"A crematorium?"
"Beatrice disliked the idea of being buried."
I don't know much about Lina's background with the Volante family. "You knew her well?"
"Not very. I worked for her for a time but when she became... when she was injured, she needed someone to care for her in ways I could not. Damiano hired Agnesca and I came to work for him."
"Will you go to the funeral?"
"No, like I said, I didn't know her well and I don't wish to intrude."
I wonder if there's a message in that for me. Lina isn't always as direct as she might be.
"Would it be intruding if I went?"
"Of course not." Lina pushes to her feet. "But you'll need someone to drive you."
She leaves, pulling the door closed behind her. I pick up the suitcase and put it back in the closet. The thought of Damiano dealing with his mother's death, the hideous practicalities of funeral arrangements, all by himself is unbearable. I should be there by his side.
And yet, there's still a doubt in my mind. If he wanted me there, he'd have told me. I chew that over for a minute and decide I'm going. I'll sit at the back and be there if he needs me. If not, then at least I'll have tried.
Searching through the rails in my closet, I find a black dress and hang it on the wardrobe door. Then I go in search of Stefano.
TWENTY-SIX
Violetta
To makeit to the crematorium on time, we leave before seven in the morning. Stefano drives and Tomasz comes too. Two other cars filled with men I don't know accompany us.
I was able to persuade Stefano not to consult Damiano over my planned trip but he insisted he wouldn't take me unless I agreed to the additional security.
It seems over the top to me but I understand Stefano's point of view. If I turn up at the funeral without protection, Damiano will have his head.
As we drive, I think about my last visit to Rome, to see Beatrice. She insisted I visit the Villa Borghese. Perhaps I'll have the chance on this trip, to go there and imagine the woman she was with three young boys, two running riot and the other quietly sketching in his notebook.
When we pull up on the verge opposite the surprisingly welcoming brick building, I sit for a moment gathering my courage. A handful of people are already making their way inside.
Among them I recognize Olivia Volante and the man who must be her husband. They're in a large group of men who look like carbon copies of each other. There are several women with them.
Stefano gets out of the car and so do the men from the other vehicles. They position themselves discreetly around the property, blending in with Damiano's security guards who are already here.
I would have thought a funeral would be safe from the prospect of attack but then I remember Matteo and Giulia's wedding and revise that view.
As I'm straightening my coat, I spot a man standing apart from everyone, close to one of the trees on the grounds. Wearing a black suit, he has his fists clenched by his sides. His head is bowed as if he's trying to hide. A suspicion forms and I walk toward him.
Tomasz follows, but I wave him off. He doesn't retreat but he does stay back.
My feet crunch on the gravel and the man looks up. I see his face — the scarring that runs from his left jaw up across his cheekbone. He's wearing a black patch over one eye but the other is the same shape and color as Damiano's.
I stop a few feet in front of him.
"Gabriele?"
He stiffens. Tension radiates from him as I study him carefully. The left side of his face is a ruin but the right reminds me so much of Damiano it makes my heart ache. I keep my face neutral to hide the instinct to look away that isn't fair to him and the pity he wouldn't welcome.
"I'm Violetta, Damiano's wife."
He frowns. "Why aren't you with him?"
