EM Lynley - Precious Gems 2 - Italian Ice by EM Lynley

Author:EM Lynley [Lynley, EM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“WHERE’Syour companion?” Milacio asked with a grin when Reed

arrived alone at the pier.

“He got a call from his editor about some changes to be made

right away on one of his manuscripts. They gave him a pretty tight

deadline to turn it around.” Reed hoped the excuse didn’t sound too

suspicious.

“I had no idea publishing had such time-sensitive emergencies.” “Something to do with printing and release dates. There’s a PR

tour set up and….” Reed had to stop from babbling details. He had

been trained better than to run off with irrelevant specifics that only

dug him more deeply into a lie.

“It’ssuch a shame. I think Trent would really have loved today’s

little jaunt. We have our own business to conduct, but perhaps we

should postpone the trip until he’s free to join us.”

Reed wondered whether Milacio was more interested in seeing

Trent than in doing business with Reed after all. He’d gotten all sorts of

mixed signals from Milacio, but he thought Trent was joking about

Milacio’s intentions and degree of interest.

“I’m learning to enjoy mixing business with pleasure.” Reed

smiled, hoping he could pull this off.

“Good. There is something on Salina which I would like in

particular to show you, Rick. Something perhaps Trent would not be so

interested in….”

Does Milacio store the drugs at the winery? Reed would have to

make careful mental notes of everything Milacio showed him. There

was little room for mental fuckups today. Concentrate!

They were on the dock, about to board the Venere d’Oro for the

short trip to Salina, clearly visible from Panarea through the early

morning haze. Reed didn’t want Milacio delaying today’s business or

even their departure. What if Trent showed up with his suitcase while

they were waiting to leave? Could he think on his feet and come up

with a suitable explanation for leaving?

“You would still like to see the winery, even without Trent?” “Of course. I love wine.” Reed put himself in Trent’s shoes as he

lied.

Milacio boarded the hydrofoil and offered Reed a hand to steady

him as he stepped off the pier, but Reed waved away the offer of

assistance.

They took seats near the rear of the boat—aft, Trent would point

out—and the steward handed them both insulated travel mugs. “Some of my coffee.” Milacio smiled as he took a sip. “Let

Enrico know if you want some sugar or cream.”

“I’m fine.” Reed tentatively sipped at the mug. He knew better

than to drink anything from a suspect, even one as gracious and

hospitable as Milacio. And the situation had altered dramatically from

the previous day. Finding Brett’s mutilated corpse put a damper on

accepting anything from this man.

Milacio, however, acted exactly as he had on their previous

meetings. He did nothing to arouse Reed’s suspicions. Of course, he

might not know Reed had found the body. Reed had gone over and

over Milacio’s reasoning and still had no clear explanation for why he

would send them in the direction of Brett’s corpse unless he suspected

Reed of working with Brett. Thus Reed chose not to call the authorities

to notify them of the body. It would prove to Milacio there was a

connection.

But Milacio had sent Trent up that street, and Reed did not

believe in coincidences.

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