In a Heartbeat - Elizabeth Adler [37]
He nodded. “I guess you’re right. But I’m just an old-fashioned guy.”
“What’s your wife like?” She reached across and took a bite out of his bagel. “Mmm, that’s good.”
“Here, have the other half.” He pushed the plate across to her, signaling the waiter for more coffee. “Claudia? She’s great. Nice, y’know, a good woman.”
Her eyes mocked him over the rim of her coffee cup. “Go on. You’re crazy about her, aren’t you? I’ll bet she’s gorgeous.”
He shrugged, smiling modestly. “How else d’ya think I got to have kids that look like that? It surely wasn’t from the Camelia genes.”
“But they got their brains from you, then, as well as your good sense. And your kindness.” She finished his bagel. “I’ll bet the sex is great too.”
He choked on his coffee and she laughed. “It’s okay, Marco, I’m a grown-up girl, you can tell me.”
“Okay, so it’s great. And I swear to God I’ve never told anyone that before in my whole life.”
“Well, I certainly hope you’ve told Claudia.”
She was impossible, he thought, laughing.
Mel contemplated the bagel crumbs on her plate. “It was great with Ed, too,” she said quietly. “I didn’t know it could be like that . . . you know, so . . . so filled with love. I really love him, Marco.”
“I know. Believe me, I know. No married-in-church wife could have sat such a vigil. And I apologize for ever believing you might be involved.”
He did not tell her that he had overheard the final part of her whispered words to her mortally wounded lover. He felt guilty even thinking about it. But because of it, he knew her as he never could have. Knew who she was. And that made a world of difference.
“I said I needed your help,” he said.
“I’ll do anything, you know that.” She took out a tawny-colored lipstick and applied it without benefit of a mirror.
“That’s quite an art.”
“Years of practice. Not that it’ll make much difference, considering I look like hell.”
“I’m sorry I said that.”
She shrugged. “It’s probably true. I haven’t looked in a mirror since I got here. Anyhow you’re right, when Ed wakes up I should be looking beautiful. Or at least my best.”
“Just look the way you usually look and he’ll be a happy man.”
“Then you think he’s going to wake up, Marco? Seriously.”
Her huge brown eyes had that urgent look again, he could see the fear lurking behind them. “I’m no doctor, Mel, and I can only tell you this.
Any other guy would’ve been dead. Four slugs from a Sigma .40 semi at that close range would fell an ox. But he’s a strong guy, a fighter. I believe he’s got a chance.”
She nodded, lips tightly compressed to stop the tears. “Thank you for that,” she said softly. She really liked this man. Sure he was tough, but that was his job. Compassion was not, and she knew that must come from his Italian soul. She reached across the table for his hand again. “Friends?” she asked.
“Friends,” he agreed, meeting her eyes.
25
Camelia finished his coffee. Clearing his throat nervously, he was suddenly all business. “Ed’s P.I. faxed me the report, said he was sure some incident had taken place at the house. He confirmed what Ed told you about the missing money. Now, a hundred thou’ is no small change, so somebody out there has to be livin’ it up good by now.”
Mel stared blankly at him. “But who?”
“I was kinda hopin’ you could tell me that.”
She groaned. “Are we back to square one again? With me as chief suspect?”
“No. You didn’t do it, but I want you to help me find who did. Let’s start with the body in the library.”
“Just like an Agatha Christie novel.” This time Camelia looked blank and she added, “You know, the mystery writer. Somehow there always seemed to be a body in the library.”
“And the butler always did it.”
They laughed together, and for a moment Mel felt her heart lift. If she could laugh, there was