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

Casselli remembered the name. Could the girl not have been lying? “Oh, Your Eminence, I would never do such a thing, I swear to you. The girl was a guest in my home—it was all very proper.”

“Was? Have you harmed the girl?”

“Oh, no, Your Eminence! I would never harm her. She is such a sweet girl.”

“Let me speak to her.”

Casselli gulped again. “I am so sorry, she is not here. She left my house late last night, of her own free will!” At least that was not a lie, he thought.

“Where is she?”

“I think she might have returned to Rome.”

“If you kidnapped her, she would not have a car.”

“Ah, um . . . perhaps she hitchhiked?”

“You find that girl, and you return her to her father at once!”

“But, Your Eminence, I have no idea where she is.”

“You have harmed her, haven’t you? Hedy would not leave there in the middle of the night in that awful storm we had. What have you done with her?”

“If you wish, Your Eminence, I will send my people out to find her.”

“You had better do that, and fast. If you have not found the girl by tomorrow, your soul will be in mortal danger. Call my office!” The cardinal slammed down the phone.

—

Casselli was astonished to find that he had peed in his pants.

50

Arthur Steele’s phone rang at home. “Hello?”

“Arturo, it is Pietro.”

“Pietro, thank you for calling.”

“I have good news: your daughter is alive and, presumably, well.”

“Thank God.”

“I spoke to this swine Casselli myself, and he assured me that she left his house last night.”

“Where is she now?”

“Casselli believes she is hitchhiking to Rome. There was a line of thunderstorms over most of western Italy last night, so she may have taken shelter someplace, but Casselli has promised to send out his men to find her. When that happens, I will see that she is promptly returned safely to you.”

“Thank you, Pietro.”

“You owe me no thanks, I am simply helping a father in distress. It will no doubt help if you will pray to God for her safe return, as will I.”

“I’ll do that, Pietro.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I hear something. Good night.” The cardinal hung up.

Instead of immediately praying for God’s help, Arthur called Stone Barrington.

—

Stone picked up his phone. “Hello, Arthur?”

“Yes, Stone. I have heard that Hedy is alive and well and that she is hitchhiking to Rome.”

Arthur is breaking under the pressure, Stone thought.

“I heard this directly from Cardinal Prizzi.”

“Cardinal Prizzi? How the hell do you know him?”

“I met him on his last visit to New York. We played golf—he is a fanatic—and I gave him a couple of investment opportunities. We’re thinking of collaborating on something.”

Stone’s mind reeled.

“The cardinal spoke directly to Casselli.”