“Three PM.”
“You were running on the boring ass treadmill at the gym, twenty minutes from here on Ratonni street.”
“How about last Sunday at ten AM?”
“You were installing a security system in Milan.”
“And how about three Saturdays ago at six PM?”
“You were getting a manicure.”
Gia laughs at that.
“Adela has a photographic memory. Everything she reads, sees, or hears, she remembers. It’s quite annoying, actually.” I give a dirty look to Adela, who laughs at me.
“It’s true; I remember everything. My husband, Rodolfo, hates it. He never wins a fight.”
Gia continues her careful laughing.
“And how do you know everything about my schedule and daily life?”
“Because it’s my job to know. I protect you. I work for you and so most of the time I’m with you, and when I?
??m not, I have access to all of the security. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
I turn to Gia. “Satisfied she knows my whereabouts at all times?”
Gia nods slowly.
“Eat,” I command, looking at her still full plate.
Gia lifts her fork and cuts off a bit, before sticking a bite in her mouth.
“Tell Gia every time I was at Dante’s house while she was captive there.”
“The first time was Tuesday, the second of May. You were there to install the security system. I was with you the entire time. I don’t trust Dante, and I thought he might try to backstab us. As soon as the system was installed, I was able to monitor every part of the house. Including you Gia…”
Adela’s voice grows sad when she says she could see Gia. I’ve watched enough of the security feed of what Dante did to Gia to want to go over and strangle him with my bare hands, bring him back to life, shoot him, and then bring him back to life again and continue until he can’t survive any longer.
“Any other times?” I ask, prodding Adela.
“Yes, the day you rescued Gia.”
Gia’s mouth falls a little. And I can see her un-chewed food in her mouth. It doesn’t make me stop wanting her.
“Do you have any questions for Adela?” I ask Gia.
Gia shakes her head, although I’m sure Gia will eventually have a million questions for Adela.
“Adela, give Gia and me a few minutes alone.”
Adela smiles sweetly and nods. “Of course.” Adela gets up and walks over to Gia, squeezing her in a comforting manner on the shoulder. Then Adela looks at me, and I know she is going to be listening to every word of our conversation. At least Gia doesn’t have to know that.
I wait until Adela walks back inside.
“I never raped you, Gia.”
She looks up from her plate, staring at me like staring at me is the most important thing in her life. Like her life depends on finding my secrets.