“As quickly as possible, and I’d like you to be particularly careful that none of your people has any Mafia connections.”

“How many do you need?”

“The current contract with an Italian company calls for twelve.”

“I’ve got four Americans there who speak good Italian. Let’s start with them and then go to Italians who speak English.”

“Sounds good.”

“I can have at least half a dozen on-site tomorrow morning and the rest soon after. I’ll send in some people from Paris, if necessary.”

“Excellent.” Stone gave him the address. “Have your supervisor come to Marcel’s apartment on the top floor of the building, then he can start moving his people in.”

“All right. Are you staying there?”

“I’m at the Hassler, but the best way to reach me is on my cell. And we’re going to need the new hotel building site guarded, too.”

“We’ll assess that tomorrow morning and make a recommendation, and that will include a sweep of the offices for devices and a thorough examination of Marcel’s computer systems.”

“Good.”

“I’d better get started, then, we’re near the end of the business day in Rome.”

“Thanks, Mike.” Stone hung up. “Mike can make the transition tomorrow morning. His supervisor will come here and speak to you, then he’ll move his people in. It should go smoothly.”

“Wonderful,” Marcel said. “I’m much relieved.”

“We don’t want a repeat of our encounter with the Russians in Paris,” Stone said. “It’s best to draw a clear line now.”

“I agree.”

Marcel’s phone rang again, and a conversation ensued. He hung up. “That was our construction company,” he said. “They’re withdrawing from the project, and they wouldn’t give me a clear explanation of why.”

“I think we know why,” Stone said. “You should speak to the architects in New York and see who they can recommend to take over the project. Explain to them what we’re facing here.”

“Of course.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to the Hassler and make some calls of my own.”

“Good. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Stone took the elevator downstairs and walked through the courtyard to the street, where he found a cab almost immediately. Back at the Hassler, he called Joan.

“How is sunny Rome?”

“Sunny. I need you to order me a new briefcase from the guy who made the one I have. I’d like it identical, but an inch deeper.”

“All right. I don’t know how long that will take.”

“Let’s get him started.”

“Something happen to the old one?”

“It was damaged in a fire. I’ll explain when I see you.”

“And when will that be?”

“I don’t know yet. Probably another few days, maybe a week.”

“Having too much fun to come home?”

“I’ll tell you all when I get back.”

“Okay, I’m on the briefcase.” They hung up.