“Hi,” Lucia said. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Penelope smiled. “Tired. It’s a lot.”
“I bet. And tomorrow, you’re facing the dragon.”
“Way to relieve my tension, Ms.Rossi,” Penelope drawled.
“I can think of a few pleasurable ways to relieve tension.”
Penelope flushed and cleared her throat. “Right. I actually wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh?”
“What’s the story behind Francesca and Valentina? It all seems…more intertwined than Francesca made it seem.”
Lucia hummed. “Yes, but I’m afraid there’s not much I can say. We all know aspects of the tale since forever, the big betrayal, the chase after theMadonnathat never led anywhere before now.” Lucia sighed. “Yet we don’t know what really happened.”
“But you all agree that there’s more behind it?”
“Oh, of course. We’ve speculated for years. Skye thinks they were lovers and Francesca cheated on Valentina, who then stole theMadonnaas revenge.”
Penelope frowned. “I don’t see Francesca cheating.”
“Same.”
“What do you think?”
“They had some kind of bond, and it broke. Both likely blame each other, and what’s the real truth? Who knows. Something in between? It usually is. It doesn’t matter, though.”
“How’s that?” Penelope asked.
“It doesn’t change our current situation. Francesca isn’t going to let this go. In the end, we’ll never know for sure because noone in their right mind is going to go up to Francesca and say, ‘Hey, about Varnelli, what really happened there?’”
“There’s that, yes.” Penelope paused. “But maybe someday she’ll tell you.”
Lucia huffed. “Stranger things.”
~ ~ ~
Saturday afternoon, Penelope pulled up at Francesca’s estate. The gravel lot beside the villa was partially shaded by tall oaks, with a few cars spaced along the curved drive. Lucia’s maroon sedan was already parked near the back under a patch of shadow.
Dry leaves skittered across the stone walkway, lifted by the wind in brittle spirals.
At least she wouldn’t be the first one there, but still, Lucia could have waited for her and not let her walk in alone, especially since Penelope had told her about the potential problem with Montgomery.
She took a few steps, startling at the sound of a door falling shut.
“Hey, stranger,” Lucia said, walking around her car toward Penelope.
“Hi, uh, I thought you’d already gone inside.”
Lucia smiled. “Nah. I was waiting for you.”
Penelope’s shoulders dropped. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Lucia stepped next to her and softly bumped into her. “Ready?”
“I suppose.” Penelope leaned into Lucia for a moment, then straightened. She tightened her grip on her purse, and together they walked up the steps.
