Frail Barrier Read Online Free Page A

Frail Barrier
Book: Frail Barrier Read Online Free
Author: Edward Sklepowich
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Muta. The repeated ‘Ciao!’ of her brilliantly plumed parrot that she kept in a brass cage on the pergola was a counterpoint to the serious tone of her words.
    â€˜What is it, Barbara?’
    â€˜It’s that poor man we saw under the arcade outside Florian’s, the one who looked so ghastly, the one with the bloody handkerchief. He’s dead!’
    Urbino was somewhat taken aback. It was indeed disturbing that the man had died, whoever he was, but as far as he was aware, the contessa hadn’t known him. Neither had he.
    â€˜I’m sorry to hear that, Barbara.’ He paused. ‘But you didn’t say that you knew him.’
    â€˜I do now. I mean I know who he is – or was!’ A trace of exasperation rasped her voice. ‘I know because of Sebastian. I was going to call you about it today but then – then I found out he died, Konrad Zoll.’
    She wasn’t making much sense.
    â€˜Is that his name, the man we saw?’
    â€˜Yes, Konrad Zoll. A German. He had been living in Venice for a year. Strange that our paths only crossed that one time at Florian’s. Last week I got a letter from Sebastian with an article about him. It had his photograph. That’s how I identified him, although the poor man changed so! He was an art collector.’
    â€˜But why did Sebastian send the article?’
    â€˜Because of Nick Hollander. Since Sebastian asked me to invite Hollander to the regatta party, he thought it might be nice if I invited Zoll, too. Hollander is Zoll’s stepson – rather he was his stepson. No, not because Zoll is dead,’ she said before he could ask for clarification. ‘Hollander’s mother and Zoll divorced five years ago.’
    â€˜His ex-stepson, then.’
    â€˜Yes. The way you have an ex-brother-in-law from your divorce. And I assume they must have been close the way you and Eugene are. Sebastian would never have suggested that I bring them together if they hadn’t been.’
    Urbino, who knew the contessa’s young cousin was capable of this and more, remained silent. He had traveled through Morocco a few years before with Sebastian. The trip had turned out to be disastrous. They had parted company in Fes.
    â€˜But I still don’t know how you found out that this Zoll is dead.’
    â€˜Sebastian called this morning. Hollander told him. And that’s where you get involved.’
    â€˜Me? How?’
    â€˜By going to see Hollander and offering our condolences. He’s staying at the Gritti Palace. I would do it myself if I weren’t up here.’
    â€˜He didn’t leave after Zoll died?’
    â€˜Not according to Sebastian.’
    â€˜I guess the dark young man with Zoll was Hollander.’
    â€˜Apparently not. He’s not dark and he has hardly a hair on his head, according to Sebastian. Try to see him later today or tomorrow. Perhaps he can come up to Asolo this weekend. The both of you. I’ll ring him. He could use a change of scene. Venice in August isn’t the best place to be when you’re grieving. He’ll be welcome here.’ Once again, this time as if on cue, the parrot uttered its remarkably human-sounding ‘Ciao!’ in an even more welcoming tone. ‘And even if he doesn’t come, I’d like you to come. I’ll show you the article Sebastian sent.’ The contessa sighed. ‘Poor man. He was so vigorous-looking such a short time ago.’
    Urbino was reviewing his conversation with the contessa when a knock sounded on the library door. It was Natalia, his housekeeper and cook.
    â€˜Gildo would like to speak with you, Signor Urbino.’
    The smile on Natalia’s round face was not for Urbino, although she liked him well enough. It was for Gildo, who was her pet. Ever since the young man had started to work as Urbino’s gondolier a year before, she had taken him under her wing. She delighted in bringing meals to his
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