“Buongiorno, Miss Taylor.” A familiar silken tone met her ear on the left. “My uncle noticed your presence.”
Autumn inclined her head to the side. Nico stood next to her. He was one of the first she recognized when the funeral service started.
“It doesn’t surprise me, Mr. Scala,” Autumn stated in agreement.
He gave a long-suffering sigh, “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Nico?”
“As many times as need be,Mr. Scala.” She tilted her chin up, observing family members and friends give their final condolences to the Casales and toss a rose into the empty grave.
Scala’s soft laughter grated at her ear, “Very well. My uncle has invited you to the reception.”
“Invitation or demand?” She asked in a sarcastic tone.
“Maybe invitation was the wrong word to use,” he mused.
“Apparently.” Arturo Casale wouldn’t ask for anything. He took whatever he wanted.
“Detective Hererra—”
“Only you.”
Autumn pursed her lips as she watched everyone scatter to their vehicles. They were all heading to the Casale residence.
“Fine,” she bit out, “but I still need to tell him what is going on.” Hererra would not let her walk into the viper’s nest alone.
Scala stuffed his hands in his pockets with a quick nod, “Do what you have to. His vehicle will not be allowed on the premises.”
Of course not.
Casale was allowing her into his inner sanctum? Very Interesting.
She headed for Hererra’s vehicle, fully aware of Scala following her. “Is there a reason you’re walking with me?”
“I’m escorting you to Agent Hererra’s sleek black Buick so you can tell him to park outside the gates of the mansion.”
Autumn stopped suddenly, which made Scala grunt as he walked into her back. She turned, realized just how close he was, and took a step back to keep the space between them, “Excuse me?”
Scala let a lopsided grin drop from his lips, “Didn’t I tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m going to be your escort.”
“My escort?” Dread seeped into Autumn’s bones and felt the color drain from her face. “Why?”
“So suspicious, Miss Taylor. Don’t you trust me?”
“No.”
“This way, Miss Taylor.”
Nico urged the profiler forward with a hand on the middle of her back. He felt her stiffen at his touch. Autumn glanced back at him, and he smiled in return.
Her eyes narrowed on him as she turned back around and started forward.
They passed several black-clad servers who looked between him and the crime scene analyst. Curiosity filled their expressions as he and Autumn walked through the servant's hallway. These people knew when to keep their mouths shut. None of them blinked an eye as Nico brought a guest through the secret passageways.
“Is Casale afraid the police were coming to raid his home on the day of his daughter’s funeral?”
