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J ulia crossed to the waiting room, her thoughts racing. She didn’t know why Marshal Torti was here. She didn’t know if he was the carabiniere who ran Gianluca off the road. Nor did she know if she could take as truth what she’d just seen in her vision. Her gut told her to proceed with caution.

Julia opened the door to the waiting room, and Sherry rallied with a smile, gesturing to Marshal Torti.

“Julia, I hear you know Marshal Torti.”

“Yes, hello, Marshal Torti.” Julia masked her emotions. “What brings you here?”

“I wished to pay my respects to Mr. Moretti’s family.” Marshal Torti smiled. “We are concerned about serious accidents on our roadways. We’re putting a sign at the curve to warn that it’s dangerous when wet.”

Sherry teared up. “Good. We don’t want this to happen to someone else.”

Tonio added, “Yes, I agree.” He continued in Italian, and Julia got the gist that he was thanking Marshal Torti, who nodded.

“Well, I should go. It’s been lovely to meet you both. I will continue to pray for your son’s full recovery.”

“Thank you,” Sherry said, sniffling.

“Thank you again.” Tonio shook Marshal Torti’s hand. “We’ll keep you apprised.”

“Yes, please do.” Marshal Torti said goodbyes all around and left the room just as a nurse wearing patterned scrubs appeared and opened the door.

Julia recognized her as the nurse she’d spoken with yesterday, and the nurse spoke in Italian to Tonio, Sherry, and everyone else, then turned to Julia and Courtney.

“I’ll speak English, for you. This is too many people for our unit.

We’ve bent the rules but now we must enforce them.

The only people who may remain will be immediate family.

Antonio, Sherry, and Raffaella.” The nurse pointed to each in turn.

“No grandmothers, or cousins from San Francisco ,” she said pointedly, letting Julia know she hadn’t been fooled. “Everyone else must leave.”

“Okay.” Julia knew what she had to do. “I’ll say my goodbyes, and then we’ll go.”

Courtney nodded. “Sorry, we’ll go.”

“Thank you.” The nurse left, and Julia hugged everybody goodbye, but when she came to Raffaella, she took her by the arm.

“Do you think we could step out and talk a moment?”

“No.” Raffaella pursed her lips so firmly her pierced hoop twisted. “I said what I had to say to you.”

Sherry shot her a Mom-look. “Raffi, really?”

“Fine.” Raffaella rolled her eyes, then left the room with Julia and Courtney, and the three of them walked down the hall.

Julia swallowed hard. “Raffaella, look, I know you don’t like me.”

“I don’t like you for my brother.” Raffaella pushed back her blue bangs. “I don’t think you’re committed to him the way he deserves.”

“I get it, but we can discuss it another time. What I have to tell you is serious and I have to confide in you.”

Raffaella smirked. “Oh, are we girlfriends now?”

“No, but you said you always look out for your brother, and I don’t want to upset your parents.”

“What about my brother?”

“We both know Gianluca is a careful driver, right?” Julia weighed her words. She didn’t want to tell Raffaella about her vision because she didn’t have time to convince her it was true.

“Yes.”

“Weren’t you surprised when you found out about the accident? That he’d been speeding in the rain? Driving carelessly?”

Raffaella’s smirk evaporated. “Yes. That’s why I never worried when I lent him my Vespa.”

“Well, I don’t think he had an accident. I think somebody ran him off the road.”

“Like road rage?” Raffaella recoiled, her eyes rounding. They were pretty and dark, almost black.

“No, it was intentional, directed at him. It was attempted murder.”

“What are you talking about?” Raffaella shot back, skeptical.

“Gianluca and I were followed by a heavyset bald man with a mustache. I’m telling you that for a description.

I think somebody tried to kill him and they may try again, here.

I have to leave, so you have to watch Gianluca.

Don’t leave him alone, ever. If you see anything suspicious, call hospital security. ”

“What have you gotten him into?” Raffaella straightened, scowling. “He told me you were being followed when you met. What is it with you?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t explain now, and this is about him. I’m afraid for his safety.”

“Then we should tell the carabinieri . That marshal was just here.”

“No, I’m suspicious of the carabinieri , too. Gianluca can never be alone with Marshal Torti or any other cop.”

Courtney looked over in surprise, saying nothing. Julia realized Courtney didn’t know about the vision.

Raffaella snorted, incredulous. “Why would the carabinieri want to kill Gianluca?”

“If I’m right, they know that when he comes out of his coma, he’ll say they ran him off the road. He’ll point a finger at—”

“I don’t believe you. You’re crazy, a drama queen—”

“Raffaella, think about it. Doesn’t it seem odd to you that Marshal Torti, a police captain from Savernella, would come to the hospital to see a random accident victim? Do you think that happens a lot?”

“My parents thought it was nice.”

“Did you ?”

Raffaella didn’t reply.

“Right. I believe Marshal Torti wanted to check on Gianluca’s condition so they can plan their next attempt.

They have more reason than ever to succeed.

” Julia had to sum up because the nurse down the hall was giving her a dirty look.

“Listen, whether you believe me or not, do you want to take a chance with your brother’s life? ”

Raffaella lifted a pierced eyebrow. “Gianluca is everything to me. I’d do anything for him.”

“Great, then please watch him. Protect him. Watch out for the doctors and nurses, too.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. What if somebody masquerades as his doctor or nurse? Again, no chances. I leave to you whether to tell your parents. I think they have enough on their plate.”

“I won’t tell them.”

“Thanks.”

Raffaella turned on her heel, without another word.

Julia and Courtney turned around and fell into step going the opposite direction.

Courtney looked over. “Why’d you say that about the police? Do you really suspect them?”

“Yes, I’ll explain in the car.”

“You think they’re in the conspiracy, too?”

“Yes.” Julia decided to start trusting herself and her abilities. If the police were in the conspiracy, then it was more powerful and deadlier than she’d thought. They’d done the unthinkable in trying to kill Gianluca, and she believed his warning that she was next. It shook her to her foundations.

“You think that was a good move, getting her help?”

“I had no choice.” Julia’s thoughts churned. “I wish we didn’t have to leave. I’m worried about him.”

“Don’t be. Nobody’s getting through Raffaella. She’ll watch him to spite you.”

Julia managed a smile. They reached the end of the hall and pushed through double doors to the elevator bank. “How’d it go in the waiting room?”

“Everyone likes you except her. I couldn’t sell her, and I can sell anybody . My mother would say, ‘she’s on a hate campaign.’”

“I’d hate me, too.” Julia crossed the bank and pressed the Down button.

“Did you do your Helen homework?”

“Yes.” Julia shuddered. “That’s the car conversation.”

“Okay, but can we get a coffee before we go?”

“Sure, I know the jet lag’s tough. Thanks again for coming.” Julia looked over, grateful. The elevator arrived, the doors slid open, and they got on.

“Not at all.”

“Am I a drama queen?” Julia asked, as the doors closed.

“Of course. We’re drama club, remember?”