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Chapters (63)
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  2. Books by Stuart Woods
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  63. AUTHOR’S NOTE

“Thank you, Dino, that’s very kind. I’ve been working this all night, and we’re sure it’s Casselli, though we can’t yet prove it. My thanks to you, too, Stone. I’m aware of your problems with Casselli and your hotel project, and I want you to know we’ll continue to watch over it.”

“Thank you, Dante.”

“By the way, I saw your video with Casselli early this morning, and I enjoyed it very much, seeing him squirm like that. You know about the two mafiosi in Naples and Rome who got hit this morning?”

“We just saw it on the BBC.”

“We here think that’s a result of your threat about the reward on your video, but even if nobody takes the reward, we’ve got two top guys out of the way, and that’s a win for us. It doesn’t replace Massimo, but it’s a win, and we’ll take all those we can get.”

“Dante,” Dino said, “I want you to know that Stone spoke to President Kate Lee last night. She’s calling your PM along about now, and he sent her a message this morning, mentioning your name.”

“That’s very good of you, Stone. I’m not sure I dare hope for the job, but I’d love to do it. Hang on a minute.” They could hear some muffled conversation, then Dante came back. “I’ve just had a message to see the PM in half an hour. I’ll call you back, if there’s anything new.” They gave him Stone’s number and let him go.

“Maybe you did some good this morning,” Dino said. “And maybe you’re digging your way out of the shit.”

“God, I hope so, I thought I had blown the whole thing to bits.”

“Just Massimo and the two hoods, and my guess is that Casselli already had plans to hit Massimo. It didn’t seem like an improvised attack.”

Stone’s phone rang again, and he reached out and pushed the speaker button. “Hello?”

“Stone, it’s Lance.”

“Good morning, Lance, you’re up early.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ve been on the phone with the Rome station, making preparations for your return.”

26

Stone blinked. “My return?”

“We’d like you to go back to Rome tomorrow morning. I’ve spoken with Marcel duBois, and he’s happy to have you and your girl as his guests in his apartment over his offices. If Dino and Viv want to go, there’s room for them, too. I understand he has quite an establishment there. The building has already been secured by Strategic Services, and people from our Rome station will take an interest, too.”

“Why do you want me back there?”

“Do you remember your conversation with Rick about the goat and the lion?”

“Ah, yes.”