“Take care of yourself, Mom, I love you,” she assured.
A smile relaxed the concerned expression on Madlen’s face. “I love you too,” she whispered before interrupting the conversation.
With a grimace, Madlen toured visually her surroundings as she placed the telephone on the couch. Certainly, Irina was right, and she should at least ask the insurance company about the modality and time frame to have the funds released. The money she’d been saving wouldn’t last forever, and she needed to secure her finances. After the reading, everyone who was present received a copy of the testament and the details for the inheritance.
She went through all the information, but nothing conclusive came out of it. “One thing is clear, that in case of murder, it must be proven that the beneficiary has nothing to do with it,” she muttered as she searched on the documentation received. “This is understandable and I’m wondering whether I can do as Irina suggested and bargain over the funds in order to have it unlocked. Otherwise, I will have to figure out a way to make a living.”
Back in her room, Irina remained seated for a moment, then with a whine, she let herself collapse on the bed. She needed something she didn’t have the luxury for— time. Time to think, plan, and act. Before any of those, she needed to have her mind clear from all the thoughts haunting her.
Closing her eyes everything got clearer. “I need to get rid of all the evidence,” she whispered as if she feared someone could have heard her, although she knew it wasn’t possible, as she was alone in the apartment at that time.
The noises of the traffic coming muffled through the closed windows, seemed to echo in the room along with the voices of the people passing by in front of the building. Even from the other apartments, everything was quieter than usual.
Her eyes opened wide as she grabbed a clear and steady thought. Getting rid of the evidence meant also getting rid of the pistol. That weapon should simply disappear, and she was certain she had found the right way to make sure nobody would ever find it. Or maybe… she grinned. . . I’ll have to make sure the Police will find it.
Grabbing her mobile phone, she hesitated, wondering whether Luciano’s telephone would have been tracked by the Police. Grimacing, she threw the mobile on the bed, I will have to find another way. Concerning myself, I should probably leave the country.
Without waiting any further, she stood from the bed, left a written message to her father on the table and rushed to get the car. She needed to arrange her departure, and another plan started to form into her mind.
Pushing her foot on the gas pedal, she sped toward the harbor of Civitavecchia. There she was sure she would have found the same people who helped her to reach Italy from the island of Corsica.
It took less than one hour for her to arrive at her destination, and immediately she directed herself to the dock, where the fishermen who were traveling between the two countries would have helped her one more time for the return trip.
Without any hesitation, she walked in the boat. “Anybody there?” she called, hoping to find at least one member of the crew.
Aldo’s head peeked from the cabin, and when he saw Irina, he opened up into a bright smile. “I thought you would have enjoyed a longer stay here in Italy,” he joked with a chuckle.
“That was only half an enjoyment, and I was here for business.” She leaned against the baluster. “I need to leave right away. When is your next scheduled departure?”
“We can arrange it in a couple of days, on Monday at one o’clock in the morning, do you need a ride?” with a confident stride, he reached her.
“Yes, I will need to contact Alec to get me from the international waters to the coast. We will need the maximum discretion, if you know what I mean.” Her lips trembled anxiously, as she pursed them together.
With a light nod, Aldo agreed, considering how to make sure the two things would have combined. “Let me talk to Alec, once I have spoken with the rest of the crew, be reassured of it. We should agree together, so everything can run smoothly. The price is going to be the same as for the trip from there to here, and we’d prefer payment in advance.” His expression toughened. The agreement was different, but he needed to also acknowledge the risks.
Narrowing her eyes, she clenched her fists, glaring at him, “That was not what we agreed!” she shouted, barely containing the beast inside, coming closer to his face.
Her attitude couldn’t impress a rough seaman like Aldo, although he knew what she was capable of and that it was better not to try her patience. Nevertheless, he was aware there wouldn’t have been another way for her to reach the French coast, then to rely on their ride.
“The risk is getting higher. If we get caught by the coast guard, we will end up in trouble. I’m not going to risk any of my business for you. I need my insurance.” His voice remained calm, but rage started to boil inside at the demands of this spoiled brat.
Averting her eyes from him, she considered her options. Indeed, if I want to have everything cleared, I need to come to a compromise, although the deal has suddenly changed.
She didn’t have time for bargaining with anyone, so she inhaled deeply, trying to quell her rage. “Fine, you will have your compensation, the moment we leave. In this case you will have to deal with another issue.” What seemed to be a problem suddenly offered her the solution
