I raise my eyebrow and wait for him to go on.
"The secret passages?" he says.
Slowly and carefully, I put down my coffee. "Secret passage? You mean that one that ran from the study down to the basement?"
Darian nods. "That's one."
I'm about to tell him it's been walled off when what he said really sinks in. "That's…one? There are more?"
"Julian told me there are lots of them."
"Juliantold you?"
Darian is starting to look like he wishes he'd kept his mouth shut. "Yes," he says uncomfortably. "When Don Castellani was questioning us that morning after the murder, Julian showed me another way into that particular passage, from the butler break room. And we…well, we listened in to your interrogation."
"You listened in?"
Darian shifts uncomfortably. "If I'd known where we were going, I wouldn't have, obviously, but…"
How often does Darian listen at doors? I caught him myself, once, after all. I don't ask him outright. I don't want him to think I'm accusing him of anything. But it sure is a strange twist on his total-propriety-at-all-times attitude.
Anyway, there's something more important right now.
"Where?" I ask.
"Where?"
"Where are these other passages?"
He gives a slow shake of the head. "I'm not sure. We'd have to ask Julian."
I cross to the door at once. "Then let's go."
CHAPTER 27
DARIAN
The damp morningair clings to my skin as Raffi and I walk the winding path that takes us to Julian and Leo's in-process new house. The tall redwoods loom overhead of it, dark spikes sticking up behind the glass and wood construction. Julian and Leo have moved into it already, even though the fittings and finishings are still to be done.
Julian told me he wanted to be close by to keep an eye on proceedings. But I also overheard Leo and Sandro talking once, about how it would be good to get Julian out of Redwood Manor, away from some of the memories it holds for him. I'm not sure what memories they meant, but it was interesting information all the same.
As we reach the door, I hesitate. It's not even six in the morning and Julian has never been an early riser. But Raffi confidently knocks.
Leo answers the door, his massive frame filling the doorway, eyebrows pulling together in immediate concern. "What's wrong?" he asks, voice gravelly from sleep.
"Chops Lollo has disappeared," Raffi says. "Security is searching for him right now—or his body."
"Shit," Leo mutters, then says hopefully, "You think Chops might've killed Clemenza?"
Raffi shrugs. "It's a possibility."
"Come in." Leo steps aside to let us enter.
The moment we cross the threshold, Julian appears in the living room, dressed in a silk kimono with an intricate dragon design. "Raffi, Darian!" he exclaims with delight, despite his sleep-mussed hair. "How wonderful to see you both. You sit right down and let me serve you."
"Oh, no, Mr. Castellani—" I begin, but it's too late. Julian has disappeared again, and I hear the water running in the kitchen.
"Let him go," Leo says. "You know how he is. DeLuca, you told Sandro already? Good. Go on and give me your report."
