"The Venetian Betrayal" - читать интересную книгу автора (Berry Steve)TENVENICE 6:30 A.M. VINCENTI STUDIED HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR AS HIS VALET creased the jacket and allowed the Gucci suit to drape his enormous frame. With a camel-haired brush, all remnants of lint from the dark wool were removed. He then adjusted his tie and made sure the dimple plunged deep. The valet handed him a burgundy handkerchief and he adjusted the silk folds into his coat pocket. His three-hundred-pound frame looked good in the tailored suit. The Milan fashion consultant he kept on retainer had advised him that swarthy colors not only conveyed authority, they also drew attention away from his stature. Which wasn’t an easy thing to do. Everything about him was big. Pouched cheeks, rolled forehead, cob-nose. But he loved rich food and dieting seemed such a sin. He motioned and the valet buffed his Lorenzo Banfi laced shoes. He stole a last look in the mirror, then glanced at his watch. “Sir,” the valet said, “she called while you were showering.” “On the private line?” The valet nodded. “She leave a number?” The valet reached into his pocket and found a slip of paper. He’d managed some sleep both before and after the Council meeting. Sleep, unlike dieting, was not a waste of time. He knew people were waiting for him, and he despised being late, but he decided to call from the privacy of his bedroom. No use broadcasting everything over a cellular. The valet retreated from the room. He stepped to a bedside phone and dialed international. Three buzzes shrilled in his ear before a woman’s voice answered and he said, “I see, Supreme Minister, that you’re still among the living.” “And it’s good to know your information was accurate.” “I wouldn’t have bothered you with fantasy.” “But you still haven’t said how you knew someone would try to kill me today.” Three days ago he’d passed on to Irina Zovastina the Florentine’s plan. “The League watches over its members, and you, Supreme Minister, are one of our most important.” She chuckled. “You’re so full of it, Enrico.” “Did you win at “Of course. Two times into the circle. We left the assassin’s body on the field and trampled it into pieces. The birds and dogs are now enjoying the rest.” He winced. That was the problem with central Asia. Wanting desperately to be a part of the twenty-first century, its culture remained entrenched in the fifteenth. The League would have to do what it could to change all that. Even if the task would be like weaning a carnivore onto a vegetarian diet. “Do you know the He knew she’d have to be humored. “I do.” He grinned. “You fashion yourself Achilles?” “There’s much to admire in him.” “Wasn’t he a proud man? Excessive, as I recall.” “But a fighter. Always a fighter. Tell me, Enrico, what of “The Florentine will enjoy a lovely burial north of here, in the lake district. We’ll send flowers.” He decided to see if she was in the mood. “We need to talk.” “Your payment for saving my life?” “Your end of our bargain, as we originally discussed long ago.” “I’ll be ready to meet with the Council in a few days. First, there are things I need to resolve.” “I’m more interested in when you and I will meet.” She chuckled. “I’m sure you are. I am, too, actually. But there are things I must complete.” “My time on the Council ends soon. Thereafter, you’ll have others to deal with. They may not be as accommodating.” She laughed. “I love that. “We need to talk.” “Soon. First, you have that other problem we spoke about. The Americans.” Yes, he did. “Not to worry, I plan to deal with that today.” |
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