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Cosenza
“Do you mean to tell me that you have never had gelato?” Lina asked. She and Maddock strolled along the narrow sidewalk, taking in the sights of Cosenza. Bones had joined them at first, but had quickly spotted a pair of attractive young women enjoying food and wine in the outdoor dining area of a local osteria. In typical Bones fashion, he had pulled up a chair and the party of two quickly became three. Maddock and Lina had gone one without him. He doubted he’d see his friend for several hours.
They passed a trattoria, and Maddock inhaled deeply of the delicious aromas that wafted out onto the street.
“I’ve never had genuine Italian gelato.” He rubbed his stomach. “I have to say, if I lived in Italy I’d probably be at least twenty pounds heavier than I am now. The food here is amazing.”
Lina flashed a sly smile. “I’m sure some lucky lady would see to it that you got plenty of exercise.”
“In that case I might have to start looking into real estate,” he kidded. Before he could follow up with a flirtatious comment, Lina seized his hand.
“Here! The best gelato in Consenza.”
She led him into a small, brightly lit gelateria with polished floors, crisp white walls, and a bright green ceiling. Lina ordered nocciola for both of them, assuring him it was the best. They found seats outside and sat down to enjoy their desserts.
Maddock found the gelato to be richer and denser than ice cream. The nocciola proved to be a delicious blend of hazelnut and chocolate.
“This is incredible,” he admitted. “I’m not usually a dessert person, but I think I could handle seconds.”
Lina explained that gelato was made from the same custard base as ice cream, but had a higher milk content, and less cream and eggs than its counterpart.
“It is also churned at a much slower rate,” she explained, “which makes the gelato denser than ice cream.” She paused, looked deep into his eyes. “But you should not have a second serving.”
“No? Why not?”
“A full stomach is no good for...other nighttime activities.” The wink she flashed him left no doubt what she meant.’
“You know, after such a rich dessert, I think a long walk is in order.”
“I agree. My appartemento is not far. Perhaps you’d like to escort me home?”
“I’d be delighted to.” Maddock hoped he’d be invited in.
Just then, a dark-clad figure approached them. Maddock turned to see an elderly woman clad in a nun’s habit. She addressed them in Italian. Lina’s eyes went wide, and she replied sharply. The nun leaned in and whispered something into Lina’s ear. Before Lina could reply, she stood, turned to Maddock, said, “Uomo bruciato,” then disappeared into the darkness.
“I hesitate to ask, but what does uomo bruciato mean?” If it translated to “keep your pants on” he was going to be sorely disappointed.
“Burnt man,” Lina said, frowning.
“Was she talking about me? I’ve got a pretty good tan going, but no sunburn.”
Lina laughed and shook her head. “She was delivering a warning. She said we should not search for the treasure or else the burnt man might harm us.”
“The burn man,” Maddock said slowly. “What is he? Some sort of local ghost? Some sort of bogeyman who guards Alaric’s treasure?”
“I have never heard of such a legend. Let me see.” Lina took out her phone and grimaced. “I forgot I need to replace this.” She held it up so Maddock could see the shattered screen.
“I got it.” Maddock took out his own phone and searched burnt man legend Italy. “Let’s see what we’ve got. Burning man concert. No good. Italian man burns girlfriend to death when she refuses oral sex. Sounds like a real charmer. Giordano Bruno.”
Lina shook her head. “No good. He was a philosopher who was burned at the stake for heresy.”
Maddock made a few more searches, looking for ghosts or legends that might have a connection to a burnt man, but turned up nothing.
“I think it’s safe to say there’s no legend,” he finally concluded. “Maybe our friend the priest has an ugly friend who’s after us?”
Lina shrugged. “If that is the case, then I definitely want you to walk me home. Shall we go?”
It was a short walk back to her apartment and when they reached the front door, Lina didn’t put the key in the lock. Instead, she turned and thanked Maddock for a lovely evening.
“You’re very welcome,” he said, a touch disappointed that she apparently was not going to invite him inside.
Lina bit her lip. “You know, Bones is probably back in your room with at least one of those two women. I would hate for you to walk all the way back only to find a Do Not Disturb sign on the door.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Maddock said.
“Why should he be the only one to have fun?”
Before Maddock could come up with a clever reply, Lina’s arms encircled her neck. He felt her body, soft and supple, pressed against his. Their lips came together in a deep, passionate kiss.
Eat your heart out, Bones.