Chapter 4: You will give us answers
Giulia, the nanny, hadn't shown up at the station. Hadn't called with an excuse. Hadn't made an appointment. Romano knew when he was being jerked around. She might be lovely, but that wasn't enough to delay his investigation. He and Di Stefano arrived at the big house, let the police guard know they were going in, and found her sleeping, naked, in a guest room.
With an angry hangover from the night before, Romano wasn't in the mood to take it easy on anyone, even a lovely young woman. So they stood and watched as she gathered the bed sheets up to cover her front, and turned her back, embarrassed, and collected her clothes to get dressed. Admittedly, he enjoyed the view of her smooth, unblemished backside, which defied gravity in the way only a young woman's could.
When she had protested at the intrusion, Romano waved her off, reminding her that he had asked her at the cafe to stop by for a statement. She must have felt chastised, as she fell silent, quickly dressed, and was soon in Di Stefano's squad car, racing the monaco grand prix back to the station.
Romano had an urge to kiss the ground when they arrived, but refrained, determined to keep his dignity in front of the pretty young woman. Instead, he took her by the arm and steered her back to his office, asking Catterina if Carlo was in as they passed the front desk.
Carlo was out. Undoubtedly collecting biographics, thought a grumpy Romano. So he asked Catterina to come and observe the interrogation.
Giulia was given a tea as the Inspector and his desk officer sat across from her at the large table.
"Tell me about the children," demanded Romano. "What activities do you do with them? What are they like?"
Really, he'd asked to put her at ease, soften her up for the real questions. But immediately Giulia was hesitant. "I take care of them. Their baths and their clothes and meals. Some reading. But it's not just me you know. Nannies are in and out of that place all the time. I don't know them that well. So whatever you heard, it's not my fault."
Romano was unsure how to proceed from here, already it was a remarkable interview and he had yet to ask a single pre-planned question. "Tell me about these other nannies. Who were they, what were they like?"