ON THE FLIGHT TO ROME

The clang of the telephone clapper brought me upright in the bed. Ginny stirred beside me.

She woke up, rubbing her eyes. " What was that?"

" Just the telephone," I said. The telephone was at her side of the bed. She tried to reach for it.

I put an arm across her chest, flattening her into the pillows. " I'll take it. Relax."

I had to lean on her to reach the receiver, so I leaned on her and lifted the receiver off it's prong.

" Hello?"

" Boss, your brother's on the line. He wants to speak to you."

I frowned as I recognized Knife's voice. " Who?"

" Umberto," Knife replied. " Should I put him through?"

I ran a hand over my face. " Sure."

There was a click and a fruitful fat voice came on the line. " Israel?"

I looked down at the small pale pretty face half buried in the pillow and smiled down at her. Ginny still looked good enough to eat.

" Yes, Umberto. What's the problem?"

Umberto began talking in strong Italian. " We're holding a meeting back home. We want you. Fly over to Rome