‘We’re running behind schedule – the first AD’s advised me to let you know that you won’t be able to re-open this area for at least another couple of hours.’
‘OK. Is everything all right?’
‘Just a few delays – it always happens.’ The guy smiled reassuringly. ‘One of the cruise ships has dropped anchor in the wrong spot and is just sitting in the Giudecca Canal, so we’re waiting for it to move. We’re in touch with the port authority.’
Gina looked across the water to see the enormous white liner that was dwarfing the ancient buildings below, and saw at once that the stunt couldn’t be safely performed while it was in the way.
‘Thank you for letting me know. I’ll ask the bar to bring out coffee for the crew while you’re waiting.’
‘That would be appreciated,’ the guy smiled. ‘We’re having to stand this scene down until the ship is moved – bloody cruise ships. I’ve asked Marco to take the helicopter back over the square, we’re going to have to shift some of the shoot around a bit.’
‘Sure, I understand.’
‘Ginaaa!’ There was an excited squeal behind her, then a small pair of arms flung themselves around her waist, squeezing her tightly. It was Daniela, and she was thrilled to see Gina. ‘I was hoping you’d be here today. This is my nanny, Rosina.’
‘Piacere,’ Gina smiled, as she took in the older woman whom Daniela clearly adored. ‘Are you here to watch your dad?’ she addressed Daniela.
‘Yes, I can’t wait. Look, there he is.’
Marco had spotted Daniela arrive and strolled over to the small group. His eyes darted to Gina’s face for a moment, before focusing on his daughter. Gina couldn’t mistake the tenderness still in his look, it was almost painful. She just wanted to reach out and hold him, tell him that she felt the same way. Damn Lucia de Santis! She longed to kiss him again like she’d done in the jazz club … but today there was something different about the way he looked, something about his eyes …
‘Well, well,’ a voice hissed in her ear. ‘Everywhere I look, there you are, Maria.’
Gina turned in horror at hearing her real name, to see La Leonessa standing behind her. Hearing the name that she hadn’t heard in so long confirmed her worst fears. Lucia knew everything, and now Gina was standing beside Marco and the look on Lucia’s face showed there would be no mercy.
‘We’re standing this scene down for now,’ Marco said. ‘Shifting to some of the action over the square. Wanna come with me, Daniela?’
‘Yes, Papà.’ Daniela jumped up and down with excitement at being part of the action. ‘Gina, will you come with us?’
There was a buzzing sound in Gina’s head, and she found herself struggling to concentrate.
Be calm … just get through this. You’ve done it before …
‘What’s that, darling?’ she asked Daniela.
‘Papà’s going to take me in the helicopter to St Mark’s Square. Rosina’s scared of flying so she’ll go in the boat, but will you come with me? Please?’
‘I …’ Gina didn’t know what to say. She was having trouble processing what was happening; there was a loud rush of noise in her ears.
Dense forest, she couldn’t see in front of her, brambles scratching her legs, breathing ragged. Run, Maria, run – don’t look back …
‘We need to get going,’ Marco explained. ‘If this ship doesn’t move soon, we’ll lose the light.’
‘Please say you’ll come too,’ Daniela begged. ‘Have you ever been in a helicopter? It’s amazing.’
‘I …’
‘I’ll come with you, Daniela,’ Lucia announced, looking victorious.
Gina and Marco turned to her in confusion. Daniela looked torn between being devastated that Gina wouldn’t come with them, and thrilled that they’d have La Leonessa on board.
‘I believe you promised me a ride around the lagoon when we first met, didn’t you Marco?’ Lucia said breathily, batting her long eyelashes as her gaze trailed over him.
‘Marco, we need to get going now,’ a crew member said as he strode over. ‘Brad’s waiting on the launch near the square for you.’
‘Of course,’ Marco nodded. He locked eyes with Gina, taking Daniela by the hand, then rushed towards the helicopter.
‘I was on my way to have a little chat with our policeman friend over there,’ Lucia murmured to Gina, nodding in Detective Gallo’s direction. ‘Think of this as a temporary reprieve.’ Then she sashayed off after Marco and Daniela, as Gina watched, her mind racing as she tried to process everything that had just happened.
Up on the terrace, the hotel guests were standing up and moving to the railings for a better view, as it became clear that something was about to happen. There were murmurs of excitement as La Leonessa was spotted, and the anticipation rippling through the crowd was tangible.
But one person wasn’t looking towards the helicopter – they were looking straight at Gina. She locked eyes with Detective Gallo, a shudder running down her spine as she realized he was watching her, and she tore her gaze away, blinking to try and clear her thoughts as she looked towards the helicopter.
Lucia had climbed into the back and was buckling herself in, pulling on her headphones as the crew swarmed around. She looked impossibly glamorous, her platinum-blonde hair falling around her shoulders as she peeked out of the window, waving at the fans on the terrace who gave a little cheer in response.
Marco was helping Daniela, who was beaming beside him, before he began to run through the pre-flight checks, flicking switches and toggles as the rotor blades began to whir, speaking over his headphones to request clearance.
The crew began to push everyone back from the area, while the observers on the terrace held onto their hats and scarves, as discarded serviettes were whisked off tables, whipped into the air by the updraught from the helicopter.
The noise from the engine was so loud that at first no one noticed the two men running across the gardens, shouting and waving, panic etched on their faces. Gina turned to see Edoardo sprinting towards the helicopter, followed by his father.
‘What’s the matter?’ Gina yelled, alarmed by their looks of terror.
‘Stop them,’ Nicolò shouted desperately. ‘Something’s wrong!’
Chapter 34
Detective Gallo leapt to his feet as soon as he heard the first cries, sprinting towards the helicopter. He was followed more slowly by Olivia, leaning on her stick and accompanied by Max who had just arrived on the terrace.
