Page 55 of Light Me Up

Finally, his eyes met hers. “Fine,” he said into the phone, switching to English. “I’ll pass you to her and you can ask her yourself. But first, about Lella. He wasn’t a traitor. Someone implanted stuff in his brain. He fought it really hard in the end, and that’s why we’re all alive.”

He looked over at Caro, who only nodded. Listening in. Trying to look like she wasn’t.

“So,” Noah went on, “don’t blame him, and don’t let anyone else blame him. Konig’s your man. The one on the bull’s horns. Good luck figuring out what his game was. But if you want to find the real Cross of Orazio, you should start there.”

A burst of impassioned words from Stefano. Noah frowned. “Yeah, but he didn’t act alone. The people who messed with Lella will be after you next, so watch your back.” He listened again. “I know, and I will. But I do not want to be seen with you under any circumstances. You’re way too fucking famous. Hold on…here she is.”

Noah handedher the phone.

“Me?” Caro was startled. “Why the hell does he wantto talk to me?”

Noah just shook his head, holding out the phone. “He’ll tell you himself.”

She took the phone reluctantly. “Ciao, Stefano,” she said. “You look goodon television.”

“It is extremely embarrassing,” Stefano muttered. “Please do not speak of that. It is a very uncomfortable position you have put me in.”

“You mean, being still alive?”

Stefano let out a grudging laugh. “Point taken. I have a favor to ask of you, Mrs. Gallagher. On behalf of the Italian government.”

“What could I possibly do for the Italian government?”

“Let me explain. A trove of paintings lost for decades was recently discovered near Venice. They had been hidden from art looters after World War II, and those who hid them were killed. There are works by Raphael, Vermeer, Goya, possibly a Rembrandt. At the moment, none are fully authenticated. The consulting experts disagree on certain important points.”

“That sounds fascinating, but I still don’t understand.”

“I would be deeply grateful if you would come to Venice and look at them,” Stefano said. “I value your opinion. More than anyof the others.”

Caro was at a completeloss for words.

“Of course, you will be generously compensated for your timeand expertise.”

“It’s not that,” Caro said. “Stefano, I have no formal credentials as an art critic or authenticator, so I don’t know if Ican actually—”

He interrupted her. “I understand that you need time to recover from the shockof last night.”

“That’s not what I was going tosay, Stefano.”

“No? But please. I urge you to consider it. As a personal favor.”

“Ah—yes,” she stammered. “I suppose I could considerit. Although—”

“Thank you. Forgive me for interrupting your evening.Arrivederci,Mrs. Gallagher.”

“Arrivederci,” she echoed.

Caro set aside the phone and sank down on the bed again, rolling over to face Noah. “He wants me to authenticate priceless art that was hidden from the Nazis,” shesaid, bemused.

Noah just blinked at her. “No fucking shit,”he said evenly.

“His timing is…well. Interesting.”

“I’ll say,” Noah said, with feeling. “And? So?”

Caro hesitated for a long moment. “I think,” she said carefully, “that we should discuss this much, much later. After we’ve both recovered.”

Noah made a scoffing sound. “Recovered, my ass. Hah. Don’t hold your breath.”

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