According to the way she toughened her voice, it seemed as though she could have seen Maurizio’s doubting expression.
“Fine, let me know when or if Mr. Calvani asks for his share. I understand perhaps this may never happen as it seems that neither he has any need for cash or any hurry whatsoever. Nevertheless, I would appreciate your cooperation.” Maurizio concluded, ready to return to his speculations and get ready to meet Madlen in the early afternoon.
Smirking, Ms. DeSantis shook her head. It was true that as an insurance company, their duty was mostly getting the maximum profit possible. For many people, this might sound unfair and could be seen as a way to cheat them. The reality is that most of the time we are targets of scams, and we need to shield our business from them, she considered.
“We will let you know about every move any of the beneficiaries will make,” she assured.
“That will be enough. Thank you for your call and have a nice day.”
Placing his telephone back on the desk, Maurizio considered the new details. This woman will have to explain her rush to obtain the money. However, there are also many things that don’t fit and will be enough to take her out of the list of the suspects...I predict at least ten kilograms drop in my weight, he considered as his stomach already started to complain about his delay in feeding it.
“Have patience, my friend, this evening, Anna will prepare us something good,” he promised, glancing at his belly.
CHAPTER 12
Madlen couldn’t stop thinking about the meeting she would have with Detective Scala. She was sure he couldn’t find anything to tie her to the murder, but perhaps he might have heard about her visit to the Insurance company.
Catching a glimpse of her image in the mirror, she could hardly recognize herself. That shade of terror and hopelessness darkening her eyes was something new to her. Never in her life had she thought she would have ever been accused of murder.
She walked to the bathroom and retouched her makeup, for her upcoming visit with the detective, hoping to conceal the stress, clearly transpiring from her eyes.
Slowly, she turned her shoulders to the mirror and leaned on the sink. Closing her eyes, she focused on her heartbeat, trying to use the same relaxation technique she used when she was a dancer at the night club. She needed to be able to detach from her daily problems in the same way.
Taking a deep breath, she started to hum the same lullaby she sang to Irina, when she was a child. That was the same one her mother sang to her and was a tune capable of soothing her soul. As the tune started to fill the room, she felt a bit calmer. That simple melody could perform real miracles.
Her life hadn’t been easy and getting to know Claudio was her second chance for happiness. It wasn’t the money she was after; it was the fact of having someone who would have been by her side no matter what.
He was the man who could go beyond the appearances of a dirty job and see through her soul. She opened her eyes, and with a smile on her face she walked away to the living room, where the balcony that looked over the main entrance was located.
Without going out, she peeked from behind the curtains waiting to spot the Police car arriving, wondering whether Detective Scala would have used an official or a civil vehicle.
Thinking about it, she didn’t remember having noticed which car he had the previous time, so there wasn’t any expectation for her.
With a sigh, she walked away from the window and glancing at the clock, she decided to have a coffee. Instead of making her nervous, it would soothe her. She was ready to let the rich aroma fill her nostrils as she reached the kitchen and started to prepare the coffee maker.
She sat on the couch, with her coffee. Reaching for the cup, she deeply inhaled the fruity aroma, bringing the bland, bitter tones and the crisp taste to her lips. With the first sip, Madlen’s expression relaxed in full enjoyment of the strong chocolaty flavors giving her a warm sensation of safety, able to soothe her soul while she waited for something she couldn’t foresee. Coffee was her favorite drink and considered it almost as a ritual. Every sip had to be enjoyed with the due calm, celebrating the flavors and sensations.
With a long exhale, she placed the cup back on the table and remained for a moment thinking about the situation she found herself in. With a slight groan, she stood from the couch and brought the cup to the kitchen, placing it in the dishwasher, when the intercom rang. With a startling movement, she closed the dishwasher and after a second of hesitation, she hurried to answer.
“Yes?” She said, trying to sound as calm as possible.
“Ms. Fazekas, this is Detective Scala. I’m with Forensic Inspector Romizi, can you please open the door for us?” Maurizio announced.
She pressed the button to open the main door. “Of course, you know how to arrive at my apartment,” she confirmed, wondering about the reason to have another officer accompany him.
Knowing they were inside the building, she went to open the door to wait for them. The elevator in front of her apartment started to climb the floors and together with it, her heartbeat increased in her chest. The doors of the elevator finally opened, and Maurizio came out followed by Leonardo.
“Good afternoon Ms. Fazekas,” Maurizio greeted pacing toward her. “This is Forensic
