Page 49 of Vengeance in Venice
“I thought I dreamed that,” Constance said, allowing Solomon to lay her gently back against the pillows in a more upright position, which seemed to help her aching head. “I must trust her.”
“So must I, though I left Maria here with her to be sure.”
“She doesn’t seem to feel insulted.”
“No, she expects it. She understands a great deal. I just wish she would trust us in return.”
“Does she know who poisoned me?”
“No, I don’t think so. But she knows more about her husband’s death than she told us.”
Maria entered with a jug of water, a tall, clean glass, and a bottle of wine.
“Thank you,” Solomon said as she took the old glass away. “You can return to your other duties now.”
In the doorway, the girl stood back to allow Elena to re-enter the room.
“Domenico Rossi is here,” she said. “He claims to have an appointment to paint you. I told him you were indisposed, but it struck me that you might want to speak to him.”
“I’ll go down in a few minutes,” Solomon said, opening the wine bottle to add a splash to the water in the glass. “My thanks, signora, for your help today.”
“And mine,” Constance said. “I hope you will come again.”
Elena inclined her head. “As I hope you will call on me. In the meantime, send for me if you need me.”
*
With reluctance, Solomonleft Constance alone, sipping her water, while he went downstairs to the drawing room to find Rossi seated on a stool behind his easel, which he had placed inthe same spot as yesterday, right in front of the open, right-hand window.
“Sit,” Rossi commanded. “Quickly. Just there.”
Solomon sat. After all, he had to be somewhere, and this way, he looked directly into the artist’s face.
“Where is the lady?” Rossi asked with undisguised impatience. “I need her too.”
“She is indisposed. I saw your Adriana last night. Or, at least, yesterday afternoon.”
“She said so.” Rossi clearly wasn’t interested. “She gets occasional work through an agency. Signor, you wear different clothes!”
“Does it matter?”
Rossi shrugged irritably. “Not for today. You don’t look so well. But you’ll do. The afternoon light is better here.”
“Does Adriana often work at the British consulate?”
“Once or twice before, I think. They have staid parties there to introduce British merchants to Venetians. Or just to be important. Adrianna clears up after them.”
“Did you send her there?” Solomon asked steadily.
To his surprise, Rossi laughed. “No one sends Adriana anywhere. I prefer her in the house, but…” He shrugged. “The money is useful.” He scowled at his picture and then at Solomon, then picked up his brush. His brow cleared slowly. As though he could now think about something else, he asked, “How is Signora Grey indisposed? What is the matter with her?”
“I believe she was poisoned.”
The brush stilled. “Poisoned?Who would poison that beautiful lady? It is a crime against nature, against God. I expect she ate the clams. She will be fine by tonight.”
If Rossi was an actor, he was a damned good one.
But then, Solomon reflected, one could say the same about Elena.
