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A man with a thick Australian accent came on the line. “G'day, this is Robert Hastings, partner of the University of Melbourne. I’m calling regarding Professor Vittoria Mancini. She had recently agreed to resume her professorship with us, but we’ve just received news of her untimely death. Given the... unsettling nature of it, we’d like to bring in external investigators.”

James leaned forward, frowning slightly. “I see. And what exactly are you looking for?”

“We’d like you to oversee an independent investigation, Detective Taylor. And don’t worry about the logistics—whatever your costs are, we’ll cover them in full.”

James hesitated for a beat, ready to probe further—but the mention of full financial backing sealed his decision.

“Very well,” he said. “Send over the details. We’ll make arrangements right away.”

......

A few days later, James and Alice arrived in the small town of Bellavita, Italy. The air was warm and the streets lined with old stone buildings, their quaint charm belying the heavy atmosphere surrounding the case. As they stepped off the train, James adjusted his coat and looked around, taking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the Italian countryside.

"If this weren't for investigating a murder, it would make for a great vacation," James remarked, his voice laced with a touch of dry humor.

A few moments later, they were greeted by the local police officer in charge of the case, a tall, broad-shouldered man named Marco Rossi. His dark eyes betrayed a mixture of weariness and hope as he extended a hand to James.