Shadows in Death (In Death #51) - J.D. Robb Page 0,27

man—dark hair, green eyes, soft voice murmuring in Italian—comforted her.

The older man—silver hair, long nose, carved-in-stone face—sat stoically, but gripped the hand of the younger woman. Son’s wife, Eve thought, blond, blue eyes, what anyone with eyes of their own would call a stunner.

At the moment, she did the talking.

“You’re so kind. Please, tea for my mother, and for me. My husband would have coffee, with just a little cream. My father will have black coffee. Thank you.”

Eve walked to the table, stood as all eyes shifted to her. “I’m Lieutenant Dallas. We’re sorry for your loss. We know this is a very difficult time for all of you, and appreciate you coming in to speak with us.”

“Will you find him?” Anna Maria Modesto demanded through her sobs. “Will you find the monster who did this to my baby?”

“My partner and I, and the New York City Police and Security Department, will do everything we can to find the person who took your daughter’s life. Coming in to speak with us will help us in our investigation.”

“Angelo, our little Angelo, he has no mother now.”

“He has you.” Stefano pressed his lips to his mother’s temple. “He has Tereza. No one can replace Galla, but we’ll all look out for Angelo.”

“You have a reputation.” Antonio arrowed his dark eyes on Eve. He had a commanding voice. His precise and perfect English carried only a trace of accent. “This reputation says to me you will do all necessary to find the one who took Galla from us, from her child, from her husband. From the world. But how? He kills her in a moment, then is gone.”

“We’re following every lead, Mr. Modesto. Do you know of anyone who’d wish to hurt your daughter?”

“No, no!” He slapped his free hand on the table forcefully enough to make the cups of tea and coffee jump. “This was a moment, do you understand? He doesn’t know her, he simply lashes out because she was there. She does no harm to any. My daughter was loving and kind. She was a good wife, a good mother. This one, he kills her without thought.”

Eve considered. If she wanted their help, she needed to give them a reason. “We believe there was thought. We believe your daughter, your sister, was specifically targeted.”

“Why?” Stefano’s incredulous question rang out. “My father is right. Galla was kind. She was a good person, and I can think of no one who would wish her harm. We would tell you, without hesitation, if we did.”

“I believe you. Did you know your sister had an affair?”

Again, Antonio slapped a hand on the table, and his face went furiously red. “You would say such a thing?”

“Mr. Modesto, this is a fact that has come to light in the course of our investigation.” Even as she spoke, Eve’s gaze remained on Tereza’s face. “You knew.”

“I …”

“The truth. You want justice for your sister-in-law? You cared for her? The truth is the weapon needed to defend her now.”

Tereza closed her eyes, then pressed her hands to her face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She looked at her husband, tears spilling as she spoke in Italian.

That opened the floodgates to the entire family speaking at once, again in Italian.

“English, please!” Eve held up a hand. “We need to hear what she has to say. You knew,” Eve repeated. “Galla told you.”

“Yes. I’m sorry. Yes. She was unhappy. Please, you have to understand.”

“I’m not here to judge her, but to stand for her. Tell me.”

6

“I came to New York, some business, some shopping, a visit for my children and Angelo. We were close, Galla and I. We were sisters. Our children enjoy each other.”

“When was the visit?” Eve asked.

“This was late last spring. She was so unhappy, and though she tried to hide it, we were sisters. I could see, and I pressed her to tell me.”

She paused, closed her eyes a moment, this woman with strong shoulders and the athletic build of her former profession.

Though tears glimmered in her eyes, she didn’t let them spill.

“She told me she felt no love from her husband. She wished to work, but he would not have it.”

“She said …” Antonio gathered himself. “She told us she wished to step away from the business for a time, to be only a mother to Angelo.”

“I know. I think …” Tereza rubbed his fisted hand. “I think she said it so we wouldn’t think less of Jorge, but she missed the work, missed the family,