Ded Reckoning (18 page)

Hunter flushes, struggles to his feet, and says, "Dino, I'm not married.  And, as you, I have no plans in the immediate future to do so.  None. Out and out none.  And, Anna, darling, you're right.  Your mother and aunt are beautiful and probably have boyfriends and suitors lined up that are much more attractive."

Maria looks up and coos, "I don't have a one.  Nary a one.  But I'm close."  Tilts her head to the side wearing a coy smile.  "Is your name, Close?”  She giggles coyly.  "And I too love my grandpapa's brandy.  And, I've never been married, as a result you could be the first to have my ..." she pauses, emits a low laugh, "My undivided attention in the family wine cellar."  She laughs a tad louder, "Gotcha, huh?"

"Could be, but I don't think so.  However, do you also make apricot brandy?"

"Sure do, tiger.  Better than my grandpapa's."

Hunter smiles, looks down at Dino and Anna.  "Anyway, guys, you watched one too many Walt Disney films.  And I'm not Earl Holliman, who incidentally is the new guy in the flick, and you don't need the dog, Smoke.  You have Magpie. And guys, I'm not Earl.  However, I assume your grandmother wants us cleaned up and inside for dinner and that is what's important.   Because what I am, is, hungry."  Hunter scurries away toward the guest house to change.

Maria looks at Dee, whispers, "There is fire, little sister, fire.  Whether it is real or just your usual smoke is the question.  But, since you've already had your turn at bat, I believe it should be my turn at the plate.  When do you two have to leave?"

"Not a chance, sister dear.  Trust me, he won't be available to you.  Besides, we're leaving in the morning."

"Well, the night is young."

"You're not."

"Shame on you, Dee darlin'.  Experienced is the word I would use."

Dino struggles out of the pool unintentionally breaking up the spitting and hissing.  With only a few scrapes of fur on the ground he says, "Mom, did I say somethin' wrong?  Mister Hunter looked angry.  I didn't mean anything bad."

Anna, now out of the pool and standing alongside of Dino chirps, "He'd make a great dad, Mom."

"Or uncle," adds Maria as she stands.

All head for the house and dinner in single file.  Dee trailing with no response.

 

 

Rocco, in his own eyes, flushed with conquest and Adrianna, in her own eyes brimming with confidence and success, wait outside the hotel by the valet stand.  They will depart in minutes for a reasonably short but scenic drive to Rapallo.

Four other sets of eyes, not flushed nor brimming, but darkened from fatigue watch closely from two separate corners.  Two sets of eyes emit signals to the other two.  The latter two walk to their car, slide in and wait, watching.  One of the sets of eyes, not in the car, strides into the hotel to the front desk.  He spends a few minutes at the desk asking questions, then returns to the street and his partner.  He signals the two watching in the car.  The hand signal is for them to follow; we'll stay here.  A nod of understanding by one set of eyes in the car, the unique looking woman in the passenger seat of the black Fiat.

The valet brings Rocco's rental 1970 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce curbside.  He opens the door for Adrianna while Rocco slides in behind the wheel.  They depart, leaving a small plume of exhaust smoke at the valet's feet.  The two sets of eyes on the street watch.  The other two sets of eyes follow at a safe and inconspicuous distance.  When both cars are out of sight, Mossad Agent Itzak Levi turns to his partner, Namir Dayan, and says in Hebrew, "The desk clerk says Signore DeStefano hasn't checked out of his room.  Will be ..."

Namir, shakes his head and says, "Itzee, speak English.  We're supposed to be American tourists or Italian citizens.  Not Israeli's.  Today, it's English.  Besides, it's easier for me.  Too much time in American schools, I guess."

Itzak starts over again.  Namir tells him he has the gist, continue.  Itzak does as he's asked, and in English, "He will be returning by the weekend, possibly Sunday.  They are holidaying in the Rapallo area.  The desk clerk gave me the name of the hotel."

"Fine.  We'll wait for Marnee or Reis to call.  After the maid service is finished here, we'll go up and have a look around.  Until then, let's eat ... at Alberto's.  And check for Antonio.  He should be gaining confidence by now.   Becoming careless."

Itzak sighs.  "Ahh, more pasta," he holds his stomach.  Then asks, "Why don't we just get this over and get back home?"

"Do you know where our man is?"

"No."  Itzak feels his stupidity.

"Well then, we'll have to let the good Signore Rocco DeStefano lead us to our assignment.  The damn man has disappeared," he laughs, "like virgins in Jerusalem."

Itzak asks, "Where are the Germans and the Americans?  I haven't seen anyone else watching DeStefano. I don't know, possibly they have something better?"

"Headquarters thinks not.  They believe the East Germans and the Russians don't care as much as we and the Americans.  And that the Americans are on the way.  Our contacts say a new man but they don't have anything on him yet.  We'll do what we've been doing.  Follow the scent.  And watch for Antonio. His scent or odor shouldn't be difficult to smell and follow.  The man has disgusting hygienic habits and lives in a trash heap, or at least he did."

"Fine.  Alberto's it is.  Let's at least get some exercise and walk there."

They leave, chatting and gesturing, like any other tourists in Pisa.

 

 

As Hunter and Dee enter the terminal, Hunter says, "Okay, we'll split up here.  You to your gate and flight.  Me, to mine.  Don't forget, taxi to Grosvenor Square, then another to the hotel.  Check to ensure you're not being followed although that should be unlikely.  If so, go to a different hotel.  Stay the night and get a flight home in the morning.  You'll be done.  Otherwise, get some rest.  I should be there tomorrow morning in time for an early breakfast.  Questions?"

"No.  Got it.  I'm not a dummy you know."  She shakes her head, then follows with,   "Everything is arranged.  Have a good meeting with your friends."  Dee turns and heads away not looking over her shoulder.

The meal the previous evening went well.  The conversation light, the laughter heavy, and the brandy after dinner warming.  Hunter took Dino and Anna swimming again after dinner.  The dip was short.  A four-thirty in the morning departure, or as Hunter stated it, "O Dark Thirty," is early.  He thanked her father and grandparents for dinner, the hospitality, and their cooperation.  He gave a polite goodnight nod to Dee and Maria and hugged the two children.  Then was off to the guest cottage with a full snifter of apricot brandy.  The DeLuca family remained up except Dee and the children.  It was past Dino and Anna's bedtime, and Dee's also since she was to be up and ready at O Dark Thirty.

However, Hunter had a visitor.

 

 

Sean Shanahan and Mary Kate O'Rourke have been sitting in Peador O'Donnell's beautiful and meticulous old pub for the better part of an hour, sipping pints and talking of this and that.  Some ad hoc musicians have stepped forward and are setting up to play, a tradition at this historic pub.  Sean clasps Mary Kate's hand which is resting on the table.  He turns in his chair and faces her, leans closer with a look that turns into a gaze, and if truth be told, sees Mary Kate for the first time.

She is a buxom lass, yet petite.  Brown hair that is glistening in the pub lights and has dark brown eyes that brighten when she speaks.  Her lightweight beige sweater is not barmaid tight but does show off her figure. Her chocolate brown skirt and matching shined slip-on shoes show her to be a neat, well-groomed and naturally wholesome lass.  Pink lipstick and nails, and hair in a pony-tail freshen her look to match her tongue.  Fair unblemished complexion, and with all else gives her the perfect look of a touched-up photographic portrait.  The lilt in her voice adds sparkle to her words, and her sense of humor lends life, perhaps beyond reality.

Before he can speak, she places her other hand on his and says, "Sean, you're up to something, I can tell.  This place is wonderful, and the music is grand.  You know I'm more than fond of you, but my aim, and that of the church, is to marry and give me self to that man and me life to him.  You've been me love for a good time now and have not taken one step toward my aim except tryin' to get me knickers down around me knees.  Tell me then, what is different this night, Sean Shanahan of Derry Town?"

"Mary Kate, you are a brash, beautiful Irish lass.  Take a moment to be shy and listen to me, for I am more than fond of you.  Always have been.  Since long before we knew of such things, let alone talked of them."

"Do you love me, Sean Shanahan?"

"Yes, I do Mary Kate.  But let a man have his say."

"I will, Sean, but not until I tell you that I love you as well.  And have since the first day I saw you wearing your scruffy short pants with shirt tails out flappin' in the harsh wind, and skipping stones on the River Foyle.  In the park.  Do you remember that?  You turned and stared at me with your hands on your hips and sayin', 'Did you see that, lass?  All the way across.'  I love you, Sean Shanahan.  Now say what you will, or want."

"Ahhh, Mary Kate O'Rourke, you may be impossible to live with, but I'm wanting to do just that.  Since you are not only the most gorgeous lass in all Derry, but the most proper, I need to ask your father to allow me to court proper-like.  And declare my intentions."  He pauses, shrugs his shoulders.  "How can I ask?  He's not about, and I don't know where he is."

Mary Kate leans close to Sean, pulls her right hand from his grasp, leaving her left still holding him firmly.  Cups his face with her right hand and brushes kisses on his forehead, cheek, and ear, then a nip on his neck and finally an open and long kiss on his lips.  Several tables around them applaud and cheer.  The fiddlers stop and bow from the waist with full smiles.  Then start playing
She Wears
My Ring
.  The crowd cheers again.  Mary Kate and Sean sit facing each other, flushed red but smiling and laughing.  When the song is over the crowd cheers again, and the quartet of fiddlers bow and go about their music for the night starting with another   ballad,
The Rose of Tralee
.

Sean brings Mary Kate's left hand to his lips.  Kisses her palm.  Whisper's, "I love you, Mary Kate, and want to marry you.  How can I talk to your father?"

"First, he's in America.  Boston.  And I will call him tomorrow at his shop there.  Tell him this wonderful news and arrange a time for you to call, or perchance he will come home and allow you to do it all proper-like.  How's that?"

"That's wonderful, luv.  Now, let's have a fresh pint and listen to the music.  Then take a walk after, though it 'tis a harsh wind startin' to rear its teeth."

"A harsh wind is it.  You wouldn't be pokin' fun at me, now would you?"

"No, but I will be kissin' you again before I bring us another pint."

"That's good because up to now I've been doin' all the liftin'."

"Mary Kate, you have a quick and sharp tongue.  But, I be guessin' it will be worth it all."

She cups her hand on his face as he leans in, whispers in his ear, "You won't be guessin' for long, Sean me love, and you won't be wantin' another."  She kisses him full on the lips, long, working her tongue with his.  Then eases back.  She feigns a bite to his nose and whispers, "Maybe we can change the order of things if me father doesn't march to our beat."  She squeezes his hand, adds, "The pints, Sean.  Surely you're not that easily distracted?"

"I am by you.  But, the pints it will be."  Sean gets up and heads for the bar sooner than waiting for a barmaid.  All are more than busy now serving tables and pulling away from groping hands of dirty ole' men, and a few young lads as well.

At the bar Sean orders their pints.  Waits.

Danny will not believe this, and I bet I'm in her knickers before Saturday night confession.

 

CHAPTER 13

 

"Bring a gun.  Preferably bring at least

two guns.  Bring all your friends who have guns."

A gunfighter's rule

 

 

Rocco and Adrianna arrive in Rapallo in the early afternoon, check into their suite overlooking the town and seaside, and immediately enjoy a snack at a street-side cafe before they start Adrianna's shop 'til you drop routine.  Rocco's patience runs thin frequently. Thus they incorporate respite stops at quaint sidewalk cafes for a glass of Chianti.  In time the setting sun on this western coastline is not only picturesque but a cue to wander back to the Excelsior to freshen up and dine at its Eden Roc Restaurant.

The Israeli's, Agents Marnee Kaslar and Reis Hazzan, also check in at the same hotel getting one of the smaller rooms. Although not as expensive, in time, the cost will draw severe commentary from Headquarters though they will be reducing expenses by sharing.  Twin singles will ease the strain on the budget but not on Reis.  Nonetheless they begin the tail quickly, often changing leads to avoid being spotted.  The good news is that Rocco is not on a high alert although casual his checking on a tail is habitual.  Adrianna is oblivious to such things.

 

 

Adrianna is wearing one of her three new outfits for dinner.  The Eden Roc seaside dining room of the hotel has a breath-taking view of the fading glow of the sunset.  The patio is covered by a white awning.  The tables covered with draped white linen are adorned with fine silverware and a white porcelain pots of freshly cut flowers.  Each table is candlelit and the soft white and blue lights surrounding the patio create a warm ambiance  Rocco and Adrianna sit at a table for two, on the balcony rail.  The restaurant, as one would suspect, specializes in seafood all freshly caught from the Tyrrhenian Sea.  Life for these two is good it would seem, certainly for Adrianna.

And as it is it would seem for the pair of eyes watching from a far corner table.  A young couple, looking like tourists, or lovers, or conceivably both.   They speak in Italian in hushed tones.  Part of the selection process for Marnee and Reis was that they speak several languages, Italian and English being two.  They have been educated in Jerusalem, the United States and elsewhere abroad.  Both have worked assignments in Italy several times.  They have the dark hair and complexion of a native of this country.  A warm picture of two young lovers, vacationing, however in reality, each missioned to kill, and have before, with their hands or any weapon to include the ones they are carrying tonight.