Head Shot

39

When she saw the woman standing in the hal, holding a blue leather overnight bag, Maggie could not keep a flash of surprise from crossing her face; but it was suppressed almost at once, to be replaced by a welcoming smile.

Mario stood behind his cousin. 'I've invited Paula to stay the night,' he explained to his wife. 'She's stil a bit shaken up. Nana's got a ful house with Mum and Auntie Sophia, and Viola's is ful of weans, so she's best here.'

'Of course,' she agreed at once, standing aside to allow them to pass into the living room. 'Come on in. Mario, put Paula's bag in the spare room, and stick a sheet on the bed while you're there. The duvet's okay, I think.'

'Yes, boss. We got enough grub for three, or wil I get a takeaway?'

'No, we've got plenty. I raided Marks and Spencer's food hal this afternoon, big time. I decided we should invite the whole family for lunch tomorrow; I've spoken to Nana and Stanley, and it's al set up. Just as well you're here, Paula; it'll save you a drive tomorrow.' She looked at her husband. 'That's okay with you, isn't it?'

'Sure it is. Man U are on telly tomorrow afternoon; that'll keep the kids quiet.'

Paula laughed softly. '… And their father, and their uncle. Maggie,' she asked, 'can I use your bathroom?'

'Of course. Down the hal, first on the left; your room's the one beyond.'

'Fine. I'l drop my bag off myself while I'm there.'

Maggie waited until she heard the bathroom door close, then gave Mario a long appraising look. 'You're being very solicitous towards your cousin, aren't you? I thought you didn't even like her.'

'No, that's not true. I don't trust her,' he said, 'and I don't like some of the things she's done, but we were kids together, she's family and she's scared.'

'Scared? Paula?'

He nodded. 'Even tough girls… other than you, my dear… can get their knickers in a twist sometimes. Some nutter phoned the papers saying that Beppe's murder was a Mafia hit. Paula's afraid that might be true, and that she might be next.'

'And might she?'

'I doubt it. But the shooting was premeditated, that's for sure. It was efficient and there was nothing random about it.'

'And might you have something to worry about?' she asked, quietly.

Mario put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. 'I'm a police detective superintendent, love, and on top of that I'm quite a formidable bastard. Who's going to come after me?

'Honestly, I think Paula's worrying unnecessarily; once she's had a day or two to get over the shock of seeing her father like that, she'll come to realise it. Somewhere there's a reason for Uncle Beppe's murder, but I can't see it having anything to do with the business.'

'Have you spoken to your mother?'

'Not about that; anyhow I don't have to. She'd never have tolerated any nonsense within the trust, and she's too good a businesswoman for Beppe ever to have been able to hide anything from her.'