Page 12 of Giorgio

But he did not want the man to be frantic with worry. The call had to be made and he was not going to leave that job to Dario. He was going to do it himself.

Pressing the number, he waited for the phone to be answered.

On the third ring, a muffled male voice responded. “This had better be good. Do you have any idea what time it is? Jules…”

“My name is Giorgio.”

The pause was profound before the man demanded. “What the hell are you doing with my sister’s phone?”

“I am afraid there has been an accident. Your sister was injured…”

“Injured. Jesus! What happened?”

Giorgio gave him an abbreviated version of the accident, leaving out the part where he had been drinking and driving too fast. He had taken the coward’s way out, but he would deal with that aspect later on.

“What’s her prognosis? And where the hell is the doctor?”

“A broken leg, some contusions…” He hesitated, wondering how much more he should reveal. “There might be some brain damage.”

This time the pause was lengthier, and Giorgio held his breath.

“Might?”

“The doctor…”

“Why are you calling me and not some hospital personnel?”

He had been dreading the question.

“I was at the scene.”

“What the hell does that mean and who caused the accident?”

Giorgio leaned back, his head resting on the wall. Time to face the music.

“I did.”

He waited as the man became silent.

“How?” The voice was clipped and unfriendly.

“I rounded the corner…”

“Which translated to - you were driving too fast and could not control the vehicle.”

“She came out of nowhere…”

“Don’t bullshit me Mr. … What did you say your name was again?”

“Giorgio Russo.”

Silence again, this time longer.

“Of the Russo kingdom.” The other man’s voice was suddenly filled with understanding. “And being the rich asshole you are, this is being kept hushed up. Where the hell is my sister being kept?”

“At a private clinic and I assure you she is getting the best care possible…”

“Oh, I am sure. With you people, money is no problem. I suppose you are waiting until she wakes up to ascertain how much damage before you quote a number?”