Everyone except Stone had been chatty on the drive down from Rome, but now an uncommanded silence fell on the little group. Dante, who was their driver, got out his radios and began contacting his various units, inside and outside the house. As the hour neared six-thirty, he announced to his passengers, “All groups are in place. It is time for the band to arrive and begin setting up. Four of our people will arrive in a limousine in less than an hour, and after you and all the guests go up in the elevator, they will take the security guards stationed there. On your ride up in the elevator you will no doubt be seen on video and heard on audio by the men manning the security room, so don’t say anything that would disturb them. Please place your radio in your left ear and listen for transmissions, then count off by instrument, so that I know I can receive you. Jim, call me when the band is in place, and give me a report on conditions in the living room.”

Everyone did as instructed, then Dante started the van and drove around the corner to the parking area adjoining the house. Stone helped Dino unload his drums in their cases and load them into the elevator. Each man had a wand passed over his body to ensure he had no weapons. The two security men looked inside the drum cases, but not inside the drums.

“Ted,” Jim said, using Stone’s assigned name, as they stepped out of the elevator, “I wish you could see this room and the view—both are spectacular.” He led Stone to the piano, and Stone felt his way around it, opening the lid to the first position, then sitting at the keyboard and playing a few chords. It was a nine-foot Steinway concert grand, the first he had ever played.

Dino, assisted by Jim, unpacked his drums, then knelt behind the bass to open the snare drum and distribute the weapons and spare magazines. Jim stood behind Stone and leaned over as if speaking to him, then tucked the 9mm semiautomatic into his cummerbund and slipped the spare magazine into his pocket. “There’s one in the chamber,” he whispered, “and the safety is on. You are now armed, Ted.”

Dino quickly reassembled the snare drum and arranged his drums and his stool, then did some final tuning of each drum.

Guido found a receptacle to plug in his amp, and Stone gave them a C to tune the stringed instruments by, then they were ready.

Jim spoke without moving his lips. “Dante, the band is in place, and all is well. Guests are being brought upstairs in carloads and are being served drinks and canapés. Three of our red jackets are circulating among the guests. I can see four security guards. Mr. C is not yet in view.”

“Roger,” Dante repeated.