She took a first sip, set down the cup, and looked the Russian woman in the eye. “I have a suspicion.”

Tatiana’s stomach hollowed out. She knew that Barbara liked intrigues and mysteries and that she frequently amused herself by glimpsing plots everywhere, but still, in that morning charged with tension and anxiety, the bookseller’s words had the effect of a warning siren. “What suspicion?”

“I don’t think Corrado’s alone at home.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll explain. Yesterday evening I could see light filtering out through the shutters. But Corrado was still here at the bar with you.”

Tatiana shrugged. “So what? Maybe he just forgot and left the light on.”

“No. Because I saw it as I was driving by in my car, taking Diego to soccer practice. Then when I went back by ten minutes later, the light had been switched off. I went back to the bookstore, and only then did I see Corrado leave the bar. I tell you, there’s someone in there.” And she finished the espresso with the eyes of someone who’s discovered buried treasure and can’t wait to get her hands on it.

Tatiana pushed back the lock of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes. “Maybe . . . someone could be in there, but a she, not a he.” And she realized with what a heavy heart she had uttered that unremarkable statement. A woman. It had never occurred to her that Corrado might have a girlfriend, a sweetheart, or even just a young woman to spend a few hours between the sheets with. It was an image she didn’t like. Not one bit. A subtle, electric shudder ran down her throat and burst in her heart.

“Do you think that he has a girlfriend?” the bookseller asked skeptically.

“No!” She was tempted to add: “I hope not.” But she didn’t.

“Listen, when he shows up, why don’t you ask him some questions?”

“What questions?”

“Like: ‘So, Corrado, has your mother come to stay with you?’”

Tatiana grimaced. “I don’t think that he has a mother, and if he does, he’s never mentioned her to me.”

Barbara nodded. She could do better. “Try this one: ‘Corrado, why don’t you rent out a room to make a little more money? Don’t you find it lonely, living alone?’”

“There’s only one bedroom in Corrado’s apartment!”

“Then tell him that your sister is coming to stay for a few days and ask if he can let her sleep at his place.”

“I don’t have a sister!”