Charmer's Death (Temptation in Florence Book 2) by Beate Boeker Page B

pocket. “Can you tell me anything about these nylons?”
    Annalisa and Carlina both gave him a startled look.
    “Nylons all look the same.” Annalisa shrugged. “How on earth should I know if these belong to me or not?”
    Carlina took the nylons and stretched them between her fingers, then checked the labels. “They were not sold by me.” Her voice was quiet. “It's another brand.”
    Garini fixed Annalisa with his light eyes. “These were the only nylons we found in the hotel room. Are you sure you can't give me any idea about the whereabouts of the pair which Carlina gave to you as a gift?”
    Annalisa crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Heavens, if you absolutely want to know, I guess they got torn, and I threw them away.”
    “However, these nylons don't have runs. How come they were torn so quickly?” His voice was calm.
    The Mantoni Clan held its breath. For once, the silence was absolute.
    Carlina looked from one to the other, perturbed. Where was this leading?
    Annalisa lifted her shoulders as if she was freezing and hugged herself. “I dare say you don't know anything about it, Commissario,” she gave him a dark look, “but in certain situations, panties are only in the way, and it may just be that Trevor removed them a bit too impatiently.”
    Carlina gave her cousin a warning look. Don't try to provoke him!
    Garini didn't twitch a muscle. “I see. I'll note your statement in the report, and you can sign it tomorrow.”
    Benedetta blinked and roused herself as if she had woken from sleep. “Enough talking,” she pulled her daughter to the door. “Annalisa needs to rest. Buona notte, Commissario.”
    The gang trooped out of the room.
    Garini turned and looked at Carlina.
    She couldn't read the impression on his face. “That remark about fainting being in the family was pretty nasty.” Carlina hunched her shoulders.
    “If she had fainted for real, I wouldn't have said anything,” he said.
    “ How on earth do you know she didn't?”
    “ That admirable blush on her cheeks never paled.” His voice was dry. “You, however, turn green before you faint.”
    “ What a nice comment.” Carlina shook her head. “Thank you so much.”
    A smile settled in one corner of his mouth. “Would it help if I said it's a very fetching green?”
    “Not at all.” She couldn't help it, she had to grin.
    “ Listen, Carlina, I--”
    “ Yes?”
    “ I'd give anything not to be in this situation.” His mouth tightened. “I'm unable to treat all suspects in this case equally.”
    She caught her breath. “You think you know who killed Trevor?”
    “No.” He shook his head. “I think I know who didn't.”
    “ Oh.” She could feel her face going hot. “I see.” She heard her mother's voice, floating up through the open door, talking about happiness to come, then Uncle Teo's measured steps, going downstairs. She lifted her eyes, only to see that his gaze rested on her, a curious expression in them. Was it tenderness? He didn't look like the cynical Garini she knew. What if he gave this case to his colleague tomorrow? At least he knew her family, knew that their eccentric behavior didn't mean they were murderers. He would look deeper; he would not accept the obvious solution just because it was served on a silver plate. Besides, she would be closer to the case, could help to protect Annalisa, and she would spend time with him, time he would not usually have for her. “Would you--” She broke off. Madonna, this was hard. “Would you mind awfully continuing with this case?”
    The tender expression on his face receded and left it wooden. “Why do you ask?”
    “I . . . I know you're fair.”
    “ I should hope my colleagues are, too.”
    She looked at her hands, cramped around each other. “Yes. I guess they are. But it would be more comfortable with you.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Because you think I would overlook any irregularities in the behavior of your family? I don't condone murder, even if