“And that’s the way we at Strategic Services prefer it. It does not reassure guests to have men in black uniforms and body armor waving around automatic weapons. That would cause them to wonder what they are being protected from.”

“Good point,” Stone said. “What opposition, if any, do you anticipate?”

“None from the local Mafia. Yours and Dino’s actions of last year have both thinned their ranks and cooled their ardor. We look for generic opposition—protesters and deluded Middle Eastern terrorists wishing to make a name for themselves.”

“Is that last one a possibility?”

“Both Italian and American intelligence sources, plus our own people, consider that possibility remote in the extreme. Nevertheless, we have done everything possible to anticipate it. Should anyone have anything to protest—political, environmental, or whatever—we will leave them to the Italian police, who have cleared sufficient cell space to accommodate a large crowd.”

“I feel safer already,” Stone said. Then the doorbell rang, and Stone’s partner in the Arrington and the company’s CEO, Marcel duBois, swept into the room, hugging, kissing, and shaking hands, and inquiring of their health, their happiness, and any possible desires they might dream up.

Stone introduced Gala. “We are all well, happy, and most comfortably accommodated, Marcel,” Stone said. “You have outdone yourself.”

“Thank you, Stone, and let me mention two things. If there is any object or item in this suite that you desire, please steal it and take it home with you. I refer, especially, to the cashmere dressing gowns and slippers, custom-made by the house of Loro Piana, to the measurements you provided.”

The women oohed and aahed.

“Does that mean I can take the Bechstein grand piano home with me?” Dino asked.

“Should you wish it, my good friend, Dino. I will have it airfreighted to your New York apartment, and it will arrive before you do.”

“Only joking, Marcel,” Dino replied. “I did not doubt your hospitality.”

“Thank you for the Mercedes van that met us at the airport, Marcel,” Stone said.

“It will be at your disposal for your entire stay,” Marcel replied, “and it will return you to Ciampino when you really must go.”

“Marcel, I know how hard you’ve worked to bring off this opening, and I want to thank you sincerely for leaving nothing for me to do.”

“Stone, your presence, and that of your friends, is all you need provide on this occasion. Now, if there is nothing else I can do for you here, I beg to leave you, for others are more demanding.” He shook their hands again and left.

“What a charming and generous man,” Gala said when he had gone.

“And that,” Stone said, “is only your first impression. There is much more to come.”

21