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

“It is a good thing,” his secretary said. “The girl was a pain in the ass. I hope she fell down the ravine and broke her neck.”

“From your lips to God’s ear.”

“The flowers and extra liquor have been ordered and will be delivered in due course,” the woman said. “The tableware and glasses are being delivered today. It’s going to be a wonderful party.”

“Yes,” he said, “wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody. I’ve been cooped up for too long.”

—

Hedy passed the afternoon napping. She tried her cell phone again, but it was truly dead. When it got dark, she would go back into the house for some food. Maybe she would find a flashlight, too; she could make it along the path in the dark with a flashlight.

48

Stone called Arthur Steele, in New York.

“Have you news, Stone?”

“Good news,” Stone replied. “Hedy is alive and well, and we have a location for her.”

“Why haven’t you retrieved her?”

“She is in a house built into a cliff face on the Amalfi Coast,” Stone said. “The only way to take it immediately would be by a military attack, and that would be very dangerous for Hedy. The police have elected to infiltrate instead. On Saturday night the owner is throwing a housewarming. The police are placing people on the catering staff and as musicians and will take it from inside, after having secured Hedy.”

“God, I’m glad I haven’t told her mother about this,” Arthur said.

“I think you were right not to. Casselli has made a halfhearted attempt to extort money in exchange for Hedy.”

“How much is he asking?”

“Fifty million euros. That’s how we know he’s not serious.”

“You were right not to agree to that, Stone.”

“If you can hang on until Sunday, I think we’ll have good news.”

“I’ll do my best.” The two men hung up.

“How are Arthur and his wife holding up?” Dino asked.

“Arthur hasn’t told his wife, so she’s just fine. Arthur is well-named—he’s a steely guy.”

Jim and Dante got off the elevator.

“Any progress?” Stone asked

“We’ve located the businesses that are supplying the catering and music, and my people are working on them now,” Dante said. “We should have everything wrapped up this morning, with any luck at all.”

“Have these people dealt with Casselli before?”

“They’ve dealt with his secretary, who is making the arrangements.”

“Do they know that if we’re successful Saturday night, they’ll lose a customer?”

“I’ve authorized my people to offer very attractive financial incentives—the minister has approved the money.”

Dante’s phone rang, and he stepped aside to answer it. Shortly, he returned. “A small problem,” he said. “The jazz group that was being furnished for Casselli’s party has agreed to a buyout for the evening.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Stone asked.