The Inheritance: Chapter 5 - Part II (Updated 11/14)
CuriousSimmer:
Hehe, you guys are fun.
Actually, Paolo didn't do anything untoward to our heroine while she was asleep. However, Rachel631, I had originally intended for that to happen. But I felt it would be inappropriate for the PG-13 rating for the board, so I revamped things a bit.
Anyway, I'm glad you're all enjoying. Thanks for the comments!
rachel631:
OK. I guess I'm just relieved to see I don't simply have a sick mind. I never really know what's PG13 and what isn't... I mean, nudity and lots of swear words are obvious no-nos, sure, but what about unpleasantness and innuendo pushed to the limits? I mean, what are the limits? So difficult, huh?
CuriousSimmer:
It is. And I figured that I should err on the side of caution. Plus, with Dante being a cheating ass I figured Liz had been through enough!
CuriousSimmer:
The Inheritance
Chapter 4 - Part II
September 1964
My son was typically an early riser at the monastery, but today he had an especially long and difficult journey to make, so he rose at dawn, packed a few changes of clothes, and set off.
While Marco was driving home, another pair of early risers were setting to work at the villa...
In the daylight, the detectives had a much easier time finding evidence. The younger of the detectives, Roberto Dimetti, called to his partner, "The bullet must've come in here. Maybe from one of those trees over there?"
"Go outside and see if you can see the trajectory," said the other detective, Benito Lodario. "I'll stand on the step where Moretti was."
"Looks like a match," shouted Dimetti. "But we'll get the forensics team to run a line through, see if it's feasible. Get one of the uniforms to put a line around those trees."
They regrouped inside. "I don't see why we shouldn't let the cleanup crew in," said Lodario. "We've got all the evidence we're going to get here."
"Everything's been photographed, right?"
"Right. Still, they'll need to stay out of the house until the investigation is over."
At about ten o'clock that morning, the door to the waiting room opened and I turned to see Dr. Mediate standing there. "Is it Dante?" I demanded.
"Your husband's surgery is ongoing, Signora," said the doctor. "I have no information about that yet. But I wonder if you might come and answer some questions for our records."
"All right."
He led me through the hall, but past Dante's room. Thinking perhaps we were going to his office, I followed him but we ended up in a larger hospital room. We stood near Chiara's bedside and I watched as her chest rose and fell; she was breathing on her own.
"Is she going to be all right?" I asked.
"She's in a coma," the doctor said. "I wanted to ask--do you know anything about her? Her name, her address, family?"
"No," I said. "Other than her name, Chiara Castelli, the only thing I know is that she was sleeping with my husband. I imagine he'd know more," I muttered. "At least I'd hope so."
"Oh, I'm...ah...sorry." At that moment the door opened and we turned to look.
Capricia came in with a bouquet of flowers and set them down on the table before coming to my side. "How's Dante?" she asked.
"There's no change," I said. "This is his doctor, Dr. Mediate."
"Hello," said Dr. Mediate before turning back to me. "That's all I needed to know. Thank you, Signora."
Capricia and I walked down the hall towards the waiting room. "We came as soon as we could. The police were questioning us--oh, Elizabeth, it's just awful. I'm so sorry."
I tried for a brave smile that felt more like a grimace. "I think God will provide," I said. "He's been good to us in the past."
"Well, in the mean time, Judith promised to pick up some takeout on the way. I bet she's here already; I can smell lo mein."
We sat down for the meal; I didn't realize until then how ravenous I was. "What's going on at the villa?" I asked.
"They've sealed it up," said Capricia. "Adela took Andre and Lara to her house to look after them until you and D-- until things calm down."
"Adela's going to have to move by the end of the month," said Judith, her face clouding. "Her forclosure, remember? But listen--you and the children can stay with me. I've got Donovan's bedroom empty and the living room."
"Oh, thank you," I said, grateful for my friends' hospitality. "But Mama Moretti can take us in, I'm sure. She's coming back from her visit with her sister, I imagine?"
"Of course," said Judith. "Adela called her just after she called Josephine and Marco."
The ladies stayed for a few hours, until their lives pulled them back. Josephine and I remained, talking about her studies and how things were going back at school.
Hour melted into hour until I finally decided that Josephine should go join her brother and sister. "They need someone. Tell them..." I gave a sigh, then shook my head. "I don't know what to tell them."
"They don't need to know yet," Josephine said. "I'll just tell them that dad is sick and you're taking care of him."
I nodded and hugged her. "You're a very smart young lady," I said as I kissed her cheek. "Let me give you some money for a cab."
No sooner had she left that Dr. Mediate stepped in. "Signora?"
I looked up. "Yes?"
"I have some news. Would you come with me, please?"
We walked to Dante's room. "Your husband came out of surgery just fine. He's still out from the anesthesia, but his heart is beating on its own. We'll know more when he wakes up."
I smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Doctor."
"There was one thing more," said Dr. Mediate, hesitantly. "It's Miss Castelli?"
"I'm afraid there's nothing else I can tell you about her."
"No, it's not that." Dr. Mediate sighed. "She passed away a few minutes ago."
I sank into the chair at Dante's bedside, feeling overwhelmed. The tears that gathered in my eyes weren't of delight at Chiara's fate. As much as her actions had hurt me, had threatened my family, there was something unjust about her death.
I took Dante's hand and was grateful for the warmth that I felt there. By all accounts, Dante should be fine. What a strange thing fate was; Dante was the politician, and must have been the target. And he had made the decision to stray from our marriage. And yet it was Chiara who had died.
Yes, fate was a strange thing. And nobody knew that better...
...than the victims.
Glamily:
O.O.. I always seem to comment first, yes
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