Page 11 of Lorenzo

The detective pauses.

Julian’s expression does not change. “I will be making a note of that.”

“He hasn’t made a statement.”

“It wouldn't be admissible if he had,” Julian says.

The detective looks at Mario and me. “The family stays here.”

He turns away.

Julian stops beside me before following him through the door. “I’ll see Alessio, find out exactly what they have, and come back to you.”

“Bring my son out with you,” I say.

His eyes hold mine. “That is the plan.”

The door closes behind him.

Mario stands beside me, watching it.

“They moved fast,” he observes.

“Yes, they did,” I say.

That is a problem. They know exactly who Alessio is, and they have already decided what that means.

I look toward the door that separates us from my son.

Then I take out my phone and call Edoardo to figure out exactly what the fuck is going on.

***

By the time we turn onto my street, the sky is beginning to lighten.

Alessio sits beside me in the back seat, staring through the window. He has barely spoken since we left the station. His shoulders are rigid beneath his coat, his face exhausted, his attention fixed somewhere beyond the glass.

Mario’s car follows directly behind us.

Julian went home after securing Alessio’s release, but we have an appointment with him later this morning. There will be questions, decisions, and more problems waiting for us in a few hours.

For the moment, I need to get my son inside.

We pull into the drive, and I look up at the house.

Every light on the first floor is on.

I know without seeing the cars parked in front of my house that the whole family is here.

Alessio finally shifts beside me and looks toward the house. He sees the same thing I do.

“Everyone is here,” he says.

“Of course they are.”

The driver brings the car to a stop. Mario pulls in behind us a few seconds later.

I step out first and wait as Alessio follows. He pauses beside the open door, looking at the house again.