Gina nodded. There would be time to reflect later, but right now it was all too raw. ‘What …’ she began, trying to formulate her words. ‘Do they know … I mean, what happened?’
‘Well, of course the investigation is still under way,’ Olivia said carefully. ‘But, between you and me, there was a lot of suspicion falling on that Edoardo chap’s shoulders.’
‘Edoardo?’ Gina was shocked. ‘They think it was deliberate?’
Olivia tried not to look as though she was fascinated by all the speculation. ‘There’s a lot of circumstantial evidence, and he hasn’t done himself any favours. Why, even just a few days ago, he was talking to Max and me in the Casanova Bar. He’d clearly had one too many sherries, if you know what I mean, and he was ranting and raving about how much he hated his brother-in-law.’
Gina mulled this over.
‘However, it seems that one of the other mechanics had realized that something was wrong and drew it to the attention of Edoardo and his father just as the helicopter took off.’ Olivia’s eyes were wide as saucers. ‘They tried to stop it leaving but it was too late.’
‘I just don’t believe Edoardo would do something so terrible,’ Gina insisted. ‘True, he and Marco haven’t always seen eye to eye but … That’s his niece’s father. He wouldn’t do that to Daniela, not after everything she’s been through.’
‘Well, he’s certainly protesting his innocence, but the police are still questioning him. But why don’t you try and forget about that? You must only think of yourself and getting better, my dear,’ Olivia added, taking in Gina’s ashen face. ‘You need to rest and concentrate on your recovery.’
Gina gratefully sank back against the pillows, before sitting up once again. ‘But what about your wedding?’
‘Don’t you worry about that either,’ Olivia admonished her. ‘You’re safe and on the mend, that’s all that matters. Max and I insist on postponing it until you’re up and about again.’
Gina closed her eyes, feeling utterly drained, as she tried to process everything she’d just been told. Her mind was beginning to drift, the lure of sleep too tempting, when there was a knock at the door and her eyes flew open.
‘Come in,’ Olivia called.
Detective Gallo strode into the room, his expression grave. Gina wanted to hide beneath her sheets, as everything came rushing back. On the machine that monitored her pulse, the numbers were increasing rapidly.
‘Ah, Inspector,’ Olivia beamed, seeming delighted to see him. ‘Look, she’s awake!’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ he said neutrally.
‘Gina, this is Detective Gallo, the clever policeman who’s figuring it all out,’ Olivia explained.
‘I see,’ Gina swallowed.
‘Yes. I don’t believe we’ve met, though I’ve heard so much about you,’ Detective Gallo said coolly, not taking his eyes off her, as though she might jump out of bed and run from the room if he wasn’t paying attention.
Gina said nothing, not knowing how to respond. She wondered how much he knew, and whether Lucia had been well enough to tell him anything. It felt as though the walls of the tiny room were closing in on her, and she longed to drift back into unconsciousness where Detective Gallo couldn’t reach her.
‘I’m pleased you’re feeling better,’ he continued, with an inscrutable expression. ‘When you’re up to it, I have a few questions for you, Maria Monti.’
Chapter 36
Issy raced down the corridor to the Presidential Suite.
‘Great news,’ she said breathlessly, her cheeks flushed with exertion. ‘I’ve just heard – Gina’s awake.’
‘Iz, that’s awesome,’ Brad exclaimed. He threw back his head and exhaled in relief. Issy knew he would have been feeling guilty, blaming himself, reflecting that the accident would never have happened if it weren’t for the movie.
She stood uncertainly for a moment, her fingers sliding over the small white envelope in her hands. ‘Could I come in for a moment?’
‘Sure,’ Brad said, standing aside to let her past. She followed him into the lounge, sensing that something was different but unable to put her finger on what. Then she realized: there were no high-heeled shoes lined up by the door, or dresses casually strewn over the armchair; no designer handbags discarded on the sofa or make-up littering the dining table.
‘Is Lexi here?’ she asked carefully.
‘No, she … she’s gone back to LA.’
Issy absorbed the news, a mixture of emotions running through her: relief that Lexi had gone; fury that she’d abandoned Brad when he was dealing with the fallout from the accident; fear that she might have revealed Issy’s secrets. Issy studied Brad’s face carefully, looking for signs of anger or disappointment, but all she saw was his usual handsome face with its bright blue eyes and soft, full lips. She was really going to miss him.
‘Is everything OK, Iz?’ he asked, noticing how she was staring at him.
‘No, not really.’ Issy held the envelope out to him.
‘What’s this?’
‘It’s my resignation.’
Brad’s face twisted in confusion and he shook his head. ‘No, you can’t … What’s going on?’
Issy bit her lip, willing herself not to cry, but determined to say what she intended to.
‘Come on, let’s sit down and talk about this.’ Brad touched her arm lightly and led her to one of the oversized cream sofas. His kindness almost made it worse, and Issy couldn’t help but recall how they’d sat here just a few nights ago, eating junk food and watching old movies. Now everything had changed.
‘I can’t work for you any more. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done, and you deserve better.’
Her lip trembled, and her voice shook, she knew that after her confessions he would never want to see her again.
‘Tell me, Iz. You know you can talk to me. Whatever’s making you unhappy, I can help you sort it out.’
‘You can’t,’ Issy said, her voice ragged with emotion. Then she gathered herself; she needed to be dignified, not an emotional mess. She owed Brad that much. She took a deep breath. ‘I’ve been changing your diary,’ she admitted, not daring to look at him. ‘Rearranging your schedule. I did it to try and keep you away from Lexi.’
