Page 4 of Adored By Them
He changed his mindis code formy mom got involved and convinced Ed Senior otherwise.
“Let’s track down Romano.”Edmund takes the list from Caleb and starts toward the door.
I follow him.When we reach the door, I turn and see Caleb standing in the middle of the living room, looking stupid.I raise my eyebrows.“You’re coming, too.”
Caleb has a number for Romano.We call as we walk to my truck, but he isn’t picking up.I call Ed Senior to get Romano’s address.
Ed Senior’s annoyance drips through the speaker.“It’s not going to do you any good, Manchester.Romano won’t know anything.”
“Still, sir, I’d appreciate the chance to talk to him.”
Ed Senior grumbles, but he says, “It’s the Palazzo dei Nove.”
Caleb whistles under his breath.Palazzo dei Nove is a luxury apartment building.
“Which unit?”I ask.
“Hell if I know.”Ed Senior muffles himself while he shouts at someone in the background.“It’s his building.He’s probably on the top floor.”
“His building,” Caleb says, “like heownsit?”
“Yes.”The line goes dead.Ed Senior ended the call.
I turn to Edmund.“Well?”
“Let’s go there.”He looks as if he’s choking with anger.He’s holding it back, but it simmers beneath the surface.“Maybe Romano will turn up.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re standing outside Palazzo dei Nove.The building is sleek, modern.Rich.One of the nicest complexes in San Esteban.It gleams against the pink sunset.Unlike most of San Esteban’s high-end buildings, this one is located in the Salding district instead of Dorado Heights.
“Try him again,” Edmund says to Caleb.
Caleb taps at his phone.The ringing sounds twice, before a cultured, smooth voice answers, “This is Romano.”
“Romano, hey, it’s Caleb Morraine.I work with the Laytons.”
“I remember you.”
“Right.”Caleb nods and flashes me an uncertain smile.He adds, “Have you returned home from the wedding?”
Romano sounds amused.“I am at the bar on the ground floor of my building.I am looking at you, the groom, and the best man.”
We turn as a unit to peer through the darkened windows next to us.
A man inside raises his arm in greeting.Over the phone, he says, “Would you be so kind as to join me for a drink?”
Edmund nods, so the three of us go inside.
Romano is tall, good-looking.His black hair is expertly styled, his brown eyes assessing.He waves over a server as we join him at a table.“Caleb, please introduce me to your friends.”
“Right,” Caleb stammers.“This is Edmund Layton and Troy Manchester.Edmund and Troy, this is Damiano Romano.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”he asks in a faint Italian accent.
I say, “We need to talk to you about the wedding.”
“Ah yes, the runaway bride.”He has the decency to look unhappy.“For what it’s worth, she didn’t come through the front of the church when she left.”
The server approaches, but none of us wants anything.Edmund orders a scotch, but I have a feeling we’ll be gone before the server brings it over.
