temptation in florence 04 - expected in death

  Expected Death

  Temptation in Florence #4

  by Beate Boeker

  Kindle Edition I

  Copyright 2014 Beate Boeker

  License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  I

  “Psst! Psst! Carlina!” Fabbiola waved her arms and charged through the dancing couples with the subtle efficiency of a rhino.

  Several people turned to stare. Dusk was falling, and the lights on the trees had just gone on, giving the converted Tuscan farmhouse garden a magical atmosphere.

  Carlina winced and hid her face in her boyfriend's chest in the hope that her mother wouldn't spot her.

  His arms tightened, and with one quick step, he swung her around so they ended up behind a leafy olive tree in a large terracotta pot.

  Carlina looked up at him. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” Stefano smiled. “I'm at your service whenever you need a bit of distance from your family.”

  She chuckled. How good it felt to be in his arms, to inhale his familiar scent. “I didn't know you danced so well.”

  His smile deepened. “There are plenty of things you don't know about me yet.”

  “Psst! Psst! Carlina!” Fabbiola's excited voice was coming nearer now.

  Stefano pulled Carlina further away, toward the lilac hedge. The warm May evening air was filled with its fragrance. He gave her an evaluating look, a little devil in his eyes. “I doubt my little strategy will work, but it's worth giving it a try.”

  He tilted her chin up and kissed her until Carlina clutched the lapel of his elegant dinner jacket, not sure if she did it to pull him closer or if she needed something to hold onto as her knees turned soft.

  “There you are!” With a swish of her long skirt, Fabbiola appeared next to them and tapped her foot. “Will you please listen?”

  Stefano released Carlina with a sigh. “I thought as much. Subtle hints are entirely wasted.”

  Carlina didn't open her eyes at once, not trusting herself to speak. She had only been going out with Stefano Garini for a few months, and this was her first chance for a slow, romantic dance with him. Way too often, she was booked up with the activities at her luxurious lingerie store, Temptation, in the center of Florence, and it didn't help that he was equally often called away at short notice in his capacity as Commissario of the Florence homicide department. In fact, it was a wonder that he had made it to Uncle Teo's eightieth birthday party at all, as they celebrated the occasion on a wine-growing estate that was situated a two-hour drive from Florence and most of his colleagues were down with the flu at the moment. She resented the interruption by her mother with such a fierce emotion that it made her choke.

  “Carlina.” Fabbiola tugged at her sleeve.

  Carlina swallowed. Her mother's voice sounded more upset than usual - perturbed beyond her usual state of craziness. Maybe she should listen after all. To calm herself, she took a deep breath, then gave Stefano a wry smile as well as an apologetic glance and touched his cheek. “You're right. Subtle hints are lost on the Mantoni family.”

  “What are you talking about?” Fabbiola frowned.

  “Nothing.” Carlina turned to her mother, curbing her impatience. “What's the matter, Mama?”

  “You've got to come with me to the other side of the dancing area.” Fabbiola pointed beyond the dancing couples who turned slowly to the soft strains of the music. “I need your help.”

  Stefano shrugged and turned away. “I'll see you later, then.”

  “Oh, no.” Fabbiola caught the sleeve of his dark suit. “I need both of you.”

  “Why?” Carlina eyed her with unease. What was her mother up to now?

  “I can't explain.” Again, Fabbiola tapped her foot – though it sounded more like an impatient stomping now. Her henna-colored hair - for once elaborately coiffed to celebrate her uncle's special birthday - moved, and one persistent strand of hair fell forward over her eyes. “There's no time. Come on.” She grabbed them both by the hand and pulled them through the throng of people. It was as if the lilting music, the warm air, and the festive dresses didn't have any effect on her.

  Carlina hung back. “I'm not going anywhere until you tell me why it's so important. You just destroyed a precious moment, and I resent that.”

  Fabbiola rolled her eyes. “There'll be plenty of other precious moments in your life. But this can't wait.” She charged forward like a steamship. “Teo is in trouble.”

  Carlina exchanged a startled look with Stefano and hurried after her mother. “Why? What happened? Was the excitement of the birthday party too much for him?”

  “See for yourself.” Fabbiola pointed to the edge of the courtyard. Close to the three-man-band, Uncle Teo was dancing with a measured gait, holding an attractive woman of about fifty years in his arms. He was smiling as he bent his head to his dancing partner and listened to something she whispered into his ear.

  “Doesn't look like trouble to me.” Stefano Garini's voice was dry.

  Fabbiola frowned at him. “That's the third dance with her.”

  “So what?” Carlina smiled. “Why shouldn't Uncle Teo enjoy a nice flirt on this eightieth birthday? I think it's perfect.”

  Her mother gave a snort. “For a grown-up woman of thirty-five, you're way too naive.”

  “Thirty-three.” Carlina rolled her eyes. As if her mother didn't know how old she was.

  “She's way too young for him.” Fabbiola gave the dancing lady a menacing look.

  Garini grinned. “It's not unheard of that elderly men fall for much younger women.”

  “It's preposterous.” Fabbiola shuddered.

  “It think it's sweet,” Carlina said. “Look how he smiles.” She turned away. “Just let him be.”

  Fabbiola grabbed her daughter's arm again. “You don't know her.”

  Carlina shrugged. “Plenty of people here are unknown to me. Uncle Teo invited half of Florence, or so it feels. No doubt she's an old friend.”

  “She isn't. And she wasn't invited, either.” Fabbiola pressed her lips together until they were one thin line.

  Behind them, Fabbiola's younger sister, Benedetta, appeared in a bright red dress. She had her hand on the arm of Leopold Morin, the slim Frenchman who had been staying in the apartment on the ground floor of the family home since last Christmas. “Have you seen this?” It sounded like the hiss of an angry cat. She pointed her chin toward Uncle Teo and his lady. “What on earth can we do?” Her bright red mouth turned down at the ends as if she were witnessing a tragedy.

  “I really don't know why you're making such a fuss,” Carlina said. “Uncle Teo is having fun on his birthday. What's the problem?”

  Her aunt gave her a disapproving look. “Don't you know that woman?”

  Carlina frowned. “No, I don't think so.”

  “Her name is Olga Ottima.” Benedetta's voice sounded tragic, as if she were announcing a death in the family.

  Carlina couldn't help it, she had to laugh. “What a gr
eat name. Ottima – the best. Imagine if that were your name.”

  “A high concept to live up to.” Leopold Morin, the Frenchman, said with his quiet voice. “I'm not sure if I'd like to have such a name myself.”

  “Oh, you needn't feel sorry for her,” Fabbiola gave him a dark look. “She never had any inhibitions at all.”

  Garini looked at her and narrowed his light eyes. “So you've known her a long time?”

  “They were in the same grade at school,” Benedetta replied instead of her sister.

  Fabbiola winced as if the memory hurt. “You can take it from me that she never felt intimidated by her name. She thought every accolade was due to her. Everything had to work out just as she planned.”

  Benedetta opened her mouth. “Until you--”

  Fabbiola grabbed Garini and Carlina and pulled both forward. “Go ahead. Dance with them.”

  “What?” Carlina stared at her mother.

  “You take Uncle Teo. The Commissario can ask Olga.” She gave him a measuring glance. “You're looking really nice today in your suit, and she doesn't know you're a policeman, so she'll accept.”

  Carlina rolled her eyes. Sometimes, she wanted to throttle her mother, but when she stole a look at Garini's face and met his gaze, she saw the hidden smile in his eyes. Thank God he had enough self-esteem not to mind her mother's barbs. “I refuse to interrupt their dance,” she said, dug both feet into the ground, and hoped she wouldn't topple over from her high heels when her mother continued to pull her forward.

  At this instant, Uncle Teo swung around and saw them. He led his lady closer and smiled. “I haven't yet danced with you, Carlina.”

  A warm feeling rushed through her when she saw the look of happiness on his face. The last year had been tough on Uncle Teo. First, he had lost his twin brother, then his wife. She had been afraid that his birthday would leave him sad and lonely. Thank God this Olga had come along. “There's still time.” She smiled. “I can take the next dance.”

  At this moment, the band struck up a new melody.

  Uncle Teo made a funny little bow in front of Olga and said, “It was a great pleasure to dance with you, my dear. However, my beautiful grandniece is claiming me now.”

  Carlina looked at Olga Ottima with interest. She's a porcelain doll. Fragile and delicate and tiny. Her skin was pure milk and honey with just a touch of rose that looked as if it were painted on with care. She was wearing a fluttery chiffon dress in purple, enhancing the dark-blue color of her large eyes. At her slim wrist, an elegant watch sparkled with diamonds.

  Olga gave Carlina a fixed smile that looked as unreal as everything else about her.

  Stefano held out his hand to Olga. “Would you like to dance with me?”

  A look of surprise crossed her perfect features, but she gave him a slight nod and put her hand into his.

  As Uncle Teo led Carlina away, she wondered what Garini would talk about with Olga. Never known for loquacity, he might not even try. As Olga barely reached his chest, a conversation would be difficult anyway.

  Uncle Teo gripped Carlina's hand with surprising strength and pulled her closer. “Are you having a good time, Uncle Teo?” Carlina looked down at her tiny great-uncle. A feeling of tenderness overwhelmed her. Uncle Teo was a bit vain and could be difficult, but he was the patriarch of the wide-spread Mantoni family, and she liked his intelligence and sense of humor.

  “I'm having a perfect time, my dear.” He winked at her. “Anyone as old as I am would say the same to dance with such a beautiful woman as you are.”

  Carlina smiled. She knew that her cousins Annalisa and Emma, who also lived in the family house, were considered to be diamonds of the first water, whereas she was more average. But the thought counted. “Did you tell Olga the same?” she teased. “You're a charmer, Uncle Teo. You know that, don't you?”

  “Me?” He opened his rheumy eyes wide. “I'm absolutely sincere, my dear.”

  Carlina lifted an eyebrow and left it at that. In spite of his age, Uncle Teo was a good dancer, and she enjoyed the music, the soft May air, the feeling of happiness that suddenly gripped her and made her feel as if she were floating.

  Uncle Teo broke that bubble when he said, “Do you know Olga Ottima, my dear?”

  “No. I met her only now, but she went to school with Mama, didn't she?”

  He nodded, deep in thought. “Yes, she did.”

  Carlina hesitated. “She looks like a doll, doesn't she?”

  Uncle Teo nodded again. “Yes, she does. But looks can be deceiving. I'm not sure about her. Not sure at all.”

  “Why not? What did she say?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all, my dear. But I remember a big clash, oh, so many years ago.” He carefully danced with her away from the band and nodded at someone who waved at him from the buffet in the corner.

  “A big clash? What do you mean?”

  “Something between your mother and Olga.” He frowned until his eyebrows bristled. “I can't recall exactly what it was all about. But you must know that your mother is not pleased about me dancing with her so often tonight.” He took a deep breath. “Not pleased at all.”

  Carlina had to smile. “Uncle Teo, you may be old, but you've got a sharp mind. How on earth did you notice this so quickly?”

  He gave her a mischievous wink. “Your mother, my dear, is the easiest person to read in the whole town of Florence.”

  Carlina chuckled. “I agree. Did you enjoy dancing with Olga?”

  “Yes, my dear, I did.” Uncle Teo grinned. “And I'm going to do it again. Very soon. I'm too old to be told what to do.”

  Several hours later, the party guests had returned home, but a few of them stayed for the night at the old farmhouse that had been converted into a boutique hotel. Uncle Teo had reserved rooms for everybody who wanted to stay, and Carlina had jumped at the chance to spend a weekend in the country, away from busy Florence. Her naked feet made a soft sound on the uneven terracotta tiles as she went from the bathroom to the bed.

  Stefano was standing next to the bed and looked at her with a smile. “I'm glad you haven't yet taken off your dress.” He stretched out his hand and switched off the overhead light, leaving only a soft lamp in the corner to illuminate the room. Then he went to her and trailed kisses along her neck. “Because I've been looking forward to doing just that for hours.”

  Carlina felt a shiver of pleasure going through her. She smiled and turned to him. “Don't let anything stop you.”

  He lifted his hand and caressed the nape of her neck, but just as he pulled her closer, a knock came from the door.

  They froze.

  “Your mother.” His voice was dry.

  “No way.” Carlina lowered her voice to a whisper and pulled him toward the bed. “I didn't tell her our room number.”

  The knock came again, louder this time.

  He looked at her. “Are we going to open?”

  “No.” Carlina slipped her arms around his neck and started to kiss him.

  He burrowed his hands in her hair. “What if there's a fire?” His voice teased her.

  Carlina smiled. She knew his moods by now and could tell if he was serious or not, even if his face didn't betray his emotions. “In this house, there's just one fire at the moment, and it is right in front of you.”

  II

  The next morning, Fabbiola stopped in front of them while they were sitting at the breakfast table. The table was long enough to seat twenty people at once, and almost all the seats were taken by Mantoni family members. At the moment, however, the place was almost deserted because they had all stormed to the buffet, with the exception of Fabbiola who now sat down like a Queen and glowered at her eldest daughter. “I knocked at your door last night, but you didn't open.”

  Carlina looked at her mother and smiled. “What happened?” she asked. “Was there a fire in the house?”

  Stefano stepped on her foot. Don't overdo it, his eyes said.

  “I wanted to discuss somethi
ng with you.” Fabbiola pouted and looked at her daughter with a wounded expression on her face.

  “Well, you can do so now,” Carlina said.

  “It's confidential.” Fabbiola hissed.

  Stefano lifted his eyebrows. “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No, of course not.” Fabbiola looked over her shoulder. “But Uncle Teo will come down any minute now. Did you hear that this . . . this . . .” she seemed at a loss for words.

  “Yes?” Carlina had to suppress a grin.

  “This Olga! She stayed the night, too.”

  The words had hardly left her mouth when the door opened and Uncle Teo ushered Olga in like royalty.

  Stefano and Carlina exchanged a glance.

  Fabbiola made a sound like an angry cat and flounced toward the buffet as if she hadn't seen the newcomers.

  “Good morning, my dears.” Uncle Teo stopped next to the table. His gaze swept over the family, just coming back from the buffet with loaded plates.

  Behind Benedetta were her children, Ernesto and Annalisa, their red hair flaming in the morning sun. At eighteen and twenty, they were on the threshold of adulthood, but that didn't stop them from behaving like teenagers. At the moment, they were teasing each other. Behind her siblings came their older sister, Emma, her long legs shown off by a skirt not much longer than a standard towel. Her husband, Lucio, had both hands full with their plates. Emma carried nothing but a slim handbag. Though they all lived together in separate apartments in the house on Via delle Pinzochere in the ancient town of Florence, they rarely had breakfast together. Breakfast was a quick affair: tossing down a cup of coffee while standing. It was nothing compared to the elaborate lunches and dinners that were usually cooked by Benedetta and then eaten together in her large kitchen, in her second floor apartment.

  “Good morning, my dears.” Uncle Teo beamed at them all. Then he turned to Olga and looked at her as if he were a dashing young man and she a princess. “Shall we go and see what the buffet has to offer?”

  Olga shuddered. “I never eat anything in the mornings.” She patted her slim hips. “It's the only way to keep up a good figure. But a cup of coffee would be nice.”