“Casselli is expecting a quartet. We need a drummer.”

“So, hire a drummer.”

“We can’t take a civilian musician in there. Anyway, the agent says nobody’s available on short notice. I don’t want you to show up there with a smaller group than has been paid for.”

“So what do we do?” Stone asked.

“We’re all out of ideas.”

“Relax,” Dino said, “I play drums.”

Stone stared at him. “That’s a joke, right?”

“It is not.”

“You just want to go along on this raid. You’ll embarrass us with your ham-handed efforts.”

“How well do you play?” Jim asked.

“About as well as Stone plays piano,” Dino replied. “I played in the high school band and the dance band, too. Oh, and I’m not a civilian like Stone, and I’m good with being armed.”

“Stone? Shall we take a chance on Dino’s drumming?”

“I want him to audition,” Stone said.

“Oh, come on!” Dino yelled.

“I had to audition, I want Dino to audition, too. I think his high school story is fishy—he’s never said anything to me about playing drums.”

“Okay,” Dino said, “get me some drums.”

“I play with a drummer on Saturday nights,” Jim said,” but he’ll be using his drums.”

“Ask him where we can rent or buy a set in Rome,” Dino said.

Jim made the call, then hung up. “There’s a place called Drum City, out in the burbs to the south.”

“Let’s go, then,” Dino said.

“Dante, are drums in the budget?”

“I’m not sure how to explain that to the minister.”

“What the hell,” Dino said, “I’ll buy them and take them home with me.”

“No, you will not!” Viv said. “I’m not living with a drummer!”

“I’ll find the money,” Dante said.

—

Two hours later, Dino was all set up in Marcel’s living room, next to the piano. He sat down behind the set and played a roll, followed by a cymbal crash. “Okay,” he said, “let’s do it.”

“How much did he make you spend?” Stone asked Dante.

Dante winced. “Twelve hundred euros, and change. Dino insisted on the best stuff—said his reputation was at stake.”

“God,” Viv said, “I’m glad you’re not taking them home.”

49

Arthur Steele put the phone down and buzzed his secretary.

“Yes, Mr. Steele?”

“Get me Cardinal Prizzi at the Vatican.”

“Yes, sir.” She came back after a minute. “The cardinal is on the line.”

“Arturo! How are you?”

“Not as good as I should be, Pietro.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that. How can I be of help?”

“I’m very sorry to have to come to you with this, Pietro.”

“Nonsense! Anything, anything I can do. You have only to ask.”

“My wife’s daughter has been kidnapped in Italy.”

“I am astonished! How has this happened?”

“A mafioso named Casselli has taken her and demanded a ransom.”