Page 57 of Third Crime's A Charm
Elio hadnoneof his brothers’ charm or inherent grace and his neck, arms, and hands were covered in tattoos. Truman was smart enough at math and science to recognize that most of the tattoos were equations and theories. What looked like a solar system peeked from under the ripped collar of Elio’s black T-shirt and several piercings adorned his ears and face. His eyes were lined with black and matched his fingernails and there were more equations and notes scribbled all over his jeans.
He swept his long, dark hair back out of his face, offering Leo a terse “Poldi,” as he scowled around the room and his expression darkened. “Where is my brother?”
Leo turned back to the sideboard and picked up their drinks. “You’d think he only hasthe one,” he complained to Truman and handed him a glass. “Eli, this is Truman Tennyson. Truman, this is my youngest brother,ProfessorElio von Hessen.”
Eli’s scowl tightened as he scanned Truman. “Whatever, as long as Matteo likes him,” he said with a shrug. “Where is he?” he asked impatiently.
“Matteo went into town with Muriel and our other guests but he should be back soon.” Leo shook his head, looking only mildly irritated as he sat in the chair next to Truman’s. “Go and find something to eat while you wait. Just do me a favor and spare the rest of our doors,” he added, earning a vague wave from Elio as he left them.
“It wouldn’t open, I fixed it.”
“The rest of the handles and nobs work fine,” Leo called after him before taking a long drink. “Please, sit,” he said and gestured at Truman’s chair.
“Right!” Truman was still standing and still in shock. He put the poker back and lowered into his seat, thanking Leo before taking a sip from his glass. He usually took his whiskey with a large ice cube but this was excellent whiskey. “So…that was Elio,” he eventually said.
Leo groaned and rubbed a temple. “That was Elio. As I said: I love him and I am proud of him, even when he isn’t on his best behavior. He isn’t always this destructive. He’s just terrible at fixing things unless they’re on a board or a sheet of paper and he’s always in a rush.”
“Makes sense. I throw jars down the stairs if I can’t open them,” Truman said and Leo frowned. “I’m joking, I rarely open jars. I have a housekeeper and a cook, but I do get cranky if I can’t get a cork out.”
That got a laugh from Leo before he turned serious. “I think New York would be good for Eli. He’s always better when he’s with Matteo and I think that’s part of the reason he’s burning out at Cambridge. Eli will listen to Theo, better than he will listen to me, but Matteo can always reason with him.”
“But you don’t want Eli to go,” Truman guessed, honored that Leo was already able to share his concerns and discuss family matters with him.
“I do! The change would be good for him and being closer to Theo and Matteo might calm Eli down. My younger brothers had turbulent childhoods, particularly Eli. He spent much of his at university with us.”
“You were able to take Elio and Matteo to school with you?” Truman asked but Leo shook his head quickly.
“We couldn’t take them into lectures, but Eli and Matteo waited in hallways and libraries for hours before we could afford nannies and tutors. It’s made Eli too comfortable in academia and he’s getting bored. He needs to do something new and setdown roots somewhere that isn’t a university. He needs alife.He’s studied enough,” Leo said with a pained grimace.
“What is it you’re afraid of?”
“He would be so far away in New York and I can’t be there for him.Again,” Leo added sadly. “I was in university when we lost our parents and then I had to serve in the military. Theo kept them while I was away and we were able to afford nannies for Matteo and Eli by the time he started university. It seems like I’ve always let Eli down and depended on others to care for him,” he mused but Truman set a hand on Leo’s arm.
“That’s not how Matteo describes it. You and Theo sheltered them and gave them as much stability as you could. He remembers that you were children too, but he idolizes you and Theo.”
“Does he?” Leo sniffed and shifted uncontrollably in his seat. “I worry so much about them.”
“Elio feels the same way from everything Matteo’s told me. He just doesn’t express his feelings because he’s…weird?” Truman attempted with an apologetic smile.
“Weird is a nice way of putting it.” Leo raised his glass to Truman and took another drink. “Perhapsyoucould help me.”
Truman bowed his head, despite feeling a sense of foreboding. “Of course, I’m happy to help in any way I can,” he lied and smiled brightly.
“Wonderful,” Leo said as he sat forward and rested an elbow on a knee. “You’re a patient man and you have a unique appreciation for Matteo’s moodiness and his chaos.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m patient…” Truman said, but Leo waved it off.
“And you already seem to understand Eli,” he continued and Truman had a sinking feeling. “Max and I have been trying to talk him into an extended holiday in Manhattan but Eli says heisn’t interested. I think we could bring him around if he could stay with you and Matteo.”
“With us?” That would probably please Matteo too, but Truman was panicking at the thought oftwomoody, chaotic von Hessens in his townhouse.
“This could work!” Leo said excitedly and tapped his glass against Truman’s. “Eli will like it even better if I tell him I need someone to keep a close eye on Matteo, to make sure he’s settling in well.” He grinned and winked, suggesting thatheliked that idea too. “And you should have no problem handling Eli, with your criminal experience and connections. I’m sure you have people who can watch over Eli and let us know if he gets into trouble.”
“I might,” Truman confirmed and took a gulp of whiskey.
I’m so fucked.
“Don’t worry about the damages. I’ll pay for everything,” Leo said with a dismissive gesture.
