Seams of Destruction (7 page)

They found a piece of glassware that Mitch liked and he paid to have it shipped to his house in the states. Jade found a pair of shoes and a handbag she wanted. After trying on sunglasses, she chose a pair that Mitch said was very attractive on her.

They spent the morning shopping. Mitch was happy to follow Jade around, giving advice on her purchases. He wanted to have lunch before they dropped Jade’s bags back at the hotel. They had agreed not to take anything on the gondola ride. They found a restaurant where they ate a leisurely lunch.

“Jade, you haven’t said anything about my kissing you last night,” Mitch said, staring thoughtfully at the model.

“I know. I think it shouldn’t go any farther until we get back to LA and find out what’s going to happen to me. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be visiting me in prison.”

“It’s not going to come to that, I promise.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I know you didn’t do it and they’re going to find the real killer. I’m sure it has to be someone who works at Sorrento’s.”

“What makes you say that? Maybe Reannan brought the killer in with her.”

“I don’t think so. Whoever did it would have to know their way around. How else would they be able to get out of the building in the dark?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted.

“Earlier we talked about the sewing contractors. Would any of them know their way around the warehouse in the dark?”

“I wouldn’t think so. As far as I know, none of them ever come to Sorrento’s. Reannan and Giovanni always go out to their shops. And when I have to be fitted, I always go to the shop that’s making the dress.”

Mitch was silent. As soon as they returned to Los Angeles, he was going to have a meeting with the Chief of Police. He had to somehow convince him of Jade’s innocence and get his permission to investigate Sorrento’s employees.

It was the middle of the afternoon before they got back to the hotel to leave Jade’s bags.

“We had better hurry if we want to get in that gondola ride before we have to catch the train,” Jade told Mitch.

“I don’t want to say I came to Venice and didn’t get a ride in a gondola.”

“Me, either. I’ve been looking forward to it. I think we can find a place nearby. Let’s ask at the desk where the nearest one would be.”

After getting instructions, they hurried out of the hotel and headed toward the area where they had been told they would find gondolas. They were soon seated in one and gliding smoothly over the water.

The gondolier steered the boat into a narrow canal with tall buildings on either side. They were told for a few extra euros, they could be serenaded. Mitch had paid the required amount and now they were enjoying the tenor voice of the gondolier as he sang an Italian love song.

Jade and Mitch caught the train to Milan with only a few minutes to spare. Once they were settled into their seats, she fell asleep, her head falling over on his shoulder. He put his arm around her and shifted her into a more comfortable position.

He thought about reading a book, but decided he would just enjoy the feeling of Jade cuddled into his side. In spite of his resolve to not fall for Jade, he knew he was. Chief Castillo would be unhappy if he ever found out about Mitch’s feelings and he couldn’t help but wonder if he would replace him with someone else when they returned to LA.

Dusk was falling and it was soon too dark to see anything but the lights that twinkled sporadically throughout the countryside.

He began to make a plan of action for talking to Castillo, the LA Chief of Police. He had to convince him that Jade was not the killer. Now that the autopsy had been done on Reannan, there were several things that he wanted to know. He wished he had something to write on so he could make a list. He knew the model had paper and pencil in her bag, but he didn’t want to disturb Jade in order to find them.

She was sleeping so soundly that when the train pulled into the Milan station, he had to wake her up. She stared at him with sleep glazed eyes and it was all he could do to keep from leaning down and pressing a kiss on her lips.

“Sweetheart, we’re here,” he said gently.

She gave him one of the sweetest smiles he had ever seen. He hoped she was beginning to feel about him the way he felt about her. He was sure she was innocent of the murder of Reannan and he wanted so much to have a future with her. He only hoped she didn’t feel he was too old for her or object to him being a cop.

Mitch gathered up her shopping bags and making sure she had her hand bag over her shoulder he took her by the hand to lead her off the train.

“You take such good care of me,” she said, as he turned to help her down the steps to the ground.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do,” he said and knew he was telling the truth.

They found their way to the underground that would take them to the hotel. In a short time, they had reached their stop. They climbed the steps to the ground level, coming out on the Plaza Reale.

Mitch was happy to walk into their suite and lay Jade’s bags down in her bedroom. She had bought a lot of things in Venice and the bags were beginning to feel heavy. He couldn’t remember what all she had bought but he was sure the fashion conscious Jade wouldn’t forget a single thing.

He helped himself to a bottle of water from the mini frig, offering one to Jade. She took it and they stood in silence as they drank them.

“What a great trip,” she said. “Did you enjoy it?”

“You bet. Well, I’m off to bed. Do you want me to ring the desk for a wakeup call?”

“I’ll do it. I have to look at my schedule and see what time the photo shoot is.”

Mitch nodded and went into his bedroom, leaving the door open. It didn’t take long for him to drop off to sleep. Sometime later, he heard the door to the suite open and he shot out of bed sure that Jade was leaving.

Chapter 7

Mitch stormed out into the sitting room and was surprised to see Jade holding the door open while a uniformed man pushed a cart into the room with several dishes on it.

“Grazie,”
she said, handing the man a bill.

“Prego,”
he answered and walked out, closing the door behind him.

“Did I wake you?” Jade asked as she turned to see Mitch standing in the doorway.

“What are you doing?”

“After my nap on the train, I was having trouble getting to sleep. I remembered we hadn’t had dinner and I decided to order something from room service. Would you like to share?”

Mitch nodded. “Let me get a robe on.”

As he went back into his room, he breathed a sigh of relief. For one heart-stopping moment, he had thought Jade was leaving the suite alone.

The next morning after their daily run, Jade told Mitch she was excited about the photo shoot that was scheduled to take place on the Plaza Reale. The photos were being taken by Jarod Stanton, a photographer from
Vogue
.

When Jade came out of her bedroom, she was wearing a sleeveless top which was half black and half white with a strap of white crisscrossing over her breast and up over one shoulder tucked into a pair of black slacks accented by narrow red rectangular fake pockets. Wide black bracelets fit snuggly on both wrists and were held together with silver fasteners. The tips of black heels peeked out from below the hem of her slacks. Her hair was pulled up into a knot on top of her head, accenting her delicate features.

As they left their suite, Mitch grabbed his camera. He wanted to find someone to take a picture of him and Jade together. He knew he was looking his best. He wore a short-sleeved black knit shirt with a pair of black dress pants. He had a couple days growth of whiskers as was the current style.

“I may not be a professional but I would like to have some pictures of my own,” he said.

“Whatever for? You can buy the magazine when it comes out.”

He smiled. “One more memento of my trip.”

Jade said nothing more as they rode down in the elevator together. As they walked through the lobby of the hotel, Mitch saw people staring at Jade. His chest swelled with pride. He wasn’t sure why, since he was only with her because he belonged to the LAPD.

Jarod was waiting for them when they arrived at the plaza. As they approached, he began taking pictures of Jade and Mitch together.

“What’s that all about?” Mitch asked her.

“Because you’re so handsome. You look like a model.”

It was the first time Jade had indicated that she found him attractive and a feeling of warmth spread throughout his body.

“Am I going to appear with you in
Vogue
?”

“Who knows?”

“Well, I hope they pay me the going rate,” he teased.

“Okay, Jade,” Jarod said, “let’s get started. First, I want to take some shots of you in front of the cathedral.”

They walked toward the cathedral and when the photographer felt they were close enough to the magnificent building, he began shooting. Jade followed his instructions, turning this way and that as he took numerous shots. Mitch stood back and took a few. Jarod was wearing a loose fitting jacket and he reached into one pocket and took something out of it.

“Open up your hand,” he said to Jade and deposited a handful of seeds onto her palm.

“What’s that for?” she asked, a puzzled look on her face as she stared down at her hand.

“The pigeons,” he replied.

Jade smiled. “What a great idea. This is what the tourists like to do,” she turned to say to Mitch.

He watched, curious as to what was coming next.

Jade held her hand into the air, palm up, and a pigeon landed on it and began eating the birdseed. The photographer immediately began clicking his camera circling slowly around Jade to catch her and the bird at different angles.

Mitch quickly snapped a couple of pictures on his camera and then clicked back to examine them. He was pleased. He had to admit Jade was very photographic. She made even his attempts at photography look professional.

When the photographer told Jade he thought he had enough shots, Mitch walked over to him and asked if he would mind taking a picture on his little digital camera of him and Jade together.

“I’d be happy to,” Jarod replied.

Mitch walked over to Jade and put his arm around her, pulling her close.

After Jarod had taken a shot, he said, “Now one of you smiling at each other.”

They did as they were told and after clicking the camera a couple more times, Jarod handed the camera back to Mitch. When he checked the photos the photographer had taken, Mitch liked what he saw and showed them to Jade. She smiled and agreed they were great.

“You should be a model,” she told Mitch. “You take fabulous pictures.”

“You mean you’re not?” Jarod asked in surprise.

Mitch shook his head. Before the other man could ask him what he did, he said, “Nope, just a friend from LA who accompanied Jade to Italy. My first trip and I’m loving it. We just spent two days in Venice.”

Jarod smiled and Mitch was relieved when he asked no more questions. “I have another appointment so I need to leave. It was great meeting you both.”

“I’ll change and then we’ll go for lunch,” Jade told Mitch as they walked back toward their hotel.

“I know what let’s do today,” Jade said at breakfast, the following morning.

Mitch turned his attention to her, enjoying the sparkle in her green eyes.

“Let’s go to Verona and see Romeo and Juliet’s house.”

“You mean Romeo and Juliet were actual people and they had a house? I thought they were only a figment of Shakespeare’s imagination.”

“They were, but there is a house in Verona that claims to be theirs and it’s fun to see. Also there’s a great market nearby and we can have something to eat.”

“You know I’m always up for eating,” Mitch said.

“They have wonderful gelatos.”

“You’ve talked me into it. How long will it take to get there?”

“It’s on the train line between Milan and Venice. If we take the fast train, it takes about an hour and twenty minutes and will cost us eighteen euros a piece, each way. But if we take a regional train it will take about two hours but it will be half the price.”

“You’re always trying to figure out a way to save money,” Mitch teased. “Let’s take the fast train. Then we’ll have more time to spend in Verona. It will be my treat.”

Jade agreed and they headed for the train station. Mitch had to admit he enjoyed riding the train since they were something new to him. He wondered why the United States hadn’t developed a network of trains throughout the country that would compare to what Europe had.

After they were seated, Jade turned to Mitch. “I know it’s none of my business, but you never seem to worry about money the way I do. I’m sure you don’t make that much as a cop.”

“You’re right about the wages of a cop.” He smiled. “I don’t do it for the money. I’m a cop because I love it.”

They rode in silence for a short time and then he said. “When my mother died, my brother and I inherited the money she had received from my father’s life insurance policy. She worked after my father was killed and she never touched what she had received after his death. I invested my share in real estate and stock and Matt invested his by starting his consulting business, buying a house, and some stock.”

“So, from what you’re saying, I guess you don’t have to worry about money,” she said.

“Not really. Most of my real estate is rentals so I get a monthly income from them. Then I have a good stock portfolio which adds to my monthly income. Add both of those to my salary as a cop and I live very comfortably.”

“You probably wonder why I seem so frugal about some things.”

He nodded and then smiled as he said, “Everything except dresses, bags, jewelry, and shoes.”

“The day is going to come when I will be too old to be a fashion model so I would like to have a nice nest egg to retire on. I had always hoped when that day came, I would be married to David, but that obviously isn’t going to happen.”

“Maybe you’ll find someone else,” Mitch suggested.

“After what David did, I don’t think I’m going to find it very easy to trust again.”

“All men aren’t like David,” he protested. He hoped she didn’t think he was at all similar to her ex-boyfriend.

Jade didn’t reply. Instead, she looked out the window at the scenery that was flying past.

The train stopped in Verona and they joined the crowd of people walking toward the main plaza of the town.

“Look at that old coliseum,” Mitch said as they reached the plaza and they saw the remains of the old building.

“That’s the Arena di Verona
,”
Jade told him. “We don’t have time to take the tour, but I can tell you a few things about it. It was built in 30 AD. Back when it was first built, it could hold 30,000 spectators who came to attend games and shows. A lot of it was destroyed by an earthquake. Then it was rebuilt and plays and concerts have been held there since the middle 1800s. The acoustics were so good that until the last few years, they never found the need to install an electronic sound system. Now they only allow 15,000 people to attend the performances.”

“Why is that?”

“For safety reasons.”

“Well, I’m ready for lunch, so take me to the market.”

“I think you would rather eat than sight see,” she teased.

“I can’t help it. I love the food here in Italy.”

The market was one long row of covered counters, stretched across the plaza. Individual white canvas held up by slender poles sheltered each table from the weather. There were offerings of fresh fruit, sandwiches, and various flavors of gelatos.

Mitch chose a sandwich with slices of meat and several kinds of cheese and a plate of fresh fruit. Jade ordered only a plate of fresh fruit, saying she was saving room for a gelato.

After Mitch ate his sandwich and Jade finished her fruit plate, they went to the table which was serving gelatos. Mitch chose to have a pistachio flavor. Jade chose a
cioccola all’ arancia.

“You’ve got to have a taste of this one,” she said, holding out a spoonful of gelato.

He let her put it into his mouth and as she slipped the spoon back out, he thoughtfully tasted it.

“Is that a candied orange peel I taste in the chocolate?”

She nodded. “Isn’t it delicious?”

“It is.”

They finished their gelatos and Jade said, “Let’s go to Romeo and Juliet’s now.”

They found a crowd of people at the entrance of the tunnel that led into the courtyard of the house. The line moved slowly and when they finally entered the tunnel, Mitch looked around in amazement.

There were hundreds of papers stuck to the walls of the tunnel. When Jade saw the puzzled look on his face, she explained them to him.

“Lovers write the vows they make to each other on them. Tradition has it that if they stick them on the walls of the tunnel, their love will last a life time.”

“I want to do that,” Mitch said, smiling down at her.

“Do you have a lover?”

“No, but we can pretend you are.”

She frowned at him. “I don’t know if that will work.”

“Let’s try it, anyway. Do you have paper and pencil in that bag of yours?”

In response to his question, she rummaged in the large bag which hung on her shoulder.

“You go first,” she said, handing him a small pad of paper and a pen.

He took them and stared thoughtfully at the white sheet. Then he began to write.

To my lover, Jade,

I love you with all my heart and soul. There

will never be anyone for me, but you. I love

your beauty and your kindness. I promise to

care for and protect you as long as I live.

And beyond.

Mitch

“Let me read it,” Jade said as he signed his name with a flourish.

“Okay. But after you write your vows, I want to read them before you stick them on the wall.”

“While I’m writing mine, chew this piece of gum so we will have some way to stick it up.”

He obligingly took the piece of gum she handed him, unwrapped it, and stuck it in his mouth.

While he looked over her shoulder, Jade began to write. Mitch was stunned as he read what she was writing.

Dearest Mitch,

All my life I’ve wanted to find someone like you.

I can’t believe I finally have. I love you as much

as you love me. I promise I will always be faithful

to you.

Eternally yours,

Jade

She folded the paper and handed it to him.

“Stick the gum on it and press it to the wall,” she instructed.

Mitch was too overcome at the moment to do anything but obey.

Had she meant what she had written or was it just a game for her?

He didn’t dare hope.

By the time they were sure the paper was secure, they walked on through the tunnel with the laughing and chattering crowd until they reached the courtyard. There was a line of people in front of a statue of a young girl.

“Is that supposed to be Juliet?” he asked Jade.

“Yes. There’s a superstition that if you put your hand on her right breast, it will bring you good luck in finding your true love.”

Mitch smiled in amusement as men walked up to place their hand on Juliet’s breast. People were snapping pictures and laughing at those who had the nerve to place their hand on the designated part of the statue’s body.