The Collector 5: The Crystal Flacon by Jeanne Barrack

Author:Jeanne Barrack [Barrack, Jeanne]
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-01-07T07:26:21+00:00

Chapter Nine

By the time Antonio and Abby slipped back upstairs, the first few threads of dawn were appearing in the sky. Lucy had slept soundly throughout the night, never raising a peep on the baby monitor Abby had brought down with her to the dining room.

They paused in front of Abby’s door and Antonio pulled her against him for one last kiss.

“Bella, I’ll be back as soon as possible after Luigi and I meet with the insurance investigator and before that I’ll change the alarm codes.” He stepped away from her and shook his head in resignation. “I wish Luigi believed that I trusted him.”

She moved back into his arms and rested her head against his chest. He could barely hear her murmured consoling words. “Everything will work out all right. I know it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

As she watched him walk down the hall to his bedroom, she made a silent promise.

I’ll make sure I’m right.

* * * * *

As soon as Antonio left for Ferrara, Abby set Lucy down with a coloring book and crayons and got out her cell phone to call Matti.

“Shalom, Avigahyail. Have you obtained the flacon?”

“No, and Matti, there’s been another attack on Borgia. Someone broke into the greenhouse and set fire to it.”

“Are you all right, Abby? No one was hurt, were they?”

“We’re all fine. The sprinkler system took care of the fire, though it actually helped further the damage to the plants. But since we’re separated from the greenhouse by the inner courtyard and the office and shop, we were safe.”

“That’s right. I didn’t quite remember.”

“Remember? Have you been here before? You didn’t tell me!”

She could hear Matti’s sigh over the phone before he spoke. “There’s a lot I haven’t told you. Listen, ahavti, I’m going to call in a few favors and see if I can find out who might have a grudge against the d’Estes.” He paused. “As for the security code, this definitely proves that someone is tapping into the security system.”

“I agree. I can block it if I had the right piece of equipment.”

“I’ll bring it out to you.”

“Matti, is that a good idea? How could I explain you to Antonio? He’s already seen us at the tratorria.”

“He did? What did you say to him that time?”

“The truth ... somewhat. I said you lived in Italy and were the grandfather of a former charge and that you were a big, old flirt.”

He laughed. “Well, you got that last part exactly right. So, if I take it upon myself to visit you, you can chalk it up to my being an old man with a bit of a crush on his grandchild’s former nanny. What time does the little one nap?”

“Around two for about an hour or so. I don’t think Antonio will be back before four, although he might get home earlier.”

“No problem. If he does, we can always say I arrived unexpectedly to surprise you. Now, let me make my calls and I’ll be there by the time the little girl is fast asleep.

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