Page 289 of Niccolo
“Who?” I asked, intensely curious.
An inside man who had stolen the money?
Or maybe even Lau? Perhaps as a hostage?
“You’ll see. Ciao.”
“Roberto – ” I snapped –
But he was already gone.
I looked over at Dario. “He’s fine, he’s coming here, and we have to give back most of the money.”
Dario stared at me in shock. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I were.”
“Fuck.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
A text came through from the Hong Kong number:ETA Venice 8PM.
“He’ll be here at eight tonight,” I announced.
“Thank God!”
“Yes,” I murmured. “Thank God.”
After a moment of shared relief and gratitude, we stared at the screen in silence for another 30 seconds.
“The most important thing is Roberto’s all right,” Dario finally said.
“Yes,” I agreed.
“But it would be nice to have a screenshot,” Dario suggested.
“Good idea.”
I used the computer to take a photo…
Then finally closed the laptop.
“Well,” Dario said, “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”
I added ruefully, “And so does fuckin’ Roberto.”
122
Fortune had turned in our favor, and the good news kept piling up.
Massimo woke up in the hospital that morning –
And proposed to Lucia just a few minutes later.
Before he did, he asked the Widow for her approval. ThankGod.
I was afraid the old lady might refuse him – therewerebetter long-term alliances to be made in theCosa Nostraif she was trying to be strategic about it –
