Cold Tuscan Stone by David Wagner (best books to read in your 20s txt) 📕

gave him an almost imperceptible nod, and he leaned back against the stone, returning his attention to the first two men. The taller one with the hat was now using his hands like a movie director to frame the view of the amphitheater while he talked and walked steadily toward the stage.

Rick kissed Erica on both cheeks and stiffly shook hands with Donatella.

“Donatella, Erica, let me introduce Paolo LoGuercio, who I met at the museum. He has just arrived in Volterra and had not visited the amphitheater either, so I invited him along. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

The detective bowed his head slightly.

“So you are new to Volterra,” said Donatella while looking at LoGuercio with more than neighborly interest. “What brings you to our lovely city? Tourism, I suppose?”

If Donatella was expecting a smile from LoGuercio, she didn’t get one. “No, I was recently transferred here with my work. A nice change from the south, I have to say.”

This perked up Donatella even more. “Ah, so you are here to stay.” She took in his tailored suit and silk tie. “Where do you work?”

“I am with the police, Signora Minotti.”

Donatella stiffened, but quickly regained her composure. Her reaction was not lost on Dario, who began stepping rapidly toward them. While LoGuercio kept his attention on Donatella, Rick surveyed the ruins, assessing the situation. He saw that Conti had pushed his hat back and was now trotting briskly along the path, the other plainclothes policeman at his side. They were almost to the stage. Dario’s eyes darted between the two groups of men and began running toward his boss, his eyes narrowing.

“You know my name?”

“Yes, Signora,” answered LoGuercio. “And when you are finished with the tour of the amphitheater, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate your presence in my office. We have some questions. It should not take long.”

Rick turned just in time to see Dario’s dark figure lunging toward them at a speed unimaginable for such a large man.

It all happened very fast.

Erica gave a short cry of pain as Dario’s thick fingers grabbed her arm and pressed the gun into the small of her back. “You will not move, any of you, or Signora Erica will be shot.” He spoke with the calm of someone who had used a pistol before, and the other four men did not move from where they stood. “Signora Minotti and I will walk from here to the car, with our friend here, and you will remain where you are.” To emphasize his point he twisted the barrel of the gun again, causing Erica to wince.

“Dario,” said Donatella, in a barely audible voice, “let her go. There must be some misunderstanding.” She turned to the others, not hiding the look of fear on her face. “He is very protective, he’s been like that since I was a child.”

“Put the gun down, you know you won’t be able to get away.” Conti tried unsuccessfully to use a soothing voice. Dario’s eyes swept from one policeman to another, but the hand on the gun did not move.

“Dario, don’t do this, it isn’t worth it.” Donatella again, her face now almost white. She spoke in short gasps.

Dario kept his eyes on the other men as he spit out the words. “Not worth it? Not worth it? You have never seen the inside of an Italian prison, Signora. If you had, you would not say that. Come, we have no time to lose.” But Donatella remained frozen in place, like the stones that ringed the theater.

“This will only make your situation worse, Dario.” Conti kept his eyes locked on the gun in Erica’s back as he spoke. “Give me the gun now or your time in prison will be considerably longer. And it will not help Signora Minotti.”

Dario glanced at Donatella and his eyes narrowed even more, if that was possible. Conti was smart, thought Rick; play on Dario’s loyalty to his boss. Donatella’s next words did not help matters.

“Commissario, I never thought there would be violence. I swear it.”

The look on Erica’s face showed that she was finally making sense of the confusion, understanding that this was not about stolen artifacts after all. It was about murder. She stared at her friend in disbelief.

If Dario was disappointed with Donatella’s lack of loyalty, he didn’t show it. The expression on his face had not changed since he had pulled out his gun, and it did not change now. Nor did his voice, still cold and raspy.

“Then we will leave you out of it,” he answered to Donatella. He cast her a glare full of venom before returning his attention to his hostage. “Come, Signora, you will be my ticket out of here.” Erica cried out again as the barrel jabbed into her back, causing LoGuercio instinctively to move toward her. He caught himself and stopped immediately.

“You will not arrest me,” said Dario. “No one will.” He spit on the ground just short of LoGuercio’s polished shoe.

“Don’t try to stop him, detective.” Conti’s words were quiet but firm.

Dario and Erica had to maneuver through two stone steps and a narrow drainage ditch before reaching the flat grass of the stage. Rick’s fists hung stiff and tight as Dario shoved Erica, the gun digging into her body. Conti hurriedly raised his hands toward the gate. Rick realized he was signaling to his men on the street to stand off and let Dario and Erica pass. If they got to the car, anything could happen.

As she was forced down the steps Erica’s left shoe slipped on the smooth stone. She screamed and collapsed to the ground, extending her arms to break the fall. Dario stumbled, feet tangled with hers, lurching him backward until his head smacked the flat stone of the step. He shook his head and recovered quickly, raising his gun while pushing himself up with the other elbow, his widened eyes assessing his situation. His reflexes were quick, but not as quick as those of LoGuercio.