The Rome Prophecy

51

On her return to base, Valentina checks her missed phone message.

It’s from Tom. Made from a hospital pay phone.

There’s been an accident, a fire at her apartment, and he’s fine but the apartment is not. It’s gutted.

So is she. Apparently she’s homeless.

But he’s safe, that’s the main thing.

She’ll call the hospital and arrange to pick him up just as soon as she’s dealt with a more pressing matter.

Cafe Luigi is just around the corner from headquarters. Lots of cops go there for an espresso before work or a beer at the end of the day.

Some probably even go for a beer before the start of their shift.

It’s here that she’s told Lieutenant Federico Assante to meet her.

He’s sitting in the corner.

His hands are wrapped around a mug of black tea.

Valentina unbuttons her short dark wool coat, hangs it over the back of the cheap chair and sits down. Assante looks miserable and worried.

Good.

He’s every right to feel that way.

She peels off her black leather gloves. ‘Twenty minutes from now, I’m due to be with Human Resources, reviewing a list of lieutenants who can be freed up to help me.’ She stares sternly into his eyes. ‘I don’t want to make that appointment. I want to give you a second chance and have you help me solve this case. Is that something you want?’

He looks surprised. ‘In the office you said-’

‘I know what I said. I don’t have short-term memory problems. Now do you want to work this case or not?’

He doesn’t have to think for long. ‘I want to work it.’

‘ Bene. Then there are conditions.’

He thought there might be.

‘You work your sexist ass off. You put in more hours than you’ve ever done and you don’t grumble or complain about anything to anyone. Understand?’

He nods.

‘Perfetto. Now I’ll tell you what you get in return. If you put in a hundred per cent effort and a hundred per cent loyalty, I’ll be the first to sing your praises. Credit where credit is due. But if you screw with me – if you go behind my back and start playing politics – then I’ll wreck your career so badly you won’t be able to get a job shining Caesario’s shoes by the time I’m done. Understand?’

‘Understood.’

‘ Va bene. Then we’re a team again.’

‘ Grazie.’ There’s an awkward silence, then he adds, ‘Just so you know, the major insisted that I report directly to him. It was his idea, not mine.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ She stares at him again, a steely gaze that shows he’s still on thin ice. ‘He won’t do it again, and neither will you. From now on we’re going to be judged by results, not by whether we’re male or female or friends with the major or not.’

‘ Si.’

‘Now in the interests of our new relationship, how about you get me an espresso?’

He’s up from the table and standing at the bar within seconds.

Valentina smiles. Her old boss, Vito Carvalho, was right. Rethinking what to do with Assante was a smart move.