Free temptation in florence 05 - seaside in death by Beate Boeker Page B

am I. Just an hour ago, I would have sworn that he could on no account have had anything to do with the murder, but his behavior is--” she broke off, looking for a word.
    “Suspicious.” Stefano supplied.
    “Yeah, suspicious. And I couldn't believe it when that stupid Pucci said he'd found the gun underneath Ernesto's bed. It doesn't look good.”
    “No.”
    She stared at him. “But Ernesto is so gentle. He's not the boxing type, not the typical alpha male who has to prove his worth by showing off.”
    Stefano gave her a crooked smile. “Is that what alpha males are doing? Showing off by murdering people?”
    “Let's not get distracted by a side issue.” Carlina returned the smile, but her heart was heavy. “Why doesn't he trust us? What on earth happened last night? He's like a different boy. Or man, whatever.” She bit her lower lip. “You know, until now, I've always thought of Ernesto as a boy. But now, I'm not so sure. There's something very . . . very adult about him.”
    Stefano sighed. “If you mean that he's covering for someone, and if you mean that this is adult behavior, then I agree.”
    Her eyes widened. “Of course, you're right! He's covering for someone. But whom? He has to be very attached to that person. Could it be Benedetta?”
    He cocked his head to the side. “Can you see your aunt shooting someone?”
    Carlina hesitated. “If it's to protect her children, then yes.”
    “But in that case, she would come forward now. She'd never let Ernesto take the blame for something she's done.”
    “That's true. How about his sisters? Emma?”
    Stefano shrugged. “If it's Emma he's sheltering, I wonder why Lucio isn't involved. He's usually the first to protect his wife. However, I don't see any strange behavior in either Lucio or Emma.”
    “Then it must be Annalisa.”
    Garini made a wry face. “Annalisa wouldn't come forward to clear her little brother.”
    Troubled, Carlina looked at him. “Oh, yes, she would.”
    “Would she? Sometimes, my love, I think that you see your family in a way too rosy light.”
    She swallowed. “Annalisa has not behaved in any conspicuous way either so far. In fact, she's astonishingly normal.”
    “Which is conspicuous in itself,” he pointed out. “But I doubt that Pucci will, even for a moment, entertain that someone besides Ernesto can be the murderer.”
    Carlina balled her fists. “Oh, how I wish that you were the one to investigate this case and not that fat, good-for-nothing Commissario Pucci.”
    Stefano smiled. “That's the first time you've wanted me on a case involving your family.”
    “Because I know you're fair! And correct. You don't accept the easiest solution just because it'll cause less work.”
    He bowed. “Thanks for the flowers. But you are aware that my investigating this case would once again put a strain on our relationship, aren't you? The family is not amused when I treat them like suspects.”
    She swallowed. “Never mind. I believe that you will find the truth.” Something inside her cracked, and she ran into his arms. “Please take the case.”
    His arms tightened around her, and he sighed. “I'll see what I can do.” He inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her skin, combined with the faint summery fragrance of dried grass that came through the open window. It felt good to be alone with Carlina, and he cherished being close to her, but he was also afraid of the way this case could develop. And how could he butt in on a case out of his jurisdiction?
    Stefano's cell phone rang. With regret, he let go of Carlina and pulled the phone out of the pocket of his jeans, then looked at the display and raised his eyebrows. “Speaking of the devil. It's Cervi.”
    Carlina opened her eyes wide. “I thought your boss had promised not to call you?”
    Stefano held the buzzing phone in his hands, reluctant to answer it. Cervi had a tendency to call at strange times, and Stefano had made it a habit to ignore the calls whenever he