Kitabı oku: «A Taste Of Italy», sayfa 7

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE picnic had been Jack’s idea. The boys kicked a soccer ball between them as they walked down to the water along the shaded path and every now and then Jack cupped his hands around his mouth and called, ‘Coo-ee,’ across the lake. Paulo would imitate him. The echoes bounced off the hills across the lake and rolled back over the water and Tammy could hear the boys giggle up ahead as they trickled the ball between them.

Somewhere to the right a kookaburra laughed at nothing in particular and she drew the moment in with the breath of freshly mown grass that drifted across the street. It was good to remember what normal felt like.

Not that it was normal to have a gorgeous Italian man by her side. ‘The hamper not too heavy, Leon?’ Tammy glanced across as they strode down the leaf-strewn path.

Leon swung the hamper as if it was filled with fluff and nonsense but Tammy knew it must have weighed a ton. ‘It’s fine.’

Like heck it was. She’d put cans of soft drink, a thermos of freshly brewed coffee, mountains of savoury mini quiches, cold sausage rolls and a full bottle of tomato sauce in with the meat and rolls. Small boys could eat man-size portions. Then there were the sweets on plates Misty had forced on her.

As she walked she kept glancing at his bulging biceps and, becoming more noticeable, the veins in Leon’s right arm. She clamped her lips on the smile that wanted to spread across her face. She could tell there was a little strain adding up. He swapped to the other arm.

By the time they’d reached one of the picnic tables under the trees she could’ve put a drip in his veins with a garden hose. She waited for the sigh as he lifted the bag onto the table and wasn’t disappointed. She had to laugh.

He slanted a glance at her. ‘And what amuses you?’

‘How useful a man’s arm is when you need it.’ She grinned down at the hamper. ‘I’m afraid I loaded the food up. On my own I’d have put it in the car and driven it down.’

He smiled and said cryptically, ‘It kept my hands busy.’

Just one little comment like that and a dragon unfurled inside her stomach. He could seduce her in an instant in an open park with children a few feet away. How did he do that?

When the soccer ball came out of nowhere and almost hit her in the head, it put paid to the dragon and she stumbled back. Leon’s hand speared out to knock the ball away, then caught her arm to help her balance. He turned and raised his brows at the boys.

‘Oops. Sorry, Mum.’ There was a pause and then Jack added, ‘Sorry, Mr Bonmarito.’

‘Perhaps you could aim for those trees behind you,’ Leon suggested mildly, but the boys immediately spun to face the other way.

‘You’re proving handy this morning.’

‘Sì.’ Very quietly, under his breath, she heard him add, ‘And sometimes at night.’

Tammy fought the tide of colour away from her cheeks and just managed to keep it in check as she began to unpack the hamper. Change subject. ‘What time do you meet Gianni and Emma at the airport?’

‘Five. Our plane leaves at eight.’ Leon reached across and took the heavy thermos and weighed it in his hand. He raised his brows at her. ‘Could you not find a house brick to place in the bag as well?’

She grinned. He made her smile and she sneaked a look at his handsome profile as he gazed across the lake. She’d miss him. More than a little. She couldn’t remember ever being so at ease with a man on one hand and so supersensitised on the other.

Leon reached in and stole a juicy prawn wrapped in lettuce and she offered the tiny plastic container with seafood sauce.

He smiled and dipped, then took his time raising it to his mouth, a teasing light in his dark eyes and she couldn’t help but follow it. He was laughing at her but it was nice. She watched him indulgently as he closed his eyes in pleasure. But when he licked those glorious lips, capable of such heat and hunger, last night flooded back and she wished she’d just given him the sauce and run away.

‘Your seafood is amazing.’

‘Ah.’ Brain dead. Wake up. ‘Yes. I love it.’ She replaced the lid on the sauce in such a hurry it splashed over her hand, but before she could wipe it clean he’d taken her wrist and brought it to his mouth. A long slow sip of sauce and she was undone. Her dragon breathed a spurt of fire as her belly unfurled and there was no hope of keeping the pink out of her face this time. She glanced hurriedly at the boys but they were running and whooping between the trees with the ball.

She rushed into speech. ‘Misty’s excelled herself in sweets. It’s almost embarrassing.’ She opened the folded cloth to offer the plates with plastic film displaying their contents. ‘Let’s see,’ she garbled. ‘Oh, Lamingtons.’ Bite-size Lamingtons, chocolate eclairs oozing creamy custard, tiny swirls of meringue with tart lemon sauce in the middle. And another squat steel thermos jammed with homemade ice cream and some waffle cones to hold the ice cream which helped restore her sense of humour. With the crockery and the thermos she’d bet that weighed a ton too.

Leon wasn’t seeing the food. He would miss her. His hands stretched in his pockets where he’d thrust them away from her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and lose himself and could feel the tension between them stretching. Perhaps he should kick the ball with the boys as a more useful outlet for unexpected action. ‘Do you need help setting out the food?’

She shook her head. ‘A bit of space would be great.’

He grinned to himself. ‘Always so complimentary. It is fortunate my feelings cannot be hurt.’

‘Or mine,’ she retaliated, and he turned away with a shake of his head. She could be stubborn and blunt to the point of offence, but despite her efforts he could see through the independent facade she insisted on showing him. He had the impression it was he that brought out this harsher side of her and he acknowledged she had reason to distance him.

‘Kick me the ball, Paulo,’ he called, and the boys whooped as he joined their game. Fearlessly Jack attempted to tackle and when Leon sidestepped him Jack fell laughing to the ground.

Paulo swooped on his father while he was distracted and stole the ball and the three of them were bumping and pushing one another as they fought for possession. It was no surprise that soon they were all laughing and wrestling on the ground.

The immaculate Leon Bonmarito rolling in the grass with two grubby boys. It hurt too much to watch. This was what she couldn’t give her son, though Ben had the same man-versus-man mentality that boys seemed to love. She didn’t understand it but could see that Jack was delighted with the rough and tumble.

Leon looked and acted so big and tough and yet he was so good with the boys. She wished she’d been spared this memory. Jack was sent rolling away and Paulo dived on his father. She was sure someone would be hurt soon. Then it would all end in tears. The table was ready, almost groaning under the tablecloth full of ham and silverside rolls and the mountains of cold savouries she suddenly didn’t have the stomach for.

She called to the boys. ‘Come and eat.’

It took a minute for her voice to soak into the huddle on the ground but then they brushed themselves off and walked back towards her, all smiling and filthy. She pointed to the wipes she opened at the edge of the food.

‘You can all wash your hands.’

‘Yes, Mama,’ Leon said as he shook his head at the spread. ‘I think we need to put out a sign and invite people to share.’

She began to pour drinks. ‘That happens. If you see anyone, wave them over.’

Leon believed her. This past week had shown him a town full of generosity and warmth and the concept of sharing was in every connection he made. He bit back the tinge of jealousy that wasn’t worthy of him. His own life was different, and he wasn’t able to function like this self-sufficient small town could. He had responsibilities, people depending on him and his family business to continue to grow to provide a service for those in need.

He was glad they had the chance today to do something normal. Though the taste of this magical interlude would no doubt come back to haunt in his and Paulo’s emptily spacious apartment in Rome.

By the time they’d finished what they could, the boys were groaning and tottering back to their ball and Leon had subsided with a sigh onto the picnic rug.

‘Had enough?’ Tammy teased, and she looked over at him with satisfaction. When you don’t know what to do with a man, you could always overfeed him.

Before she’d been foolish enough to sleep with him he’d taken up a huge portion of her day even when he wasn’t there in person. Now, with so many memories in all dimensions, he would be everywhere.

Tonight he would be gone and the long nights ahead promised little rest at all. She was such a fool. But the opportunity for further foolishness was drawing to a close and when he invited her with a questioning look, she eased down beside him on the rug until their shoulders touched. She had no problem imagining more. Her ears heated with the need to tell him her secret.

Last night, in the dark, after he’d warmed her in a way she would never forget, he’d whispered again to her in his native tongue and the burden of her deceit had grown impossible.

He’d whispered softly how being able to hold her in his arms had been the only thing that had kept him sane while the boys were missing.

That his guilt for drawing her into this mess had been very hard and her forgiveness so precious.

How hard it would be to fit back into his life as he remembered the feel of her weight against his chest and how much he savoured the little time they’d had together and the gift she’d given him.

All soul-exposing statements he didn’t know she understood.

Maybe it could have been different if he didn’t live on the other side of the world. She could never leave the lake, take Jack from his grandparents, leave her friends and her work and, if she was honest, her independence, and just move in with Leon. Not that he’d asked her.

But she knew she’d be unable to go to Rome and not be in his arms again.

‘Do you think you will come to Italy next month? For the maternity wing.’ It was as if he’d read her mind without looking. He shifted his attention back to her and it was her turn to look out across the water.

The smile fell off her face. ‘Perhaps.’ No, she didn’t think so.

He slid his finger beneath her chin and turned her face towards him. ‘You do not seem too sure.’

She met his eyes. ‘I’m not. I need to think about the idea when my head isn’t full of kidnappings and work crises and other—’ she grimaced ‘—emotionally charged events I’m not sure what to think of.’

He nodded and let her chin go. ‘I won’t pressure you. Though I’d like to. Perhaps you will think about it. I know my new sister-in-law would be pleased.’

Bring in the big guns, why don’t you, Tammy thought with a sigh. Emma would understand though.

She looked back across the lake so he couldn’t read her eyes. ‘We’ll see.’

The boys returned and fell down beside them. She saw the glances they exchanged at the closeness between Leon and herself and she ached for their naiveté. She’d wondered if Jack would be wary of Leon but he seemed to accept that the big man had a place in his mother’s attention. Maybe because he knew that place had come to an end?

In the few minutes they all lay there before packing up, the simple pleasures of the morning rolled over them. Even the boys were silent and peace stole over their blanket.

The blue sky through the leaves overhead hurt her eyes it was so bright—or that’s what Tammy told herself, why her eyes stung—and small puffy clouds skittered and were reflected in the lake that stretched away through the trees.

It was a perfect day for their overseas visitors to see before they left. The thought bounced around like an echo in her head. That’s what they were. Visitors. Tammy felt the emotion and the hopelessness of the dream overwhelm her.

She heard the sharply indrawn breath of Leon beside her, and turned to see a small brown bird poke an inquisitive head out of the bush across from them.

A lyrebird, his beady brown eyes unblinking, tilted his beak at Leon and then stepped fearlessly out into the open less than ten feet from where they lay. The boys froze and covered their mouths with their hands, their little chests almost bursting with suppressed excitement.

The lyrebird lifted his brown, curved tail until it stood behind him like a fan, then shivered and shifted his feathers, until the upright display was to his satisfaction.

Only then did he strut and pivot in a stately dance to show them his glory.

When he opened his mouth the unexpected sound poured out. ‘Coo-ee.’ The notes from the lyrebird soared across the lake and bounced back at them. Strong and sure and perfectly mimicked on the boys earlier. ‘Coo-ee,’ the lyrebird trilled again, and he stared at them all as if he’d just given them a very important message. Then his tail fell and with regal disregard for politeness he disappeared back into the bush.

Tammy felt the air ease from her lungs, and the collective sigh almost lifted the paper napkins into the air. Jack whispered, ‘A lyrebird. Grandpa told me about them.’

‘It copied our call.’ Paulo, too, was whispering.

‘That’s what they do. They imitate noises,’ Tammy said quietly. ‘They can copy anything. Even a baby crying.’ She felt like crying herself it had been so magical. She sighed and somehow the load seemed a little lighter. ‘We’d better pack up.’

Leon stared at the bush, his mind strangely less cluttered by the past. But no doubt that was because the present had been so chaotic. The bird had looked at him, and of all the memories of this place he would take with him today, that bird, and these people spellbound by his dance and song, would remain with him.

It was time for the Bonmaritos to leave. They’d said goodbye to Ben and Misty and Louisa already.

The fierceness of Paulo’s hug surprised Tammy, as did her own in return. The lump in her throat grew as she hugged him back.

Paulo’s beautiful dark eyes, so like his father’s, so serious and young, seemed dreadfully in need of a mother. Her heart ached for him, and for Jack, and the loss of what could have been.

She tried to imagine how this quiet young boy felt, all he’d gone through, even worse than Jack because he’d been taken twice. She hugged him again. Paulo had to feel nervous.

She stroked his shoulder. ‘Your dad will mind you.’

‘Sì.’ He nodded, but the concern stayed in his eyes. ‘And who will keep you and Jack safe?’

‘We’ll be fine, honey.’ She hugged him for the last time. ‘Have a good flight and look after Grace and Aunt Emma for me.’

‘Until you come?’ He searched her face. ‘Jack wants to come.’

‘We’ll see.’ She glanced across to Leon, who seemed just as embroiled as she, with Jack. ‘I’ll think about it.’ Not on your life was she going anywhere near Leon Bonmarito. Hopefully by the time he came back to visit his brother she’d be over this infatuation that had rocked her nice tidy little world.

Jack returned to her side, looked at Paulo and shook hands and then threw shyness to the winds and hugged the other boy, who hugged him fiercely back.

‘You guys got over your mutual dislike, I see,’ she teased, and they broke apart, both pink-tinged in the neck.

‘He’s okay,’ Jack said gruffly.

‘Too rrright, mate,’ Paulo said with a stiff upper lip and a fine attempt at Aussie slang. His accent rolled the r’s and made them all laugh.

Then Leon stood beside her. So big and darkly handsome…and so ready to leave.

‘Arrivederci, Tamara.’ His arms came around her for a brief hug and he kissed her in the Italian fashion on both cheeks. Nowhere near her mouth.

It was as if they both knew it would hurt too much. With his head against her hair she heard him say, ‘Addio, amore mio.’

Ciao, Leonardo, she whispered soundlessly into his shirt and then she stepped back. ‘Safe trip.’

‘Come,’ Leon said to Paulo. ‘You have forgotten nothing?’ Paulo shook his head and Leon closed the boot on their luggage. They would leave the rental at the airport.

It was time. He lifted his hand in salute, no last chance for a kiss goodbye, Tammy thought with an ache she’d have to get used to, but surely it was better this way.

With Jack by her side she watched them drive away and as they walked back into the suddenly empty house, Tammy felt a gaping emptiness in her chest that made tears burn her eyes.

‘I’m going to my room,’ Jack said gruffly, and she nodded. She wanted to go to her room too, and crawl under the covers for the rest of the day, maybe the rest of the year.

Five minutes later Jack was back. ‘We’ll have to see them off now.’ When her triumphant son reappeared, brandishing Paulo’s backpack like a glorious trophy, she had a ridiculous urge to laugh out loud.

Then common sense stepped in. ‘No, we don’t. We can post it to him.’

Jack shook his head decisively. ‘It’s got everything in it. His MP3 player, his phone, diary—’ he paused for effect ‘—his mother’s photos.’ Jack knew he had the winning hand. ‘What if all that gets lost in the post?’

Tammy rubbed her forehead and ignored the stupid leap of excitement in her belly. She’d have to take it. They’d have to take it. Jack wins.

‘Maybe we’ll catch them. It’s three hours to Brisbane and a real pain.’ Not that she’d planned anything useful today except feeling sorry for herself.

Tammy grabbed her keys with a heart that was lighter than it should have been. This was not good. She’d have to go through the whole painful farewell routine again and this time she was bound to cry. But if she had to do that, she was darn sure she was at least getting that kiss. A real one. To hell with the consequences.

Her eyes narrowed for a moment on Jack. ‘You and Paulo had better not have cooked this up between you. I won’t be impressed if we catch them and Paulo’s not surprised to see us.’

They didn’t catch them and half an hour into the drive Tammy accepted it was a dumb idea to try. Once she thought a police car was following her and she slowed down even more. She wished she’d remembered to bring her phone so she could have called Emma.

The plane didn’t leave for another five and a half hours so she wasn’t worried about missing them. Leon was meeting Emma and Gianni at the International Departure gates at 5:00 p.m. As was Montana with Grace. She had plenty of time. It was only one-thirty now.

By the time she took her parking ticket from the machine at Brisbane airport Tammy had reached a definite point of regret for her decision to come.

And they’d all, especially Leon, think her mad to chase across the country to give back a bag she could have posted. She could have sent it registered mail, for crying out loud. It was Jack’s fault.

Her mood wasn’t improved when she realised that she and Jack were in such a hurry they’d forgotten Paulo’s bag in the car and they’d had to race back and get it.

Dragging her son through the terminal, she wished herself home until finally she spied the signs directing her to the departure lounge entry. And there, towering above the crowds, big and dark and brooding with his broad shoulders lovingly encased in his grey Italian suit, stood Leon. Her steps slowed and her hand tightened on Jack’s as she came closer.

Leon turned, as if sensing her, and his eyes widened with surprise and a warmth that almost had her fan her face.

Jack eased his hand out of hers and ran across to Paulo brandishing the bag. The two boys hugged and Tammy and Leon looked back at each other with raised brows.

Her feet slowed but Leon stepped past the boys without a word and walked straight up to her. ‘Ciao, bella.’ His head bent and he stared into her face as if still not sure that she was real.

Her cheeks warmed under his scrutiny. ‘Ciao, Leonardo,’ she said. It was safe enough to echo, and of its own accord her hand lifted to brush his cheek. ‘You didn’t kiss me goodbye.’

His eyes darkened and roamed over her. ‘Sì. For good reason.’

‘And what reason would that be?’ Her belly kicked with the heat in his scrutiny and suddenly they weren’t in a crowded airport. They were alone, in a mist of vision that narrowed to just Leon’s face.

‘I believe that’s a dare.’

Wasn’t that how they started? ‘It’s been done before.’

His head lowered further and just before his lips touched hers she heard him whisper, ‘But not like this.’

She should have realised how dangerous it was to challenge this man. Or maybe she was very aware of the consequences. That was the glory of it. When he finally stepped back, the hard floor of the terminal seemed to sway beneath her feet and he kept one hand cupped beneath her elbow until she balanced again. Some kiss.

He lifted her chin with his finger. ‘Why are you here?’

Still vague and dreamy she answered absently, ‘Paulo forgot his bag.’

They both turned to the boys, forgotten in the heat of the moment, a few feet away only minutes ago, but the place they’d occupied stood vacant. Two older men moved with a leisurely intent to stand and chat there instead.

Leon craned his neck around the men, and frowned heavily. ‘Now where have they gone?’

The boys were running. A vague and nebulous plan had formed in the few moments their parents had ignored them. What if they ran away? Together. Somewhere safe, of course, just long enough to miss the flight, and ensure their parents had more time together. More chance to stay longer in Lyrebird Lake for the Bonmaritos.

A family in front of them were heading for an arriving bus, pushing luggage and laughing, and the boys followed them and two older ladies onto the bus.

‘What is Long-Stay Parking?’ Paulo whispered as they sat unobtrusively behind the noisy family.

‘Don’t know, but sounds like a good place to sit while we wait for the plane to go,’ Jack said.

The bus filled quickly with those returning from holidays and trips to their cars parked in the furthest part of the terminal. ‘My father will be very angry,’ Paulo whispered, regretting their daring already.

‘So will Mum, but they’ll get over it.’ Jack’s voice wobbled only a little. ‘It’s for their own good.’

‘What if we get lost?’

‘You’ve got your mobile in the bag. We’ll ring your dad. Which reminds me, you’d better turn it off now.’ He looked at Paulo. ‘In case he rings?’

Paulo paled and hastily dug in his bag. ‘Sì.’ He flipped open the phone and held down the key until the screen changed. They sat there and stared as the light dimmed and disappeared. Both gulped.

The bus revved and moved off. The trip seemed to take a long, long time. When it pulled up, the jerk thrust them forward in their seats while all around them people stood and lifted bags and shifted in a line towards the exit and a huge area with rows of parked cars. In every big square of cars, a brick waiting room sat on edge of the bus line, to provide shelter in case of rain.

‘We could sit in that shed,’ Jack said, less sure of the brilliance of his plan now that they were there.

Paulo didn’t say anything but he followed the other boy with his head down, his backpack bumping on his shoulder like the weight of the world.

Both boys’ eyes lit up when they saw the snack vending machine in the corner of the waiting room. ‘You got money?’ Jack said.

‘Sì.’ Finally Paulo smiled.

‘I can’t believe this.’ Tammy felt sick and frightened and most of all incredibly angry and disgusted with herself. And the man beside her.

Leon was reaching for his phone. A muscle jerked in his cheek and his mouth had thinned to a grim line. ‘This, I think, is a trick thought up by your son.’

The possibility had crossed her mind. A bit like the suddenly found backpack of Paulo’s. But she couldn’t admit that. Surely Paulo had some say. ‘Why does it have to be my son?’

Leon’s hand tightened on the phone. ‘Because mine is aware of consequences.’

Not true but she wasn’t going to fight about it now. She was too scared to have lost Jack again. ‘Where are your clever bodyguards? What if someone’s taken them again?’

‘One has left to organise our safe arrival and the other I gave leave for a few minutes. He approaches now.’

Leon launched into a flood of Italian and Tammy battled to keep up. It seemed the bodyguard had gone to buy a drink and also not seen the boys disappear. So Leon wasn’t discounting the chance of abduction. Tammy turned to the elderly men beside them. ‘Excuse me. Have you seen two little boys, dark hair, about eight years old?’

One of the men shook his head and the other stroked his chin. ‘I might have, actually. Did one have a backpack?’

‘Sì,’ Leon broke in. ‘Did you see where they went?’

The gentleman lifted his hand and waved. ‘Running towards the exit. I thought it strange but they caught up with a family and I assumed they were with them. I’m sorry.’

‘Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.’ Leon gestured to the bodyguard and the man jogged quickly towards the exit. He slanted a grim I-told-you-so glance at Tammy.

Tammy’s head ached with the beginning of a tension headache. How could the boys have done this to them? They knew how frightened she’d been. She couldn’t believe this was happening and all because they’d brought a stupid bag to the airport. When would she learn that this man was trouble? Where were Jack and Paulo?

Leon flipped open his phone again. Then he swore in Italian. Graphically.

‘Don’t swear,’ she said—anger was the last thing she needed—and rubbed her face.

Leon blinked. ‘Scusi. Paulo has switched off his phone.’ He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘And how did you know I was swearing?’

Good grief. She didn’t have time for this. She shrugged and avoided his eyes. ‘I didn’t really. It just sounded like swearing.’

His eyebrows raised but he said nothing more. ‘I will try the washrooms. Perhaps you could check the shops.’

She nodded but the fear was forming a monster in her throat. ‘And what if we can’t find them?’

‘Then we’ll check with the police.’

The next hour was fraught with false leads, and small boys that for a moment made her heart leap, and then ache with growing fear. The police had faxed through the photos of the boys to airport security and the inspector in charge of the previous kidnapping was on his way.

Tammy slumped against a pole outside the terminal and searched out groups for small boys. ‘I can’t believe we’ve lost them again.’

Leon ran his hand through his hair and glanced at his watch. ‘Nor I. There will be retribution for those responsible.’ The underlying menace in his voice made Tammy shiver and for a second she almost hoped for Jack’s sake that they’d been kidnapped.

Leon glanced at his watch again. ‘I must meet the inspector and Gianni should also soon be at the departure gate. And Montana with Grace. Do you wish to come with me or remain searching?’

What? And stay here by herself, imagining the worst? ‘I’ll come.’

When they returned to the terminal again only Emma and Gianni were there. Leon broke into a flood of Italian and when he said to his brother that no doubt it was a hoax dreamed up by Tammy’s son, Tammy shot him a look of such pure dislike, he paused midsentence.

Leon held his hand up to his brother and turned to Tammy. Her heart thumped at his comprehension. He searched her face, took her arm above the elbow and steered her away from the others.

His grip was more than firm. ‘You understood everything I said?’ The question came in Italian.

‘Sì,’ she spat back.

He dropped her arm as if it was suddenly dirty. ‘This we will discuss later.’

‘Or not,’ Tammy replied, and closed her eyes as he walked away. She felt like burying her head in her hands but it wouldn’t help. He’d never forgive her. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. The boys were the important thing.

The inspector arrived accompanied by his constable. ‘I do not think they have been taken by the same people.’

‘Why are you so sure?’ Tammy had to ask.

The inspector shrugged. ‘We have all except one of the men responsible for the kidnapping in custody or in the morgue. It seems the shootout was between two warring Mafia gangs. They planned to hostage the one man’s son for the location of stolen property.’

Leon’s brow furrowed and his impatience with this diversion was plain. ‘What has this to do with my son?’

‘Nothing, I’m afraid.’ The inspector scratched his ear. ‘It’s the other boy. Our informant believes Miss Moore’s son was the illegitimate child of one Vincente Salvatore. Mr Salvatore was killed in the battle. It is believed he protected the boys with his life.’

Tammy felt the look of incredulity Leon shot at her and she shook her head. Vincente was dead. He’d saved the boys. She looked at Leon but he didn’t hide his contempt for more lies. She hadn’t known Vincente knew. How could she have known that Paulo’s abduction had been mistaken identity? All this fear and danger her fault—for a hidden heist. And all the time she’d blamed Leon for the boy’s danger. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘I wonder what else I do not know,’ he said quietly in Italian, and she could tell he didn’t care if she understood.

The inspector went on. ‘There’s still one man at large so we will be keeping an eye out. Might be prudent to be careful, Miss Moore.’

The airport security chief arrived at that moment to join the inspector and Tammy turned still-stunned eyes on him. ‘We’ve isolated the video coverage in the time frame the boys went missing. It seems there’s a chance they boarded the long-stay car-park bus. We’re waiting for a patrol car now so we can check that out.’