As he drove the Merritt Parkway toward Stamford, Paolo listened to the ‘70s station. He took in the beautiful spring afternoon. The four-lane road was lined with trees soon to be fully blossomed. He loved this drive, especially in the fall. The vibrant colors of orange, yellow, and red leaves encased the turnpike. The Merritt was one of the most picturesque thoroughfares in the United States. Paolo daydreamed of being with Sydney Hill.
The Bay
I walk on the moonlit dock
The full moon captures my mind
In my heart you are here
The desire for me to hold you overwhelms me
The light of the moon dances on the water
The erotic sounds of the waves against the dock
Makes me dream of you and me
Then I awake and you are not here
The loneliness creeps in
How I hate the loneliness
CHAPTER 32
Every time I think of you
My face smiles
Every time I think of you
My heart skips a beat
I count the days when I will see you again
When our hands will touch and our lips will meet
I will hold you in my arms not wanting to let go
Every time I think of you
My eyes light up, my heart skips a beat
AS PART OF the deal when Sydney sold her business, she kept an Office where she could spend part of her day doing philanthropic work and assisting women’s causes. Paolo arrived there just after noon. He sat in the small reception area and watched her walk down the short corridor to meet him. Mother Nature had been kind to Sydney Hill over the past six years. No one would guess she was forty-five. Her beauty withstood the stress of her divorce, the sale of her business, and teenagers. She still had the fine curves Paolo noticed when he first met her. Except for a few wrinkles around the eyes, Sydney Hill was still a captivating, gorgeous woman.
Sydney wore tight, oak-colored corduroy trousers with a belted graphite sweater over a ruffled print shirt. Her espresso-colored high heels highlighted her perfect curves. She greeted him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek.
“How are you? Looks like you lost a couple of pounds?”
“I did. I think it’s stress.”
“What stress can you possibly have?” she said sarcastically. “You have no money.”
“Aren’t you funny.” They laughed.
They walked to her office, chatting about their children. Paolo walked in and went to the windows. The sun peeked through the clouds and penetrated the trees, highlighting the colors of spring.
“Beautiful view.”
“Not as nice as the view from your office in New Haven.”
“True, but still beautiful.”
Sydney shut the door behind her and walked toward Paolo.
“So Sydney, my friend, what can I do for you today?”
“Thanks for coming. I thought we could talk.”
“No problem. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.”
Sydney stood unusually close to Paolo. His heart began to race. He stared intently into her green eyes that remained transfixed on his. Paolo’s mind became clouded. What’s happening? Sydney moved forward, wrapped her arms around his waist, and hugged him. She placed her head on his chest. The hug surprised the hell out of Paolo. Sydney had hugged him before, but this was different. Their bodies touched and he started to become aroused. What’s happening? Paolo had often dreamed and written about this day. His heart beat in time with Sydney’s heart; they synchronized with one another. Sydney stepped back and leaned against the window as she held his hands.
“You are the most compassionate and understanding man I’ve ever met. I wanted you to know this, because you mean so much to me.”
Befuddled, Paolo was at a loss for words. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I’ve known for a while how you feel about me.”
“That obvious?”
Sydney shook her head, “Just a little.” She paused, “Many times when we worked together or sat and talked, I wanted to lean over and touch your hand or give you a kiss. I just couldn’t cross that line even though my marriage was ending. I couldn’t cross the line.” With tears in her eyes, she added, “Thank you for being my friend.”
Paolo had no words. He was stunned. An awkward silence set in. What do I do next? They stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Together they leaned forward, their lips about to touch. Sydney’s cell phone rang.
“Sorry.” She answered her phone. “Hello?…Okay. I will…Love you, too.” She closed the flip-top phone. “Sorry about that. My daughter Lisa needs to be picked up earlier.”
Paolo was astonished. The kiss he so longed for was about to happen and the phone had to ring. Just my luck. “It’s okay,” he replied. “Is it my imagination or were we going to kiss?” He stared at her intently. Sydney reached up, grabbed the lapels of his blazer, and pulled him closer. A slight hesitation occurred as their lips touched. The smoothness and softness of her lips and the sweetness of her breath was intoxicating. Paolo held her close. Lost in time, a memory etched in his heart. Slowly she pulled away.
“Wow, you are a wonderful kisser.” She patted the blazer’s lapels with her hands and made sure nothing was amiss.
“So are you.”
“We’ll have to continue this at another time. Right now, I have to go and pick up my daughter. Call me later on my cell phone. Oh, by the way, those pants look superb on you, nice butt. Now leave before my ‘mother’ walks in,” as she jokingly referred to Amanda, her secretary.
Paolo looked deeply at her. “You made my day today. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Paolo?”
“Yes.”
“You can kiss me again if you’d like.”
Without hesitation, Paolo gently kissed her, savoring the moment.
Paolo walked out of her office past Amanda’s desk with a bounce in his step. He flashed her a smile and said, “It’s a beautiful day, Amanda. Have an excellent afternoon.”
She replied, with a smile on her face, “You too, Paolo.”
Paolo left Sydney’s office in a euphoric state. He drove home with the radio blasting, a happy smile plastered on his face.
Rebecca had left early by the time he returned to his office, but she had taped a copy of the phone log on his door. Three messages, one from his daughter. Rio explained why she couldn’t meet him for dinner this weekend and asked if she could borrow some money. The best part of the message was, “I called to say I love you.” Little did Rio and her brother know they were multimillionaires. Only after Paolo died and his will was read would they understand the true extent of their wealth.
Paolo reviewed the last two phone calls on the list. One name caught his eye—Dr. Colin Payne. Wow, he finally called. I’ll call him tomorrow.
He opened his desk drawer, pulled out the secure satellite phone, and punched the button.
“Hello, Rami.”
“Hi, Paolo.”
“He called.”
“We know.”
“Any idea why?”
“No.”
“Bill wants to meet you in Venice within the next two days. Can you do it?”
“Sure can.”
“Good. Talk to you when you two get back.”
“Okay.”
Paolo, still excited about Sydney, tried to remote view Payne. For the first time, he was unsuccessful. He sat on his office couch and relived the afternoon’s events in his mind. Paolo tried to rationalize his feelings. As if he were a teenager, his hormones raced, kicking off the adrenals winding him up. The serotonin in his brain was in high gear; he felt happy.
After dinner with a couple of his employees, he drove to Victoria’s house and entered the au pair apartment through its private entrance. He sat in his recliner and reached for the phone.
“Hi, it’s me,” he said.
�
��Hi, me.”
“Can you talk?”
“Not right now, I’m helping Lisa with her homework.”
“Okay, real quick—I have to go to Venice, Italy. I’ll call you when I get back. Thanks again for today.”
“No, thank you. Say hi to Sergio for me,” Sydney replied, joy in her voice.
“No. I’m meeting Bill.”
“Well, tell Bill I said hi.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye. Be careful.”
He sat back in his recliner and fell asleep…She floated toward him, her eyes focused on his. Mesmerized, he could not move. She began to speak, but he heard no words. Tranquility engulfed the two. Paolo knew he was dreaming; his heart began to race. She touched his face, her hand smooth; she looked in his eyes, her head tilted. Her hand dropped to his chest. He took her hand and placed it within him. She clutched his heart, withdrew her hand; she placed his heart onto hers. Their two hearts beating as one, she kissed him and disappeared.
Paolo awoke, startled. The woman in my dream is Sydney! It’s Sydney! He fell asleep, content in his mind and soul.
“Dr. Payne, please?”
“I’m sorry, he’s out of the office for the remainder of the week. May I ask who’s calling?”
“Paolo DeLaurentis.”
“I’ll tell him you called.”
“Thank you.”
CHAPTER 33
PAOLO ARRIVED IN Venice on April 10 and awoke the following morning to the sound of sirens warning of the Alto Aqua. The Canale Di San Marco flooded San Marco Square and the high water dispersed throughout the city. Gondolas and motorboats were unable to traverse the tributaries, which forced residents and tourists to travel by foot. Over one hundred and twenty islands made up the city of Venice. Each island had its own set of hidden alleyways, walking bridges, shops, restaurants, and hiding places. Paolo exited the hotel. To his left were red barber poles, which flanked the dock and the flooded sidewalk. A white stone walking bridge lay across the Rio di Fisari. Paolo imagined the thousands of people who over the centuries had crossed the same bridge he was now on. He stopped and looked at the ancient city, empty of cars, its pink concrete apartments lining canals full of green water. Paolo was originally going to meet Bill at San Marco Square, but the morning’s floods forced them to change the meeting spot to the Rialto Bridge by the Canal Grande, where it was less flooded.
Paolo weaved his way past the shops and cafes. When he arrived at the Rialto Bridge, the sky was a picturesque blue dotted with white clouds. A cool breeze brushed against his face. He looked at his watch. Bill should be here any minute now. Venetians waded through the water in colorful knee-high boots. Two-foot-high platforms surrounded the docks, which allowed the pedestrians to keep their feet dry. Paolo watched the motor taxis and the vaporettos, Venice’s version of a bus, maneuver in and out of the docks as they picked up and dropped off their fares.
Paolo’s spirit was unsettled. An uncomfortable, uneasy sense overcame him. He looked forward to seeing his longtime friend but secretly he wished Sydney were here.
“Pard!” Paolo heard his name. Bill walked up the bridge with a manila envelope in his hand. The two embraced each other, then turned and looked out over the Canal Grande.
“Beautiful sight, isn’t it, Pard?”
“Sure is, Paolo. I love it here.”
“I know what you mean. I should retire and move here.”
“Here or Ottati?”
“Ottati, of course. I just can’t seem to let go of the States.”
“You mean let go of your dream—Sydney Hill.”
“Ah, my friend, you know me all too well.” Paolo often talked to Bill about his friendship with Sydney. It was evident that the relationship was more than what Paolo made it out to be. Paolo changed the subject. “Come on, let’s go get some espresso. I’m dragging my ass.”
“Sounds good. I’ve got something to show you.” Bill held out the manila envelope with Paolo’s name written on it. “I know of a place not too far from here, a courtyard restaurant behind a church. A nice, quiet place where we can talk.”
“Great, lead on, my friend.” Paolo placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I’m glad we can meet, Bill. We don’t see each other as often as I’d like.”
“I know what you mean, Pard, I know what you mean.”
As they walked, Paolo added, “Before I forget…I met with Tony and Steve last week. They wanted me to say hello for them.”
“Tell them I said hi. How’s the Brewster project going?”
“Why are you asking me, you know damn well how it’s going. Your men are there.”
“True, my friend, true. You’re keeping yourself under the radar.”
“Yep.”
“Looks like you’ll be in your new house soon.”
“Yep, hopefully by the end of June or early July. The contractors are working around the clock. They get a bonus if they finish by September. I’ve got to get out of Vic’s house. I’m going stir crazy, I need my own place. I thought I’d be in it by now, but we ran into some minor glitches because of my new security system. Before you even say anything, I’m not paranoid.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I’m not. You heard that Payne called me?”
“Did you call him back?”
“I tried, but he didn’t answer. Another one of his control tricks. I have a really bad feeling about good ol’ Dr. Payne. He knows every move I make.”
“Well then, you’ll be very interested in this package I have for you. Turn left over here.” Bill pointed to an alleyway between a church and a row of clothing and memorabilia shops.
The two men sat at a table under a green awning. The empty restaurant waited for the afternoon lunch crowd of tourists and Venetians. Bill placed the manila envelope to his left. Pigeons walked quietly on the stone courtyard looking for tiny morsels of food, their coos echoing in the small piazza. A waiter approached and Bill held up two fingers. “Due espresso.”
Paolo noticed his friend’s eyes showed a greater intensity and sadness from when he last saw him. The ex-Navy Seal was always on the lookout—his eyes darted back and forth, always capturing the scene. Nothing escaped his eyes. He was keenly aware of his surroundings.
“How is my beautiful goddaughter Rio?
“Rio is Rio, enjoying Yale.”
“Did Rami tell you they’re going to fast-track Giacomo to major?”
“Yep. I was surprised, that doesn’t happen too often.”
“According to what Rami told me, Giacomo shows great leadership and promise.”
“As long as it’s not because of me. He leaves for Germany in a couple of weeks. He just completed Ranger school.”
“Tough program. Not as tough as the Seal program.”
“Naturally, only real men can become Seals.” Paolo smiled at his friend.
“You’re an ass.”
“Thank you very much.”
“And your ex-wife?”
“She’s fine. I told Steve and Tony that we actually get along better now than when we were married.”
“And your friend, Sydney Hill?”
“Didn’t you already ask about her?”
Bill said nothing.
“I guess she is okay. I talk to her occasionally.”
“Occasionally?”
“Alright, a couple of times a week.”
The waiter carried the espresso to the table and placed the tiny white cups in front of them.
“Grazie.” Paolo changed the subject again and pointed to the manila envelope, “So, what’s in there?”
Bill took a sip of his espresso and sat back. He looked around and slid the envelope to Paolo. “You tell me?”
Paolo opened the envelope and pulled out two photographs. The first showed a man and a woman having dinner in a restaurant. The bearded, bald-headed man held hands with the attractive woman. Paolo recognized the man immediately. “Shit, that’s Payne. Where did you get this?”
“I ha
ve my ways.”
“Oh, so he’s having an affair, big deal. We’re now stooping to blackmail.”
“No, my friend, you have it all wrong.”
“I do?”
“You see that woman?” Bill took the picture and pointed. “We believe she’s a Chechnyan assassin.”
“Assassin? Pard, the guy works for the NSC. He’s probably on a mission or something. And he knows we’re watching him. He’s not that stupid. Is he?”
“I think he feels infallible. And that, my friend, is stupidity. So I guess the answer is yes. Now look at the second picture. Do you recognize that man with Payne?”
“Holy shit, that’s Duman. That’s the guy who tried to buy the nuclear weapons from Arnaud.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely positive, without a doubt. When was this picture taken?”
“Two days ago.”
“Two days ago? I thought he was in custody of the DGSE?”
“Apparently not.”
“Where is he?”
“In Russia with Payne.”
Angered welled up in Paolo. “My face red?”
“Sure is. What’s the problem? You knew Payne was no good.”
“Yeah, but we can’t prove anything, and maybe I didn’t want to believe it.”
“Pard, I don’t understand?”
“Because I just realized what a moron I am.” Paolo pointed to the pictures. “To think I actually thought of going to work for him.”
“You did?”
Paolo hung his head. “Yeah, he almost had me convinced, all those years ago, that I would be helping the government. He fed me a bunch of crap like an insurance salesman. Bullshit. He wanted me for his own purposes, not to help our government but to help him, to snare me in his web of deceit.” Paolo leaned forward. “The baloney of me helping the government and his constant recruitment was a bunch of bullshit.”
“But Pard, you knew that.”
“I know! I know! Damn it.” Paolo’s voice rose in anger. “I should’ve done something about it, I could have used the gift to stop him. Instead, I became a rich man. I’ll show you, Payne, I thought. I’m nothing but a freak, like when I was a kid.”
Messenger From God (The Last Eulogy Series Book 1) Page 15
