Free temptation in florence 03 - bankers death by Beate Boeker Page A

irritation. “The same. Which is why I'm here. I did everything that had to be done immediately, but now, I'd like to be taken off the case.”
    Cervi frowned. “Impossible.”
    “It's impossible to continue.” Stefano made sure his voice didn't show his feelings. “I have too many links to the family.”
    His boss grunted. “What kind of links?”
    “I'm going out with Carlina Ashley, one of the Mantoni clan. She lives in the family home.”
    “Hmm.” Cervi frowned. “She's the owner of that expensive lingerie store, isn't she?”
    “Yes.”
    “Just how much of a friend are you?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Is it serious?”
    Garini clenched his teeth. This is none of your business. “Yes.”
    Cervi shook his head from left to right like a bored turtle. He gave Garini a malevolent glance. “Can Paolo take your place?”
    “He's on vacation.”
    “Far away?”
    “Too far to come back. A safari in South Africa.”
    “Damn.” Cervi frowned. “I have the impression he does it on purpose. Every time we want him, he's at the other end of the globe. How about Sergio? Is he ill at the moment?”
    “Not right now.”
    Garini's boss picked up the receiver and bellowed a short command into it.
    A minute later, Sergio moved his massive bulk through the door. His wheezing breath and pale face showed that he had not yet quite recovered from his last angina. “Buongiorno, Signor Cervi, Stefano.” He gave Garini a quick glance, a question in it.
    Stefano shrugged.
    “Garini here says he can't take a case because he's biased.” Cervi made it sound like a major shortcoming. “You have to take over.”
    Sergio's eyebrows climbed up. “I'm in the middle of the Maccari Case.”
    Cervi made an impatient movement with his hand. “Hand it over to Garini. No doubt he'll solve it quicker.”
    Garini winced. He knew that Sergio wasn't always the quickest on the uptake, but he was thorough and reliable - if he wasn't ill.
    Sergio stiffened. “What is this case?”
    “A man was stabbed yesterday evening in front of the Mantoni family home.”
    “Mantoni?” Sergio's gaze flitted to Garini's and away again. “I see.”
    Garini knew that Sergio remembered the evening when he had met him with Carlina at the restaurant Gallo Nero.
    “All right.” Sergio nodded. “I'll take over.”
    A weight fell from Garini's shoulders. If only everything would be so easy. He smiled at his colleague. “Thank you. I do appreciate it.”
    Sergio put his head to one side. “Just one more question: If the victim was found in front of the family house, that may have been a coincidence. Maybe the family is not involved at all.”
    “The family is involved all right.” Garini's voice was grim. “Valentino Canderini is half a Mantoni by birth, and he--”
    Sergio gasped. “Valentino Canderini? He's dead?” His round face lit up as if he had just heard the most wonderful news. “Brilliant.”
    Cervi cleared his throat. “Can you explain yourself, please?”
    Sergio beamed at his boss. “Oh, he was a good-for-nothing, that one.” He gave Garini an apologetic glance. “I'm sorry, but . . . “
    “I agree.” Garini said.
    “It still seems to be a bit exaggerated to jump with joy when he's found dead.” Cervi's voice was dry.
    Sergio shrugged. “He once tried to get my sister in trouble. He didn't get anywhere, because my brothers and I, we saw through him just in time and managed to step in.”
    “So in fact, nothing happened at all.” Cervi sighed. “Can we please forget your private feelings and approach this case in a professional manner?”
    His subordinate flushed. “I'm always professional. That's why I didn't kill him myself. However, I can only applaud the murderer. Canderini had it coming.”
    Cervi pressed his lips together. “I think you have to consider where your loyalties are. You are, after all, a policeman, and you shouldn't condone murder as a solution to any problem.” He drew himself up as he spoke.
    Garini