Page 191 of Niccolo

“FAMILIAR with them?! I’ve worked with them extensively! Oh, this will be FUN! A friendly competition, ja?”

Zollner sounded fartoo happy about the whole thing for my tastes.

He was either an idiot…

A madman…

Or a complete psychopath.

Maybe a combination of all three.

“Excellent,” Fausto said. “One last thing.”

“Yes?”

“I want you to keep my name out of this entirely. Do not mention my name or Sofia’s at any point during your mission. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear, mein Herr!”

“Good. I’ll have you coordinate everything with my son, Aurelio, who’s already in Venice.”

I frowned in alarm at Fausto, but he waved me off dismissively.

“Wunderbar! I look forward to speaking with Herr Aurelio! I’ll set off for the Dolomites this very afternoon.”Zollner’s voice suddenly turned crafty.“As soon as you deposit half a million euros as a retainer fee in my Swiss bank account.”

“If you’ll give me the information, I’ll do it as soon as we get off the call.”

Zollner rattled off a series of numbers, which Fausto wrote down.

“Lovely! A pleasure doing business with you!”Zollner said at the end.

“The pleasure is all mine, Friedrich.”

“Auf wiedersehen, my good Fausto – and to you as well, Fräulein Sofia!”

“Ciao,”I said, and he hung up.

I looked at Fausto. “He’s crazy.”

“As long as he gets the job done, I don’t give a shit.”

“Is it really a good idea to get Aurelio involved in this?” I asked. “He’s had something of areverseMidas touch so far.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything he’s touched has turned to shit.”

Fausto laughed, then grimaced. “Yes, well… heismy son… and I want him involved.”

“Do you want him involved, or do you want towin?”I asked.

Fausto’s face suddenly grew dark. “Aurelio will be the one coordinating the attack in Venice. My decision is final.”

“You’resure?”

“I’m SURE.”

“…alright.”

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