“I haven’t heard anything about that. When I talked to each of them, their only concern was finding you. At any cost, by the way.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your four best friends offered to pay for K19 to find you. Regardless of the cost.”
She looked at me as though she was trying to gauge whether I was telling her the truth.
“They love you, Tara.”
Evidently, that hadn’t been the right thing to say since it made her cry harder. When my phone vibrated again, I sneaked a glance at it. There was a text from Lucia, saying the farmhouse was cleared for entry and that two people from AISE were assigned to it. Another team had cleared the casina and were collecting evidence.
“Let’s go inside,” I said, moving Tara so I could get out of the car.
I sent a text to Lucia, asking her to have Tara’s belongings moved down here and that I’d explain what was happening to Pia. I also sent a text to Matteo, requesting a meeting tomorrow.
Since we’d left the museum and immediately went from the hotel to where I’d had to leave my car, we hadn’t had time for dinner. My guess was Tara would say she wasn’t hungry, but I had to eat. Fortunately, I had plenty of food left.
“Have a seat,” I said, motioning to the sofa. “I’m going to have a glass of wine. Would you like to join me?”
“Yes, please.”
I was disappointed when Tara didn’t follow me into the kitchen, but I had just told her to take a seat. I came back moments later, handed her a glass, and sat beside her. “You and I have a lot to talk about.”
She set her glass down and folded her hands in front of her. I pulled them apart.
“We’re talking. You’re not in trouble.”
She wiggled out of my grasp. “You’re going to ask about my father.”
Not just her father, but the man I’d seen her with too, although that part could wait.
“How long have you been following me?” she asked.
I took a sip of wine, realizing it hadn’t elicited a moan out of her when it almost did me.
“When I walked into the tasting room and saw you, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Since then.”
She took another drink of wine and looked off into the distance.
“What else do you want to ask me?” I asked.
“Nothing I want the answer to.”
“Come here.” I pulled her into my arms. “I changed my mind. We don’t need to talk tonight.” I felt her body relax and then stiffen again when there was a knock at the door.
“That’s someone bringing your things from the casina.” When she moved away and went to stand, I put my hand on her arm. “I’ll get it.”
I opened the door and saw Lucia standing on the other side. She looked beyond me at Tara. “Can I come in?”
I didn’t like it, but I let her.
“Tara, this is Agent Lucia Cesare. She is with AISE, Italy’s intelligence agency.”
“Agent Cesare, I believe you know Tara Emsworth.”
Tara visibly bristled.
“I’m sorry if I came off rude to you. That wasn’t my intention,” said Lucia.