She cradles his head in her lap, her face a mask of devastated shock. Tears stream down her cheeks. Her hands shake as she touches his face, his throat, checking for a pulse that I know is already fading.
“Dad, stay with me,” she sobs. “Please, please, stay with me.”
I stand back, playing the shocked son-in-law, watching as Don Carlucci Barone takes charge and orders someone to call for help. Sofia appears at my elbow, her face pale.
“Vincenzo,” she whispers. “What—”
“I don’t know,” I say, loud enough for others to hear. Shocked. Confused. “He was fine a minute ago.”
But I do know.
Adora crouches over her father’s body, and her voice breaks perfectly. “Please, somebody help him!”
Her acting is flawless.
I’ve never loved her more.
16
Adora
The sterile white walls and fluorescent lighting in the hospital make everyone look half dead. I sit in a waiting room with Vincenzo beside me, his hand warm in mine. People passing look surprised at my wedding dress and his suit but quickly avert their gazes when they see my makeup smudged from crying.
Tragedy at a wedding. What an unlucky couple.
Two detectives sit across from us. The older one, Detective Morelli, has kind eyes that don’t match his sharp questions. His partner, Detective Smyth, takes notes and watches like she’s waiting for me to slip.
“Mrs. Vici,” Morelli says. “I know this is difficult, but we need to ask you some questions about what happened tonight.”
I nod, pressing a tissue to the corner of my eye. “Of course. Anything to help.”
“Can you walk us through the events leading up to your father’s collapse?”
I take a shaking breath. “We’d just finished dinner. The toasts were starting. Dad gave a speech welcoming Vincenzo to the family, and then…” I let my voice break convincingly. “Then he just collapsed. I don’t understand what happened. He was fine. He was happy.”
“Did you notice anyone acting suspiciously? Anyone near his drink?”
“There were three hundred people there. I was focused on my guests. I wasn’t paying attention to anything else.”
Smyth leans forward. “Your father had enemies, Mrs. Vici. Can you think of anyone who might want to harm him?”
I meet her eyes with perfect innocence. “My father was a businessman. Everyone liked him. He was the life of the party.”
I’m an obedient daughter who knows nothing, sees nothing, says nothing.
Morelli tries a different angle. “Were there any arguments at the reception? Any tension between guests?”
“Everyone was celebrating.” I dab at my eyes again. “It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.”
Vincenzo’s arm comes around my shoulders.
“My wife has been through enough tonight,” he says firmly. “If you have more questions, they can wait until tomorrow.”
Morelli exchanges a glance with Smyth, then nods. “Of course. We’re very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Vici. We’ll be in touch.”
A doctor appears in the doorway, his expression professionally sympathetic. “Mrs. Vici? Would you like a moment with your father to say goodbye?”
Every instinct screams no. I never want to see that man’s face again.
