The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 06
The Lombardi Emeralds by Margaret Mounsdon.
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- 4. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 04
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- 6. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 06
- 7. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 07
- 8. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 08
May was starting to feel desperate. Fate appeared to be conspiring against her.
“I was thinking perhaps Sr Piace could offer you a room at the villa as Sr Lombardi’s guest? That way he could keep an eye on you.”
“Good idea.” Vin pounced on Betta’s suggestion.
“Hang on a moment,” May could feel panic rising in her chest, “don’t I have a say in the matter?”
“You do,” Vin conceded, “and I would be pleased to hear it.”
May was annoyed to see Vin found her discomfort a source of amusement.
“I don’t accept your offer.”
“Why not? You’re desperate to meet Sr Lombardi, aren’t you?”
“You have accused me of assuming a false identity in order to get to see Sr Lombardi – possibly with a view to kidnapping him.”
“That is true.”
“Do I look like a bandit?” May was growing exasperated. If the situation weren’t so serious she too would find it funny.
“I don’t believe I actually accused you of trying to kidnap Sr Lombardi.”
“All the same, why are you offering me a room at the villa?”
“Isn’t there a saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer still?” Vin taunted.
“I am not your enemy.”
“In which case,” Betta joked, “you can be
friends.”
May’s colour deepened. There was something seriously disquieting about Vin Piace, disquieting enough for her not to want to be his friend or to be in his debt.
“What if I turn down your offer?”
“I will alert the authorities to your presence in Bella Acqua and suggest they investigate your background. Sr Lombardi is an influential man. They will not ignore him.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Then you can explain to the authorities.”
The expression on Vin’s face reminded May of a cat taunting a mouse.
“If I accept your proposal . . . ” May mused, thinking on her feet.
“Yes?” Vin encouraged.
“You’re not planning on doing anything illegal?”
“Such as?”
“Locking me up.”
“You have my solemn promise you will be free to come and go as you wish.”
“And do I also have your promise you will not try to contact Tish Delacourt?”
There was a disturbance in the corner of
the room.
“Salvadore needs me.” Betta looked red in the face as if not wanting to play any more part in the proceedings. “We have much to do to prepare for our new guests.” She hurried out of the room.
Ignoring Betta’s outburst, Vin replied to May’s question.
“No doubt you have your reasons for making such a request.”
“I do.”
“And you won’t tell me why?”
“No.”
“Do you have any other demands?”
“If you don’t accept my conditions I am prepared to take my chances with the local authorities.” May crossed her arms in a gesture of triumph. “So it’s your call.”
Vin swirled his orange juice around the bottom of his glass.
“I agree to your terms,” he said.
“Do you?” May closed her eyes in relief. She hoped she had done the right thing because it was too late to back out now.
“Be ready by ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“How do you know I won’t disappear during the night?” May couldn’t help asking.
“I don’t,” he admitted, “but from my knowledge of human nature when someone wants something badly they are prepared to enter the lion’s den, and you very badly want to see Sr Lombardi, don’t you?”
May blinked and lowered her eyes. Vin picked up his car keys.
“One last request,” he said.
May raised her eyes.
“I need your word that you do not intend to harm Sr Lombardi in any way, either physically or emotionally.”
May hesitated. The question was a tough one. How was she going to find out about her mother’s connection to the Villa Lombardi without upsetting someone?
“You have my word.”
She hoped her reply would not come back to haunt her.
“I will see you tomorrow.”
May looked down at her mother’s invitation. Vin had left it on the coffee table. The words “one last gig” danced in front of her eyes as she heard Vin drive away.
May basked in the sunshine while she sat on the step outside the Pensione Betta the next morning, watching the early sun paint patterns on the cobblestone street. The clock in the church tower chimed 10 as Vin drove up.
“Good.” He nodded approval as he swung her suitcase into the boot of his car and held open the passenger door, “Sr Lombardi does not like to be kept waiting.”
“He wants to see me now?” May’s heartbeat trebled.
In all the confusion she hadn’t prepared a back up story and she had no idea what she was going to say to him. She’d had very little sleep the night before, her restless conscience going into overdrive as she battled with the enormity of what she had done behind her mother’s back and how Tish would react when she eventually found out.
“It’s as well to be prepared,” Vin replied to May’s question. “I have told him about you and he is looking forward to meeting you. You are happy with the top down?” Vin asked as he settled down behind the steering wheel and started the engine.
