Page 19 of We Chase Shadows

‘Sorry,’ says Steve. ‘We know Vern Blackwood. Is he on it?’

‘For sure, not,’ says Ernesto. ‘Sara Lindstrat is the most dangerous woman in Sweden. Killer, torturer, a bad woman, and not in a good way. Larssen is on her trail. He’ll know something about Eriksson.’

‘Thank you, darling,’ says Rosie. ‘You’ve been very helpful. Okay, Steve, back on the plane.’

‘Back on the plane?’ says Steve. ‘We’ve only just got here. Ernesto will –’

‘We need to talk to the ex-wife,’ says Rosie. ‘You’ll enjoy it, she’s in England. It’ll be cold.’

‘But …’ Steve looks at Ernesto, then back at Rosie.

‘You’ll see Ernesto again, Steve, I promise. If you’d like to. Would you like to?’

Steve shrugs. ‘I don’t mind.’

Ernesto hugs him. ‘I would like to. Don’t you dare get killed, Steve. After I just met you.’

‘Okay, I won’t,’ says Steve.

Ernesto hugs Rosie. ‘You stay for longer next time.’

‘Let’s solve the murder,’ says Rosie. ‘Then we’ll be back for cocktails.’

‘Cocktails it is!’ says Ernesto, beaming.

Steve leads the way up the steps, back on to the plane. At the top, he turns back. Ernesto is leaning against his battered SEAT.

‘Can I ask you a question, Ernesto?’

‘Sure,’ says Ernesto.

‘What’s the capital of Malawi?’

‘Lilongwe,’ says Ernesto.

And that, thinks Steve, nodding, is a real man.

11

‘We never used to have tiramisu, did we?’ says Tony Taylor, between mouthfuls of tiramisu. ‘When did tiramisu start?’

‘1989?’ guesses Felicity. ‘Something like that?’

‘Maybe,’ agrees Tony. ‘They probably had it in London before then.’

‘And even earlier in Italy,’ says Felicity. ‘If you think about it.’

‘Is it Italian?’ Tony asks.

‘Tiramisu? Yes,’ says Felicity. ‘That’s why they always have it at Italian restaurants.’

‘I always assumed it was a coincidence,’ says Tony. ‘Same with ravioli?’

‘Italian too,’ confirms Felicity.

‘Fair play to them,’ says Tony, shaking his head in wonder at the sheer range of the Italians.

They are celebrating. Finally a job for We Solve Murders. Something for Felicity to do. Although so far all she’s really had to do is make sure that Rosie’s drivers know where to meet Rosie’s plane. She did some digging into a woman called Georgie Glazier this afternoon as well. She knows that Tony is pleased for her, and he had suggested dinner. The Bella Italia in Lymington, to toast new beginnings.