Chapter 3 Daylight murder

“I.. couldn't see their faces.”

The police made them wait for over an hour taking down all testimonies they could get from the witnesses, if they went on they'd have over twenty people to question, so there was no use to it. Besides, all their answers were the same. Yes, they saw the men. Three of them. No, they couldn’t see their faces, not even the nose or eyes, they got into a black car. They repeated the details like a grim mantra that almost made Isabella go crazy.

Because nyi matter how much she described what she saw or felt it felt like the officers just couldn't grab it. He just nodded, jotting it down without looking up. When he asked if she knew the family, she simply shook her head, a lump forming in her throat when she thought of the little girl, Sofia. They hadn’t seen her. Please, God, let them not have seen her.

Please, she should be alive somewhere.

By the time the officers finished, the sun had dipped below the rooftops, casting long, distorted shadows across the street. Giorgio’s body was gone, he was covered by a white sheet before he was taken away, but the dark stain on the pale cobblestones remained there, the officers making no effort to clean it.

Fabrizio has gone hole already, his main priority was to make sure his wife was safe since his son wouldn't be home for a while.

Fearing the men will come back she quickly made the decision to leave while the cops were still around.

Her hands trembled as she fumbled with her keys, trying to lock the gallery door.

Her car was parked just down the street, but the thought of walking past that house, that stain, made her stomach clench. The idea of driving home and finding out her father's still out, was even worse.

“You’re not going home alone.” The owner of the shop beside hers voiced his concern. His face was ashen with worrt. “Not after what you just witnessed. And I'm sure your father's still out by this time.”

“I can’t, Paul. I just need to…” She trailed off, her mind blank. If her father wasn't home, then...she has nowhere to go.

“You will call someone,” he insisted gently. “A friend. A boyfriend. Someone. You should not be alone tonight.”

She almost scoffed at the word boyfriend. But friend… “Audrey,” she whispered, her blood pressure returning to it's normal state. “My friend, Audrey.”

“Good. Call her. Go to her house. Do not be alone with this.”

Relief washed over her immediately. She nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, Audrey's house wasn't as far as hers, she just hoped the girl has no guest over. Paul walker her to the car as she sneaker glances at the Giorgio's house. He waited until she was safely inside, the engine running, before giving a grim nod and turning towards his own vehicle.

~

She pulled up to the familiar, slightly overgrown terrace house that Audrey rented few minutes after, the cheerful yellow door was a start contrast to the darkness coiling inside her head and heart.

Audrey opened the door before Isabella could even knock. She took one look at Isabella’s face, pale and stricken, and pulled her into a short hug. “What the hell happened? I went out to get groceries and saw cars speeding like shit.”

“There was a shootout, a daylight fucking murder. I think I might to throw up.”

“Yeah I saw the news, and I tried to fucking reach you. What the hell happened to your phone?”

“It fell off my hand after I called the cops…” She let Audrey lead her inside to the cozy, cluttered living room, pushing a cat off the sofa to make room.

“Was it… that bad?” Audrey asked softly, handing her a mug of steaming tea.

“Bad?! My ear is fucking ringing and there's a fucking possibility that their kids were shot too, Audrey. So yes it's that fucking bad. I literally can't think of anything right, my whole body won't stop shaking.” She broke into sobs. Dropping the mug on the table with a small thud. “I saw those faceless bastards kill a man, best and just walked out like... Nothing happened. They wore these masks…” She shuddered.

“I can't do this shit.” She fished her phone from her bag, and with unsteady fingers dialed her father's line.

He picked up on the first ring. “Bella? Dio mio, I saw the news. Are you alright?” Lorenzo asked from the other end, his voice laced with concern and panic.

“I’m okay, Papà. I’m at Audrey’s house. I’m safe.” She tried to sound reassuring, but it came out as everything but reassuring, she wasn't even sure if she was okay, she might've been shot even.

“What happened? The news is saying very little.”

“It was the family across the street, Papà. The one that always brought me snacks to take home.” She took a shaky breath. “We just heard gunshots, and Giorgio came out bleeding. He fucking died right in front of me.” She shut her eyes tightly hoping the image goes away.

Lorenzo took a deep break and clicked his tongue. “You saw the shooters?”

“Yes.” The image flashee behind her lids. “Well not really.” She opened them. “They were… so fucking calm for people who just committed murder.”

“Did you see their faces? Could you identify them?” He asked, the urgency in his voice flying past Isabella's ear.

“No. Uh... They were wearing these masks. Smooth, like… like they were nothing. I couldn't see their eyes or nose or mouth, nothing.” She shuddered, again. “And so was their car, no one saw them.”

Lorenzo, sighed and went silent afterwards, almost sending his daughter into a shock.

“Papà? Are you there?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Well, what the fuck? Are you trying to scare me, I just fucking witnessed a murder okay, this is not what I need from you” She sighed. “Are you home?”

“Yes, Bella. You said they wore masks?” he repeated.

“Yes. Why? What is it?” Fear began to creep up her spine again. The panic setting in.

“Nothing,” he said, too quickly. The false cheer in his voice obvious. “It’s just… it sounds professional, that’s all. Not a random thing or a robbery gone wrong like I thought. You… you need to be careful, Bella. Don’t talk to anyone else about this, okay?.”

“What are you saying? The police already have the details,” she said, confused by his shift. “Everyone saw the same thing. What's going on? Do you know something?”

“Nothing, Amore mi, but… just… stay at Audrey’s tonight. Don’t come home. Promise me.” There was a pleading edge to his voice now, a desperation that scared her more than the men in masks had.

“I promise, Papà.”

“Good. That’s good. I’ll… I’ll call you in the morning.” Immediately the one line went dead before she could say goodbye.

Isabella slowly lowered the phone, staring at the blank screen. Her father’s voice, the way it had fallen away when she described the masks, scared her. Does he know something?

“Is everything okay with your dad?” Audrey asked, taking a seat beside her.

“Yes. He’s just worried.” She replied, still staring at the blank screen.

“Alright then, why don't you go shower, you can find something to wear in my wardrobe. I'll go make something for us to eat.”

“Hmm.” She nodded. “Please lock the doors.”

“It's locked Isa, please don't make me panic too.”