Engles turned to Valdini, who had moved quietly over to join us. 'And where were you?' he asked.
'I also was in Venice,' Valdini replied. He was watching Carla and there was an ugly little grin on his face.
'You were in Cortina.' Carla's voice sounded startled.
'No,' he said, still with that evil grin. 'I was in Venice.'
'But I told you to go to Cortina. You said you were at Cortina.' She was very agitated.
'I was in Venice,' he repeated, and his eyes watched her coldly, like a snake.
'Ah,' said Keramikos. 'You were told to keep an eye on Stelben and his two friends. Yet you remained in Venice. I wonder why.'
'There was no need to go to Cortina. The two Germans were friends of Mayne's. They were looking after her interests — and Mayne's.'
I heard Mayne miss a note, and I glanced towards the piano. He was watching us and, as I looked at him, he stopped playing and got up. The others had not noticed. They were watching Valdini. And the little Sicilian was watching Carla.
'So you stayed in Venice?' Keramikos said. 'Why in Venice?'