"She said, the signora said she needed my help." Tears plopped on her clenched hands. "Her husband, he beat her. He is a terrible, terrible man of great power in the United States. She told me this, in confidence. Signorina Vincenti—" .
"Uh!"
Her head dipped lower. "She came here to escape, to find some peace, but she knew he would try to find her and bring her back. He would send, she told me, a police woman from New York City. The police in this place are corrupt and would do whatever he said."
"Is that so?" Eve said, very quietly. Quietly enough Roarke laid a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"She says this, signora." Elena pleaded. "I believe her. I feel great pity for her. She is so kind to me. She says I am like the little sister she loved who died when only a child. And she looks so sad and brave."
Oh yeah, Eve thought in disgust, she had your number from the first look.
"She asks only that if this police woman Dallas—if you—contact the villa to inquire, I tell her of this." Elena blinked out more tears. "I give her time to get away before you come to take her back to this very bad man. She does not ask me to lie, only to give her this small chance. So when you speak to Signorina Vincenti, I ring madam's suite and tell her she must run away very fast. I don't believe she is what you tell me until too late. I believe her. Will I be arrested?" Fresh tears spurted. "Will I go to prison?"
"Jesus Christ." Eve had to turn away. The kid was pitiful, and just the sort of gullible mark Julianna used most skillfully. "Get her out, send her home. I'm done with her."
"She can be charged with—"
"What's the point?" Eve interrupted Giamanno, scoured him with a brittle stare. "She's a dupe. Slapping her behind bars doesn't fix any of this."
"Her employment will be terminated." Vincenti poured coffee when Elena ran tearfully from the room.
"That's not my area," Eve responded.
"I believe she's learned a valuable lesson. I would prefer you kept her on, Signorina. In a probationary capacity." Roarke accepted the first cup of coffee. "Employees who learn hard and valuable lessons early often become exceptional at their work."
"As you wish, sir. Lieutenant Dallas, I cannot hope to apologize sufficiently for the ..."—she seemed to gather all her disgust into one word—"... stupidity of my assistant and what that has cost you. She is young and naive, but this does not excuse her, nor does it excuse me. I take full responsibility for the failure to do all that was necessary to help you in this matter. Elena was under my charge, therefore ..."
Composed again, she turned to Roarke. "I will tender my resignation immediately. If you wish it, I will stay on to train a replacement."
"Your resignation is neither desired nor warranted, Signorina Vincenti, and will not be accepted. I trust you to handle any disciplinary action regarding your assistant."
"Former assistant," Vincenti said coolly. "She will now be re-assigned to a lesser position where she will have no contact with guests."
"Ah, well. As I said, I leave it in your thoroughly capable hands." He took those hands in his, spoke to her quietly in Italian, and made her smile again.
"You're very kind. Lieutenant, if there is anything that can be done, you have only to ask."
"She didn't walk out of the country, so I'll need to check on transportation services. She's gone, but we'll stick with procedure and do what we can to track her moves. If I can use your office."
"As long as you like."
"I came down hard on you."
"Yes, you did."
"Sorry." She offered a hand. "And that was really good ass-kicking with the assistant. I admire that."
"Thank you." Vincenti accepted the hand. "Believe me, I have not yet finished that particular task."
* * *
She'd gone over the Swiss border, using a private car service she'd arranged, probably on her pocket-link. The car had picked her up at the end of the shady lane that led to the villa's gates. She'd been wearing a blue sundress, one she'd probably been wearing under the long, white robe.
From there it became sketchier. Public and private shuttle companies, airports, and ground transportation were being studied for any passengers meeting her description.
"She's probably already back in New York." Harnessed for takeoff, Eve shut her eyes as Roarke's private shuttle began its taxi.
"I imagine so."