A Funeral in Mantova by David P Wagner

Author:David P Wagner [Wagner, David P]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781464209529
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, Inc.
Published: 2017-12-12T07:00:00+00:00

Angelo was in a more talkative mood. Instead of staring out of the car windows, as he’d done on previous drives into the Lombard countryside, he grilled Rick and Lexi about their encounter with the “ecofreak,” as he characterized Folengo. Not that there was much to see from the Mercedes; the fog that had obscured the views of the lake for the morning runners had settled over the fields. As soon as the car emerged into some sunshine, it would be engulfed again. Marco kept the speed low, and he had turned on the car’s penetrating, red fog light on the rear to make it visible to any traffic approaching from behind. As everyone living in the Po Valley knew, pileups caused by low visibility could happen at any time, but especially on the autostrada where too many drivers insisted on high speeds, despite the conditions. There was little traffic this morning on the two-lane road from Mantova to the Rondini dairy, but Marco took no chances.

Angelo was laughing. “Lexi, you did well to take that creep down. I wish I could have been there to see it. I hope he’s there when we get to the gate so I can catch the look on his face when he sees you sitting in the back seat.” He chuckled. “What a bunch of garbage in that letter. I think I’ll tell Livia to sell the farm to a developer, just to piss off the guy.”

There were no protesters at the gate. Marco slowed and turned in before pulling up to the house. The driver hopped out to open Angelo’s door, and Rick did the same for Lexi. They walked up the steps to the house, but before reaching the door, Livia opened it and gave Angelo a welcoming hug. She greeted Rick and shook hands with Lexi.

“It’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you for inviting me along, Mrs. Guarino,” said Lexi.

“Please call me Livia. Come in, everyone. Can I offer you coffee before you take the tour?”

“We just had some at the hotel with breakfast,” answered Angelo. “Whenever you’re ready, we are.”

Livia’s fingers brushed her face. “I won’t be going with you on the tour. Francesco had an accident last night on the way home from the office. Nothing serious, but he’s upstairs and I want to keep an eye on him. I’ve asked Carlo to show you around.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Angelo. “Is there something I can do?”

“No, no. We’ll be fine. I hope you’ll enjoy seeing how the cheese is made.” She opened the door and walked out to the porch with them. “Carlo will be there at the office.” She pointed at a low structure a hundred yards away, visible behind the row of trees. The fog had lifted enough to see it and the other buildings of the dairy. “Come back when you’re finished, and I’ll offer you that coffee again.”

“We’ll do that.”

They descended from the porch to the car and the driver got out to open the rear door.

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