Page 35 of Under Her Skin

“Suchas?”

Arturo hesitated. “Perhaps someone who works for us who might be more involved than wethink.”

Hero’s eyes opened wide, and she sat down heavily on the chair next to him. “Turo…you don’t mean Peter,surely?”

“I hope not. God, I hope not, but something’s been bugging me lately. It may be nothing, and I hope to God, it isn’t anything, but I keep going back to the night Flavia was murdered. When I got to the party, Peter had already left. George was still there, though; he was the one who told me Flavia wasmissing.”

“Had Peter ever been aggressive towardsFlavia?”

Arturo smiled slightly. “Peter’s never been aggressive to anyone, as far as Iknow.”

Hero shook her head. “I don’t know where this is coming from. Granted, I don’t know Peter as well as you, but Turo, surely out of anyone, even me, he’s the person you trust themost.”

He looked at her for a long moment. “You’re right. I’m just beingparanoid.”

Hero smiled at him. “I think you are, baby. Let’s not throw suspicion on someone we know is on ourside.”

But Arturo wasn’t convinced.When he met his friend later at the office, Peter seemed cool towards him, and Arturo finally asked him outright. “What’s going on with you, Pete? Have I offended you in someway?”

Peter sighed. “No, Turo. No, it’s just...I’m wary. You tell me Hero is getting threats, and her life is in danger, and I can’t help but be worried that if something does happen to her, you won’t survive it. And if you don’t survive, neither will I. You’re my brother, Turo, my family. I was there last time, when you so nearly lost the will to live. It was…horrific. I don’t want you to go through that again. And hell, I don’t want to go through it again either. Once was enough for fivelifetimes.”

Arturo felt a wash of guilt over him. “Nothing is going to happen to Hero, Peter. We’re dealing with it, both of us, and we could use your help. We’re going to find out who killed Flavia, and who is threatening Hero andwhy.”

“You’re the common thread, Turo,” Peter pointed out. “I’m concerned for you. I worry that whoever it is, they’re setting you up, especially now that your uncle is dying. Think of the morality clause in your father’s will…Arturo, if something does happen to Hero and you’re arrested, you forfeit everything.Everything.”

Arturo nodded. “I know. Pete, believe me when I say that without Hero, nothing would mean much to me anymore. I frankly don’tcare.”

“Which is all very noble and romantic, but this is the realworld.”

Arturo sighed. “Peter, even without the company and my father’s fortune, I have more money than Ineed.”

“A lot of it is tied up, Turo. Your cash in hand is a lot less than the figures mightindicate.”

Arturo shrugged. “I leave that up to you, Peter. If I lose it all, I still have everything if Hero is safe with me.” He studied his friend. “There’s something else, isn’t there? Do you not likeHero?”

Peter hesitated. “I don’t want to keep mentioning it, but she looks so much like Flavia. I…keep seeing Hero ending up likeFlavia.”

Arturo winced. “Believe me, Pete, I see that image every day. Every day. But Hero’s a fighter. She’s not going to take this lying down. Will you helpus?”

“Of course.Of course.And for the record, I do like Hero. I like her very much. I just feel like you two are on a tightrope, and if she falls, it’ll endyou.”

“Then we won’t fall, Pete. It’s thatsimple.”

“I hope you’re right, Turo,” Peter said quietly. “I reallydo.”

Hero triedImelda’s number again and got her voicemail…again. She hated the way she had left things with her sister, especially after they had begun to find a new peace between them. Hero rubbed her face and ended the call without leaving another message. Instead, she called her Mom inKenosha.

“Darling, how wonderful to hear your voice.” Deirdre Donati’s soft voice made Hero want to cry. “How areyou?”

“I’m good, Ma, really good. How’re you? How’sDad?”

“Your Dad is doing great now, honey. He’s just sulking because I won’t allow him fried chicken anymore.” Her mom laughed, and Hero felt a wash of both fondness andsadness.

“I miss you,Ma.”

“We both miss you terribly, Hero, my darling, but I hear you have a new man in yourlife?”

Hero told her about Arturo, messaging her mother a photograph. “Oh my,” Deirdre said with a chuckle, “I might have to fight you for him, Hero. What a prettyboy.”