Chapter 72

“This is fantastic, Giuseppe. I could kiss you.”

“I’ll settle for dinner at SignorBurato’s hotel this evening, ConteMarco.”

“You’re on.”

“What will you do, Marco?” Luciano said.

“Arrange a little reception committee for this guy in Aragoni.”

“Reception committee?”

“Security people will grab him the minute he steps off the train, take him somewhere, and have a long conversation with him.”

“Is that wise? He’ll make a huge fuss when he’s free.”

“He will remember only having a pleasant conversation about things to do and see while in Aragoni, and when he leaves the country he will have lost interest in any sinister aspects to the story.”

“How—”

“A combination of drugs and hypnosis can accomplish miracles,” I said.

“I’m impressed,” Luciano said, “but isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“It’s an extreme situation—let me tell you about that gang war,” I said, and I told them how the war had been instigated.