There was a sudden scream, and Robert whirled around.
“Dio! Dio! Sono venuta tre volte!” It was a woman’s voice, coming from the next room through the paper-thin walls.
“What’s that?” Robert’s heart was pounding.
Pier grinned. “She’s having fun. She said she just came for the third time.”
Robert heard the creaking of bed springs.
“Are you going to bed?” Pier stood there naked, unembarrassed, watching him.
“Sure.” Robert sat down on the bed.
“Aren’t you going to get undressed?”
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” Pier moved over to the bed and lay down beside Robert. “I hope you don’t snore,” Pier said.
“You can tell me in the morning.”
Robert had no intention of sleeping. He wanted to check the street during the night, to make sure they did not come to the hotel. They would get around to these small, third-class hotels eventually, but it would take them time. They had too many other places to cover first. He lay there, feeling bone-tired, and closed his eyes for a moment to rest. He slept. He was back home, in his own bed, and he felt Susan’s warm body next to his. She’s back, he thought, happily. She’s come back to me. Baby, I’ve missed you so much.
Day Seventeen
Rome, Italy
Robert was awakened by the sun hitting his face. He sat up abruptly, looking around for an instant in alarm, disorientated. When he saw Pier, memory flooded back. He relaxed. Pier was at the mirror, brushing her hair.
“Buon giorno,” she said. “You do not snore.”
Robert looked at his watch. Nine o’clock. He had wasted precious hours.
“Do you want to make love now? You have already paid for it.”
“That’s all right,” Robert said.
Pier walked over to the bed, naked and provocative. “Are you sure?”
I couldn’t if I wanted to, lady. “I’m sure.”
“Va bene.” She began to dress. She asked casually, “Who is Susan?”
The question caught him off guard. “Susan? What made you ask?”
“You talk in your sleep.”
He remembered his dream. Susan had come back to him. Maybe it was a sign. “She’s a friend.” She’s my wife. She’s going to get tired of Moneybags and return to me some day. If I’m still alive, that is.
Robert walked over to the window. He lifted the curtain and looked out. The street was crowded now with pedestrians and merchants opening up their shops. There were no signs of danger.
It was time to put his plan into motion. He turned to the girl. “Pier, how would you like to go on a little trip with me?”
She looked at him with suspicion. “A trip … where?”
“I have to go to Venice on business, and I hate travelling alone. Do you like Venice?”
“Yes …”
“Good. I’ll pay you for your time, and we’ll have a little holiday together.” He was staring out of the window again. “I know a lovely hotel there. The Cipriani.” Years ago, he and Susan had stayed at the Royal Danieli, but he had been back since, and it had become sadly run-down, and the beds were impossible. The only thing that remained of the hotel’s former elegance was Luciano, at the reception desk.
“It will cost you a thousand dollars a day.” She was ready to settle for five hundred.
“It’s a deal.” Robert said. He counted out two thousand dollars. “We’ll start with this.”
Pier hesitated. She had a premonition that something was wrong. But the start of the movie she had been promised a bit part in had been delayed, and she needed the money. “Very well,” she said.
“Let’s go.”
Downstairs, Pier watched him scan the street carefully before stepping out to hail a taxi. He’s a target for somebody, Pier thought. I’m getting out of here.
“Look,” Pier said, “I’m not sure I should go to Venice with you. I …”
“We’re going to have a great time,” Robert told her.
Directly across the street he saw a jewellery store. He took Pier’s hand. “Come on. I’m going to get you something pretty.”
“But …”
He led her across the street to the jewellery store.
The clerk behind the counter said, “Buon giorno, signore. Can I help you?”
“Yes,” Robert said. “We’re looking for something lovely for the lady.” He turned to Pier. “Do you like emeralds?”
“I … yes.”
Robert said to the clerk, “Do you have an emerald bracelet?”
“Si, signore. I have a beautiful emerald bracelet.” He walked over to a case and took out a bracelet. “This is our finest. It is fifteen thousand dollars.”
Robert looked at Pier. “Do you like it?”
She was speechless. She nodded.
“We’ll take it,” Robert said. He handed the clerk his ONI credit card.