"Dibdin, Michael - Aurelio Zen 02 - Vendetta UC - part 04" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dibdin Michael)

Compared to the Oscar Burolos of the world, Fabri was a
third-rater, of course. He wasn't interested in the real
thing: power, influence, prestige. All he wanted were the
trinkets and trappings, the toys and the bangles. But he
wanted them so badly. Zen, who no longer wanted any-
thing very much except Tania Biacis, didn't know whether
to envy or despise Fabri for the childlike voracity of his
desires.
'Giorgio!' Fabri called softly, beckor,ing to De Angelis.
His expression was one of amused complicity, as though
he wanted to share a secret with the only man in the world
who could really appreciate it.
At the same moment, the phone on Zen's desk began to
warble.
'Yes?'
'Is this, ah... that's to say, am I speaking to, ah, Dottor
Aurelio Zen?'
Fabri, who had ignored Zen's presence until now, was
staring at him insistently whilst he murmured something
in De Angelis's ear.
'Speaking.'
'Ah, this is, ah... that's to say I'm calling from, ah,
Palazzo Sisti.'
The voice paused significantly. Zen grunted neutrally.
He knew that he had heard of Palazzo Sisti, but he had no
idea in what context.
'There's been some, ah... interest in the possibility of
seeing whether it might be feasible to arrange...'
The rest of the sentence was lost on Zen as Tania Biacis
suddenly appeared beside him, saying something which
was garbled by the obscure formulations of his caller. Zen
covered the mouthpiece of the phone with one hand.
'Sorry?'
'Immediately,' Tania said emphatically, as though she
had already said it once too often. She looked tired and
drawn and there were dark rings under her eyes.
'Are you all right?' Zen asked her.
'Me? What have I got to do with it?'
The phrase was delivered like a slap in the face. From
the uncovered earpiece of the phone, the caller's voice
squawked on like a radio programme no one is listening
to.
'So you'll see to that, will you?' Tania insisted.
'See to what?'
'The video tape! They were extremely unpleasant about
it. I said you'd call them back within the hour. I don't see
why I should have to deal with it. It's got nothing what-
ever to do with me!'
She turned angrily away, pushing past De Angelis, who
was on his way back to his desk. He looked gJum and