Part 02 of the Italy Crossover
Check in 01
"Detective Bruni."
"Detective Vitale." Chelsea smiles. "I heard you followed up on that witness? You could have waited for me."
Vitale slips into his role. "Oh...well...I wasn't sure it was anything when I went and I knew you were busy. Turns out it was mostly nothing." He flips a mental coin wondering, then says, "But, he did see someone leaving the Villanueva residence the night of the murder." He sighs. "However, he was in a bad way and smelled of wine and more. I'm not sure he'll be the best witness."
Chelsea wanders over to the cabinet absently. "But it's something. Did you get him to come in for a full statement?"
"Oh..uh..." he stammers and thinks to himself, "I was just trying to keep him away from you."
Chelsea sighs. "Never mind. I'll have Segreto do it. You got most of it right this time at least."
Vitale manages to give a weak smile. Chelsea thinks she sees something in his eyes. A softness. Maybe Elke's little perfume trick was working after all.
Check in 02
Vitale remembers the Chief's words and sprinkles the breadcrumbs. "Good news, though. It sounds like the Swedes are going to be here to help out soon. Chief said - "
"They're from f^cking Finland, Vitale. Check your little book. You wrote it down there, remember?" Chelsea growls.
"Damn - right." He nods as Chelsea heads for the door.
"Go home, Vitale. It's late." She reaches for the handle thinking that Vitale will not be someone she needs to worry about, the idiot.
"Dinner? On me? We have not gone out in a while." Vitale smiles. "Partner."
"I can't tonight." She thinks, moving metal chess pieces in her mind. Being seen buddy buddy with Vitale might be a good thing down the line. "Tomorrow?"
"Great. You pick the place. We can go after work."
"And your wife?" She smiles.
"It's a work thing. Right?" He smiles.
"Right." Chelsea smiles back. "Night." She heads out of the office.
Vitale's smile drops from his face like a stone and he whispers, "Friend's close, enemies closer."
________
Torben Jørgersen sits in his home writing. He keeps finding more information to feed to Cindy Slater in the United States. There's an urgency to the whole of it. Plus with Severina gone, it helps to fill the lonely void that he feels lost in.
A bell tinkles at the window, then another by the front door, then another in a back room. He feels the air change. A shift in pressure. He whispers an incantation, but feels the power leave it as soon as it's cast. He looks around for his cane...his ritual knife...but they are missing.
"No..." he looks to the floor as the premonition reels around in his head. Then he hears the light footsteps approaching from the hall.
"Torben Jørgersen...I have come to release you from your sorrow." The voice is deep. A mix of accents taint the broken Norwegian.
Torben tries another curse to buy time. He whispers it, then shouts it.
Danuta Szymańska grins a wicked grin. "Do you think Morte Bianca would send me here unarmed, Jørgersen? I may not be able to match your magic...but she knows a few things about dampening power." She lifts the wood she found out back and rests it on her shoulder. "I'm not going to use magic to remove you from this world, old man."
Torben starts to shake. "Please." He looks for something. Anything.
"Should have kept secrets secret," she says as she moves towards him and lifts the wood high before bringing it down on his skull.
_______________
once_upon_a_time_in_finland - May 20, 2022
At the lunchtime they force themselves out. Not feeling any appetite after being invested in their bloody cases but both know they need some energy to keep going.
They head to Como's old town and walk past colourful playground. Tomas sees how Andrea looks at playing children. Her face is shadowed with deep thoughts and what looks like --sorrow? She hides that emotion quickly but it's not left unnoticed. This case affects her for sure and that is a slight surprise to Tomas. Andreea is usually so calm, mastering her emotions like a pro she is.
You still buy fancy presents for her? Andreea smirks as they get farther to the city and it's her turn to observe her colleague.
– What are you talking about? Tomas raises his brow.
– You are watching the shop windows again.
– Like it would mean something, Tomas shakes his head.
– You always buy some luxury women’s wear before going back to Finland. You have done it for years. It means you have someone special at home.
– Have you been following me? Tomas’s brows knit together as suspicion kicks in. – What do you want, Andreea?
– Nothing, Andreea shakes her head. – Call it a woman’s instinct? I just find it nice that a good man like you have someone waiting for you. Andreea smiles to Tomas and it's genuine open smile.
– Well. I don't have anymore.
– Things are that bad?
– If you love them you let them go, he replies sullenly.
Do you think she finds her way back? Andreea frowns.
– Perfect question. I have been thinking about that daily after she moved away. I hope so.
Andreea draws smoke from her cigarette.
– Can I see her?
– Are we breaking the boundaries now, Tomas smirks. – What for?
– I’m just curious, Andreea raises her brow. – Did you think I’m using it against you some way?
– You never know.
– You are right. You never know. She picks up her phone, the personal one and scrolls through it.
– That’s my son, Andreea turns the screen to Tomas to see.
– I didn’t know. Tomas says.
– Not many do.
– Why are you showing me this?
– I trust you.
– Right. So. How old?
– He was 3 when I lost him. And my husband.
Tomas stares Andreea's face that shows no emotion. This is her way to say the case they are investigating affects her in personal way. The emotion on Andreea's face he catched earlier wasn't fake.
– When?
– 8 years ago.
- I’m sorry.
– I know what it feels to loose the ones you love, she says and blows a ring of smoke into air. They watch as it enlarges and vanish into sky.
Tomas's pants and shirt and Andreea's skirt from @atelier.tea.o.rama *
Tomas fishes his phone up and pic of Oona fills his screen. He turns it towards Andreea.
– Beautiful smile. Andreea says watching her features. – I have to say I'm surprised. She doesn’t look like what I imagined her to be at all.
– She has changed a lot. Used to have long hair and no tattoos, Tomas sighs. - But she likes to be like that now.
- You go to the same place to have a haircut? Andreea teases him.
– Actually yes.
– Are you kidding me?
– No.
They both laugh and that lets out a lot of stress.
– She’s strong one, Andreea nods seeing how fit Oona is. – You do need a strong woman.
– Ha! Tomas laugh is little empty.
– Win her back won’t you? Andreea suggests.
– Time will tell. Tomas shrugs. Feels weird, uneasy to talk about private matters with colleague.
– She’s still breathing. All the chances you need. Fight for it. It not just letting go and hoping she comes back, Andreea shakes her head. - Don't be stupid. Fight for it.
____________________
Leads 01
Detective Segreto knocks, hears Vitale call for him to come in, and enters the cramped office.
He looks around, then looks serious. "You holding out on me, Angelo? You're not cutting me in on all of this? Fancy new office, special assignments...and now banging Bruni?" His face lights up and he drops the fake serious act. "Capers saw you two getting all cozy over dinner last night, you greedy bastard. Sophia Loren looking wife and he's STILL banging little blondes he works with?!"
He shakes his jowly face playfully. "It was just dinner. We were talking over the case." Vitale smirks. "Last thing I need is more drama at home. Let this dinner thing go, ok? What did you need?"
Segreto feels rather bad about the jokes when he sees how tired Vitale looks. "Uh...sure thing. I just came to tell you that I got the witness statement and info. It's in the file and digital. He's one of the Azzurros - works the factory a few blocks from the Villanueva place. Called out for drinking on the job a few times, but other than that a good worker."
Vitale nods. "Thanks for the legs on that. Anything else?"
Checked out her Lawyer Morelli. Conflicting reports there from saint to sinner. I'm betting sinner, though it's hearsay. Handled her estate and some other business dealings, but he's pulling the client card - we're working on getting in there." He shrugs. "Morelli said that Villanueva had two nieces - one in the US and another that was here until a few months ago. Left right after the murder. Socials show her at a wedding at the time of death."
Leads 02
Vitale feels himself relaxing a bit and his shoulders drop an inch. Having the help on this is a bit of a relief. "Good work, Segreto." He smiles. "You have time to do a bit more? I could use the help on a few more things."
"Bruni not pulling her weight?" He smirks, then whispers, "Why does she hate me, anyway?"
Vitale just grins and moves on. "Our Azzurro friend Paulo said that he saw a woman walk in with Daniele Villanueva night of."
"He said that in the report - yeah. But it's crap." He pushes his glasses up. "I don't want to see the crime scene photos again - ever!" He glances at the headshot on Vitale's desk, then winces thinking about the state of the woman...or what was left...in the crime scene photos. "But I did double check the traffic cam footage. Checked it several times. Daniele Villanueva was alone in the one angle we could pull that showed her walking from her car. No amazon guest. Just her."
Vitale looks confused. "Could she have...come from the other way?"
Segreto shakes his head no. "Not unless she dropped in by helicopter. The other angle of the street was clear, too. Saw Paulo on the cam, though. Weaving. Drunk. Maybe he had double vision?" He smirks.
Vitale sighs. "Shit...that was a good possibility. I mean...he was sure of it. Why would he lie about it?"
Segreto grins. "Maybe the woman had that coat thing in the Potter movies, heh? Invisible coat." Segreto chuckles. "My kids love that crap. What was the other thing you needed?"
"You didn't come in here a few days ago, did you? Maybe to grab something for the report?"
"No. Like I could find anything in your little system here anyway." He chuckles.
Vitale grins. "Ok. Look - follow up on the attorney for me? Keep on him and see what else you can find on the connection between him and Villanueva. And the niece connection, too?"
"On it, Boss." Detective Segreto salutes playfully.
Detective Vitale glances at his door to make sure it's locked, then pulls the file shelf away from the wall, pulls a small piece of paper from his pocket, and tucks the scrap into the file folder hidden away. He replaces the shelf and makes sure it is set on the original marks he made on the floor.
Another piece of the puzzle hidden away.
He pulls his phone out and glances at it. Two emails show on his personal email account. Most likely his wife with her shopping list request. The first email is the shopping list, but the second is from an unknown account.
"A.Conti?" Vitale opens the email. It's short and sweet.
"There's a personal and private matter a friend and I would like to assist you with. Give us a call at your earliest convenience when you are available and out of the office. A.C."
The number is local, but he doesn't recognize it. He keys in the number and saves it to his contacts under A.C. before deleting the email.
Now seemed like a fantastic time to go for a stroll outside. He was eager to find out who this A. Conti was.
__________________
Chelsea Bruni hates all this in person meeting shit. Just more chances of being caught around the witch. But, the money and rising work connections was well worth it. Keeping the money hidden had been the only tricky part. Chelsea glances back to the street before knocking.
Danuta Szymańska appears behind her - a lovely piece of manipulation that was difficult and a strain, but worth it.
"Hey cutie."
Chelsea is startled out of her wits, but strikes immediately when she hears Danuta's voice. She spins on her heel and brings her arm up quickly to strike, but Danuta is fast with a block.
Danuta drops and brings her leg around taking out Chelsea's feet.
Chelsea falls back with a grunt. Her pride is shattered.
"Not sure how you've managed to stay alive for so long. You fight like a little child." Danuta laughs and holds out her hand. "Come on little one. Dupa jaś!"
Danuta grunts with the impact and tears spring to her eyes. She curses, her crotch throbbing. She lifts Chelsea off of her feet, but Chelsea drives her knee into her belly.
"Are you two children done? We have business to discuss. A naughty little witness you let see you, Danuta...and that you didn't shut up, Chelsea." Elke Giacomina gives the two a stern look. "Inside. Now."
____________
_______________
Giacomina watches Danuta fall out of her car and stumble back onto her property after vomiting into her flowerbed. She strolls out to meet her, not wanting her to be sick and Hell knew what else all over her home.
Danuta convulses on the front porch area as Elke stands over her.
"Well well well...you made it back. You are as strong as I thought you were." Elke stares.
"Please...help..me...." Danuta's voice is a whisper.
"You must never forget this, dear Danuta. There are powerful weapons in this world, but like any weapon you must learn to use them wisely...or they can injure...or kill...you." Elke holds out her hands and whispers words that make sounds that are promptly forgotten by Danuta after she hears them.
Danuta feels fine at once. No more cramping. No more convulsing stomach. Her eyes are pouring tears due to the massive relief she feels.
"Thank you, Mistress." She reaches out to Elke.
Elke Giacomina smiles and takes her hand. While her teaching methods can be drastic....she finds them most effective.
_____________________
Detective Segreto got the call before heading home for the night. He tr ied to contact Vitale, but he was already gone. A rare occasion - Vitale leaving before him, that was for sure.
Stefano had said that he might have more for them if more cash was involved. Vitale had already tainted things a bit by offering cash for the last round of information. More cash given might just muddy the waters and Segreto thought it was just a ploy to get more cash.
Segreto made no promises, but agreed to meet Stefano to hear about his names he suddenly remembered hearing. Bullshit for sure.
"Hey, Carlo! Congratulations - you're with me tonight."
Carlo smiled. "Yes, Sir!" He was happy to get pulled away from the Bruni.
_____
When Detective Segreto and his helper monkey Det Carlo reached the site, the smell was apparent right away. Rot and burning meat.
"Carlo....stay here by the car. Keep an eye out. Eyes on me." But when Segreto saw the body, he dropped like a stone. He'd seen a lot of death, but nothing like this.
This was Stefano Migretti by what was left on his overalls, but this body had been here for weeks, not the 35 minutes it took to get out here. Was their witness Migretti a fake?
Detective Segreto tries to pull it together. Crunching grasses come up behind him.
"I asked you to stay by the car, Carlo. I don't need more people here messing up the---" He jumped when Chelsea Bruni's hand hit his shoulder.
She laughed at his startled expression. "Time to cut down on the coffee, Segreto."
"Detective Bruni!?" He tries to catch his breath.
"You stole my workhorse, Carlo. He told me where you were going, but...." The wind shifts and she catches the smell. "Jesus....what's all this about, Segreto?!" Inside, she thinks that Danuta Szymańska might be a bit too dangerous to keep around.
_______________
Detective Vitale had almost forgotten about the Illari case wrap up. An open and shut case.
A bit of digging and the case was wrapped in a week, its conclusion an exciting chase across rooftops with Detective Bruni and the man thinking he could jump from the roof they were on to the lower one to make an escape - leaving his wife behind screaming for him. He made it to the lower roof...and through the glass below. Between the massive lacerations from the glass and his impact wounds, he was gone before the ambulance arrived.
The wife was in court today still looking like death warmed over. Left to pay for their disgusting crimes by a husband who also left her to take the fall if he had made it.
"She's better off without him...even in jail." Bruni's voice was cold as they stood on the court steps together. The Detective Bruni Vitale liked working with.
Vitale snaps out of his head and sighs, snapping back to the call he made to the two specials on the case the previous day. He picks up the pack of cigarettes, but drops them back onto the desk.
A woman. He gives a small chuckle. He assumed "A. Conti" was a man. Hearing her velvety voice on the phone was a shock.
He had to let years and years of rhetoric from his Father go. His Father.
"Women aren't cut out for this work. Two soft. Emotional."
His Father's crap attitude towards women (and people in general) made sure he stayed at a low level in the Polizia. Until he was killed on duty, of course.
Vitale checked the time. He had to meet Conti and Jansen in a few hours. Excitement bubbled in him, but he tried not to let it surface. Time to get to his gym and change into the relaxed clothing he put there in the morning.
_________________
Chelsea almost asked Angelo Vitale to lunch to celebrate. Almost. She could see that the perfume was affecting him, but she didn’t want to push it.
The Illari Case was a mess. Couple on a killing and plundering spree with a little light kidnapping and sexual assault as the cherry on the sundae. And they wouldn't have been caught for ages at the rate they had been going. They were like wolves - smart, cunning, and always miles ahead of the people chasing them. Until Elke Giacomina.
Chelsea Bruni could still remember the first few times she met with Elke Giacomina before the fire damage was repaired. Like speaking to a jelly faced monster. The fire's heat had melted Giacomina down horribly. Bruni could barely understand her when she spoke.
"You....can help...me....and I...can help...you. You're Mother...was a...valued member...of our Coven. Provided....safety...and secu...security...to us. Help to restore...me...and I...will help...you."
Bruni felt sick even thinking about Giacomina's face then. But, she had followed through. Targeted the couple, helped save the life of the 16 year old they had with them at the time, and pushed Bruni to find several others that were not so lucky. Helped make her and Vitale heroes.
Bruni smiled. "And more where that came from..." But first...wine.
_______________
Vitale is headed for the door when it opens.
"Knock knock. Hey partner. Heading out?" Detective Bruni enters without knocking and grins.
"Just running out on an errand."
She nods. "Well, good job in court today. Illari is going to love prison." She looks him up and down.
"Well, you put a lot of work in on that case. I was just following you." Vitale smiles.
"Bullshit." She moves to him and shakes his hand. "You're a damn good detective." She smiles and leans in a bit whispering, "And I may have had too much wine."
"A good day to celebrate. We all could use a break I'm sure." He breathes in and smells wine, but her perfume is the thing that lingers in his brain. She really was rather pretty.
She plays with his shirt. "I like the suit, too. It's working." She eyes him up and down. "Really...working for me." She gives a coy smile, then pats his chest. "Lord - I should go before I make an ass of myself. The wine..." she says with a giggle. She heads for the door, pausing. "I'll see you."
Vitale waves as Bruni heads out, then leans against the desk when the door closes. The smell of the perfume lingers in the air and Vitale finds himself...really aroused? Turned on by Bruni? It had to be rolling off of the court hearing. The high of it. He sighs, slightly confused, then grabs his glasses and heads out for his meeting with The Specials.
___________________
once_upon_a_time_in_finland
Heavy rain came from the lake and hit the lakeside avenue scaring tourists away leaving the agents to their own devices. Tomas and Andreea waited patiently for detective Vitale to show up in silence, hoping they could get some more Intel to work with.
_______
Brave New World 01
Detective Vitale stares out at the mountains longing to run to them.
"Signore Vitale?"
Vitale turns to see a handsome couple walking up to him and he feels elation and relief. He chuckles and moves to them.
"Well hello. Hello!" The two flip out ID cards, keeping them low but visible.
"Thank you," Vitale says, showing his ID. He reaches out a hand to the man first.
"Hello. Tomas Jansen." The man smiles.
Vitale reaches for the woman's hand and likes the firmness of her shake. "Buongiorno, Signorina Conti."
She smiles and whispers, "Sorry to disappoint you earlier on the phone." She gives a small smile.
Vitale nods. "It's me who is sorry," He gives a little bow.
"Well, we thought we'd keep this meeting brief. We can regroup later, of course." She glances at Tomas.
"What do you know about the AFDA?" He sees Vitale's face scrunch. "Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries."
"Ah. Well...not much. Why?"
Brave New World 02
Andreea dances in smoothly. "Signore Vitale...the case you are working on involving the death of Madame Daniele Villanueva fits in with our case very neatly. Her lawyer--"
"Morelli." Vitale focuses. He feels a bit like he's had a beer, but he hasn't.
"Indeed. He and Madame Villanueva had some dealings that were raising several red flags for us. What do you know about her business connections with Morelli and her possible ties in the US?"
Detective Vitale thinks back to his files. "Well, we found out her Niece moved from La Spezia to the US shortly after Madame Villanueva's death. Vanda Buccio. Fabrizia Bucco - her sister, lives in the US full time. But after looking into things, we found that she had a solid alibi for that evening."
"And was that you or your partner that discovered this information?" Tomas asks.
Vitale gives the smallest of pauses. "Well...me. My information analyst Detective Segreto." He can tell what they are thinking. "Detective Segreto is not the issue." Part of his brain questions if Bruni is even the issue. He shakes it off. "There are developments you two should be aware of."
Brave New world 03
Vitale glances around briefly, then says, "Have you seen the Villanueva crime scene photos?"
The two nod.
"Well, there are elements there that we kept out of the public eye. Ritualistic patterns - again, found by Detective Segreto. Many of those same patterns were found at another crime scene recently. Multiple homicides - 12 total - at Villa Morelli about 50 kilometers away. Distinct patterns were seen at both crime scenes." He sees the question in Tomas' eyes. "No relation to the attorney Morelli. We checked that over as well." He gives a small smile.
"Can you get us those files?" Andreea's voice is charged with a bit of excitement, but she still has her collected demeanor.
"But of course." Vitale nods. "Lastly, we had a witness in the area the night Daniele Villanueva was killed."
"Stefano Migretti," Andreea says.
Vitale smiles slightly. Evidently the Chief was giving updates of his own. "Si. Yesterday Migretti was found on a job site. Dead and...rotted away. Even though Detective Segreto spoke with him 40 minutes before, it looked like he had been out there for weeks."
The two specials narrowed their eyes.
"Corrosive materials at the site?"
Vitale shakes his head. "He was just working with water pipes and flows. By the time they got him to the morgue, he was falling apart. Bones and skin fragments. Samples were checked - it was the same Stefano Migretti we ID'd days before."
Thomas looks at Andreea, then at Vitale. "How soon can you get us all the files on the Villa Morelli, Migretti, and...Detective Bruni? We heard you had a special file on her."
Another hesitation, a check of his watch, then, "What are you two doing
for dinner tonight?" He smiles.
____________________
once_upon_a_time_in_finland
- There’s something very wrong with these cases, Tomas frowns as they walk through the city. - And detective Vitale holds something back.
– Mm. He acted very conflicted about Bruni, Andreea thinks.
– It’s not nice to find your longtime partner has gone corrupted.
– No. It was like he’s been besotted with her and can’t decide whether to hate or love her. Andreea points out.
– Woman’s instinct again? Tomas smirks.
– Call it what you want but he’s got huge inner battle there. He might been compromised.
– Can he be trusted?
– Let’s make him think we trust him and we’ll see. Andreea checks the time. – But I need coffee now.
There's shadowy figure following them. Just keeping behind corners, loosing himself to the mass of people but he keeps very keen eye on two agents.
________________________
"Where did you go yesterday? I tried talking to Detective Brun-hilda about the Stefano Migretti weirdness, but she basically told me to get lost."He chuckles, but sees the look on Vitale's face. "Huh?"
"Not sure you should be calling Detective Bruni Detective Brun-hilda."
Segreto thinks he's joking, but sees that he isn't. "Uh...ok....but you're the one who made it up, Boss."
Something clicks in Vitale's head. He narrows his eyes and Segreto thinks he's in more trouble for a minute.
"Have I been acting...odd about Detective Bruni?"
Detective Segreto draws in a breath and blurts out, "Yes. Very much so." He laughs, a little relieved. "I thought you two made up...or were fooling around, to be honest. You're all UP WITH BRUNI now." He winces thinking he said that last part too loud.
Vitale stares for a minute, reflecting. "Uh...give me a minute, eh? I want to go over the Migretti items...but I need a minute."
"Sure." Segreto pauses. "You ok?"
"I'm not sure." Vitale frowns.
Detective Vitale sits in the office at 9:44pm.
Outside he can hear feet shuffling by from time to time and the cleaners avoiding his office after getting yelled at for knocking and not waiting for an answer.
He was on edge again after being so happy at the dinner with Jansen and Conti. Feeling like he had someone with him for a change.
His phone buzzes and he checks it.
:::::MESSAGES::::
Angela: You ok?
AVitale: Still at work.
Angela: I guess you missed dinner again.😄
AVitale: Damn - so sorry. I got wrapped up
Angela: 😘 AVitale: Hey...in all your spook stuff, is there a way to influence someone's behaviour?
Vitale's wife freaks out at home. He's never really shown any interest in her paranormal interests before other than listening to her talk about shows or books she's reading.
Angela: YES! Several ways.
(( Worry sets in )).
Angelo? Why do you ask?
AVitale: Heading home. Will you be up when I get home? We can talk in person.
Angela: 😓 Angela: I'll have a double J&B waiting for you 💋
Detective Vitale smiles. He doesn't deserve her.
At home, Angela Vitale is very worried about her husband.
__________
Angela and Angelo talk well into the night feeling closer than they have
in a long time.
They fell asleep in each other's arms after Vitale goes over all the odd things that have happened of late. _____
The next day he agrees to take the morning off to go to Angela's Life Guide, Madame Rosetti. He even stops calling her "Sinistra" and accepts some of her suggestions for both the case he's working and his personal life. He pays out the $150 dollars for the advice and a pack of some musky smelling herbs and things. Some items he doesn't want to think too closely about.
If anything, the smile on Angela's face is well worth the money and the smell.
Back at his office, Angela searches around for anything odd. Little packets of things or slips of paper that might have a curse attached.
"Well...nothing." She sighs. "I really thought there might have been something here hidden." T
here's a knock and the door opens.
Detective Bruni stops short until she's waved in.
"Oh...hello." She smiles. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Chelsea - so long since I've seen you." Angela does the traditional cheek kisses. "Oh...that perfume is lovely." Angela remembers back to less complicated times when Chelsea would come for dinner or weekend romps.
"Thank you. It's nice to see you." She looks at Vitale. "I just wanted to say that the lab reports are back, but they'll only sign them out to you."
Chelsea begins to feel her skin itch, then burn like a sunburn around her wrists and neck. She tries to keep still, but it keeps getting worse.
"Ah...thanks." Angelo absently waves the bag in his hand forgetting it's there. "I'll be right down, then we can go over it with Segreto."
"Ok. I really have to run. Nice seeing you." She smiles quickly at Angela and moves out of the room.
In the empty hall outside, Chelsea writhes and scratches at her skin. The skin at her wrists is angry red and her neck and face are painfully raw. She slaps at her wrists and paws at her neck - everywhere she had put Elke's magic perfume that morning. She breaks into a run to get to the showers in the changing rooms.
A young officer dives out of Chelsea's way. "Are you ok, Detective Bruni?" But she gets no reply.
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