The Road to Murder

In the latest installment of the acclaimed Tuscan Mystery series, the sole witness at a crime scene speaks only English, and ex-NYPD detective turned amateur chef Nico Doyle is summoned by the local carabinieri to help.

Though it took some time to settle into his new life in Gravigna, Italy, following the death of his wife, former NYPD detective Nico Doyle has figured out a thing or two. The locals have not only welcomed him, but are giving him rave reviews on his cooking, and his budding relationship with Nelli, a local woman, is healing old wounds.

When Nico receives a phone call before dawn, he wants to ignore it. A phone call at that time can only mean trouble. Sure enough, it’s Perillo of the local carabinieri. A woman has been found dead in her home, slumped over her piano, and the sole witness speaks only English. Nico reluctantly agrees to help Perillo with the case.

Judging by the crime scene, Perillo and Nico determine foul play, and they don’t have to look long for suspects. Following the death of her husband, the late Signora Nora had taken on a number of lovers, her two daughters weren’t on the best terms with her, and there’s a lot to be gained from the sale of her residence. Nico and Perillo have their hands full as they try to solve the murder and restore peace to the otherwise sleepy Gravigna.

Auteur

Camilla Trinchieri worked for many years dubbing films in Rome with directors including Federico Fellini, Pietro Germi, Franco Rosi, Lina Wertmüller, and Luchino Visconti. She immigrated to the US in 1980 and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University. Under the pseudonym Camilla Crespi, she has published eight mysteries. As Camilla Trinchieri, she is the author of The Price of Silence, Seeking Alice, and three other Tuscan mysteries.

Échantillon de lecture
Gravigna, a small town in the Chianti Hills of Tuscany
A Monday in May, 5:05 a.m.

• • Nico’s cold feet searched under the bedcovers for Nelli’s warm ones, found them and dropped back into his dream. In the adjacent room a cell phone started to ring, heard only by OneWag, curled up on the sofa. The dog raised his head seeking the source of the persistent sound. The thing on the table. He allowed himself a low growl of protest. He’d been chasing rabbits. The ringing continued. OneWag jumped down, padded over to the bedroom door and pushed it open with a vigorous thrust of his snout.
         The louder ringing finally woke Nelli. She lifted herself up on one elbow and nudged Nico’s back. “Wake up, your phone is ringing.”
         Nico hugged his pillow. “Mmmm, no. Yours.”
         “Wrong. Mine’s right here by the bedside table.” She glanced at the clock radio and started shaking Nico’s shoulder. “Get up, Nico. It’s five in the morning. It must be important.”
         Nico mumbled, “It’s some joker having fun.”
         “You’re impossible.” Nelli started to climb over him to get to the phone.
         Nico pushed her back. “I’ll go. I’ll go.” He gave her a quick kiss on the nose and grunted out of bed. Yesterday’s mind-blowing meal was still sitting heavily in his stomach, and he took his time reaching the phone.
         Seeing Nico, OneWag wagged his tail in greeting but was ignored. Miffed, he jumped back on the sofa and gave Nico his back. The ringing stopped just as Nico picked the phone off the table. He rubbed his eyes to read. Missed call. Great. Back to sleep. As he turned back, the ringing resumed. Perillo’s name gave Nico a jolt. He swiped. “What’s wrong?”
         “I need your help.”
         “Are you okay?”
         “Just fine. For the past twenty minutes I’ve been standing with a dead woman at my feet and an alive English one who doesn’t speak Italian.”
         “Do you want me to talk to her?”
         “Please.”
         In strongly accented English, Perillo said, “Signora Barron, my friend speak English.” Then Nico heard a strong female voice declare, “Thank God for small mercies,” followed by the sound of soft footsteps and Perillo’s phone changing hands.
         “Sir, what has happened to my friend is an abomination. I will not say any more until we can speak in person.”
         After the phone shifted hands again, Perillo asked, “What did she say?”
         “She wants me to come over. Where are you?”
         “A few kilometers south of Vignamaggio. Just past a very sharp curve you’ll see an uphill road flanked by cypress trees. The villa is on top of the hill. Villa Salviati.”
         “Give me time to get dressed and I’ll be there.” Nico clicked off.
         “Who was that?” Nelli called out. She was out of bed, tying her wool bathrobe around her waist.
         “Perillo.” Nico walked to the bedroom and started dressing.
         “What happened?”
         Nico told her while he buttoned up a plaid collared shirt.
         Nelli handed him his gray corduroy slacks. “Who died?”
         “I didn’t ask.”
         “How sad.” Nelli’s forehead creased. “A heart attack?”
         Nico didn’t think the carabinieri would get called for a suspected heart attack but said nothing. There was no point in alarming Nelli. He reached for the dark blue sweater she had given him for Christmas. “I don’t know.”
         Nelli crossed herself as she walked to the stove. OneWag jumped off the sofa and ran to greet her. She picked up the dog and kissed his head. “I’ll put the moka on.”
         Nico ran the electric shaver over his cheeks and chin. For some reason, he felt he needed to make a good impression. The English lady had sounded very refined. He combed his still-full head of graying hair and brushed his teeth.
         The moka was gurgling when he came into the living room/kitchen. “I don’t have time.”
         “Two more minutes,” Nelli said, not wanting to see him go.
         “I can’t, Nelli. Perillo needs help. Drink a double for me. Ciao, bella.” He meant to kiss her lips, but she moved her head and he ended up kissing OneWag. Nico took a moment to study her face. Her expression was soft, still full of sleep. “Are you upset I’m going?”
         Nelli smiled. “The reason upsets me. Don’t worry. Rocco will keep me company.”
         Nico kissed her lightly on the lips. She kissed him back. “Let me know.”
         “I will.”
         After Nico left, Nelli poured herself a double espresso, added some milk and took her cup back to bed. OneWag stretched himself out against her leg while she sent a little prayer to whoever was listening in the sky. Please let it be nothing more violent than a heart attack. These past five months with Nico not playing homicide detective…