Private Rome

Chapter 35

My phone vibrated as I walked along the North Colonnade. I saw it was Justine calling.

“I have the background you wanted on Milan Verde,” she said when I answered.

“No hello?” I asked.

“For now I’m trying to keep it professional,” she replied. “Besides, we’re beyond the small-talk phase. You know I love you.”

“I know,” I said. “What time is it there?”

“Two in the morning. But this is important. I’m sending you a file of everything Mo-bot has been able to pull on Milan Verde. He’s bad news. Served with Col Moschin, the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment, Italian Special Forces. Saw action in Afghanistan and was rumored to be involved in hostage rescues in Iraq and Syria. Left under a cloud when his unit was accused of brutality toward residents of a Syrian village. He’s had a couple arrests since then for gun running, but the charges never stick. AISI, the Italian Internal Information and Security Agency, has a file on him and flags him as a potential leader of the Dark Fates. It’s a vicious outfit that’s been implicated in gangland murders, political assassinations and organized crime at the highest level. These are very bad dudes.”

“Luna told me they’re based out of a bar in Esquilino,” I replied.

“You’re not thinking of going there?”

“It’s a bar,” I replied. I wasn’t going to lie to Justine. “They won’t kill me for having a drink.”

“You have no idea what they’re going to do,” she countered, and I couldn’t deny the truth of her words.

I did not know what their agenda was or how much they knew about me. It was clear a member of the Dark Fates had targeted either me or Luna, so going to the bar might be the equivalent of stepping into a lion enclosure.

“I’ll be careful,” I said.

“I know there’s no point reminding you this is a police investigation and that you could just give the information you have to the detective in charge of the case,” Justine responded coldly. “Or you could ask for help and have us fly out to support you.”

“You could try if you like,” I replied. “But it would just be a waste of breath.”

“You’re a stubborn man, Jack Morgan, but you’re also a good man.” Her tone softened. “And I wouldn’t change that.”

“I’ll stay out of trouble,” I assured her. “Love you.”

“You too, even if you give me worry lines,” she replied before hanging up.

I wandered through the crowds milling around St Peter’s Square and left Vatican City, thinking about what lay ahead.

If the Dark Fates had targeted me, I would know the instant I set foot in their bar. If Luna had been the target, I might not be known to the other gang members and could possibly gather useful intelligence, maybe even confront Milan Verde himself.

I walked along Via dei Corridori, buzzing with traffic, and hailed a taxi. The driver was a cheerful lady who smiled and nodded happily when I asked her to take me to Esquilino.