by Kevin Carneglia

Created on: December 28, 2008

Detective Natalie Ambrosio awoke with a start. What a strange dream. She'd seen someone's face. I didn't recognize the face. It looked like my father's, but why would I see him now?
After two years? She tried to force herself back asleep, to no avail. One of the shutters creaked as it blew in the wind. That's going to bother me. She got up to go and fix them. No sooner had she closed them, her phone rang. This better not be my boss with another case for me. It's the middle of the night, for crying out loud! She dragged her thirty four year old body out of bed, catching a glimpse of her brown eyes and hair in the mirror as she did.

It reminded her of the old Natalie, the one before her husband cheated on and later divorced her. She smiled at the memory of her old self. Trying her best not to sound annoyed, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Detective Ambrosio? This is Giuseppe Marzani from the Florence Police Department. I believe you've worked with us on several cases before, correct?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm afraid we may need you again."

"Uh-huh, and what exactly is so important you had to wake me up at this time of night?"

"My deepest apologies. I do have a good reason, however. Please come down to our Headquarters as soon as possible. I think you'll find my fears to be justified."

"O.k. Give me ten minutes."

"Grazie. I will brief you upon your arrival."

"I'll see you soon."

"Good luck on this case, Natalie. I think you might need it."

He hung up the phone.

What did he mean by that? Natalie stared at the darkness around her as if it would provide some answers. Only time will tell. She tried to fight her strong urge to go back to bed, changing into the first clothes she found, dress pants and a t-shirt. She hurried to the door. Pulling on a coat, she left the safety of her house for the unknown of the night.

*

The drive to the Headquarters of the Florence Police Department wasn't far, which made Natalie slightly happier. He better have a good reason for all this. Somehow, though, she knew the Captain would only call her down for something serious. Within a few minutes, she was in the parking lot, where Capt. Marzani waited for her. He was a large man, but Natalie somehow felt no intimidation around him.

"Hello again."

"Hello. Did you have an easy drive?"

"Yeah. No other lunatic is out tonight."

"Forgive me, but as I said, I have a good reason."

"Right. Any time you want to reveal that reason, I'd be happy to listen."

"Why don't you come with me inside?"

She nodded and followed him into the building.

"Now will you tell me?"

He nodded.

"To tell you the entire thing, we'll need to go back two years ago..."

Learn more about this author, Kevin Carneglia.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.