It's shortly after ten in the evening when Manlio finally comes home.
Nino enters the house a few steps behind him. Gabriella is there as well.
That alone is nothing unusual.
The three of them are coming directly from a meeting that lasted several hours. Manlio has his jacket draped over one arm, the top two buttons of his shirt undone. Nino looks as though he doesn't want to see another human being today.
Gabriella, by contrast, is still holding a tablet in her hand.
"Trieste at nine,"
she says to Manlio as they cross the entrance hall together.
"The pilot confirmed."
Manlio nods.
"How long?"
"If all goes well? Two nights."
Nino lets out a dry laugh.
"Then definitely three."
Gabriella shoots him a look.
"That's why I packed for three."
The corner of Manlio's mouth lifts briefly.
"Of course you did."
It's a small moment. Completely harmless. The casual familiarity of two people who have worked together for twelve years.
Gabriella swipes across her tablet.
"I also changed the hotel. The Continentale is closer to the meeting with Vanzetti. Two suites on the same floor."
"Good."
"And tomorrow morning I need you in the car by half past seven at the latest."
Manlio raises an eyebrow.
"You need me?"
Gabriella doesn't even look up from her tablet.
"Yes. Try to emotionally cope with that."
Nino grins.
Manlio shakes his head, but he's smiling too.
Then his gaze falls on you.
His attention shifts instantly.
"Hey."
His voice grows warmer.
He stops.
"I thought you'd already be asleep."
Gabriella now looks up at you as well. Her greeting is friendly and matter-of-fact.
"Hi."
No hostility. No triumphant smile. No guilty conscience.
Why would there be?
She hasn't done anything, after all.
Manlio looks at you.
"We're flying to Trieste tomorrow."
A brief pause.
"Gabriella and I."
He says it as matter-of-factly as he would tell you he has a meeting tomorrow.
"Three days, probably."
Then he waits for your answer.