A metallic clink later, I find myself at the station, seated across from a police officer who glares at me from behind his desk.

"Well, Madame Madini, what are you doing with this weapon in your possession ?"

My gaze follows his to the pistol in the evidence bag, seized just minutes ago. With my hands bound behind me, I try to control my emotions, which, like rabid dogs, thrash against the bars of my body, desperate to escape. Locking eyes with him, I take a deep breath before responding in a neutral tone.

"To protect myself."

Suspicion knits his brows tighter, amplifying his naturally stern expression. He succumbs to the habit of smoothing his mustache with his fingers, betraying his growing unease. His dark eyes intensify, narrowing behind round glasses, as if the question burning on his lips dares not be asked—at least not directly.

His nervousness gains ground as he scratches the top of his head, covered with thick ebony hair. He abruptly stifles it by crossing his arms and sinking deeper into his chair before continuing the interrogation.

"I'm not unaware of the origin of your surname."

"And ?" I reply, determined not to make things easy for him.

Once again, his tic takes over. As he grooms his mustache, he straightens up and leans his elbows on the desk. Hands clasped into a fist, he ventures onto slippery ground, fearing the fall.

"Your late husband, Ezio Madini, was far from a man without a story."

"What are you insinuating, Officer ?"

"Don't play innocent. You know exactly what I'm referring to."

I flash a toothy smile at his efforts to avoid mentioning the word "mafia." As if uttering it would invoke the wrath of a world that would devour him whole.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. As I said, this weapon is for my protection."

"For protection in what way ? Directly or indirectly ? Neutralizing the enemy after they've hurt you, or before they get the chance ?" he asks in a tone so low it could be mistaken for the whisper of the wind.

"I'm a widow, Officer. What threat could a widow possibly pose ?"

"Revenge."

His words strike me, echoing the hardness of his features and his fierce intent to uncover my secrets. He is no mere officer now; he is a potential threat.

Not wanting to feed his ambition, I decide to end this interrogation quickly, hoping to dispel his suspicions, though unsure if I'll succeed.

"Listen, I don't know what twisted fantasies your boredom has conjured up, but I am nothing like what you imagine. I have nothing to do with my husband's past. I came here to close the door on that old life and start fresh. As I've told you, this weapon is for my protection, nothing more. I acquired it after I was burgled, and that's the end of it."

"It's strange—I don't see any record of a burglary report filed under the name Madini," he says, eyes glued to his computer screen as his finger scrolls the mouse wheel.

"That's because I didn't file one."

"That's unusual. Typically, filing a report is the first thing victims do."

"With the efficiency of your services, I don't see why not filing one is a problem."

He shoots me a piercing glare before unclenching his jaw.

"Why carry this weapon with you ?"

"Did you not hear what I just said ? I was burgled. I'm not about to leave my weapon unattended."

"Why keep it on your person ?"

"Because it's even more dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands."

My response seems to resonate with him, for despite his frustration and skeptical gaze, he decides to remove my handcuffs.

"Very well, we will keep your weapon here. You are free to go, but be careful. It's not out of the question that our paths will cross again."

Rising to my feet, I fix him with a stare before replying, "Believe me, seeing you again is the last thing I want."

With those words, I head toward the exit, concealing the anxiety that consumes me. As I pass through the doors of the station, I can't resist glancing back, unsurprised to see Officer Callegrio watching me with piercing eyes, his hands covering his mouth. Now an enigma in his eyes, I disappear beyond the doors, hoping never to cross them again.

I pull out my phone and call Andy to come pick me up. A few minutes later, the roar of an engine announces her arrival in the station's parking lot. Without hesitation, I climb into the car, and we speed away.

"Damn, May, what happened ?!" Andy bombards me, panic lacing her voice.

"Speeding."

"You don't end up at the station for speeding ! Spit it out !"

"He saw my gun in my jacket when I went to hand him my papers."

"Damn bad luck! So what now ?"

"I think we've gained a new enemy."

"What?! What did you say ?"

"Nothing that got us in trouble, but that doesn't mean he doesn't suspect me. Ezio's past still follows me, stirring up suspicions. The gun only made things worse. I tried to handle it, but he won't let it go. He seems like one of those stubborn cops with good instincts, the kind who sees things through to the end. I saw in his eyes a determination to uncover the truth, and if my instinct is right, I've become a puzzle for him, and that's exactly what will fuel his resolve."

"Damn, we'll have to kill him."

"No! No unnecessary waves. He doesn't have anything concrete on me, just a gun. We'll do our own investigation and hope to find something juicy to corrupt him with. He might turn out to be an asset. Having a wildcard in the police could be invaluable. Let's see what his past reveals, and then we'll act."

"As you wish, but the moment things start to stink, that guy's getting a third eye !"

I smile at her remark as we pull into my driveway. The sight of my motorcycle reassures me, but Andrea's stern expression on the porch does not.

"Well, at least you're not being followed by a horde of cops. It's not as bad as it looks," he rationalizes.

"Come inside, we need to talk," I reply, heading into the house.

"Go on, I'm listening," he says as we reach the living room, hands in his pockets.

"As I told Andy, I got stopped because of my gun."

"Your gun?! What the hell are you doing with it ?!"

"Oh, come on, spare me the moral lesson! You have one too, and that's not the most important thing."

Despite his obvious rage, ready to explode, he restrains himself, waiting in fuming silence for me to continue.

"The most urgent task is to dig up this cop's past. We need something incriminating to try to corrupt him, because despite what I said, he won't leave me alone just like that."

"His name ?"

"Eustasio Callegrio."

"Alright, I'm on it," Andrea announces before disappearing, leaving behind the deafening echo of the door slamming violently.

"You've set him up perfectly for a wild and passionate ride !" Andy applauds, grinning from ear to ear.

I shoot her a weary look as my body slowly releases the accumulated tension.

"Well, it's a good thing you're staying, because you'll soon be back on duty as my agent."

Her curiosity piqued, she raises an eyebrow at me.

"I'm not saying it will happen right away; I have more urgent matters to deal with. But I want us to start thinking about my return to the scene. If I've learned anything from this encounter, it's that I need to work on a cover. I know I need to stay discreet and keep to the shadows so I don't become a prime target for the mafia, and that's what I'm doing by training out of sight. But returning to music will provide the perfect cover I'll need to avoid suspicion about my true goal—revenge. Who would suspect a poor little singer, writing songs filled with tragedy, nostalgia, and impossible love ? I'd just be seen as a tortured widow trying to rebuild her life. Nothing too threatening in the eyes of the enemy," I explain.

"Sounds reasonable. So what do you plan to do? Why tell me this now if you don't want to get back to work ?"

"Because we need to prepare, find a label for instance, and because I want you to know that I do intend to return to the spotlight one day. I don't want you running off to discover some new talent in the meantime."

"Oh, you're more than enough for me; you're a full-time job on your own," she teases. "I'll start looking for local labels and see which one would be the best fit. Then, when the time comes, we'll sell you to them," she adds with a wink.