Page 35 of Roberto

“No, I’m flying commercial. First class – got the last seat available.”

My eyes opened wide despite the sunlight setting my retinas on fire. “Is that wise?”

“Flying OUT of Italy was the problem. I don’t think flying IN will be an issue.”

“It’ll certainly be cheaper…”

“Amen. Speaking of money we don’t have, what says Mr. Lau?”

I winced, and not just from my hangover. “I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him today.”

“Of course not. You’re still in bed, recovering from an epic bender,”Niccolo said sardonically.

“I’ll get the money,” I said crossly.

“About that… be careful.”

“Of course I’ll be careful.”

“No – be CAREFUL. Like you would if we were back home.”

I frowned. “Why do you say that?”

There was a long pause. When he finally spoke, Niccolo sounded cagey.

“Look, I can’t tell you HOW I know, so don’t ask… but I have reason to believe that these Syndicate people aren’t going to cooperate with you.”

“Well, they certainly don’twantto – but I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“Hrm,”he grunted, not sounding convinced at all.“Don’t react to the next thing I’m about to tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because I think it’s possible your room might be bugged.”

Panic flowed through me as I sat up in bed. “What?!”

Niccolo sighed in exasperation.“I just told you not to react.”

“I didn’tsayanything – ”

“No, you just freaked out like I told you there’s a bomb in the room.”

My heart hammered in my chest.“Isthere?!”

I was severely hung over. I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly.

“No!”he said with a laugh.“Well, not as far as I KNOW, and I assume it’s extremely doubtful. But are you going to be quiet when I tell you the thing I need to tell you?”

“Yes,” I said crankily. “Go ahead.”

“I think Fausto might have already gotten to your so-called ‘friends’ in the Syndicate.”

THAT sobered me up quickly.

And this time I remembered I wasn’t supposed to react.

“Why do you say that?” I asked neutrally.

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