“That’s right.”
“You are staying in la cascina.”
“Yes.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. You have been here two days, sì?”
“That’s right.”
I noticed the tour guide walk into the tasting room. The others in the group did as well and began cashing out. “Looks like we’re leaving.”
“No! Not yet!” exclaimed Pia. “Where are you staying? In Pienza?”
“Um, most likely. I haven’t quite figured that out yet.”
“You could stay here.”
“What do you mean?”
“We have accommodations. Much nicer than the pensiones in the village. Not that there’s anything wrong with them. But what we have is better.”
“Um…if you’re sure.”
“Of course I’m sure. Now, more wine, sì?”
7
Halo
Catarina Benedetto, aka Tara Emsworth, was far more beautiful than she appeared in her photos, and in those, she was still the prettiest woman I’d ever seen.
She had a broad smile that lit up her whole face, high angular cheekbones, and stunning deep blue eyes. Her blonde hair, even tied back, hung down almost to her waist, and her bangs fell just over her eyebrows.
When the woman—Pia—led me into the room, I was stunned almost speechless. In fact, I was certain my eyes were playing tricks on me. Could it really be that the woman I’d been looking for was truly sitting in this very room? It seemed inconceivable.
She turned skittish when I asked if she was American, and I immediately regretted doing so. Thankfully, Pia quickly changed the subject.
While Catarina informed the tour guide that she would not be returning to Sienna with them, Pia stepped out of the room to make a call. Not knowing how much time I had, I quickly fired off a text to Striker.
Tara Emsworth located in Val d’Orcia.
Copy that, came his quick response, followed by, Details? I put my phone in my pocket when Pia returned.
“I’ve asked Nonna Bella to arrange for some food to be brought to the winery. Did you have plans this evening?” she asked.
“None at all.”
“I wonder where Catarina is,” she murmured, looking out the window. “I hope she did not leave.”
“Why would you think she would?”
She studied me as if I somehow held the answer. “I don’t know.” Pia tapped her cheek with her finger. “I’m going to go and check on her.”
I took the opportunity to fire off another text to Striker. Turned up at Valentini.
Interesting.
I took a seat at one of the tables in the smaller room, hoping Tara would return to the tasting room before Pia did.