Jim Lugano spoke up. “Dante, we have facilities that may be useful to you in analyzing the wreck of Massimo’s car for tracing the origins of bomb fragments, and they are available to you. We are also pressing those of our assets in the country who might be able to offer intelligence to report anything of interest.

“Dino, you are the guest of the Italian police, and they will be responsible for your personal safety, but our station will work with Strategic Services to protect Stone and Vivian. Our director was insistent on that.”

“Thank you,” Stone replied.

“Is there any other way we can be of service while you’re in Rome?” Lugano asked.

“I’ll think about it and let you know.”

Lugano gave him a card. “These are all my numbers. I already have yours. Incidentally, I’ve been told that a while back you lost an airplane to a bomb in England.”

“That is so.”

“Our hangar at Ciampino is very secure, so you may rest easy about that. In any case, before you decide to depart, I will have your aircraft thoroughly inspected.”

“Thank you.”

—

The courtyard at Marcel’s offices was guarded by uniformed policemen, as well as Mike Freeman’s personnel, in their dark suits. Marcel greeted them at the door and escorted them upstairs to their suites in his apartment.

He took Stone aside. “I have never seen such a surge of security in all my years,” he said. “I have been to the building site this morning, and it is ringed by policemen. Oh, and Stone, I must tell you how much I enjoyed the video of your luncheon with Casselli.”

Stone threw up his hands. “Is there anyone on the planet who hasn’t seen it yet? Next thing I know, it will be showing in cinemas!”

Stone’s cell phone rang. “Hello?”

“It’s Hedy.”

“Oh, hi, we just got to Marcel’s offices. You okay?”

“I’m fine. I went out and did some grocery shopping early this morning, so I’m settled in.”

“Hedy, I asked you not to leave the house until noon today, do you remember that?”

“But why?”

“I thought I explained it: Casselli is tracking my cell phone, and as soon as he sees that I’m in Rome, you’d be safer. Have you spotted any of Rick LaRose’s people around you?”

“No, and the people on the roof are gone, too.”

Stone heard a loud noise at her end of the phone. “What was that?”

“I don’t know. Oh, somebody is kicking at the front door.”

Stone thought fast. “Hedy, hang up and hide your cell phone in your crotch, and silence it. Hang on to it at all costs.”

“Stone, they’re going to get in!”

“Hang up and hide your phone in your crotch RIGHT NOW! We can trace you with it!”

The line disconnected, and all was quiet.

Stone called Rick LaRose.

“Yes?”