Page 182 of Valentino

“She was Valentino’s girlfriend, and a friend of mine.”

“And you haven’t heard from him since?”

“No.”

“He hasn’t called?”

Does she know?

My eyes hold hers. “No.”

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

She twists her lips as if annoyed. “So Valentino called through the door for you to lock yourself in the bathroom and then what?”

“I heard Carlo calling my name as he walked through the apartment looking for me.”

She listens intently.

“Then he kicked down the bathroom door.” The nightmare plays through my head, and I’m right back there in my bloodied bathroom. “He was screaming where is he.”

My face screws up in tears.

“He had a gun and he grabbed me,” I whisper.

“It’s okay.” She writes the time again and circles it. “Take your time.”

Why does she keep doing that?

“He wouldn’t let me go and….”

“And what?”

“Valentino and he struggled….and the gun went off.”

“The gun accidentally went off?” She raises her eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“How many times?”

“Twice.”

“How does a gun accidentally fire twice, Anna?”

Fuck.

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think Carlo was there to take you?”

I nod.

He was there for Valentino.

“Do you think he would have hurt you?”