Alessandro finally tells

…

Alessandro had his hand on the door handle, the door open, and about to walk out.

“You have to be kidding?”

“I’m not.  Their instructions are to drag you out of her with maximum exposure.  I did inform several media outlets that there was likely to be a high-profile arrest at this hotel this morning, so it will hit the internet very soon after.”

“There are rules…”

“I don’t play by the rules when dealing with liars, Alessandro.  Your last chance to get out of this with some dignity, otherwise it’s out of my control.”

Of course, the number one rule I’d broken was not to play bluff with men like Alessandro because if he called it, I’d be in so deep it would take a week to dig myself out of the shit pile Rodby would throw me in.  This was exactly the rogue behaviour he hated.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if Alessandro did, it would get Rodby off my back.

He stepped back in and let the door close.

This was a man who couldn’t afford a shit storm.  And whatever it was he couldn’t tell me must have severe consequences.

“Heidi called me the morning of the day she went to the opera and told me she saw me with Vittoria in a newspaper, and said she had information about her, that she needed to see me in person.”

“Before that call, what did you know of Vittoria?”

“Not a lot.  She had presented herself, whether it was a deliberate act on her part, or by accident, to me at the casino at Monte Carlo some weeks ago, at a function.  She used a different name and looked different then.  She said she had seen me in the media talking about one of the charities the family donates to and wanted to know more about it.  We met a few times over dinner, but nothing intimate.  She once again accidentally ran into me in London, and we had drinks.  I perceived her to be trouble.”

“Where were you when she called?”

“In Vienna.  I got on the first plane to London and got her about 10pm.  I got to the hotel just before she arrived back from the opera.  She said she had not expected to see me until the morning.  We went up to her room, and she told me basically what you just told me about this Vittoria.  I did not know about the daughter of the Count, nor do I think Heidi does.”

“Then what happened?”

“We went down to the bar and had a few drinks, because that news was quite shattering, and I needed a few to steady the nerves.  I had yet to arrange a room, which I did when Heidi called it a night and went to her room.  She did say she might have to leave early the following morning, but we would meet again at the legal office.  That was the last I saw her.  And until your fellow officers came to interview me, I did not, and still don’t believe she is missing.”

“Have you seen Vittoria in the last day or so?”

“Once the following morning, and only as she was leaving, very hurriedly I might add.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“I didn’t ask, and by that time, I didn’t care.  Do you know who this alleged daughter is?”

“Only that she has a daughter by the Count and had irrefutable proof.  I would get your legal team prepared because it might become an issue because she might become the legal heir in the countess goes missing.  After all the terms of the will state that the line of succession is wife, then children, with no specific codicil that the child be legitimate.”

“Which if you said is correct, and I will have it checked, that removes my motive.”

“Unless you are working with Vittoria and the child.  You may not be, but appearances can be taken either way.  I suggest that you make enquiries as to where the countess might be.”

He still might know, but I was beginning to think he didn’t.  Nor did I believe he was working with Vittoria.  He made his feelings for her quite clear.

But Vittoria, where did she go?

“Thank you finally for your cooperation.  Next time anyone asks you a question, just answer it.  Other investigators won’t be as lenient with you.”

I called the men and told them to stand down.

© Charles Heath 2023