“Even with the evidence we’ve recovered that paints a very different picture?”
“What evidence is that?” I asked calmly, looking between them.
“Demolition materials ordered via one of his companies with authorization credentials directly linked to his network.”
I tilted my head. “My husband doesn’t authorise orders personally. He hires people to do it for him. So perhaps you should ask that person.”
“We did.”
“And?”
“They are suggesting they have no knowledge of it, that they were on their break when the order was collected, but they also don’t have an alibi.”
“Nevertheless,” Ferri interrupted his partner. “It went through your husband’s system.”
“Can’t systems be manipulated? Hacked?”
“You believe someone hacked into your husband’s company system to frame him for the attempted murder of your father? Why would you think that?”
“Because there are many power-hungry people in this city who I am sure would do surprising things to get the two most powerful men out of their way.”
“Are you referring to anyone in particular?” Morelli asked, leaning forward. I shrugged.
“No. But I’m sure you’re aware of plenty. In fact, I know my father has reported many hate crimes against him since he became mayor. Politics can bring out the worst in people.”
The door opened briefly after a knock, and a young officer stepped inside, holding a file. I forced my face to stay relaxed when I recognised the file Max had put together with all the new information we’d found at Sani’s Sanctuary.
“Sorry to interrupt, Detectives.”
They both glanced up, annoyed. “What is it?”
“New evidence from the inquiry team.”
They exchanged confused looks and got to their feet. “Please excuse us,SignoraBuccini. We will be right back.” They paused the recording and left.
The lawyer and I shared a brief, subtle smile and sat in silence, waiting for their return. When they entered the room, they looked far less composed than before.Morelli dropped into his chair a little too forcefully, biting the inside of his cheek as Detective Ferri tried to hide his surprise at the evidence they’d just been given.
“Mrs Buccini, we are going to play a recording. We’d like to hear your thoughts.”
Ferri pressed play, but my stomach had already dropped the moment he said recording. Sani’s deep, husky, sexy-as-sin voice filled the room, and I briefly closed my eyes because it hit me just how much I missed him. I hadn’t seen him for nearly twenty-four hours, and I was experiencing serious withdrawals. It was insane.
I tried to contain my rage when I heard how heavily edited it was. Half the conversation was missing, especially the parts where Sani said he’s never hurt my father and that he believed Callum was the man behind everything.
“Thoughts?” Morelli inquired, resting his hands on the table.
“How did you get that?” I frowned, pretending to look utterly confused.
“It was sent to the station anonymously.”
“That’s so weird,” I said, shaking my head and glancing at the lawyer who looked a little flustered himself.
“This is, um, quite embarrassing,” I sighed, flicking my hair behind my shoulders and exhaling a shaky breath. The detectives exchanged a quick glance before focusing on me. “That… Sani was helping me with something. An… audition.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, firstly, that was taken out of context. Those sentences weren’t even said in that order, and were missing lots of discourse in between. See, Detectives, I’ve always wanted to be… an actress.”
They blinked at me.
