Chapter 111
111
Ifigured it would be a bad idea to call a member of the Cosa Nostra from a phone MI6 had given me. There might’ve been some sort of surveillance software on it, so I tossed it in the trash and bought a burner from a cell phone shop. Only then did I dial the number I had memorized – the one Dario had given to me in San Vittore.
After a few rings, a man’s voice answered. “Hello p>
I replied in Italian, “This is Lars. Dario gave me your number p>
“Ah, the estimable Lars!” the voice said, suddenly chipper. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. I’m Niccolo, by the way, but I’m sure you already knew that p>
“Nice to meet you. Is Dario okay? Have you talked to him p>
“He’s fine. I talked to him earlier this morning. He more or less implied it would be better for YOU if I never heard from you… so I’m assuming it’s not necessarily GOOD news that we’re talking right now p>
I thought of Rachel standing in the doorway of her house, the diamond ring glinting on her finger.
“No… but that was the past. I’m ready to move on p>
“I’m sorry to hear things didn’t work out, but I’m glad you’re looking forwards instead of backwards. What can I do for you? Do you need any funds p>
“Actually, I’m interested in the job Dario mentioned p>
“Ah.” Niccolo paused for a second. “You understand that my father and uncle will need to meet with you first, yes? Sort of a job interview. And the job is contingent upon their approval p>
Dario hadn’t mentioned that, but it sounded reasonable.
“I understand p>
“Good. You know we’re in Tuscany? Out in the countryside p>
“Yes p>
“Do you have the necessary funds to fly to Florence p>
“Yes p>
“How about first class? We want you to be comfortable p>
“Economy is fine – ”
“No, no, Dario would thrash me – and deservedly so – if I made you ride coach. Get a first-class ticket, and if it happens not to work out – the job, I mean – we’ll reimburse you. If you get the job, money won’t be an issue. I can arrange to have someone pick you up at the Florence airport, or you can get a taxi and we’ll pay the driver when you arrive. Which would you prefer p>
“I can just get a taxi if it’s all the same to you.” Part of me wanted to give myself the option to bail if I changed my mind and didn’t want to go through with it. “However, I’d like to stop over in Amsterdam to see an old friend p>
“Of course, of course. The job isn’t going anywhere. If you want to take a week or two – ”
“No, just a couple of days will be fine p>
“Whatever you like. Whenever you decide to leave Amsterdam, text me your arrival time in Florence so I can schedule a meeting with my father and uncle p>
“Will do p>
“I look forward to meeting you – the famous Lars from San Vittore! We’ve heard quite a bit about you, you know p>
“I’ve heard about you, as well p>
“God only knows what Dario has told you,” Niccolo said with a chuckle. “If you have any problems – any issues with money – let me know and I’ll take care of them p>
“Thank you p>
“No problem. Did Dario tell you our address p>
“No p>
Niccolo gave me the address, which I jotted down in the Notes app of the burner phone. Once I’d repeated the street and number back to him, he said, “Excellent! Well – I’ll see you soon, Lars. Safe travels p>
“Thanks. See you soon p>
I hung up the phone, struck by how friendly Niccolo had been.
Quite a contrast with Alistair…
And not at all what I’d expected from the son of the mobster who ran all of Tuscany.