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Elisabetta folded her arms tightly. “If her husband ever found out she was having an affair… I wouldn’t put it past him to lose control.”

James carefully slipped the letter back into the envelope, his expression unreadable. “We’ll take this. Thank you.”

Officer Rossi stepped forward, offering a small nod of appreciation. “Thanks for your cooperation,” he said. “Is there anything else you found in Vittoria’s office? Letters, documents, anything out of place or unusual?”

André shook his head slowly. “No, that was the only thing. We’ve been careful not to touch anything else since we found the letter.”

Officer Rossi gave a firm nod. “Alright. Thanks for your cooperation.”

James and Alice echoed their thanks, then turned to leave. They stepped out of the restaurant, the late morning sun casting long shadows as they made their way back onto the cobbled street.

— ✦ —

The sharp crack of thunder rattled the windows, pulling Anna’s gaze up from the pages of her book. Her heart jumped slightly before settling again, and she blinked in surprise at the time glowing faintly on the old mantel clock—12:03 a.m.

She hadn't realized how long she’d been reading, curled into the armchair with the rain tapping gently against the glass. Now, the storm had grown heavier, casting flickering shadows across the study with each flash of lightning.