Irena watched them go, and the moment the glass door slid shut behind them, she sighed deeply and turned to us. “My father is a wonderful man, but he suffers. And often, he forgets to be polite. You are our first visitors in a long time, and I’d hoped he could stay cheerful at least while you were here.” Her eyes closed, briefly. “I apologize if he’s been difficult.”
“Not difficult,” Bennett said, “though I can’t help but worry about him. How long has he had trouble getting around by himself?”
Irena wrinkled her nose. “It has been gradual,” she said. The three of us were alone on the patio, but she lowered her voice anyway. “He could do more if he allowed himself to, but ever since Gerard—” She pulled her lips in, shot a wary glance at me, then continued, speaking primarily to Bennett. “My father doesn’t like us to speak of Gerard, but he’s my brother and I miss having him around.” She paused, looking hopeful. “You’ve been my father’s friend for longer than I’ve been alive. . . .”
Bennett breathed deeply, and sat back. “Nico shut me down when I wanted to talk about Gerard,” he said. “And Grace and I are only here for the day. We return to the United States tomorrow.”
Irena leaned forward to pat him gently on the knee. “I understand.”
“If I’d known the situation, I could have planned to spend more time with your father. He may have come around. As it is,” Bennett continued, “our charter leaves in the morning. If I weren’t required to be at a board meeting the day after . . .” He shot me a look Irena wouldn’t understand—Bennett had successfully steered a tricky buyout of another company and this meeting was key to final negotiations. “If it weren’t for that, I’d consider changing plans. I’m sorry.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for,” she said.
“Maybe,” I piped up, “you could show me around the villa, Irena. That could give Bennett and your father a chance to talk in private. Perhaps he would be more open to discussing your brother if he felt safe?”
She gave a sad smile. “I will suggest it to him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he refuses. He has made plans for your visit here, and my father is rather set in his ways. Deviation will be met with scorn. But if his strength holds out and he’s still alert after dinner, then you and I”—her eyes lit up—“will find our own fun. As you can imagine, I have very little opportunity for girl talk among all these men.”
Spending my last night in Italy with a relative stranger didn’t appeal to me, but if it gave Bennett the opportunity to talk with his old friend . . . “That would be great,” I said, hoping I sounded convincing.
Chapter 3
THE DOOR BEHIND US OPENED, SIGNALING Nico’s return and preventing further discussion of Gerard. Bennett and I turned to see our host framed by the doorway and accompanied by Angelo and Gianfranco, who eased past their boss to stand attentively outside.
“Bennett,” Nico called, beckoning with one gnarled hand as he held tightly to his walker with the other, “I have something of interest to show you.” Almost as an afterthought, he added, “You girls may come, too.”
Nico shuffled in place, turning his back to us as Gianfranco swooped in to tidy up our table. With an apologetic smile, he reached for our wineglasses, piling them and our untouched snacks onto a tray.
I thought I heard Bennett chuckle. “Looks like you have no choice.”
“Come, come,” Nico said as we crossed the threshold. Indoors, we were greeted by a dark-haired, mustachioed man. His prayerful hands tapped a quick rhythm close to his lips, and his glinting, deep-set eyes were harsh, conflicting with his obsequious smile. I disliked him on sight.
Behind me, Irena unsuccessfully muffled a groan. “I didn’t realize you were visiting today, Cesare,” she said as she came around me to embrace the short man, kissing him on both cheeks.