Thinking of that alternate scenario made Cassie feel better, and stronger.
They had survived. At least, when all was said and done, they were still alive. Many people who got on the wrong side of an abuser were not so fortunate.
But when she remembered that the police still had to come, and that this death of a high-profile businesswoman would be closely investigated, Cassie felt sick with horror all over again.
It would have been safer to leave the scene untouched and to plead that she didn’t remember.
But if the police realized that such a vicious physical fight had occurred Cassie knew that they would not accept the loss of memory and would try to piece together themselves what had taken place. They would realize that she, and perhaps the children, had been involved in the fight, but as the only adult, Cassie would bear the brunt of the consequences.
Venetia pointed out a spot of blood on the tiles.
“I’ll wipe it up. You have blood in your hair, too,” she told Cassie.
Gingerly, Cassie touched her scalp. It was raw agony, and her fingers came away red.
“I’ll wash my hair now,” she said.
“Perhaps you should tell the police that you were in the bathroom when Mama fell,” Nina suggested, and Cassie reeled all over again at her cool logic.
“I was in the bathroom,” she agreed. “I’d just had a shower, while you girls spent some time with your mama, and I came running when I heard you scream.”
“We were going to have tiramisu with Nonna,” Venetia volunteered.
Cassie stopped in her tracks, her spine contracting with horror.
In the turmoil of events, she’d completely forgotten about the elderly lady, now ensconced in the secluded bedroom down the corridor. Nonna had been waiting for her daughter to share tiramisu with her. Now she would have to be told she was dead.
Cassie knew there was no way she’d be able to break this news. She was already an emotional wreck, and there was a very real risk she’d say the wrong thing if Nonna was coherent and started to ask questions. This was a job for the police. For now, she would try to remain as calm as she could, and put the elderly lady quietly to bed before calling them.
But when Cassie tapped on the open bedroom door and walked in, she saw the room was empty.
“Nonna?” she called softly. Her voice was still hoarse from the strangling she’d endured earlier. There was no reply.
Where could the old lady have gone? Back to the dining room, perhaps?
Terrified that she’d already waited too long to call the police, and that they would realize there had been a delay when they examined the body, Cassie ran to the dining room, hoping to find Nonna there.
The room was empty.
It was only on the way back that Cassie spied her.
She’d wandered out of her room, and was sitting on the edge of the bed in one of the other spare rooms.
Looking between the elderly lady and the top of the staircase, Cassie realized with horror that this room offered a perfect view of the stairs.
Nonna must have seen everything.
Cassie felt breathless as the full reality of the situation hit her. Her head spun and the room seemed to close in around her. She grabbed the wall, holding it until the giddiness passed, willing herself not to black out or faint because there was so much that still needed to be done.
Firstly and most importantly, she needed to find out the extent of the trouble she was in.
She tiptoed inside and spoke softly.
“Hello, Nonna.”
The elderly woman stared up at her but her expression was unreadable.
Cassie hesitated. She didn’t know whether Nonna was genuinely tired and confused, or whether witnessing the conflict had shocked her into silence. Either way, Cassie had to find out.
“Have you been here long?” she asked, hoping this would shed some light on the timeframe.
“What are you saying? Non capisco,” Nonna replied, frowning.
“This room. Did you walk in here just now?”
“I do not know,” the elderly woman replied. She seemed disoriented and Cassie guessed she hadn’t understood the question.
She feared that Nonna had tottered out of her bedroom as soon as Ms. Rossi started fighting with Nina, perhaps disturbed by the sound. Caught up in the conflict, neither of them would have noticed.
Nonna whispered something inaudible.
“I didn’t catch that, I’m sorry.”
Cassie leaned closer as Nonna breathed the words again, and her stomach clenched as she heard the word “police.” Was Nonna asking her to call them? If so, she had not only seen, but had understood what had happened.
Or had Cassie misheard, and Nonna had said “please”?
“Do this now,” Nonna said, and this time her voice was clearer.
Cassie gave her a reassuring nod, but her stomach was churning with anxiety. She was unable to work out which word Nonna had used. She decided it would be safest to pretend she hadn’t heard anything, and put her to bed, and hope that even if she’d seen the fight, she might forget the details by the time morning came.
“You’ve had a long day, and it’s already half past seven,” she said, checking the time on her phone. “Can I help you back to your room, and into bed? I’m sure you must be tired.”
The elderly woman stared directly at her and Cassie felt sweat spring out on her body, because from her expression, she was sure Nonna knew. She was certain of it.
“Where is Stefano?” she asked, and Cassie exhaled slowly, her heart thudding hard. She must have been confused, and either not seen the incident or else not understood what she had seen.
“It’s definitely bedtime,” Cassie reassured her, relieved that she hadn’t asked where Ottavia was, which would have pushed Cassie over the edge.
As it was, she managed to retain what she hoped was a semblance of normality. She helped the old woman to her feet in silence. She didn’t feel emotionally strong enough to be able to answer even the simplest of questions.
She guided
