Page 88 of Stolen Kisses
“I understand.” I thought about what I could tell her. Looking at her now I felt that feeling again from earlier that I should involve her, if only to update her. Maybe, just maybe talking about it with her would trigger something that would help. “We didn’t find much out. We basically didn’t find anything, but what we didn’t find helped in some way too. Claudius suggested going over what we have and noting anything that might be important.”
“What do you have?”
Now that part would be telling her too much. “Maria. I withhold certain things to keep you safe. There’s a chance that things could have gotten messy with today’s plans. I really don’t want to involve you any more than I already have.”
“Dante, didn’t you say Claudius suggested going over everything. Wouldn’t talking to me be just that? Like maybe we missed something last time.”
She was right. “I don’t know. I don’t think I have any questions for you that I haven’t asked before.”
“Do you still think it was someone she was seeing? There are so many possibilities Dante.”
“Yes there are, but I absolutely feel it was someone she was seeing. Someone she had serious dirt on, more than the fact that she was pregnant.”
She narrowed her eyes and looked down at the floor.
“What? Did you think of something? Anything at all could help, even if you think it’s not relevant.” I said.
She returned her gaze to me. “She said she had stuff,dirt, and she looked adamant that it could be used to destroy this person. ”
“We never found anything in her stuff.” I planned to look through Christina’s things anyway, just searching for clues. Last time I’d gone through them I didn’t see anything that stood out to me.
“Maybe you missed something. Maybe looking again now would help in some way.”
I nodded. That meant going through Christina’s stuff at Ma’s. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“She was with a lot of guys Dante. Not the run of the mill kind either. You can’t do anything unless you’re at the very least twenty percent sure.”
I was listening. I was completely focused and taking note of the woman I classed as 20% angel, 80% devil. She knew her stuff, and I knew to listen.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.”
“I really want you to be careful Dante and be certain if you’re going to strike. The past taught me just that. If you’re sure you at least have a leg to stand on. The rest can take care of itself.”
“I’ll be careful baby.” I told her. I knew in telling me that, she didn’t want me to just lose my head and go after anyone just because they seemed to fit. “I’ve been thinking of going to my mother’s place and looking through all of Christina’s stuff.”
“That is a really good idea.”
“Will you come with me? Ma would love to see you and I think too that I need you. Ma could never look through her stuff and you’re the only other person I would feel comfortable with doing that.” Last time I looked through the stuff by myself. Maybe something would stand out to Maria.
She came closer and took my hands. “Yes, of course. I’d love to see your Ma too. It’s been awhile.” She leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “I have to help Francesca. See you later?”
I nodded. “Yes baby.”
She released my hands and I watched her go, glancing over her shoulder at me before she closed the door.
I rested my head against the soft leather back of the chair.
Yes, we were probably close.
I just couldn’t see the pieces of clues fitting together.
Not yet.
Chapter 25
Maria
Iwent down to the cellar and started checking the shelves with the beer.
