Teo tensed.
“Something’s happened in La Maddalena.”
“What do you mean?”
I told him what Bev had told us. When I was done, he looked completely confounded.
“You really think this sub grounded?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“The navy’s meant to report that. There’s a whole procedure they should be following. It’s part of the region’s emergency plan.”
“I think the only plan they’re interested in is the one that involves keeping this accident quiet.”
“Does Bruno know?”
Bruno hadn’t been in town much lately. He’d been spending more time in Rome, attending to his other responsibilities and trying to convince Ministry of Health officials to put up the cash for a research vessel.
“I haven’t told anyone but you,” I said.
Teo touched two fingers to his lips, clearly deep in thought. “I’m surprised the tugboat operator talked.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I’ve only met him once or twice, but he seems nice. I’d hate to get him in trouble.”
“Do you think he’d talk to me? If I told him it was off the record?”
“Maybe?”
We talked a little bit about the commodore. I told Teo that no one had seen Greer since last Saturday, and that the prevailing opinion, at least among the wives, was that he was awaiting some sort of disciplinary hearing. “Do you think he’ll be court-martialed?” I asked.
“Honestly,” he said, “grounding a sub is so bad for your career that the court-martial is almost secondary. Either way, he’s out.”
“Even if the whole thing was an accident?”
“In the navy, it doesn’t get much worse than hazarding a vessel.” He took a sip of wine. “Is there any talk about promoting Jim Jenkins?”
The Jenkinses were due to rotate out in June. “I hadn’t thought of that. You think he might be considered for commodore?”
“I think so,” said Teo. “He’s done well, and with the national elections coming up next year, they may not want to risk bringing in someone new.”
This made sense, but I had been counting on Mary Lou moving on. Looking forward to it, even.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you all this over the phone,” I said. “Jenkins’s wife was in Bar Sanna when I called you.”
“No,” he said. “It’s good you came. I’m glad for the tip, of course. But I’m also glad for the excuse to see you.”
We looked at each other for a long moment. It was nice to be studied so carefully.
“Teo,” I said hesitantly. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Whatever happens with the investigation, will you make sure my name stays out of it?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Paul would flip out if he knew I’d talked to you about this. He’s already convinced there’s something going on between you and me, and—”
