“Remember, Pard, that freaky shit saved my life.”
“I know! I know! Damn it. That’s my point! This guy is trouble. I knew it when I was a kid, and did nothing about it.”
“Pard, you’re talking like an ass.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Paolo stopped talking and stood. As the backs of his legs pushed the chair across the ground, an irritating screech echoed through the courtyard. Pigeons briefly flew into the air. He walked away from the table, rubbing his head.
Bill sat silently. With a wave of his hand, he called the waiter over. “Due espresso.”
Paolo reached the end of the courtyard near the church. He spoke to himself, “What do you want from me? I gave my money away, I’ve helped the poor, what, what do you want me to do?” Angry and frustrated, he went back to the table and sat.
“What do you want me to do?”
“See if you can do your hocus-pocus stuff and find out where she is and what Payne is doing?”
“Maybe this is why?” He said it to himself but loud enough for Bill to hear.
“‘Maybe this is why?’ What do you mean, Pard?”
“You don’t know the half of it, Bill.”
“You’re losing me, Paolo. You’re not making any sense.”
“The gift has gotten stronger. I’m flooded with visions of catastrophes, I can remote view longer and bi-locate to the point I can make my presence felt.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can move objects.”
“What you’re saying is you could be sitting in your office, bi-locating somewhere in the world, and move a piece of paper there?”
Paolo nodded. “Yeah, how do you like that shit? I’m a real freak of nature now.” Paolo sat back, turned sideways, and crossed his legs. He rubbed his right temple, then took a sip of his espresso.
“Paolo, you’re not a freak of nature. Remember what you told me when you got back from Ottati? In God’s time. I have no idea what that means, you know me, I haven’t been inside a church in twenty years, but it means something.” He paused, “Maybe it’s God’s time now.”
Paolo was sullen. “Maybe.” He lowered his head, then looked Bill in the eyes. “I see things, Bill. I have visions of planes hitting buildings, nuclear explosions, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes—you name it, I’ve seen it. And let me tell you, there’s nothing I can do to stop any of it. Our world is in turmoil. I know it, you know it, and there is nothing we can do about it.”
“That might be true, Paolo, but you’re going to help us and with your help, we’ll save many lives. You might think you’re a freak, but you’re not. Remember, you saved my life, and look what you’ve accomplished and all the people that you’ve helped. Damn, Paolo, there are not many who would give away their fortune like you have. Don’t let this piece of shit Colin Payne bring you down, you have to turn it around.”
“Yeah? How?”
“I don’t know yet, a door will open and you will walk through it.” Bill paused, “Damn, I sound like a preacher.”
Paolo chuckled.
Bill reached out, touched Paolo’s hand, and looked him in the eyes. “We have to be careful of Payne. He knows about our surveillance in Russia.”
“How?”
“He saw me.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“Not to worry. He immediately called the director of the CIA and gave him a cover story of trying to convert an asset to our side. We think he’s full of shit.”
Paolo heard a noise coming from behind Bill. He turned. This time he wasn’t able to yell at his friend to get out of the way. The bullet entered the top of Bill’s head and exploded inside his skull. Blood and gray matter splattered the table and Paolo. The few people in the courtyard ran for their lives.
Paolo stood and yelled, “Come on, you chicken-shit bastards! Shoot me, too!” An aching pain shot through his heart like a freight train running into a brick wall. He clutched his chest. There before him, his friend lay, face down on the table, a hole where part of his brain should have been, his skull obliterated. Pard had entered the realm of eternity.
CHAPTER 34
THE WAITER RUSHED out of the restaurant and ran to Paolo. “Mr. DeLaurentis, come with me now. I’ll get you out of here.”
Paolo was stunned. “Who are you?”
“A member of BOET, sir, we have to get you out of here.” Another bullet hit the ground by Paolo’s feet, ricocheting into the metal table. “Now, Mr. DeLaurentis!” He grabbed Paolo’s arm and together they ran back into the restaurant.
A week later, the sounds of the twenty-one-gun salute broke the eerie silence of the cemetery. The lone bugler off in the distance played “Taps” as Paolo sobbed. His son, Major Giacomo DeLaurentis, stood by his side, a tear running down his face. Paolo wrapped his left arm around his daughter as she cried on his shoulder. Victoria, tissue in hand, wiped away tears as she rubbed her daughter’s back. Rio patted her father’s chest with her left hand.
“It’ll be okay, Dad. Pard is in heaven.”
Paolo nodded and said, through his tears, “I know.” The four stood next to Bill’s wife, Lea, and their two children, Paolo and Bill Junior.
The priest said, “And forever may Bill rest in peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
The abnormally cold April day came to an end. Daylight diminished into the twilight of the night. Paolo sat in his study and looked out at the stark back yard, where a lone squirrel scampered through the leaves. His mind a flurry of conversation and ideas, he reached into his desk drawer, pulled out his journal, and wrote.
Where was the love, the love for mankind for one another? This gift, these visions, is it God’s twisted way of abusing my mind? How am I to use this gift? I can’t even save my best friend’s life. Paolo threw the pen down as a tear trickled down his cheek. He took his hands and covered his face; he became lost in a moment in time. A picture developed in his mind. A ruined building, charred steel, gray ash floating from the sky.
He wiped the wetness from his face and picked up the pen. What do I do with these visions? I can’t control them; I don’t know where they are in the world other than knowing that they will happen. I feel cursed, I’m a freak once again. The visions are increasing, I can’t seem to get away from them. I take a shower, I take a walk, and out of nowhere they appear. God has opened the floodgates of the future in my mind, and I can’t do anything about it! Paolo felt himself getting angry.
The door to his study opened. Rio stood in the doorway. “Dad, you okay?”
Paolo looked at his daughter and a smile came to his face. “I guess I’ve had better days.” He closed the journal.
Giacomo walked in behind her. The two children sat on the couch. “How are you, Dad?” the army major asked.
“I’m okay, I guess. I’ll miss Pard.”
“We all will, Dad. General Ramirez asked me if you would call him in a couple of days.”
“Thanks. I’ll give him a call.”
Rio stood, walked behind her father, and started to massage his shoulders. “Any idea who killed Uncle Bill?”
Giacomo looked at his father. Paolo looked at his son. He sat quiet for a moment and finally said, “No, but we have a couple of ideas.”
Rio released her father’s shoulders. “Who is we?”
Paolo looked at Giacomo, his face hidden from his daughter. “Rami.”
“Oh, I hope they find the son of a bitch.”
“We will, Rio, we will.”
Rio placed her hands on his shoulders. Paolo took his hand and placed it on hers. “I’m a very lucky dad to have you two.” He paused, and then added, “I think I need some alone time right now. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all, Dad.” Giacomo stood.
Rio leaned over and kissed her father on the cheek. “Sleep well tonight, Dad. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” The brother and sister walked out of the study. Paolo sat be
hind his desk, his eyes welling with tears. His head ached and he rubbed his forehead. Justice must be served. Wrongs must be made right. Bill’s murderer must be found, Payne has got to pay.
CHAPTER 35
I awake in the morning
Will we meet today?
Great friends we are
So much more to me
My days overcome
With thoughts of you
Will our lips ever touch?
Will we ever become one?
I await the day
When I can hold your hand
A date; dinner for two,
Just you and me
Why so much desire in my heart for you?
So far away is our love from one another
So far away
Someday, someday
I will hold you in my arms
Friends we will always be
Lovers yet to be
PAOLO SAT IN his study. Bill had been buried three days ago, Giacomo had left for deployment in Germany, and Rio had gone back to her classes. He wondered when he should go back to work; a deep, unsettling anger brewed within him. He recalled the words of Sergio’s father, Vittorio: “You must forgive to achieve true peace.” Paolo found it difficult to forgive those who’d killed his best friend—especially Dr. Colin Payne. I’ll catch you, you bastard.
His cell phone rang and he answered, his tone angry. “Hello.”
“Paolo, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend Bill. I just read about it in the newspaper.”
A calmness settled over him. “Thank you, Sydney,” he said.
“I would’ve attended the funeral, but I didn’t know. Did you get the messages that I called? I haven’t heard from you…I hope I wasn’t annoying.”
“No, not at all. I should’ve called you when I returned from Venice.”
“Were you with him when he died? The paper said he died of natural causes, was it a heart attack?”
Paolo, not wanting to lie, said, “Yes, I was with him. His death was very sad. I find it very difficult to talk about.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it.”
“Thank you, Syd.” His voice cracked.
“My heart aches for you. Let’s change the subject.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“I think we have some unfinished business to attend to since our last meeting.”
Paolo smiled. Sarcastically he asked, “And what would that be?”
“Oh, you’re funny. Maybe I won’t kiss you again.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Woman’s prerogative.”
“Okay. I’m sorry and yes, we have some unfinished business.”
“Oh, and what would that be?”
“For me to give you a passionate kiss and hug.”
“Ooh, sounds nice.”
“How about dinner Saturday night?”
“That would be great. I know of a great French restaurant in Stamford. I’ll make reservations.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Paolo?”
“Yes.”
“Again, I’m really sorry to hear about Bill.”
“Thank you, Sydney. I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Call me if you need to talk.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”
Paolo swiveled his chair, looked outside at the yard where his children used to play, and reminisced about Sydney Hill.
From the very first day Paolo and Sydney met, a magical, surreal sense enveloped the two. For Paolo, time didn’t exist. He would become so engrossed in conversation with her that he would often forget they were friends. His eyes betrayed the love he had for her. They talked about everything; they had no secrets—except for how they truly cared for each other, and Paolo’s paranormal ability. He understood the relationship—they were friends. He accepted the situation. He adapted. Paolo’s life was all about adapting. It never stopped him from thinking what if…
Paolo’s heart would race with excitement every time he was with her. Filled with a love that was divine by nature, the feeling reached beyond the depths of his earthly existence, beyond all reality. He’d recall the times when they worked together—the slight touch of her hand on his back, the laughter they shared, the scent of her perfume, the look of affection and kindness she showed him. Paolo understood the love between them conquered and transcended all evil—it was eternal. For Paolo, the friendship was so strong that his heart ached.
Paolo DeLaurentis had fallen madly in love with Sydney from the moment he gazed into her beautiful green eyes. His only outlet became the pen and paper. As in the story of Dr. Zhivago, Sydney became his Lara, a source of immense joy and sorrow. He was a man who had everything, except for the one thing he longed for.
Your love awakens my heart
So ever in love with you
Be my friend
Be my lover
Together let us walk along the path of our love
The desire of my heart is you
No other shall enter
Grab my hand and let us walk, as if we were on a beach
The sun setting over the horizon
Our feet burrowing in the cool twilight sand
Embraced by the love for one another
Your love awakens my heart
So ever in love with you
Be my friend
Be my lover
CHAPTER 36
PAOLO’S LIFE NOW traveled an endless pursuit of love and happiness. He longed for true love—love that could make him laugh, cry, and jump for joy.
Paolo arrived at Sydney’s house. He rang the doorbell and wondered if the video cameras still worked. Careful not to do anything stupid, he stood with his hands crossed in front of him. The door opened and Sydney’s daughter, Lisa, stood in the doorway.
“Hello, Lisa.”
Lisa was a little smitten with her mother’s new boyfriend, the only one since the divorce.
“Hi, Paolo! Come on in.”
“And how are you tonight, Lisa?”
“Great, thanks.”
“What are your plans for the evening?”
“Oh, a couple of my girlfriends are coming over.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Should be. I’ll get mom.”
“Okay, thanks.
Lisa walked to the bottom of the staircase and yelled for her mother. “Mom, Paolo’s here!”
“Thank you, Lisa.” Sydney shook her head as she walked down the semicircular staircase, her hands by her side. She wore a black sweater-dress that hung just above her knees. Her glistening green eyes made Paolo’s heart skip a beat. Paolo wore an Yves St. Laurent white shirt with blue pinstripes, a blue jacket, and khaki pants.
“What a couple. No PDA,” Lisa said as Sydney entered the two-story foyer.
“Shouldn’t you be doing something?” Sydney said.
“Whatever, Mom, whatever.” She giggled out of the room.
Sydney said, “You look so handsome.”
“And you, totally captivating.”
“Why, thank you. Shall we go?” she said as she kissed his cheek.
“Ugh, no PDA.” Lisa stood in the archway between the foyer and living room.
“Goodbye, Lisa.”
“Goodbye, Mom. Be home early,” Lisa chuckled as she walked into the living room.
“Teenagers.”
They walked to Paolo’s car. He opened the door for Sydney. “What the hell is PDA?”
“When you get in the car, I’ll tell you.”
“Oh, okay.”
As he was about to put the car in gear, Sydney said, “Look at me.” She leaned toward him and kissed him passionately and deeply.
“Okay, now I need a cold shower.”
Sydney replied, “That is a PDA—a public display of affection.”
They ate at a local French restaurant in Stamford. The owners, friends of Sydney’s, gave them a quiet table in the corner. T
hey enjoyed a sumptuous dinner—veal for Paolo and duck breast with foie gras for Sydney.
The waiter cleared the table and asked, “Would you like some dessert, coffee, or tea?”
“What would you like, Syd?”
“No dessert for me, I’m so full.” Sydney touched her stomach. “Dinner was excellent. I will have some decaf tea.”
“And you, sir?”
“Decaf tea as well, please.”
“Very well. Two decaf teas. I’ll be right back.”
“I can’t believe that at forty-five, my emotions are running away. I keep reminding myself, I’m not a teenager.” Sydney’s eyes twinkled.
“I know what you mean. Every time I hear your voice or see you, my heart skips a beat.”
Sydney placed her hand on Paolo’s. “That’s so sweet.”
Paolo picked up Sydney’s hand and kissed it.
“Just my hand?”
“Well, I don’t want to…” Paolo paused. “You know, PDA,” he said with a chuckle.
“Ah, yes, PDA. My daughter is something else. Please don’t stop.”
“I won’t,” he said, leaning forward and giving her an open-mouthed kiss.
Sydney sat back as she held his hand and stared into his eyes. “You realize I’m falling in love with you, Paolo.”
“You realize I’m already in love with you.”
“Yes,” she said as a smile spread across her face.
Paolo gazed at her, immersed in the beauty of her eyes. His mind filled with the secrets he held close—secrets he now finally wanted to share.
“Paolo, what is it? What’s on your mind?”
“I want to tell you something that I’ve never told you before.” Paolo began to fumble with his hands.
“Yes?”
“I’m a little hesitant.”
“You, hesitant? God, Paolo, we’ve known each other too long for you not to speak your mind.”
Paolo stammered, “True.”
“What are you going to tell me, you killed someone?”
Paolo paused.
“You killed someone?” Sydney repeated, a stunned excitement in her voice.
Messenger From God (The Last Eulogy Series Book 1) Page 16