Bitter Maremma by Libi Siporin

Author:Libi Siporin [Libi Siporin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2021-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Leah and Nick bolted from bed when the telephone squealed the next morning at 9 a.m., 4 hours after they had returned to the apartment. Scrambling for the phone, Leah knocked her book and glasses off the nightstand.

“Damn it!” she shouted in a voice gravelly from sleep.

“Mom? It’s me. What are you cursing about? And what’s with the voice?”

Leah cleared her throat and ignored the mention of cursing. “Not much sleep, Sara.”

“I thought dad would be up inputting his notes already.”

“Not this time. Yesterday was exhausting.”

“I thought the Befanata wasn’t until last night. What was up yesterday?”

Leah ran a response through her mind. Oh nothing, just seeing a murder, being pursued, hiding in the dust of a burial cave, trying to act normal, knowing I’m in the sights of a killer.

“You know, preparation and I was taking some photos on one of the vie cave.”

“Are you guys fighting?”

“No. We’re fine. Does it seem like we’re fighting?”

“You sound like you’re trying to hide something. Your voice is all funny.”

“We’re fine. What about you two? Are you enjoying Paris?”

“It’s Prague, Mom, Prague. And we’ve got news for you.” Leah could hear the child in her voice. “We’re coming to see you!”

“You’re coming? Did you already buy the tickets?”

Leah turned to Nick and made a face.

“Gee, don’t get too excited.”

“I’m sorry, I…”

“Mom! Show a little enthusiasm. It’s not all about the money. Cheap tickets if we came through Prague, and we had to grab them fast. Since we postponed the wedding we can afford it, so we’re spending some time here and catching Czech Airlines to Rome. I wanted to surprise you, but Jonathan said I’d better not, just in case. And it sounds like it was a good thing I didn’t.” Sara was disgruntled.

“It’s not that I’m not excited,” Leah was struggling to find an excuse, “it’s just…I haven’t done anything about canceling the wedding. I haven’t even called Genna. When will you come?”

“I’m not a baby, Mom. I called Genna, and between the two of us, we’ve cancelled everything. It’s taken care of. And I’m not sure when we’ll come.” She giggled.

“Why are you giggling?”

“Nothing. Just happy to be talking to you.” She broke into a full laugh.

“What is wrong with you? What’s all the laughter?”

Sara had burst into uncontrollable hoots.

“Okay. Howl away. I won’t ask again.”

“We’re…going…to poke…around Prague…for a little before…” She chortled.

“Yes, you said.”

“Come on, Mom! You don’t sound excited at all!”

“Just tired. We got in very, very late—or very, very early.”

“Okay, listen, sorry I woke you, I’ve got to go, Johnny’s waiting.” She laughed again and hung up.

“Tell me,” Nick grunted.

“They’re in Prague, and they’re coming here.”

“Let’s hope it’s after all this is settled.”

“With our usual timing? Not likely.”

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