The Mercedes accelerated. “He’s keeping pace with us,” the driver said.

“What’s going on?” Hedy asked.

“Somebody appears to be tailing us.”

“Are we in any danger?”

“I don’t think so, they’re keeping well back.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“So do I.” Stone put his head back and dozed off.

—

When he woke up they were in Rome. “Do you want to go to your apartment or come with me?” he asked Hedy.

“I spoke to the rental agent while you were asleep, and I asked the driver to drop me there. Let me get sorted out, and I’ll come to you later.”

“I’d like that—you’re good company.”

“So are you.”

The driver dropped Hedy under an arch in a narrow street and took her bags to the elevator.

“I’d like to go to Mr. duBois’s office,” Stone said. Ten minutes later, they were driving under a larger arch and into a spacious courtyard. “Can you take my luggage to the Hassler, please?”

“Of course, sir. Should I come back for you?”

“I’ll get a cab,” Stone said. “Whatever happened to the Lancia following us?”

“He kept with us all the way.”

Stone got out and went into the building, where a uniformed security guard called duBois, then he was sent to the top floor.

Marcel greeted him at the elevator. “Come in, Stone,” he said, and ushered him to a comfortable sitting room.

“This is a lot like your Paris home,” Stone said, looking around.

“When you live in several places, it’s best to keep them as much alike as possible. That way, I always know where everything is.”

Marcel served Stone an espresso, then sat down.

“What’s going on, Marcel? I was followed here from Positano by two men in a car. Were they your security people?”

“No,” Marcel said. “It appears that someone is taking a deep interest in our plans for the new hotel. Perhaps it’s related to that.”

“Marcel, have you been approached by anyone demanding a bribe?”

“A bribe for what?”

“For anything at all. I’m beginning to feel that the Italian Mafia has taken an interest in our project.”

“No one has asked me for money, except the people I’ve hired for various things. Apart from the fire, everything has been normal.”

“Marcel, it is not normal for your car to be stolen at an autostrada service area, then returned to me in Positano and set afire.”

Marcel shrugged. “I will grant you that.”

“Who is providing security for the hotel site?”

“The same security company that provides people for this building.”

“An Italian company?”

“Yes. They were recommended by a business acquaintance.”

“Perhaps it would be better if we delayed the acquisition of the hotel site until we’ve had time to look into this situation.”

“Stone, I closed on the site this morning, on schedule. You and I now own it, through the corporation.”