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“Not causing problems, rescuing a family from tyranny. Don’t forget that part, captain.”
They agreed to disagree, but Dimitri reiterated about the bonus, and they shook one more time. “Next time will be different, I promise.”
He quickly made the rounds with Doreen and the other girls.
“You let us know you got home safe and sound. We have an investment in you, Dimitri,” said Doreen. “We’ll be cheering you on from the cabaret, so you don’t keep us in the dark.”
“Thanks. This charter is for all day, but it ends by four. So you might have to spend the night in Naples and take the ferry home tomorrow. You have any trouble at all, let me know.” He tried to hand her some money.
“No, this is fun. You paid for the yacht. We’re happy as clams. Save your money for a nice room. You and Moira deserve it.”
“Be safe. Be careful, Doreen.”
“Oh, they won’t touch us. They want you, sweetheart,” Doreen said, pinching his cheek. “And, Sugar, you’re right. You look better this way. The other look doesn’t suit you. It really doesn’t.”
She gave him a gracious hug, as did the other ladies.
Dimitri knew that perhaps the ladies would be stopped at Naples, but by then, his group would be long gone on the road to Bari, which he figured wouldn’t be searched.
The ten of them disappeared into the crush of people enjoying the boats and the water. It reminded him of Capri. There was no sign of a firing squad awaiting them. It appeared the coast was totally clear. Not even a military vehicle in sight.
They found a van driver for hire near the port and were on the highway minutes later. They arrived in Bari to find a modern Italian chain hotel attached to the airport three hours later. He confirmed their tickets, they checked into three rooms on the same floor, and by sunset, everyone was ready for bed.
The Team Guys hung around Dimitri’s room for a bit, while he told them some stories about what they’d been through. Moira was attending to her parents, who had considerably calmed down.
The flight home would be tomorrow, not tonight, he mused. But other than that, they were almost home free.
He knew he’d maxed out his State credit card, and Davis would be calling him at any time. With any luck, they’d all have a big laugh tomorrow night when they touched down in the U.S. for good.
Almost there. Just a few hours to go.
Chapter Seventeen
Dimitri and theother nine members of their group pushed their luggage and bags down the hallway from the hotel to the ticketing gates. Rounding a corner, at the entrance to the terminal, they discovered a line of armed Special Forces troops waiting for them.
“Shit,” Dimitri mumbled.
He knew he had to make a call, but he couldn’t get a connection. The WIFI was not working, hadn’t synced with the airport system. He watched the little rotary circles wind around and around, with still no connection, over and over again.
“Can anybody get through? Byron, call Kyle, if you can get through.”
“Will do.”
Moira’s father stepped forward. “What does this mean, Dimitri? What has happened?”
“Don’t know yet. I’m working on it.”
Moira was also on her phone, trying to reach her family on Capri.
And then the one guy he was hoping he’d never have to meet in person, Minister of Defense-slash-Capo Enrico Francone stepped in front of his men in full dress regalia, medals dripping like icicles on a snow-covered cabin at Tahoe from his impressive black uniform.
Dimitri still hadn’t reached his target. Byron shook his head as well, unable to reach Kyle Lansdowne, their Team 3 LPO.
This contingency he hadn’t thought of, and he was kicking himself, because he should have. It was always a possibility, but he never expected the man would appear publicly.
A small crowd gathered in the terminal hallway beyond. That was either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what happened next. He knew the man wore two hats. One hat wouldn’t hesitate to act. The other one wanted to keep his higher office, and if murder was the immediate intent, he’d have to take out a hundred or more airport passengers and staff. It wouldn’t be a very good look for him or for the Italian Government.
What are you going to do? It is what it is.
