Page 38 of Something About Silver

Lipori’s phone beeped with a message. Harper kept his Sig on his forehead, reaching into Jakob’s jacket to grab the phone. He had no idea what he’d sent, but he clicked the alternative message. It was in Italian. Whatever it was, the party didn’t call back. He turned off the phone but didn’t destroy it. He might need some of his contact numbers.

His gamble had paid off. He’d told her about what he really did. He took a chance there was enough of Lydia there to pull her in his direction. Now he had to figure out how to get this asshole out of the shop quickly without notifying the local authorities.

An older waiter with a stained apron held out his fist clutching a half dozen heavy zip ties. Not only was his hand shaking, so was his whole arm. His face appeared to be in shock.

“Perfect! You want to leave?”

The waiter shook his head.

“Then get back there, and keep the kids calm. No one runs out, and no one tries to call anyone. If you get them to cooperate, everyone will be safe.”

The older man with the salt and pepper moustache nodded his head repeatedly and retreated behind the counter.

Harper bound Lipori to the chair, which would make a running escape more difficult. He secured his ankles together and then stuck the additional ties in his pocket with Lipori’s cell.

He called Hamish again. “Major thanks. Now I need an extraction. I knew there was a reason I had you come along. No one better at extractions than you, my friend.”

“Are you okay? What’s going on? We’ve got Lydia.”

“Make sure you don’t let her go, and you get over here to help me unload a package to the trunk.”

“I’m on it.”

“And, Hamish,” he whispered out of earshot of Lipori. “I’m going to call in a raid on their villa. So ask the guys to be prepared to leave quickly and load up all the gear, just in case. Everyone’s.”

“Got it. I’m on my way. Do I call Patterson, or are you okay until I get there?” he asked, sounding like he was running.

“Nope, I’ll get him. I just got to move this guy, and the trunk is the best place I can think of.”

Lipori’s phone rang again. Harper repeated the same message.

Hamish came through the back. “You got a mass exodus in the kitchen, Harper.”

“Figures. The car back there?”

“Yup. Help me with this chair.”

The two of them carried Lipori, who was objecting so loudly Hamish slapped him hard with the back of his hand. Lipori’s head rolled forward unconscious.

“I can’t stand whining. Some of these kids never learn that their actions have consequences. That’s what’s wrong with the modern generation.”

Harper studied the puzzled faces of the customers and staff as they moved the terrorist and his throne to the trunk then shoved him in. Hamish got behind the wheel, ready to take off. Harper raised his finger after studying the alleyway for overly curious onlookers with a cell phone. He didn’t see any. But he knew someone must have reported it.

He ran inside and announced. “Show’s over, folks. This was a drill. Nothing to worry about. We do these things all the time. His nose will heal. Not to worry. Have a nice life.”

Nobody moved at first. Then they piled up at the doorway, struggling to get out in twos and threes. Of course, that also kept Lipori’s buddies in the brown Fiat from being able to enter, as the customers exited like a herd of buffalo.

Harper took out Lipori’s sim card, broke it in half, and tossed it out the window.

“Where to?”

“The apartment for now. You get hold of the boys at the villa?”

“On their way. Caesar says they got another busload of young males, and it appears they’re clearing out the house. They’re leaving, Harper.”

“Wish we could have gathered their paperwork and computers. I’ll let Patterson’s guys worry about that.”

“They’ll probably torch it if they aren’t coming back.”

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