Chapter Seven

“I wasn’t serious. Besides, it would upset Lucia.”

“You could say that,” Lucia said.

“Also didn’t figure you would be comfortable there alone,” Solomon said to Renato.

Lucia shook her head. “Couldn’t you have just invited him without the threat?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Solomon shrugged. “Well, to be fair, I wouldn’t kill anyone just because they upset my clerk, but they don’t have to know that. Now you? That’s a different matter.”

“Good to know. Anyway, the park is right over there,” Lucia said, pointing. “There’s a bench not far from the entrance. It’s a lovely place I like to go when I need a few minutes alone.”

“Excellent,” Solomon said, pulling his coat tighter as the three of them entered the park. He followed Lucia to the bench, and with a quick nod, Renato wandered off. For once, Solomon found himself at a loss for words. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to begin.

Lucia sat, then tugged up the collar of her winter jacket. “Okay, I’m going