Isabella climbed out of the car feeling confused, and that nothing had really been achieved.
A few days later, Vicenzo’s sister Luciana phoned. ‘Isabella, I’m in Rome. I’ve come up from the country. I want to talk to you about getting Vicenzo out of prison. Can I come and see you?’
They met the following morning. A storm had been brewing overnight; it hung out to sea threatening rain, and the air was heavy and uncomfortable. Isabella showed Luciana into the garden, where she served iced tea under the shade of a tree.
‘Now,’ Luciana began, ‘I understand from Salvato that you’ve been interrogated by that awful man Koch. Tell me everything.’
‘It was very odd,’ said Isabella. ‘I was arrested and interviewed most of the night – which was awful, obviously. But some of the time Koch was quite sweet, behaving like a movie fan.’
‘That’s good. He obviously likes you.’
‘Then we had this odd car journey,’ Isabella went on. ‘He picked me up and we just drove around Rome, with him talking about my films, and me trying to bring the conversation back to Vicenzo. But every time I mentioned him, Koch got really angry.’
‘It sounds like he just wanted to take you out for lunch, but couldn’t pluck up the courage,’ said Luciana. ‘I suspect the last thing on his mind was discussing my brother.’
‘Do you really think so?’ asked Isabella innocently.
‘Oh Isabella, don’t be so naïve,’ said Luciana impatiently, sipping her tea. ‘The man is obviously in love with you. Can’t you give him what he wants.’
Isabella recoiled. ‘I don’t really know what you’re suggesting, but if it’s what I think it is, then no. I couldn’t do that… I just couldn’t.’
Luciana sighed, and fanned herself irritably with a napkin. ‘God this weather, I wish it would break, we need rain.’ She looked up towards the sky.
‘The thing is, Luciana,’ Isabella went on nervously, ‘and not to put too fine a point on it, I won’t sleep with Koch. I just can’t. Besides, I’m not even sure that’s what he wants. I think he’s in love with my characters, not me – it’s a fantasy.’
‘I suppose you know what you’re talking about,’ Luciana said irascibly, ‘but his affection for you might be our best chance. If you invited him to lunch – suggesting you want to see him, I’m sure he’d come. Then we could send a lawyer to interrupt the lunch and bribe him to release Vicenzo.’
‘Do you really think that could work?’ asked Isabella.
‘Well it might. We’ve discussed it in the family, and you really are our best chance to get my brother out.’ Luciana leant forward, touching Isabella’s hand with her diamond-ringed fingers. ‘We would be forever in your debt if you would do this for us,’ she said softly. ‘Will you?’
Isabella was torn. Inviting Koch to lunch would only encourage him, but as always, she was desperate to help the man she loved.
‘If I do this for you, will you tell Vicenzo how I helped him?’
Luciana looked slightly surprised. ‘If you really want me to,’ she said curtly.
‘I just think he should know what I’m prepared to do for him, to show my love for him.’
‘He has that effect on so many women. Even I am powerless to refuse him, Isabella.’ Luciana smiled and stood up. Clearly the meeting was at an end. ‘Ring us when you’ve arranged the lunch, and let us know where it’s going to be. Then we’ll send the lawyer.’
After Luciana left, a clap of thunder broke over the city, and rain poured down out of a black sky. Isabella ran into the sitting room, watching the garden being deluged with water. Eventually, she picked up the phone, and with a beating heart, dialled Koch’s number.
‘Hello, I’d like to speak to Commissario Koch, please. Tell him it’s Isabella Bellucci.’
Koch sounded excited when he came on the line. ‘Hello… is it you – Isabella?’
‘Yes, it’s me. Hello.’
‘How lovely to hear from you. How can I help you?’
‘I… I was wondering,’ she began falteringly, ‘if you might have lunch with me – tomorrow maybe?’
‘Yes,’ he said instantly. ‘Of course. I’ll collect you at twelve, all right?’
‘Good. See you then.’
The following day was cooler, the air fresher and Rome appeared washed and clean. Isabella, keen not to appear too flashy or provocative, dressed modestly in a patterned summer frock. She stood waiting for Koch outside her house, and watched nervously as he drove into her road in his blue open-topped car.