brought up the dating issue
Giacomo nodded and shook Milo’s hand. “Youguys are all right.”
We watched him enter the hotel lobby, pass the desk without word, and standfidgeting in front of the elevator without touching the button. Thirty secondslater, he slapped his temple and pushed. Turned around, saw us, and mouthed theword “stooopid.”
Milo smiled. We got back in the car anddrove off.
“‘People tell me it gets easier’,” said Milo.“Pretty therapeutic, huh? Speaking of lies, I need to get to the office, chartall that stuff Little Brie thought was off the record. Don’t wanna bore you.”
“Want me to meet you at Michaela’s apartment tomorrow morning?”
“Nah, that could be boring, too. But how about you phone Tori’s mom, see ifa Ph.D. helps. The ex-husband, too. Here’s the numbers.”
I made the calls the following morning. Arlene Giacomo was a thoughtful, sanewoman.
She said, “Lou drive you nuts?”
“Not yet.”
“He needs me,” she said. “I want him home.”
I let her talk for a while. Eulogizing Tori but providing nothing new. WhenI brought up the dating issue, she said, “A mother can tell, believe me. ButI’ve got no details, Tori was really into being free, no more girl talk withMama. That was something her father couldn’t grasp, he always bugged her.”
I thanked her and punched in Michael Caravanza’s number. A woman answered.
“Hold on—Mii-keee!”
Moments later a slurred, “Yeah?”
I explained why I was calling. He said, “Hold on—one second, babe. This isabout Tori? You found her?”
“Her remains were identified yesterday.”
“Remains—oh, shit, I don’t wanna tell Sandy,she knew Tori.”
“Did she know her well?”
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