I shuffled through the pages and asked Ringo, “What am I looking at?”
“A set up, that’s what.”
No shit. “Why?”
“Probably because you were poking your nose in where it shouldn’t.” Ringo’s tone was defensive. “And seriously? Dianora?”
I glanced at Allie. Her eyebrow arched with jealousy almost as soon as the name registered. I hurried to add, “She means nothing to me.”
Unfortunately, my wife was not only beautiful, but wise. “Obviously, she’s a part of this mess.”
“But not your concern,” I reminded her.
“Wait, who is he talking about?” Ellie butted in.
Allie’s mouth tightened, as if guarding her secrets like a dragon. I would not enlighten her sister, either.
“The black widow of Tuscany,” Ringo supplied.
Ellie glared at him. “Explain.”
“No.” My single word was a command. Ringo should not and would not discuss business in front of my bride or her twin.
Now, not only Allie’s expression, but his soured.
My wife spoke up. “The other woman.”
“She is not the other woman,” I interjected.
Ellie interrupted. “Does that makes my sister the other one?”
Something in Ellie’s tone gave me pause. Perhaps it was the way her fingers curled at her side.
“You stepped in that one,” Ringo muttered and scratched the back of his neck nervously.
“Not at all.” My denial was ignored.
Allie studied me. “I think I know what’s happening here.”
I hoped not. “My love…” I cautioned her not to betray any secrets.
“No, hear me out, maybe talking through this will help everyone figure out what the heck we’re going to do next.”
“Inside, maybe?” Ringo suggested.
“Yes. Inside,” Loppa agreed. He’d turned a bit gray from the pain. Yet he was the last person to leave the terrace. He followed Ringo with a wary eye.
We gathered around the lightly crackling fireplace that heated the cozy living room on the lower level. Allie took the pages and spread them out across the coffee table. Their grisly nature was a contrast to the delicate china teacups that the chef filled to warm us up.
Allie started as soon as the servant retreated. “Okay. Let’s lay out the timeline, please? How soon after you heard about your father’s deal with Dianora did you travel to Chicago to speak with her brother?”
“The same day.” I studied the occupants to gauge their reactions.
Ellie stared at Ringo. “You’re a mobster?” Her voice was small.
“So’s he.” Ringo jabbed a finger in my direction.
Her eyes widened a little. My wife’s however, did not. This was not news to her despite my best efforts to shield her from the truth. She’d adapted quickly. I admired her ability to compartmentalize. So much so, that I drew her hand to my mouth for a kiss.
