Page 289 of Niccolo

“Who?” I asked, intensely curious.

An inside man who had stolen the money?

Or maybe even Lau? Perhaps as a hostage?

“You’ll see. Ciao.”

“Roberto – ” I snapped –

But he was already gone.

I looked over at Dario. “He’s fine, he’s coming here, and we have to give back most of the money.”

Dario stared at me in shock. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I were.”

“Fuck.”

“My sentiments exactly.”

A text came through from the Hong Kong number:ETA Venice 8PM.

“He’ll be here at eight tonight,” I announced.

“Thank God!”

“Yes,” I murmured. “Thank God.”

After a moment of shared relief and gratitude, we stared at the screen in silence for another 30 seconds.

“The most important thing is Roberto’s all right,” Dario finally said.

“Yes,” I agreed.

“But it would be nice to have a screenshot,” Dario suggested.

“Good idea.”

I used the computer to take a photo…

Then finally closed the laptop.

“Well,” Dario said, “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”

I added ruefully, “And so does fuckin’ Roberto.”

122

Fortune had turned in our favor, and the good news kept piling up.

Massimo woke up in the hospital that morning –

And proposed to Lucia just a few minutes later.

Before he did, he asked the Widow for her approval. ThankGod.

I was afraid the old lady might refuse him – therewerebetter long-term alliances to be made in theCosa Nostraif she was trying to be strategic about it –

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