The Italian Inheritance Read Free

interleading door, scarcely able to contain her excitement. It opened easily and within seconds she was in an elegant, spacious office. The man behind the desk stood up to greet her.
    “You!” Anna gasped in surprise. “But you... I thought...” Confusion clouded her brain. What was he doing here? He’d turned her away from Villa San Rosanna yesterday. He didn’t know anything about Giovanni Albertosi. Or did he?
    She stood rooted to the spot, unable to comprehend what was going on.
    The man appeared unaffected.
    “ Signorina ,” he said in a pleasant voice. “Won’t you sit down?” He gestured to a big leather chair positioned on the opposite side of his desk.
    In a trance, Anna sank into the soft leather and stared at him. He looked far more professional today than he had last night. Gone were the casual denims and T-shirt, replaced by a smart, steel-grey suit and black shirt that hinted at his authority.
    “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she began hesitantly. “Yesterday you said you didn’t know Giovanni Albertosi and today.. . ?” Her voice faded out.
    The lawyer put the tips of his fingers together and studied her contemplatively. “Let’s start at the beginning,” he suggested. His tone was not unfriendly. “What is your name?”
    “Anna Crawford,” she replied quickly. “I made an appointment a few days ago, from London. I’m looking fo r...”
    “And how are you related to Signore Albertosi?”
    Anna stared at him in astonishment. “How did you know I was related to him? I didn’t say that.” She searched his face but his expression was neutral, only the eyes regarded her warily.
    “Aren’t you?” he enquired politely. 
    Anna didn’t see how that was any of his business. Who was he in relation to Giovanni? He could be anyone. She didn’t know him from a bar of soap. So she ignored his question and instead asked, “So you do know Giovanni ? Why did you lie to me yesterday?”
    “It’s complicated,” he said, leaning back in his chair. It was a black leather director’ s chair on a swivel base. His long legs stretched right under the desk. “ Signore Albertosi is a very important man. In the interests of his privacy I had to turn you away.”
    “Surely that is for Mr. Albertosi to decide?” Who was he to dictate who her father should and shouldn’t see?
    His dark eyes narrowed. “Actually, in this case it is my decision. I represent Signore Albertosi. I am his attorney.”
    A ttorney! That means he knows where Giovanni is.
    “I understand that,” began Anna, trying her best to be diplomatic. “And clearly Mr. Albertosi has a lot of faith in your... discretion . B ut with respect, you don’t even know what my case is. How do you know Mr. Albertosi doesn’t want to see me?”
    The laptop whirred quietly as Vialli stared at her contemplatively. He pursed his lips a couple of times, as if trying to make a decision. Finally he took a deep breath and opened a draw, pulling out a notepad.
    “Your full name again , please?” he asked, as if the previous conversation had not taken place. Anna blinked. “I’ve just given you my name.”
    “For the record.”
    Anna gritted her teeth. “Anna Maria Crawford. Look, I really don’t understand...”
    “Address?”
    Anna frowned at the interruption. “I don’t understand what this has to do with anything?”
    Vialli’s gaze rose impatiently. “It’s for a background check. I have to vet everybody who wants to see Signore Albertosi.”
    “A background check? Crumbs. Whatever for? I just want to say hello to the man. Why is that so difficult?”
    “It’s for security purposes. Like I said, he is a very important man. If you’ll just answer the questions , we can get to your business a lot quicker.” His impatience was evident in the taunt stance of his hard upper body.
    Anna gave her address. She was getting more and more confused.
    “Who is Giovanni Albertosi to warrant all this security?” she enquired. Perhaps