Page 119 of The Grave Artist

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Tandy said, “Let’s find out how many people were at the place then.”

Carmen asked, “Declan, how many visited the Uffizi on the dates around the time of the Florence murder?”

“I don’t have access to that information, but the Uffizi Gallery is the most visited art museum in Italy, with two million visitors a year. That statistic suggests that eleven thousand eight hundred seventy-nine and seven-tenths visitors were present during the time in question.”

Silence.

Then Mouse offered the official assessment. “I’d say we’re screwed.”

Chapter 57

Sweeney.

Selina could guess who her kidnapper was.

“Move, bitch.” He shoved her into the massive entryway of Fisher’s mountaintop mansion.

To open the door, Selina noticed, Sweeney had typed in what seemed like a ten- or twelve-digit security code. Of course Fisher would have an elaborate security system.

Sweeney’s hazel eyes narrowed. “Give me your cell phone.”

No sense lying about having one. That might earn her a rough pat down or a bullet hole in her body.

She slowly pulled it out of her pocket, wondering whether she could chance unlocking it with her fingerprint and tapping the speed dial for Carmen.

“Please don’t hurt me.”

“Just do what I say, and you’ll be fine. Lay it on the floor.”

“Okay, whatever you want, Mr. Sweeney.”

“The fuck do you know my name?” His eyes were narrow with rage and concern.

“I just . . . I’m sorry.”

“Phone now.”

She tried the fingerprint thing.

“Don’t get cute. Leave it locked and kick it over here. Now.”

“Let me go. The police know I’m here.”

“Not unless they’ve given you the okay to pilfer mail. I’m not asking again: phone.”

Selina set the unit down and used the edge of her shoe to slide it toward him.

Without ever taking his eyes off her, Sweeney tapped the toe of his shoe on the floor until he felt the phone underneath his foot.

He ground the device under his heel. “We wouldn’t want your big sister calling you, would we?”

A whisper: “You know who I am?”

“Selina Sanchez,” Sweeney said. “And your sister Carmen is a Fed.”

How had he found out? Nando?

The driver of the black Edge?