in Corsica, when you told me that you went to Daniel Taylor’s funeral with Canna? You said she needed someone, she needed you. You were so eager to point out that Canna didn’t need me.”
“The facts are the facts, Dane. What I have with Canna, you can’t compete with it.”
“So why is it, on the night of the death of some Italian businessman, Canna was in Helsinki with me?”
“Helsinki?” Claudio squinted as he took in the information. Dane had been there with his sister. He recalled the vile ‘liquid compliment’ conversation in the rehearsal studio afterwards, all about Dane having sex with someone who wasn’t his girlfriend.
“You look little pale, Claudio,” Dane replied. “Of course, it must be hard to hear that your mistress came to my bed that weekend
.” Dane took a few steps forward and looked Claudio right in the eyes. He pointed to himself. “She need someone that night, she needed ME.”
As the blood drained from Claudio’s face and his heart began to race, he watched Dane and his arrogant and self-righteous expression. “How long have you been waiting to say those words?”
“Now you know how it feels to have the woman you love ripped out from under you. Canna came to me, to my family, to my bedroom. She didn’t want you.”
The glass doors opened again, and Canna ran towards the two men on the street. “Claudio!’ she cried. “I just got your message!”
“What the fuck is going on?” Claudio said in a little voice. His resolve in Canna’s fidelity was on the line.
“I… I’m free to go,” she began.
“Thanks to me,” Dane said with a sigh of satisfaction. “Victory has never been sweeter.”
“You fucking piece of shit,” Claudio growled. “What lowlife does this?”
“Claudio, please,” Canna begged. “Please let me explain!”
“There is nothing to explain!”
“What are you going to do, Claudio?” Dane chuckled. “Attack me outside a police station?”
With a fist to the mouth that he never considered, Canna unleashed her own fury on Dane. Her strength wasn’t enough to knock him down, but enough to catch him by surprise and make him stumble back. Dane brought a hand to his face; blood on his lip. As he stared at his hand in shock, Canna punched him a second time, and then pushed him onto the frozen ground.
“You’re a fucking liar!” Canna snarled through gritted teeth as she leaned over the heap of Englishman. “How dare you come here and do this? You promised that I could trust you.”
“You did this to yourself, Canna. You put yourself in this position,” Dane replied. “You set this up, your behaviour all year long led to this moment.”
Canna gripped Dane by the throat and smacked his head against the cold cobbles. “Tell me, you little bitch,” she growled. “When they find your body, do you want it returned to your family hacked to pieces like Giorgio, or simply not found at all?”
Dane’s face showed a mix of fear and dismay at the reaction. “Did you kill Giorgio?”
Canna grinned her greedy smile as she tightened her grip on his throat. “If you go anywhere near me ever again, you’ll find out what the Caraceni family does to scumbags like you.”
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