by J. G. Sumner
Tony pulled his hands through his hair as he paced back and forth. “I knew it. I knew it! How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you two aren’t responsible for getting my family killed?”
“You don’t.” Manchetti paused. “Do you have any idea who the head of the cartel is right now?”
Tony whipped around toward the agents. “My dad told me it was some guy named Guliani Abatangelo, but I don’t know for sure though. I never had anything to do with them. It was my brother and my father who got us into this mess!”
Tony’s skin crawled when Manchetti placed a hand on his shoulder.
“We do know who’s in charge. Mr. Abatangelo is very high up in the organization, but he’s not in running it. I can guarantee you they want nothing to do with Katherine Anderson unless she has become of interest to you. Is there something going on between the two of you? How did you meet?”
For fuck’s sake. This was his fault. He got Kate in this mess. “Fuck!” He slammed his fist against the wall. He took a moment to calm down before speaking again. He took a deep breath. “I met her on a train. I befriended her in hopes I could travel with her and use her as a decoy to get out of the country unnoticed. Clearly, that planned failed.”
“So, there’s no other involvement between the two of you?”
“None.” He was letting Kate down again by not telling the truth. Until he knew more about these agents, he was going to keep their relationship as secret as possible.
“Does she believe the same?”
“I don’t know what Kate believes.”
Manchetti looked to Thompson before speaking. “If she continues to insinuate there’s a relationship between the two of you, they’ll kill her.”
“You just said it’s not her they want. Why would it matter if I was involved with her?”
“Because they want to get to you.”
Tony knew this already, but hearing it from the agents left a huge pit in his stomach. “I don’t understand. Why?”
“We don’t have time to go into the details right now. If you’re being followed, someone is bound to come upon us. We need to come up with a plan. There are only a couple of hours before you have to be in at the factory. I can’t let you go in there alone.” Manchetti paused. “I need you to make another stop before you go to the factory. Is that all right?”
“I suppose but I need to know why.” Tony stuck his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t sure if it was the cool air in the caves or the information he’d just received that made the flesh on his arms raise into goose bumps.
“I need you to meet an agent in Umbria. There, the agent will wire you up so we can monitor what’s going on in the factory.”
“No! Absolutely Not! This is exactly what got my family killed. I’m not doing it.”
“There’s no other way.” Thompson placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder. The officer’s firm grasp forced him to calm down.
“How is it I’m suddenly working with you when all I wanted to do was get away from all of this?”
Thompson replied, “This is the only way to get you and Katherine out alive. I’m also sure you’d like to see the people responsible for destroying your family behind bars. We can make that happen. We just need you to cooperate.”
Tony contemplated what Thompson said before he answered, “If it comes down to saving her or me, I want you to save her. I got her into this mess; she doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“You have my word.” Thompson extended his hand. Hesitantly, Tony shook it.
“Do you have a cell phone?” Manchetti inquired.
“Yes.”
“I’m guessing, since we haven’t been able to track it, you got a pay as you go.”
“That’s correct.”
“Good. Give me the number and we’ll phone you shortly with where you’ll rendezvous with the other agent.”
Tony gave the agents the number before he left the caves. He navigated through them quickly to find the entrance. He had already been gone awhile and suspected the man following him was probably searching for him by now.
He saw the man as he exited the cave. Their eyes met for a brief moment before the man turned away trying to go unnoticed. In a fit of rage, he walked up to the tall, slender stranger with beady eyes and coldcocked him. The man fell instantly to the ground, and as bystanders rushed to the man’s side, Tony swiftly walked to his car adrenaline pumping through his veins, giving him the strength he would need to face whatever obstacles he encountered next.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Footsteps startled Katherine awake; the sound grew louder as the steps became closer. Initially, her heart raced, but as she stretched her neck from side to side, she began to relax. Stiffness had set in from being tied sitting up for who knew how long, and that was doing wonders to her already sore and beaten muscles. She blinked repeatedly to clear the blurriness and attempted to focus.
“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. I need some answers now!”
Ray was angry. No time for snarky comments or she might find herself beaten up even more and any chance of escaping would be lost. She sat quietly in the chair, acting the wallflower she was for so many years.
“What’s wrong? Earlier you wouldn’t shut up.”
She stared straight ahead.
“Your boyfriend tried to take out one of my men at the caves. What do you know about it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she gritted her teeth. Inside, she was happy Tony was still alive and fighting. Outside, she was cold as ice.
“Let me see if I can jog your memory a bit. I’m sure you wouldn’t want anything to happen to dear old Daddy when he comes to transport you home. Maybe after he brings me the money he’s conjured up, he can call Italy his last stop and final resting place.”
She balled her hands into fists, nails digging into her palms. She pursed her lips trying to remain calm and not let this loser get the best of her. He wanted to anger her—get a response. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“No? The threat of your dad dying to come rescue his little girl isn’t working? What if we find your mother and dispose of her as well?”
All control was lost. The thought of something happening to her mother was unfathomable. She fought against the ropes in an attempt to stand up and do what to the man, she didn’t know. Clearly, he could overpower her. Instead, she yelled at the top of her lungs, “You can’t do that!”
“I can and I will if you don’t start answering my questions.”
She bit down on the inside of her cheek in an attempt to stop the tears from welling up in her eyes and the emotions from taking control.
“Tell me what your boyfriend was doing at the caves.”
“He’s not my boyfriend, and I don’t have a clue what caves you’re talking about.”
“Surely he must’ve discussed them with you. He was there for thirty minutes, so he had to be doing something.”
She saw red as anger ripped through her body. The urge to claw the man’s eyes out was overpowered by the desire to remain in control and escape. “I don’t know. Maybe he would’ve told me if you hadn’t snatched me out of the car! Since I haven’t seen him since the gas station, I don’t have a clue what he’s been up to. I’ve never known anything; he just takes me along for the ride and shows me all of the sites in different cities. I don’t know anything about the man!”
“You know enough that you’ve kissed him and decided to travel with him through a foreign country. That doesn’t seem like the behavior of a good American woman here for a casual visit. It sounds like a woman connecting with her lover.”
Tears streamed down her face, landing in a growing wet spot on her blouse. She didn’t know who Tony really was. That fact hit hard. In a short amount of time, she turned into someone completely different; someone she didn’t recognize. Perhaps she wasn’t transitioning from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Maybe she’d just lost her way. “I don’t know what to tell you. I
got caught up with a man who seemed to be nice. Obviously, I’m a poor judge of character because I got played.”
“Don’t try to play the martyr. It’s not going to work with me. I don’t give a shit if your feelings got hurt. The only thing that matters to me is whether or not he gives a shit about you. Is he coming to look for you or not?”
“How should I know? Right now, I don’t know if I want him to.” Her lip quivered as tears continued to trickle from her eyes. More than anything, she wanted this nightmare to end—Tony or no Tony. She didn’t care.
“You better hope he does, or forget about ever getting out of here.”
She regained her composure; time to return to her role as the proper heiress she’d been raised as. She stared straight ahead.
“Tell me where you two were heading.”
“I already told you. We…”
“No! Dammit! I want the truth!” The man slammed his fist against the wall behind her head.
She counted to ten before answering. In her most even-keeled voice, she answered, “We were going to Geneva. His dad left a message for him to go there and pick up a package.”
“What’s in the package?”
“Like I told you before, I don’t know. He never spoke about what his dad left and obviously, I wasn’t there if or when he retrieved it.”
“Yet you’re wearing his mother’s engagement ring.”
She gasped. “How do you know that?”
“Why do you have that ring on?”
Her mind raced, desperately trying to fill in the blanks. There was more going on here. “How do you know it’s his mother’s?”
“I’m only going to ask you one more time. Why. Do. You. Have. That. Ring?” His breath was hot against her face.
“He gave it to me for safe keeping.”
“And yet it’s on your ring finger.”
“It’s the only finger it fit on.” She closed her eyes. The intensity of the man staring was too much.
“Sounds like a match made in heaven—a real love connection. You’re trying to make me believe there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
She rolled the ring around on her finger with her thumb. It did seem suspect, that she was wearing the ring. Why would Tony give it to her? Did he know who was after him? Was he setting her up to take the fall?
“What’s rattling around in that pretty little head of yours?”
She looked down. “I don’t know why he gave me the ring.”
“You said yourself it was for safekeeping. Were you lying?”
She looked the man straight in his green eyes. “No! That’s what he told me. I’m just wondering if there was an ulterior motive.”
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” The man went behind her and forcefully pulled the ring off of her finger. “It has 0416 engraved on it. This ring has a lot of sentimental value for Massimo. I’m surprised he would give it to a random woman.” Ray came back and knelt down in front of her, staring into her eyes. He held up the ring. “I’m going to know soon enough whether or not you’re lying to me. For your sake, I hope you aren’t.” Ray jumped to his feet and walked toward the stairs.
She didn’t hear what the man said. She just saw the emeralds. “You…You’re related to him.”
The man spun on his heels, locking eyes with hers. A sinister grin formed across his face. “Now, my dear, why would you ever think such a thing?”
“You-Your eyes. Your eyes are just like his; only his have more gold. And your accents are very similar. They’re more polished and easier to understand than most Italian’s. You’re his brother, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m not his brother. Nice try.” Without another word, Ray ran up the stairs, leaving her alone to try to connect the dots.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Tony was running behind and traveled well above the speed limit in order to make up some time. Fortunately, the drive into the Umbria region didn’t take long. However, the stop at the caves took longer than he expected. Now he had to make another stop; he was pushing his luck if he was going to make it to the factory on time.
He pulled into the Esso petrol station parking lot and immediately spotted the car. He drove up next to the white mini cooper where a man in jeans and a charcoal sweater opened the door and unfolded his body from the seat. Unlike the other two agents, this one appeared to be much more casual. Tony took a sigh in relief. He hadn’t seen any cars following him since leaving the caves, and having this agent dress down, made him less conspicuous.
Tony got out of his car and approached the man. “Buongiorno, Lorenzo?”
The man replied promptly, giving him a brief overview of the plan. He escorted Tony into the bathroom and had him strip down to his underwear. Tony tried to think about something other than being almost naked in front of another man. It was an uncomfortable feeling for him, much like a physical exam from a doctor. Thankfully, within five minutes, he was completely wired up and ready to go. He had no idea it would take so little time, but was relieved when it was done.
“We’ll be able to hear everything that’s going on around you. If for any reason you feel as though you need help, say ‘torpedo’ and we’ll come get you out. Do you understand?”
“Yes, but why torpedo?”
“Do you foresee that word being included in the conversation you’re about to have?”
“No, not at all.”
“That’s why. It’s a word I won’t mistake when I’m listening to the conversation.”
Tony furrowed his brow. “How am I supposed to randomly use that word?”
“I’m sure you can come up with something. One other thing; you need to find out where they’re keeping Ms. Anderson. You probably aren’t going to see her during this adventure.”
“Why not? I have what they want. They should give her back to me.”
“Whoever is holding her has contacted her family for ransom. They have no intention of giving her to you.”
Tony’s head was pounding. This was all too much and more than he bargained for. “Then why am I going at all?”
“It’s the quickest way to find her.”
“So you’re using me as bait to find where Kate is being held?”
“Yes, and we’re going to capture the criminals who killed your family. Don’t forget that. Which reminds me, I have something for you.” The man held out his hand; in it was an object that looked like a watch battery.
“What is it?”
“A tracking device. If you get a chance, I want you to put it in the pocket of whoever you’re meeting, but you need to do it discreetly. It’s our best shot at finding Ms. Anderson.”
As he reached out to take the device, his hands trembled, his heart raced, and a sense of panic washed over him. “I don’t know if I can do this. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m just a simple man. I don’t know anything about special operations and catching bad guys. I make olive oil. I’ll do what I can, but I don’t know that that I’m right for the job.”
“Just think of this as insurance. You were going to meet these people anyway. Now, it’ll be safer for you because we can pull you out if necessary. There’s no other way. You’ve got to go.”
Tony swallowed hard around the lump that formed in his throat. He rolled his head from side to side and jumped up and down a few times. “Okay. I think I’m ready. What do I do now?”
“You’re going to leave this bathroom and get in your car as though nothing just happened. You need to proceed to the factory like you normally would and find out who’s got Ms. Anderson. With any luck, you’ll get the information we need to get her back. Any questions?”
“Yeah. Instead of torpedo, can I use Empire State Building?”
Lorenzo furrowed his brow. “That’s a lot of words to try and get out. Why would you want to use that?”
“Sentimental reasons. I think it’s lucky.” A smile spread across his face remembering how easily Kate agreed to show him
around New York.
“Empire State Building. Got it.”
Tony opened the door to the bathroom and made a beeline to his car. He took a deep breath and rubbed his hands down his face before starting the engine and merging onto the main road.
The factory was only a ten-minute drive from the gas station. The countryside was all too familiar. A view that once made him feel at home, now made him starved for air. If he never saw another olive tree, it would be too soon.
The short drive seemed like it took a year. His hands were sweaty, and his heart skipped a couple of beats as he pulled into the long gravel driveway. The factory looked as it always did; the metal siding was slightly rusted, the industrial-sized door was closed, and the trees produced tiny fruits. The only difference was the yellow tape surrounding the entire perimeter.
He pulled up to the large building and got out of his car. The air was warm and breezy, and the smell of olives permeated the air. He looked around as he strolled up to the small white side door he usually used to enter the factory. He didn’t have his keys to get in and was glad to find the door unlocked. The inside was completely dark except for some light shining in through a window at the other end of the factory.
“Hello? Is anyone here?” There was no reply, just the echo of his own voice.
He crossed the threshold, and a musty smell permeated from the large room; the factory having been closed up since the accident causing the smell to be more pungent than the last time he entered the building.
He reached for the switch, and immediately the room was flooded with light. A couple of bulbs had burned out and a few others were flashing as though they would go out soon.
He started to compile a mental checklist of things that needed to be maintained around the factory when he stopped dead in his tracks. Why? What’s the fucking point? What he really wanted to do was burn the place down and never look back. It was too hard to reminisce about the years he spent in this building and walking through the same doors every morning. It didn’t seem right to be here without his dad. This was their place where they worked, laughed, and bonded. Now it was just a distant memory.