Do you want me to call a doctor?
No ' no ' but don't leave me ' she began as the telephone rang. She sat bolt upright with a look of terror in her eyes. She couldn't go through it again, couldn't bear it. Tell them to stop putting calls through. But Bernardo had already answered it and was speaking in low tones. She could not hear what he was saying. Finally he looked at her, smiled, and nodded his head. And then, without explaining further, he handed her the phone and left the room.
Isabella? At first she didn't recognize the voice. Then her eyes grew wide.
Corbett? But it couldn't be.
But the voice answered, Yes, adding, and don't hang up on me. Or at least not just yet.
Where are you? Her face was expressionless; it sounded as though he were here with her, in the same room.
I'm downstairs, Isabella, but you don't have to see me. If you want, I'll go away.
But why? And why now of all times?
I came to steal the business. Remember me?
Yes, I remember you. I I owe you an apology ' for what I said to you in the car. She was smiling into the phone.
You don't owe me anything. Not an apology, not the business, not anything. Nothing but ten minutes of your time.
An idea occurred to her then, and she was astonished. Bernardo! Had he asked Corbett to come? Did you fly to Rome to see me, Corbett?
He nodded his head and answered her. Yes. I knew what you must be going through. I thought that maybe you needed a friend. Then, Isabella, may I come upstairs?
A moment later she opened the door for him. She did not speak. Her eyes were dark and tired and empty. Slowly she put out her hand.
Hello, Corbett.
It was like the beginning. He shook her hand solemnly and followed her into the room.
Would you like a glass of wine?
She was smiling now as she looked at him, and it took everything he had not to take her in his arms. He shook his head and looked around the room. Is this your office?
No, it's an apartment we keep for important guests. And then she looked at him unhappily and sat down with her head bowed. Oh, Corbett, I wish I weren't here. He sat down next to her and watched her.
I'm sorry you have to go through this, but at least they caught them. At least now you won't wonder what happened to them and if they'll ever strike again.
I suppose so. But I thought I had put it all away.
He only shook his head. He didn't want to tell her that you never really can. You can't erase a memory. Or deny an irreparable loss. You could dull it, you could heal it, you could fill the void with something else. Isabella he paused for a moment may I be there with you tomorrow?
She looked at him, horrified. At the trial? He nodded. But why? Was he curious then? Was that it? Was he like all the others? Was that why he had come? She looked at him suspiciously, and he took her hand.
I want to be there with you. That's why I came.
This time she nodded, understanding, as her fingers tightened slowly in his grasp.
Chapter TWENTY-NINE
The next morning she stepped out of the car with a guard ahead of and behind her, and with Corbett and Bernardo on either side. Together, they plowed through the mob, her head bowed, her face hidden by a black hat with a brim. Moments later they were in the courtroom and the judge had entered and called Alfredo Paccioli, the jeweler, to the stand.
And Signora di San Gregorio brought you her jewelry? All of it?
Yes, Paccioli murmured.
What did you give her in exchange for it? Did you give her anything? The attorney was pressing, and again Paccioli said yes.
I gave her all the cash I had in the office at the time. And I got another three hundred thousand dollars from merchants I know. I also promised to get her an equal amount the following week.
And what did she say?
Corbett felt Isabella stiffen next to him, and he turned slightly to watch her. Her face was so pale, it was almost white.
She said it wasn't enough, but she took it.
Did she tell you why she needed the money?
No. Paccioli paused, unable to go on. When he spoke again it was almost a whisper. But I suspected. She she ' looked ' ravaged ' broken ' frightened ' He had to stop then as tears washed his florid face. His eyes met Isabella's. She was crying too.
The judge called a recess.
The testimony continued agonizingly for another three days. At last, on the fifth morning, the judge looked at her regretfully and asked her to take the stand.
You are Isabella di San Gregorio?
I am. Her voice was a tremulous whisper, her eyes almost larger than her face.
Are you the widow of Amadeo di San Gregorio, who was abducted from his office on September seventeenth and murdered on The attorney checked the correct date. He supplied it, and Isabella nodded miserably.
I am. Yes.
Can you tell us, in orderly fashion, what happened on that day? The last time you saw him, what you did, what you heard?
Step by step she went through it: her arrival at the house that morning, the business they had discussed, Bernardo's warning, how she and Amadeo had been touched but had cast the warning aside. She looked briefly at Bernardo. There were tears in his eyes, and he looked away.
With anguish Corbett watched the proceedings, willing her to have the strength to go on. For days now he had watched her and listened, taken her back to San Gregorio each afternoon, and talked with her until night. But he had said nothing of an intimate nature, never touched her, except gently with his eyes. He had come to Rome as her friend, knowing that these days would be most painful, that in reliving it, at last she would be free. But knowing also that it might break her, that even if she survived it, she might want nothing from him. He had come anyway, he had been there, as he was there for her now.
And when did you realize that your husband was late?
At ' I don't know ' perhaps seven thirty. She told of being interrupted by Alessandro. And then, in agony, she explained further of calling Bernardo, of waiting, of suddenly being afraid. And then the phone call. She began to describe it, but she broke down and couldn't go on. She gasped for a moment, fighting for air and composure, but suddenly the tears were flowing from her eyes.
They they said they had ' my husband. It was a word strangled between a gasp and a scream.' that they would kill him ' and ' . they let me talk to him, and he said '
Bernardo looked at the judge unhappily, but he only nodded. It was best if she got it over with all at once. They had to go on.
And then what did you do?
Bernardo ' Signore Franco arrived. We talked. Later that night we called the police.
Why later? Had the kidnappers told you not to?
She took a deep breath and went on. Yes, later. But at first I was afraid that if I called the police, my accounts would be frozen and I wouldn't be able to come up with the money at all. And they were frozen, of course. She sounded bitter as she said it.
Is that why you tried to sell your jewelry?
She looked at Paccioli, seated in the back of the courtroom, and nodded. He was crying openly. Yes. I would have done anything ' anything' .
Corbett's jaw tightened, and he and Bernardo exchanged an anguished glance.
And then what happened? After you got the money? Did you deliver it to the kidnappers, although it was less than they had asked?
No. I was going to. I was going to tell them. It was Monday night, and they wanted the money by Tuesday. But' . She began to tremble again. ' but they called. ' It was ' it was. ' A look of horror crossed her face, and her eyes searched out Corbett and Bernardo. Non posso! I can't go on!
No one moved. The judge spoke to her gently and urged her to finish if she could. She waited a moment, sobbing, while the bailiff brought her some water. She took a small sip and went on.
It was in the papers that I had been to Alfredo. Someone told them. And as she said it she remembered the face of the girl. The kidnap
pers knew then that my accounts had been frozen. That we'd called the police. She sat very still and closed her eyes.
And what did they tell you the next time you spoke to them?
She whispered, with her eyes closed. That they'd kill him.
Was that all they said?
No. She opened her eyes again, as though seeing a vision, as though she herself were now very far away. The tears streamed down her face. She looked up at the ceiling. They said that I could' . Her voice was fading as she looked back again. ' say good-bye to Amadeo' . And ' I did. He told me ' he told me ' to be brave for a little while, that everything would be ' all right ' that he loved me' . I told him I loved him ' and then' .
She stared blindly into the courtroom.
And then they killed him. The next morning the police found him dead.
She was lifeless as she sat there, recalling the moment, the feeling, and the last sound of Amadeo's voice, which seemed to fade as her own voice died away. Silently she looked at the three men accused of his murder, and still crying, she shook her head. The judge quickly signaled to Bernardo. Her part in the trial was over. He wanted her removed.
Bernardo got quickly to his feet, having understood, and Corbett followed him and the attorney to the stand, where they reached out to Isabella, who looked at them, uncomprehending. They killed him ' they killed him ' Bernardo' . Her voice was a hideous wail in the courtroom ' He's dead!
Her scream had carried outside the courtroom. As Corbett and Bernardo assisted her toward the doors, they burst open, and the photographers were unleashed into the courtroom.
Come on, Bernardo! Corbett was suddenly all action as he swept Isabella out in his arms. Stay away from her, you bastards. Bernardo and two guards were plowing ahead, as the judge shouted for order and deputies attempted to have the press removed. The courtroom was a shambles, and Isabella was crying, and the crowd watched them, stunned.
Somehow they reached her car at last, the doors closed, and the three of them pressed together in the backseat as the car sped away, the press still shouting, cameras clicking.
Isabella collapsed on Corbett's chest.
It's over, Isabella. It's over, darling ' it's over. He said it to her again and again as, stricken, Bernardo watched. He regretted ever telling her to make the journey. He had been wrong, but Corbet's eyes didn't reproach him, even when they reached the fresh crowd of press wailing for them at San Gregorio.
Bernardo stared at them in horror as Isabella began to shed fresh tears. Corbett glanced at the crowd and quickly told the driver, Don't stop here. Keep going. He looked at Bernardo. We'll take her to my hotel.
Bernardo nodded savagely, thinking that the only intelligent thing he'd done lately was call Corbett Ewing and ask him to come.
They were in his suite at the Hassler five minutes later, and Isabella stared at them with a ravaged face.
It's all over now, Corbett said. You'll never have to go through anything like this again.
She nodded slowly, like a child who has just seen her entire family die in a fire.
Bernardo looked at her sorrowfully. I'm sorry, Bellezza.
But she was more herself again as she watched him, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. It doesn't matter. Perhaps now it really will be over. What will happen to those men?
If they live long enough to get out of the courtroom, they'll be found guilty, and I assume they'll be sentenced for life. Bernardo said it viciously, and Corbett nodded; he agreed. But he stood up then and walked quickly toward the phone. He spoke into it softly and returned a moment later to consult the other two.
I think we should leave for New York on the next plane. Can you leave, Isabella? Or do you have business to do? She shook her head numbly and then looked up at him.
What about my things?
But Bernardo was on his feet now. I'll go get them.
Corbett nodded. Fine. Can you meet us at the airport in an hour? Bernardo nodded in answer, stood up, and looked down at Isabella.
Is that allright with you?
The trial is finished? They both nodded. The essential testimony had been given and there had never been any real doubt about the outcome. It was a capital offense. The men who had taken Amadeo and killed him would be punished.
It's finished, Isabella. You can go home now.
Home. Bernardo had called New York her home. For the first time, she realized that it was. She didn't belong in Rome anymore. Not after today, after this week, after what had happened. Her eyes sought Corbett's after Bernardo had left them and Corbett had locked the door. She watched him as he closed his suitcase and then returned for a moment to sit at her side.
Thank you for being here. I ' it was so awful ' I thought I was going to die. ' All that kept me going was knowing that I had to say it, had to finish it, and get it out ' She looked at him again. And I knew I could do it as long as you were there. And then she had to ask him. Did Natasha send you?
But he shook his head slowly. He wasn't going to hide anything anymore. Bernardo called me.
Bernardo? She looked shocked and then she nodded her head. Capisco.
Are you angry?
Her voice was very gentle as she smiled at him. No.
This time he smiled too. He looked at her for a long moment, sitting close to her on the couch. There are some things we need to talk about, but right now let's get to the airport and get on that plane. Do you have your passport? If Bernardo misses us, he can always send your luggage on the next flight.
My passport is in my handbag.
Let's go then. He held a hand out to her, and they both stood up. The limousine was already waiting downstairs. There were no paparazzi. They had no interest in Corbett Ewing at the Hassler. They were too busy at San Gregorio.
Bernardo met them at the airport an hour later, five minutes before they had to catch their plane. Isabella clung to him tightly for a last moment. Grazie, Nardo, grazie. He held her tightly for a moment and then pushed her toward the plane.
I'll see you in March! were his last words to her, as Corbett waved to him and they boarded.
As Rome shrank beneath them Corbett watched her silently, staring out over the wing. Finally she turned to him and slipped her hand into his. But he couldn't wait any longer. He gazed at her with a worried look in his eyes. Is it too soon to tell you I love you? His voice was a whisper that barely reached her ears.
The smile spread to her eyes slowly as she looked at him.
No, darling, it was never too soon. They kissed long and hungrily as the stewardess waited to serve them champagne. She poured the bubbling wine into their glass, and Isabella picked up hers and looked long and hard into Corbett's eyes. Then softly she whispered to him as she lifted her glass, Forever, my love. ' as long as forever may be.
Published byDell Publishinga division ofRandom House, Inc.
Copyright -! 1980 by Danielle Steel
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.
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eISBN: 978-0-307-56701-7
to Love Again (1981) Page 24