Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

face was wet with tears.
    "Grazie, Toni. I wish I could do that." Tasha hugged Margurite closer to her.
    "The ambulance is on the way, Antonietta," Justine said as she picked her way carefully through the mess. "I also notified the authorities. The bolts holding the Scarletti shield are completely sheared through. This was no accident." Before her employer could protest, she hastily reassured her. "Don't worry, I was careful not to touch anything and leave fingerprints.
    I've seen enough movies to know you're not supposed to do that." She crouched down close to Antonietta. Almost protectively. "This was no accident, and coming on the heels of last night, I don't think you should take any chances."
    "I believe you're right, Justine," Antonietta agreed.
    "Please give Joie Sanders a call and let her know I need an appointment. Ask if she would be willing to come here to the palazzo."
    "I'll set it up immediately. Sanders is renowned for her security measures, but she's very hard to get. She might be able to recommend someone to us though. Shall I cancel your performance at the local charity event next week?"
    Antonietta shook her head. "No, it's for a good cause. But I want Nonno protected, too; that's important, Justine. See to it that our security people keep a close eye on him until I can work something out with Sanders."
    Don Giovanni hurried into the hall, his breathing heavy from trying to run. "What is it, what has she done? Franco, is she going to be all right?" His usual authoritative voice trembled.
    "We'll take her to the hospital, Nonno," Franco said gently. "They will fix up Margurite's leg in no time."
    "Sit down, Nonno," Tasha said, concerned. "Toni has taken some of the pain away, and Margurite is much more comfortable." Quickly she hugged the child's shoulders in reassurance. "You're so brave, cara mia. Isn't she brave, Toni?"
    "Very brave." Antonietta kissed the top of the child's head, still keeping contact with the little leg in hopes of keeping the pain at bay.
    The child fumbled until she managed to clutch Antonietta's sleeve. "Am I a true Scarletti then?"
    Tasha made a single sound, turned her head to glare at Franco, angry that Marita's continual nagging made the child insecure. "You have always been a Scarletti, Margurite. You are brave and wonderful and a joy to us all. Isn't she, Toni? Franco?"
    "Margurite, you are a Scarletti through and through," Antonietta agreed instantly.
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    9/13/2007

    Dark Symphony
    Page 39 of 188
    "You have always been just like me, Margurite," Franco said, kissing the top of the child's head. "Hasn't she Nonno?"
    "You have your father's eyes and his sunny disposition," Don Giovanni assured.
    "Signorina Scarletti, the ambulance is here," Helena announced. "This way." She waved the attendants through.
    "Grazie, Helena," Antonietta acknowledged. She trusted Justine to guide the medics around the debris and to the child. After an examination and a brief discussion with Franco, it was agreed they must move Margurite to the hospital where her leg could be properly looked after.
    "Please make certain there is no pain," Tasha pleaded, hugging the child protectively.
    "We've waited a long time for you, and she's very frightened."
    "We will see to it that she does not hurt more than necessary," the attendant assured. "We can give her pain medication to help while we move her."
    Antonietta waited until Margurite was settled in the ambulance with her father and Tasha and was on her way to the hospital before attempting to sort out the damages. "Justine, make certain the area is cordoned off so no one touches anything and none of the maids attempt to clean this up before the police have a chance to take a look at everything." She knew her housekeeper was close by the faint perfume. "Helena, tell me of Enrico. What do you know of his disappearance?"
    "Nothing, signorina, he was simply not in his room. Nothing has been taken, his clothes and personal belongings are there. He prepared today's menus last night, and we discussed what we needed for the kitchen so I could send the boy this morning. We had a glass of wine together about ten, and he retired to his apartment as he always does. This morning he did not appear to prepare the morning meal, and I sent one of the maids to check on him. He was