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Alessandro thought for a moment, as if weighing the question carefully before answering. “I went alone to the event. And I guess she probably stayed home. And honestly, I didn’t feel like going either. But I did it anyway... out of obligation, I suppose. It wasn’t the same without her.”

James raised an eyebrow. “When was the event? And when did you leave?”

“The event started at 9 p.m. It went on for a few hours. I stayed there until about 1:30 a.m, when it wrapped up. Then I drove back here... I arrived just after 2 a.m.” Alessandro replied.

“And where was the event hosted?” James asked, his tone steady but probing.

Alessandro looked up, his expression distant as he recalled the details. “It was held at a vineyard about thirty minutes drive away from here, just outside the village. It’s a popular spot for local wine tasting events. It’s not very big, but it has a beautiful view of the valley. We’ve been there before, a few times."

James nodded thoughtfully, his mind turning over the new information. “And you were there for the whole event?”

“Yes,” Alessandro replied. “I stayed until the end. I didn’t leave early or anything.”

“Do you have a guest list or any way to verify who was there that night?” James asked.

Alessandro’s eyes briefly flicked toward the hallway, where a stack of papers lay on a nearby table. “There might be a list with the event organizers. I didn’t really think to ask, but I can check for you.”

“That would be helpful,” James said. “We’ll need to look into anyone who might have had contact with Vittoria recently, even if they weren’t directly involved with the event.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “Let’s switch gears a little. Tell me—who do you suspect?”

Alessandro's face tightened as he leaned forward slightly. "I already told Officer Rossi," he said, his voice low. "But I think it's the housekeeper's niece and her husband. They were the last ones to see Vittoria alive, and their behavior seemed off when they came back. They were nervous, too eager to finish their task. I know they were just helping out, but something about them... it didn't sit right with me. You should talk to those two."