Sisters - Michelle Frances Page 0,30

wanted a clean slate, then maybe it was a good idea for her to explain what she’d done. But she insisted on keeping it quiet. She got quite upset with me about it.’ Susanna sighed. ‘I didn’t like the sound of any of it. That’s why I came here a couple of days early. I was wary of Abby being alone with Ellie.’

‘You still haven’t explained the injury,’ said Baroni, pointing at Susanna’s head.

‘This is all complete rubbish,’ said Matteo, unable to contain his frustration anymore. ‘Sorry, Susanna, but Abby’s not some child abuser. She asked her sister here because she genuinely wanted to get closer to her.’

‘She has a history of lying,’ said Susanna quietly. ‘When I brought the drinks out on the terrace, I could see she’d upset Ellie. Then she told her’ – Susanna looked visibly shaken, placed a hand on her chest – ‘that Ellie had been poisoned as a child but that I had done it. I couldn’t believe it. All those years I’d protected her and then she did that. Lied about me like that. I could see Ellie was distraught and I went to her but she was so traumatized she pushed me away. I fell and must have blacked out. Cut my head on the broken glass.’

Lieutenant Baroni took all this in. Susanna saw Matteo shake his head in disbelief.

‘Where is she now?’ asked Baroni. ‘Where are both of your daughters?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Susanna hopelessly. ‘They’re not here and Abby’s car is gone. I’m guessing Abby took Ellie somewhere.’

‘Any idea where?’

‘No. I mean, I’ve only just arrived. I don’t know the island or where Abby would go.’ Susanna looked up at Matteo for assistance.

‘Are you trying to suggest she’s gone on the run?’ he asked incredulously.

‘Well, she didn’t stay and help me,’ replied Susanna. ‘Might as well have left me for dead.’

Matteo stood. ‘I’m going to be late for work,’ he said and went out of the room.

Susanna heard him go upstairs. She turned to Lieutenant Baroni. ‘We need to find them. I’m worried about what Abby might do to Ellie.’

‘You think that she still might harm her?’

‘I’m convinced of it. She’s psychologically damaged, has an obsessive personality – controlling almost. She did nothing but work until she was able to retire early. But even coming out here hasn’t made her let go of Ellie. She’s always hated her, hated the bond Ellie and I have. Something that ironically Abby made even stronger by causing Ellie’s illness.’ Susanna paused. ‘That must have hurt a lot.’

Susanna got her bag from the floor and found her phone. She turned the screen to face the police, so they could see the photo she’d pulled up. Captain Santini’s eyes widened, as he made no attempt to hide his interest.

‘Yes,’ said Susanna, clipped. ‘She’s beautiful. Something else Abby resented about her.’

Baroni frowned at Santini’s lack of respect. She’d never worked with him before but she’d been distantly aware of his reputation. He was known for his violent undertone – nothing that would get him into trouble, but there had been rumours of him breaking the rules with prisoners when no one was looking. Baroni had been dismayed when he’d been assigned to the investigation with her. She’d requested an alternative officer but her boss, irritated by her challenging his authority (not for the first time), had refused.

Matteo, now changed into his uniform, had come back into the room. He seemed agitated.

‘Are you leaving for work now?’ asked Susanna.

‘No,’ he said. ‘I can’t.’ He ran his hand through his hair, seemed unsure of what to do.

‘I thought you said you were going to be late?’ said Susanna.

Matteo paused. ‘My gun is missing from the safe.’

The room fell silent.

Susanna felt goosebumps run up her arms. ‘Who knew the code?’ she asked quietly.

Matteo was wrestling with himself. ‘OK, so, yes, Abby did too,’ he said defensively. ‘But it doesn’t mean she took my gun.’

He wasn’t convinced, Susanna could tell. She shifted her eyes over to the police and was relieved to see they were taking her concerns a whole lot more seriously. She also saw Santini’s look of relish. This investigation had clearly just stepped up a gear.

TWENTY

The farmer drove his tractor along the road, enjoying the quiet warmth of the evening. The sun had almost set and if he looked up into the hills to his right, he could see his olive groves becoming blanketed by the dark. It gave him a sense of well-being, of the right