Pasta Imperfect - By Maddy Hunter Page 0,50

was feeling especially good that I was out of my Laura Ashley dress and into a pair of white capri pants with a black-cropped U-neck. Yes!

"The authorities are still investigating whether the death was accidental or deliberate," Duncan continued over the loudspeaker.

"Have they ruled out suicide?" someone asked.

"The police captain I spoke with informed me that it's rare for tourists to commit suicide while on holiday, especially if their plans involve leaping from a tall building. Historically speaking, people usually do that at home."

Unless they're from Iowa, where the local architecture pretty much eliminates that option completely.

"So what do the police think happened?" Dick Teig called out.

"They're not clear about what happened," Duncan replied. "And they're frustrated that by the time they arrived on the scene yesterday, people who might have been potential witnesses had already descended the stairs and exited the cathedral. They did round up some stragglers in the stairwell to question them, but from all accounts, no one saw much of anything."

"I'd like to say a few words if I may," Gabriel Fox said, rising from his seat in the front. He turned, facing the rear of the bus. "Jeannette and I had an opportunity to chat at length yesterday while we were in the queue at the cathedral."

Not to mention while he was wrapped around her outside the baptistry.

"For those of you who didn't know her, I would characterize her as a confident, well-spoken woman with an insatiable appetite for good food and an award-winning talent for writing about it. Her reviews appeared in the cuisine section of national newspapers and travel magazines, and if she said the lobster thermidor at the Mount Washington Hotel was unsurpassed for flavor and texture, you knew to order it. Her awards included" -- he slid his hand into his pants pocket -- "just a minute. She gave me a list. Let's see. The Julia Childs Food Review Award. Yankee Magazine Award for Culinary Excellence. The Washington Post's Reviewers Choice Award. The Vermont Romance Writers Sexiest Cowboy Award."

She'd been writing about a cowboy? Hmm. I guess Gillian Jones couldn't expect to corner the cowboy market forever.

"The New England Romance Authors Spiciest Love Scene Award. The list goes on and on." Gabriel returned the paper to his pocket. "Her passion for critiquing food was surpassed only by her passion for hiking dangerous mountain trails, spelunking, and wanting to write the quintessential love story. Unfortunately, we'll never know how popular she might have become as a romance author. Her tragic death touches us all, so would you please join me in a moment of silence to commemorate the loss of fellow traveler and aspiring romance writer, Jeannette Bowles."

When the moment was up, Duncan nodded thanks to Gabriel before addressing us again. "Ms. Bowles was single and had no immediate family. We're having trouble locating her contact person, so we're in limbo until we can make the connection, which, in the long run, might not be a bad thing. The Florence police aren't likely to release her body until they determine a cause of death, and it could take them dozens of man-hours to look over all those videotapes."

"What videotapes?" Fred called out from the seat across the aisle.

"I suspect those of you who climbed to the top of the Duomo never noticed, but for insurance purposes, there are several security cameras mounted inconspicuously on the cupola. Even in Florence, Big Brother is watching. I imagine in a case like this, though, having a visual diary of the activity on the gallery will be even better than having an eyewitness."

"Everything that happened on the gallery is on tape?" Fred asked in a brittle voice.

"Just like downtown London," Duncan answered smoothly. "Or Disney World."

But Fred didn't seem to find that comforting. He looked suddenly agitated. And a little gray.

"I cautioned you yesterday about the stairs in the hotel," Duncan continued, "and in light of this second accident, I'm going to caution you again. Please. Everyone. Be mindful of every step you take, no matter where you are, or how safe you think it is. And be especially cautious in Pisa around the Leaning Tower because it's known as a haven for pickpockets and purse snatchers. To reiterate our schedule, when we arrive in Pisa, we'll be meeting a local guide, who'll conduct the tour of the buildings in the area. That should take a couple of hours. Afterward you'll be on your own to eat lunch and shop until we head back to Florence