Page 48 of Sisters

She placed it in the case and continued to pack. Halfway through the flight home, Ellie began to get sick again.

THIRTY-FIVE

Matteo woke to the sound of a loud banging. He started, taking a moment to realize he was still in the chair on the terrace. He looked at his watch and was astounded to see that several hours had passed since he’d come outside this morning. So he’d managed to sleep after all. He quickly rubbed his eyes and went to see who was knocking on his front door loudly, with purpose.

Susanna had got there first. Walking into his hallway was Lieutenant Baroni, pulling off her sunglasses. Behind her, Captain Santini followed.

‘Can we come in?’ asked Baroni.

Matteo shrugged. They already were.

‘We wanted to let you know that the car Abby and Ellie are in has come up on automatic number plate recognition,’ said Baroni.

‘Where?’ asked Matteo.

‘Crossing the border into France.’

Still groggy with sleep, Matteo rubbed his forehead. Stared at Baroni with incredulity. ‘Seriously? And this is the first time it’s pinged on the system?’

Baroni was unfazed. ‘They’ve obviously been taking the minor roads, keeping away from the town centres.’

‘So what now? Have the French police taken charge of this?’

‘The investigation is still with the Carabinieri,’ said Baroni. ‘It’s aninseguimento in atto. Pursuit in progress,’ she translated for Susanna. She looked at them both. ‘Have either of you heard from them?’

‘Thank God you’re here. I was about to call the police station,’ said Susanna. ‘I’ve just got off the phone to Ellie.’

‘You did?’ asked Matteo, stunned. ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’

‘Go on,’ said Baroni, ignoring Matteo.

‘We couldn’t talk long. But she’s all right; at least, she said she’s not hurt. She’s with Abby and she seemed scared. I told her about Abby’s history, about how she lied. Look, the number she called me from is on my call history.’ Susanna reached for her phone.

‘What about Abby?’ asked Matteo. ‘Is Abby OK?’

‘I have no idea,’ said Susanna with distaste. ‘She was shopping.’

Baroni handed Susanna’s phone to Santini. ‘We’ll get this number checked. Did Ellie say where they were going?’

‘No...She was in a hurry to hang up. She said that Abby was coming, seemed very anxious about it.’ Susanna paused. ‘Ellie thought I was dead. That’s why they ran. Abby told her I was dead and persuaded her to go on the run.’ She looked up at Baroni. ‘Ellie said she’d call me again. As soon as she could.’

‘That’s good,’ said Baroni. ‘Does she trust you?’

Susanna looked surprised. ‘Yes. At least I think so. Despite the fact her sister’s been trying to turn her against me.’

Baroni nodded. ‘And I think that she will trust the police, yes? Then we ask her to persuade Abby to drive to a certain place. Somewhere we can meet them.’ Baroni held out her card. ‘My direct line. You need to call me as soon as she rings you.’ She turned to Matteo. ‘Have you heard from your wife?’

He straightened, indignant. ‘No. Or I would have said.’

Santini stepped forward, pushed his chest out. ‘The detective is just doing her job. You just answer the questions.’

Matteo looked at him all puffed up with self-importance. High on his own authority. He laughed.

‘Is something funny?’ snapped Santini, stepping even closer to Matteo.

‘Yeah,’ said Matteo.

Santini shoved Matteo in the chest. ‘You fuc—’