“What about Matteo? Is he really your boyfriend?”
“I’m sorry, Pia. Everything we’ve done has been to protect you.”
“Answer me.”
“He is, but he also works for AISE.”
“If you know that Georgio killed my father, why haven’t you arrested him?” When Lucia looked at Mylos again, I wanted to scream.
“I’ll answer that,” he said. “There isn’t sufficient evidence.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “There is also the matter of certain antiquities being offered for sale on the black market.”
“Paolo?”
“He’s a suspect, yes.”
“What about Georgio’s cousin, Gabriella? What role does she play, other than trying to murder my mamma and me?”
Before anyone could answer, there was a knock at the door. I gasped and put my hand over my heart.
“Don’t worry, Rile is outside.” When Mylos opened the door, Matteo walked in.
He came straight over to my mamma. “Don’t get up,” he said and then cheek-kissed her.
“Hi, Pia.” He did the same to me.
“I contacted Matteo to let him know you’d decided to remain at Valentini. I suggested it might be best if he came here and briefed us on the status of AISE’s investigation.”
Matteo cleared his throat and remained standing while Mylos took a seat next to me.
“Go ahead,” he told him.
“Approximately six years ago, AISE received intel about a group of individuals who were systematically targeting historic estates, particularly those found along the ancient Roman road Via Cassia. In most cases, the estates had fallen into disrepair and the owners were anxious to sell. This group, whose identities are shrouded in a dummy corporation, were willing buyers.
“AISE got involved when first, it appeared they were using more heavy-handed means to get reluctant owners to sell. In particular, Valentini. Second, when rare antiquities began appearing on the black market.”
When no one had any comments or questions, Matteo continued. He looked directly at me. “The failing equipment and thefts at Valentini were suspicious, but when your father suffered an injury more than likely intended to take his life, we stepped up our efforts. Given my close relationship with your family, I was chosen to go undercover, as was Lucia.”
I didn’t like their subterfuge, but what choice had they had? If it weren’t for them, my mamma and I might be dead.
“Your father’s trust in Paolo Viticcio ended up working to our benefit, at least initially, given we were able to monitor his actions. What we didn’t realize until it was too late, was that after the accident didn’t kill him, your father was slowly being poisoned to death.”
Matteo looked at Lucia. It wasn’t accusatory; it was more sympathetic. No doubt she blamed herself for not figuring it out sooner.
“It was only after we sent some of your food to the lab that we realized it was being poisoned with mercury.”
My mother was slowly nodding her head. It appeared she already knew most of what Matteo was saying.
“What about Nonna Bella?”
Matteo looked at Lucia a second time. “We have no reason to believe she was aware of what was happening,” she answered. “Nor was my mother.”
“Before you arrived, I asked about Georgio’s cousin, Gabriella.”
“She isn’t his cousin,” Matteo answered. “Her real name is Donnatella Bianchi, and we believe that she and Paolo may be the masterminds in this conspiracy—”
“Donnatella?” I closed my eyes, picturing the woman I met in the lobby of the hotel in London and then the woman who became our fill-in cook. Without makeup and with the addition of frumpy clothes, flat shoes instead of heels, her hair dyed or wearing a wig, and a pair of glasses, they could be the same person.
It explained so much. Including why Mylos had seen him leave with a “beautiful blonde” the night Paolo and I had dinner with the Fellwood partners. Now I wondered if they were in on it too.