Ghost #2
When I pull off my T-shirt and hand it to an amused Bellacci, she mutters something in Italian before heading off into the olive grove. Romano and Lorenzo are grinning at me.
“She is impressed with you,” says Romano. “And that takes a lot. Come, I will accompany you to your room to fetch a change of shirt. And we need to talk privately. Lorenzo, can you head to the spot in the gardens where the attack happened and wait for us? I need to speak privately to Gabriel.”
Lorenzo stills, his concerned gaze drifting to me briefly before he turns and nods at Romano. I walk with the doctor back towards the house. I need time alone with the doctor. There are questions crowding my brain.
“Did Albert know? About you and your team? About all the security modifications to the villa?”
Romano lifts the bag onto his shoulder and sighs as we walk towards the terrace doors.
“He did. Believe it or not, we found each other, and the arrangement became mutual. However, he considered the strong room more of a panic room, if you know what I mean? Protection from being so far out in the countryside. But he planned to show you everything once he had brought you here. I believe he did all this for you, Gabriel. But I’m sorry, he never explained why. ”
I hold the door open for the doctor and allow him to enter first while I ponder his words.
Why did Albert go to such extraordinary lengths to protect me?
He must have known things about me that I don’t.
The thing is, in all of our time spent together, I never suspected anything.
And, if nothing else, I like to pride myself on paying attention.
“Gabriel,” continues Romano, heading for the stairs.
“Let me make some enquiries concerning the news Alice Callico told you about what happened to Sylvie Leblanc. Professionally speaking, though, modern life support equipment is designed with built-in fail-safes. I find these events in the private ward of a prestigious hospital to be highly questionable. In fact, I am sensing something far more troubling at work.”
“I agree. But I don’t know where to start.”
“Then you must leave this with me. I have numerous professional resources at my disposal, from many disciplines. People who can make discreet enquiries on my behalf. If the truth behind the death of Professore Callico involves a crime, then we will not stop until somebody pays. He was a great man, Gabriel. And our form of justice may not involve any long, drawn-out legal systems, if you understand my meaning. But I get a distinct sense of urgency. Can I ask you, if she met you again and her memory was intact, do you think Sylvie Leblanc would recognise you?”
“Absolutely. I only met her a few times, but we spoke at length together. I wouldn’t say we had much in common, but she was always polite and sociable.”
Now that I think back, Sylvie used to talk to me the way an overenthusiastic teacher lectures a promising but underperforming student.
She asked about my health, about my swimming, and what other physical activities I undertook.
Sometimes the questioning could feel intrusive.
Whenever I mentioned our conversations to Albert, he would chastise me, saying that Sylvie was interested in the welfare of everyone around her.
Romano and I reach my room. I notice the bed is tidy and can only assume Lorenzo came in and straightened it while I talked with Alice. I go to the wardrobe to rummage through for a clean T-shirt. Romano places his bag on the bed and continues talking.
“I am not sure what’s happened between you,” he says, reaching into the bag.
“But Lorenzo appears to have warmed to you. This is very good. My concern has always been that he sees himself as an outsider, a maverick who cares nothing for his own safety and, as a result, could put others’ lives at risk.
But I notice something has changed when he is with you.
Whatever it is you are doing, please continue. ”
What I find most interesting is that his observation fills me with warmth. I dig out a plain white tee and toss the item onto the bed.
“We’re kindred spirits. Both have suffered loss.”
Dimly, in the distance, I hear three successive pops that sound like a car backfiring. Dr Romano pays them no attention, keeping his eyes fixed on me.
“Gabriel, if you are going to disappear completely, we need to make some immediate and radical changes. Tomorrow, we will need to hand over your passport, phone and luggage. You mentioned friends you trust in London who know about you being here?”
“Josh and Nishan. They are completely on my side.”
“How often do you speak to them?”
“Only when absolutely necessary. We don’t have regular calls.”
As I finish speaking, Romano takes a deep breath and shakes his head.
“If this is to work, Gabriel, everyone must think the worst. You say Alice has already spoken to them. They will most likely speak again now that she has met you. They need to believe the worst. I know this will be hard on them all, but it is necessary.”
I nod my understanding. “What if they come looking for me?”
“We will inform them that you chose to move on and we assumed you had returned to London. There will be no evidence of your time here. And by then, you will have a new name, a new identity, and will look entirely different. Mrs Bellacci and I discussed this when we were in town. Have you ever worn your hair short?”