Four Scarpetta Novels by Patricia Cornwell Read Free Book Online Page A

question we seem no closer to answering,” Scarpetta says as she and Benton walk through the balmy night, their shadows moving over old stone. “She’s by herself and intoxicated, perhaps lost on some deserted side street, and he sees her? And what? Offers to show her the way and leads her where he can gain complete control of her? Perhaps where he lives? Or to his car? If so, he must speak at least a little English. How could no one have seen her? Not one person.”
    Benton says nothing, their shoes scuffing on the sidewalk, the street noisy with people emerging from restaurants and bars, very loud, with motor scooters and cars that come close to running them over.
    â€œDrew didn’t speak Italian, scarcely a word of it, so we’re told,” Scarpetta adds.
    The stars are out, the moon soft on Casina Rossa, the stucco house where Keats died of tuberculosis at age twenty-five.
    â€œOr he stalked her,” she goes on. “Or perhaps he was acquainted with her. We don’t know and probably never will unless he does it again and is caught. Are you going to talk to me, Benton? Or shall I continue my rather fragmented, redundant monologue?”
    â€œI don’t know what the hell’s going on between the two of you, unless this is your way of punishing me,” he says.
    â€œWith who?”
    â€œThat goddamn captain. Who the hell else?”
    â€œThe answer to the first part is nothing’s going on, and you’re being ridiculous to think otherwise, but we’ll get back to that. I’m more interested in the punishment part of your statement. Since I have no history of punishing you or anyone.”
    They begin climbing the Spanish Steps, an exertion made harder by hurt feelings and too much wine. Lovers are entwined, and rowdy youths are laughing and boisterous and pay them no mind. Far away, what seems a mile high, the Hotel Hassler is lit up and huge, rising over the city like a palace.
    â€œOne thing not in my character,” she resumes. “Punishing people. Protect myself and others, but not punish. Never people I care about. Most of all”—out of breath—“I would never punish you.”
    â€œIf you intend to see other people, if you’re interested in other men, I can’t say I blame you. But tell me. That’s all I ask. Don’t put on displays like you did all day. And tonight. Don’t play fucking high school games with me.”
    â€œDisplays? Games?”
    â€œHe was all over you,” Benton says.
    â€œAnd I was all over everywhere else trying to move away from him.”
    â€œHe’s been all over you for all day long. Can’t get close enough to you. Stares at you, touches you right in front of me.”
    â€œBenton…”
    â€œAnd I know he’s this good-looking, well, maybe you’re attracted to him. But I won’t tolerate it. Right in front of me. Goddamn it.”
    â€œBenton…”
    â€œSame with God knows who. Down there in the Deep South. What do I know?”
    â€œBenton!”
    Silence.
    â€œYou’re talking crazy. Since when, in the history of the universe, have you ever worried about my cheating on you? Knowingly.”
    No sound but their footsteps on stone, their labored breathing.
    â€œKnowingly,” she repeats, “because the one time I was with someone else was when I thought you were…”
    â€œDead,” he says. “Right. So you’re told I’m dead. Then a minute later you’re fucking some guy young enough to be your son.”
    â€œDon’t.” Anger begins to gather. “Don’t you dare.”
    He is quiet. Even after the bottle of wine he drank all by himself, he knows better than to push the subject of his feigned death when he was forced into a protected witness program. What Benton put her though. He knows better than to attack her as if she’s the one who was emotionally cruel.
    â€œSorry,” he