Her scream had carried outside the courtroom. As Corbett and Bernardo a.s.sisted her toward the doors, they burst open, and the photographers were unleashed into the courtroom.
Come on, Bernardo! Corbett was suddenly all action as he swept Isabella out in his arms. Stay away from her, you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Bernardo and two guards were plowing ahead, as the judge shouted for order and deputies attempted to have the press removed. The courtroom was a shambles, and Isabella was crying, and the crowd watched them, stunned.
Somehow they reached her car at last, the doors closed, and the three of them pressed together in the backseat as the car sped away, the press still shouting, cameras clicking.
Isabella collapsed on Corbett"s chest.
It"s over, Isabella. It"s over, darling " it"s over. He said it to her again and again as, stricken, Bernardo watched. He regretted ever telling her to make the journey. He had been wrong, but Corbet"s eyes didn"t reproach him, even when they reached the fresh crowd of press wailing for them at San Gregorio.
Bernardo stared at them in horror as Isabella began to shed fresh tears. Corbett glanced at the crowd and quickly told the driver, Don"t stop here. Keep going. He looked at Bernardo. We"ll take her to my hotel.
Bernardo nodded savagely, thinking that the only intelligent thing he"d done lately was call Corbett Ewing and ask him to come.
They were in his suite at the Ha.s.sler five minutes later, and Isabella stared at them with a ravaged face.
It"s all over now, Corbett said. You"ll never have to go through anything like this again.
She nodded slowly, like a child who has just seen her entire family die in a fire.
Bernardo looked at her sorrowfully. I"m sorry, Bellezza.
But she was more herself again as she watched him, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. It doesn"t matter. Perhaps now it really will be over. What will happen to those men?
If they live long enough to get out of the courtroom, they"ll be found guilty, and I a.s.sume they"ll be sentenced for life. Bernardo said it viciously, and Corbett nodded; he agreed. But he stood up then and walked quickly toward the phone. He spoke into it softly and returned a moment later to consult the other two.
I think we should leave for New York on the next plane. Can you leave, Isabella? Or do you have business to do? She shook her head numbly and then looked up at him.
What about my things?
But Bernardo was on his feet now. I"ll go get them.
Corbett nodded. Fine. Can you meet us at the airport in an hour? Bernardo nodded in answer, stood up, and looked down at Isabella.
Is that allright with you?
The trial is finished? They both nodded. The essential testimony had been given and there had never been any real doubt about the outcome. It was a capital offense. The men who had taken Amadeo and killed him would be punished.
It"s finished, Isabella. You can go home now.
Home. Bernardo had called New York her home. For the first time, she realized that it was. She didn"t belong in Rome anymore. Not after today, after this week, after what had happened. Her eyes sought Corbett"s after Bernardo had left them and Corbett had locked the door. She watched him as he closed his suitcase and then returned for a moment to sit at her side.
Thank you for being here. I " it was so awful " I thought I was going to die. " All that kept me going was knowing that I had to say it, had to finish it, and get it out " She looked at him again. And I knew I could do it as long as you were there. And then she had to ask him. Did Natasha send you?
But he shook his head slowly. He wasn"t going to hide anything anymore. Bernardo called me.
Bernardo? She looked shocked and then she nodded her head. Capisco.
Are you angry?.
Her voice was very gentle as she smiled at him. No.
This time he smiled too. He looked at her for a long moment, sitting close to her on the couch. There are some things we need to talk about, but right now let"s get to the airport and get on that plane. Do you have your pa.s.sport? If Bernardo misses us, he can always send your luggage on the next flight.
My pa.s.sport is in my handbag.
Let"s go then. He held a hand out to her, and they both stood up. The limousine was already waiting downstairs. There were no paparazzi. They had no interest in Corbett Ewing at the Ha.s.sler. They were too busy at San Gregorio.
Bernardo met them at the airport an hour later, five minutes before they had to catch their plane. Isabella clung to him tightly for a last moment. Grazie, Nardo, grazie. He held her tightly for a moment and then pushed her toward the plane.
I"ll see you in March! were his last words to her, as Corbett waved to him and they boarded.
As Rome shrank beneath them Corbett watched her silently, staring out over the wing. Finally she turned to him and slipped her hand into his. But he couldn"t wait any longer. He gazed at her with a worried look in his eyes. Is it too soon to tell you I love you? His voice was a whisper that barely reached her ears.
The smile spread to her eyes slowly as she looked at him.
No, darling, it was never too soon. They kissed long and hungrily as the stewardess waited to serve them champagne. She poured the bubbling wine into their gla.s.s, and Isabella picked up hers and looked long and hard into Corbett"s eyes. Then softly she whispered to him as she lifted her gla.s.s, Forever, my love. " as long as forever may be.
end.