Free temptation in florence 04 - expected in death by Beate Boeker Page B

returned on Friday? Listen, I have the most wonderful news!”
    “Yes?” Carlina's heart lifted. Finally, someone was happy.
    “I met a most gorgeous man at that crafts dinner! Remember that I told you about it?”
    “Yes. You said there were two puny guys and one married.”
    “Correct. Well, this time, there was another. It was amazing, the way we hit it off right away. We spent most of the weekend together.”
    Carlina smiled and leaned against the door frame of Temptation. “Sounds great. And he's so nice that you decided to break the two-month-rule for him?”
    “What?” For a minute, Francesca sounded disoriented. ”Oh, that. Now I remember. No, don't worry. This one is a keeper. I feel so small and safe with him, it's absolutely delish! This time, it can't go wrong.”
    Carlina shivered. I hope the gods don't listen. She suppressed the thought and forced herself to make a light-hearted reply. “Sounds perfect. When will I meet him?”
    “Soon. You know, I'm a little bit crazy. I simply can't wait to see him again, and I can't stop thinking of him, and we already talked twice this morning, and I had to share my happiness with someone, so I just had to call you!”
    “I'm so glad to hear that you're happy.” Carlina smiled. “What a romance. Enjoy every moment.”
    “I will.” Francesca promised. “And I'll come to Temptation as soon as I can to stock up on new underwear. But how about you? Did you manage to get rid of that Olga Ottima?”
    “We're trying our best.” Carlina's voice held a bitter note. “But it's more difficult than I'd imagined.”
    “Well, if all else fails, kill her off. You'd do many people a service, you know.” Francesca made it sound as if killing someone were standard procedure.
    “I'm quite aware that killing her sounds like the best solution.” Carlina sighed. “But it's not easy.”
    Voices could be heard in the background, then Francesca said, “Listen, I gotta go. I'll be in touch. Ciao. ”
    “Ciao.” Carlina slipped the phone into her handbag and turned her head, only to see a startled tourist, staring at her with wide open eyes. She clutched her handbag to her chest as if it could ward off a vicious knife.
    Carlina made an effort to smile. “Buongiorno,” she said. “The store will be open in just one minute, if you'd like to wait.”
    The woman took a step back, turned on her heels and fled down Via Tornabuoni as if Carlina were pursuing her.
    “All right.” Carlina swallowed. “I guess that's an answer, too.”

II
    Piedro opened the door to Garini's office and peered around it with the expression of someone who had bad news to relay.
    Garini looked up from the forms he was filling in and frowned. He knew that look on his subordinate's face. It meant they had a new case. “Come in.” He pushed the forms to the side. “And tell me about it.”
    Piedro came closer with shuffling feet. “Tell you about what?”
    “About the new case.”
    “How do you know we have a new case?”
    Garini suppressed a sigh. Piedro was not known for being quick on the uptake, but he was the son of his boss, and therefore it was impossible to complain about him. Instead of answering the question, he repeated, “Tell me all about our new case, and remember the rules about how to make an efficient report.”
    Piedro nodded. “I remember.” He held up his hand and started to count off on his fingers. “What? Who? When? Why? Where?”
    “Exactly.” Garini gave him an encouraging smile. At least something had stuck in Piedro's volatile brain. Maybe there was hope after all.
    “What?” Piedro lifted up his thumb. “A suspicious death.”
    “As we're working in the homicide department, that's a given.”
    Piedro nodded, oblivious to the ironic tone in Garini's voice. “Yes, it fits.” He lifted his index finger. “Who? We don't know.” The middle finger. “When? We don't know.” The ring finger. “Why? We don't know.”
    Garini held up his hand. “Hold on,