Ivan #3
“That was one of the reasons for my absence. They’d like to speak to you, but you are not a suspect.
I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that the camera in the room had been disabled before the assassin entered.
Only the duty nurse, the aggressor and Sylvie Leblanc saw you that evening.
Sylvie’s speaking better now. She told them how she woke to find the night nurse passed out on her bed and a man standing over her with a hypodermic syringe.
She also explained how you saved her life, that you caught the attacker by surprise and fought him off before going for help while she sounded the alarm.
By then, of course, the fire alarms had been activated, and everything became chaotic.
Naturally, they dug into your background and found you have military experience.
Most importantly, Leblanc’s attacker is in police custody, but, as expected, is saying nothing. ”
Having finished, Lorenzo passes the phone to me, and I begin scanning my clothes, watching the display for any anomaly. Is there anything a person cannot do with a mobile phone these days?
“And the bodies of the men who followed me?” I ask as I finish and hand the device back to Mrs Bellacci. “The ones Lorenzo took down?”
“Interesting, too. After our call, I sent an operative to check, but the whole area had been cleaned. Professionally. No blood and not even signs of gunfire, except for a tell-tale dent on a lamp post. You said that one of the men got away.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I can only assume they cleaned up their own mess.”
“Who was behind this attack?” asks Bellacci. “Puchinsky?”
“We heard about his death on the news,” I say before he can reply. “Did you have anything to do with that?”
Romano exhales a breath.
“Yes, Teresa, we believe Puchinsky arranged the killers. And no, Aksel, I did not. Had I not known about your current whereabouts, I might have asked you the same question.”
“Who, then?”
“The authorities believe he took his own life, that he folded under the pressure of public scrutiny. The man had become desperate and must have felt backed into a corner.”
“What about this friend he was staying with?” asks Mrs Bellacci.
“His most trusted confidante. They’d been having a small dinner party for close friends.
According to the official report, Puchinsky went out onto the balcony alone to take a call and never returned.
In the transcript I got hold of, they wrote that there is only one way onto the balcony, through the door in the living room.
They found a half-smoked cigarette stubbed out on the wall and Puchinsky’s shoes, neatly arranged by the balcony balustrade. ”
“Then he did jump,” says Lorenzo.
“That is my belief,” says Romano.
Everyone takes a few moments to process this information. Has justice been served? Perhaps not. Albert is still gone. But at least Puchinsky can no longer poison hundreds of thousands with his super vaccine.
“Did Puchinsky pay Spataro to have me killed?”
“Puchinsky would never use someone like Spataro.”
“Then who?”
“Right now is not a good—”
“Who, Dr Romano? You know, don’t you?”
The doctor takes a deep breath before answering.
“I told you I have been busy, and there’s more I’ve uncovered. The money for the attack on Eagle House came from an account owned by the Callico Corporation. Any release of funds needed to be authorised by at least one of the named trustees—Albert, Edward or Victoria.”
“Edward Callico,” I reply instantly.
Who else had anything to gain from my death?
“Yes. What would you like me to do about him?”
It takes me a few moments to understand the intent behind his words.
“No. I don’t want Edward touched. He did me a favour in the long run.
We had our defences tested, Gabriel disappeared, and Edward believes I am gone for good.
Maybe one day I’ll confront him on the street, just to see his reaction.
But I would call this a win. Besides, I care too much about Alice and, for some ridiculous reason, she loves Edward. ”
“Do you have any idea what might have forced his hand?” asks Romano.
“I can only think that he found out about the property in Monticiano.”
“Perhaps. I am not sure that adds up. Apart from his belief that the property was a folly, does he really need the land or the money? There may be a more compelling reason, but I don’t want to speculate. I just need proof. Will you allow me time to investigate?”
I have experienced Dr Romano’s meticulousness and am grateful to have his support.
“Of course. What’s our next move?” I ask.
“Clearly, you cannot stay where you are. I will find you a safe house on the other side of the Scottish border. And you need to approach Dr Leblanc in Carlisle, do you not?”
“I do. Dr Romano, I want you to know that I am fully committed to being part of this team. But can I ask if you have any official work for us right now?”
“Not at the moment. Why?”
“Because Mrs Bellacci made a valid point before the call. I seem to be exposing the team to unnecessary risks. Once we have settled in somewhere for a night or two, I will go and see Leblanc alone.”
“No,” says Lorenzo adamantly, although I notice Mrs Bellacci nodding.
“Yes, Lorenzo,” I reply, twisting in my seat to look him in the face and imploring him. “I almost got you killed. And I will not allow that to happen again. There may be safety in numbers, but a person working alone draws less attention.”
“Listen to him, Lorenzo,” says Dr Romano. “You know he speaks sense.”
Once Mrs Bellacci has plugged in the GPS coordinates sent by Romano, she puts the car into gear and we head off in silence, with the heat of Lorenzo’s gaze burning into the back of my head.