"Her schedule was meant to be freed up a little so she would have time for private performances with me. I never told you to cut her from her leading roles." Having heard that Alba Sorrenti replaced Rosa was a shock to me, especially when the papers gave scathing reviews. More politics, I'm sure, but it's just bad style. The opera house has to keep its doors open and with a less-than-stellar singer, they will run completely on donor money and not ticket sales.
Donata and Luca exchange glances. In that brief moment of silent communication, I see confirmation of what I already suspected.
"Surely, you understand you're not the only 'donor', Mr. DeSantis." Luca folds his hands calmly, though I see them shake. He is squirming inside his suit. A man who handles situations like this all the time and still acts like a worm after a storm… despicable.
Costa has put the brakes on Rosaria's performances as punishment, so there's nothing I can do about that. To openly defy Emilio's orders backed by his money would mean certain death for Romano. My only play is to continue to push for other avenues to open.
"And Ms. Sorrenti? I asked that she be removed. Her role should never be to replace the Rose of Rome. You understandwhat the city will think of the change... Why I padded that envelope for you..." The call I made asking him to lower Ms. Sorrenti's opportunities wasn't a suggestion, and now it has become more crucial than ever that he listen to me.
"There was a situation," Luca begins carefully. "It allowed me to…" his eyes flick nervously at Donata's and she finishes for him.
"Alba Sorrenti was making threats. We have evidence of attempted blackmail. She's been terminated." She sits straighter, clearly behind this decision to remove her fully. As Rosaria's vocal coach, handpicked by Emilio himself, I know she's on the side of wisdom. She wants Rosaria on that stage.
"What kind of threats?" My focus is on her despite Romano still squirming, now muttering to himself.
"Photographs." Donata's voice cuts through Luca's stammering. "Compromising images of her with you. Alba demanded that Rosaria withdraw from auditions and publicly endorse her replacement."
"Where are these photographs now?" Rage simmers below the surface but I keep myself composed. No one blackmails me or someone in my sphere of influence and lives to tell about it.
"Destroyed," Luca says quickly. "We handled it internally. There will be no scandal, no unwanted publicity."
I study their faces, reading the tension in their postures. "What else?" There is something more going on and both of them know about it. Another glance passes between them, furtive and telling. I slap my open palm on the desk making both of them jump, and shout, "What else!"
Donata speaks first, blubbering as she says, "Rosaria collapsed during rehearsal yesterday."
The words pollute the air between us. I keep my expression neutral, but my hands tighten into fists.
"Collapsed how?" My eyes narrow on her.
"She was singing. Halfway through the aria, she nearly fainted. Had to be helped to a chair." Donata's professional façade cracks slightly. "She looked terrible. Pale, shaking. When I asked about her eating habits, she couldn't remember her last proper meal."
"The board is concerned," Luca adds. "There are whispers about illness. Some are suggesting she needs extended leave." His hand flutters to his lips where he bites his nails in a very unhealthy habit.
"Extended leave?" I repeat the words slowly. "For fainting once."
"It's not the first time she's seemed... fragile... recently. There have been other incidents. Missed cues, shortened rehearsals... The other performers have noticed." Donata shrinks inwardly, but I see concern on her face, not fear.
I stand, smoothing my jacket. "Neither of you thought to contact me?" Rising slowly, I tower over them as both of them cower.
"We didn't realize you had a vested interest in?—"
"You didn't realize..." I walk to the window overlooking the courtyard below. Afternoon shadows stretch across the cobblestones. "I made it clear that Rosaria Costa's welfare is important to me. I paid for that understanding."
"Of course,SignorDeSantis. We simply thought?—"
"You thought wrong." Luca's hand clamps over his mouth at my interruption.
I turn back to face them. Both look ready to bolt from their chairs.
"From now on, any changes to her schedule, any incidents, any concerns about her health—I hear about them immediately. Not the next day. Not when convenient. Immediately."
"Understood." Donata's head drops, and I'm satisfied they understand my meaning.
"Good." I move toward the door, then pause. "And if Alba Sorrenti surfaces anywhere near this opera house again, you call me before you call security."
I leave them sitting in their leather chairs, probably wondering how deeply they've waded into waters they never meant to enter.
The drive back to my hotel gives me time to think. Collapsed during rehearsal. Can't remember eating. The board thinks she's ill.
