Page 46 of Chasing Caine
“Allora…” said Antonio. “Samantha worked for one of you, I understand?”
Elliot sat back in his chair. “That would be me.”
“Just an internship,” I interjected. Something was off about this conversation, and I wanted it to end. Everyone’s guard was up, as though a sub-conversation was going on that I couldn’t decode.
Antonio turned to me, blinking rapidly. “With the FBI?”
Before I could respond, Elliot chimed in. “And I’ve been trying to convince her to come back. I’ve followed behind her on four cases within the last month alone. Or should I say both of you, Dr. Ferraro?”
“Mi scusi?”
Elliot clasped his hands in front of him. “The auction at the hospital gala, the fake Chagall, now this fresco and the pigments in Pompeii. You two make a good team.”
“The best,” said Antonio, adjusting his feet so he was closer to me.
“So, Dr. Ferraro, Sam tells me you’ll be here until Christmas?”
Antonio looked askance at me, finally taking a bite of his gelato again.
I shrugged. “Elliot wanted to meet you.”
“Sì, I remember you now.” Antonio pointed his spoon at Elliot. “You were in the press conference about the Scotts. Why did you want to speak withme?”
“Yeah. He was—”
Elliot interrupted me. “What I read about you in the files on the auction and the fake Chagall impressed me. I wanted to meet you and express the Bureau’s appreciation for your role. That’s all.”
“Prego. It was the least I could do.”
“No,” said Elliot. “The least you can do is convince Sam to stop playing insurance adjuster and join my team here in Italy.”
Antonio’s eyes hit me again, and a pressure built in my chest. He wasn’t the only one who’d been keeping secrets.
We’d shared so much of who we were, but not even close to everything. Like my brief FBI past. We hadn’t known each other long enough for that. Why on Earth had I thought introducing him to Elliot would be a good idea? Time to head in the opposite direction. “I think that’s our cue to leave.”
“If I’ve learned anything—” Elliot stood to shake our hands again. “—it’s that you never argue with Samantha Caine. Just keep paying attention and asking questions. Eventually, you’ll catch a break.”
Antonio grinned at that. “You have no idea, Special Agent Skinner.”
“Dr. Ferraro, I’m on the road a lot, but the Detroit office is home.” Elliot handed Antonio a business card. “Feel free to call anytime something pops up which may be of interest. I’d like to cultivate a relationship with one of the best art conservation companies in the world.”
Elliot turned to me. “And you’re more than welcome to join me and Bruno while we follow up on the fresco and the pigments.”
Oh my god.
Goosebumps shot up my arms and not from the gelato. This was my in. I could work the case with people who had resources. And the law backing them up. And maybe even beyond that, onto the smuggling case. I could find the stolen flowers for Antonio while staying in the same city as him.
I… I…
The investigation would mean less time with Antonio. And I had to get back to Brenton and my sister for her chemo in less than a week.
All three pairs of eyes bored into me.
“Thanks, Elliot.” I flicked a glance at Antonio from the corner of my eye. As much as I would have screamed ‘yes’ if I were by myself and didn’t have responsibilities, I wasn’t. And the other reality that was even clearer now that I had this offer? I didn’t want to do anything without Antonio Ferraro. “But no. I have higher priorities right now.”
Antonio’s face broke into a wide smile and my heart swelled at the sight.
Bruno stood to join us and handed Antonio a business card as well. “In case you spot anything else while you’re in Napoli, Dr. Ferraro. Or if you get any hints on who took the items from the Park.”