Rollo has lifted his eyes back to my face. He's waiting. Politely.
I make myself stop smoothing the silk over my knee.
I clear my throat again. “So, anyway, that's that, and—”
“It's not the only thing I was asked to report,signora.”
“Oh?”
“He also asked that I watch very closely and tell him if I believe in two things.”
I have a feeling I should just let this one go, but because anything that has to do with Nicolo Sestini is designed to make me silly and foolish—
“What two things?” I hear myself ask.
“He wants me to determine if Mr. Wheeler is capable of taking care of you—”
I guess?
“And making you happy.”
“Yes.” I don't even hesitate. “He is.”
I just find myself lying through my teeth.
Rollo doesn't move.
“Are you certain about that, Mrs. Sesti—”
I cut him off with a shake of my head. “Will youpleasestop calling me that?”
“It's the truth, ma'am.”
“Not for me.”
“But it is for him,signora.”
Rollo's voice turns grave as he says this.
“And that's why I am asking you now. Because I do not want to risk making a mistake. Do you really mean it,signora,when you say you believe you'll be happy with him again?”
Chapter Nine
I LET THE PHONE RINGtwice before I pick it up. My guts are already telling me it's going to be bad, but just this once...I want to be wrong.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Sestini.”
But I'm not.
And the pause that follows...that only means it's worse than I can ever imagine.
“Mr. Pascual escaped.”
And I'm right. Again.
Juan Pascual.El Carnicero.The very reason I signed up for witness protection. He was supposed to stay behind bars because of my testimony, while I built the case against the rest of his lieutenants. But now that they've let him slip?
“How long ago since he's escaped?” It must've been recent, since no one's reporting it yet.