Page 395 of Lars

“He’s right. We need to act quickly,” Dario said, then looked at me. “And we’ll need your help.”

“Of course,” I replied. “Anything for Massimo.”

Dario walked over to the desk. “Niccolo talked to him about two hours ago. He believes Aurelio and a mercenary named Zollner – ”

“Friedrich Zollner?” Rachel exclaimed.

Dario, Niccolo, Adriano, and I stared at her.

“You know him?” Dario asked in surprise.

“I know of him,” she said. “Code name der Jäger – the Hunter. He’s worked for the Russians and Chinese before. He’s a world-renowned tracker and an excellent sniper.”

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.

“Well,” Dario continued, “Aurelio and this Zollner fellow are most likely holding the Widow’s granddaughter hostage on this island.”

He tapped a computer printout of a map on his desk.

“Would you… mind if I take a look?” Rachel asked deferentially.

“Please,” Dario said.

“By all means,” Niccolo said sarcastically.

She ignored Niccolo, walked up to the desk next to me, and began peering at the map.

Dario continued. “We know the island is being guarded by Wagner mercenaries. What we don’t know is how many. It could be dozens.”

I looked closer at the map. “Is this a graveyard?”

“Yes. The Isle of San Michele. It’s a cemetery off the coast of Venice.”

“Where, exactly, are they holding her on the island?” Rachel asked.

“This church is the likeliest location,” Dario said.

“Do you have any pictures of it?” I asked.

Dario showed me a couple of color photos printed out from the internet.

“Jesus Christ,” I swore, “that thing’s a fucking fortress. How many men will I have to storm this thing?”

“I’m thinking 20,” Dario asked. “We can’t spare much more than that.”

“Then I’ll make do with 20.”

“I’m going,” Adriano said. “With you, me, and Mass, that’s 23.”

“You’re still recovering from Florence,” I pointed out.

“I’m fine,” he snapped.

“And you just got married – ”

“And that’s my fucking brother,” he snarled, stabbing his finger at the map.

“…alright,” I said, then turned to Dario. “So there’ll be 23 of us.”

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