The Vatican Rip

CHAPTER 17

I waited until Anna's breathing had evened out. She had quickly become used to my reading till all hours, though at first she played hell about the light. Now she just let me read.

The trouble was we were becoming acutely conscious of each other. At least, I was of her, and a few times I saw her regarding me with an odd look. We'd become very reserved in a curious sort of way. I was worn out being polite. Still, we both understood the reason we were together: the rip, the whole rip and nothing but the rip. That's what I told myself.

I let myself out in my bare feet. She had given me a key the second day. The only risk was the couple of groups who lived upstairs, one small family right at the top and an elderly couple who worked as caretakers to the furniture place next door. It felt clear.

In the alley I donned my socks and shoes and set off down the glittering, dark alleys.

A few minutes later I was on the workshop roof. It was easy enough. People forgot about roofs and floors when protecting places. Torch in my left pocket so I could cling with my right hand, and I began to climb, only partly paralysed with fear.

Some kind of gauze, a little separated, covered the window. When I think of it now it was lucky they were so preoccupied in that great oval bed. Bonny and plushily expensive, but modern crap, of course. Like the expensive Axminster carpet and the velvet drapery. And the splendid wall mirrors. And the oak panelling. It was a tasteful and elegantly appointed bedroom, and it was being put to proper use. Gold light shone from a Garian porcelain bedside lamp. Piero lay beside Adriana, hands behind his head as he talked at the ceiling. She lay on her side facing me, eyes closed. They seemed to be having words. Clinging there, my impressions were indelible: a glass with a small demilune of drink, a woman's satin robe over a chairback. The mirrors. The tight set of Adriana's mouth. Her lovely skin shining golden.

I realized with a sudden shock her eyes had opened and fixed on the window. She did not move. I froze, breaking into a sweat. My face was only a foot from the glass. I drew it slowly back and sank gently down below the level of the sill, hoping she hadn't seen me.

A few shaky minutes later I was tiptoeing into my pad. Anna gave me the fright of my life.

'Welcome home, Lovejoy,' her voice said, not a bit sleepy. 'You found her little love nest?' I could swear she was smiling. The little bitch had known about it all the time.

She could have saved me all that bother.

'Well, yes.'

As I lay down, knackered after my pointless exertions she put her geriatric voice on, for devilment. 'Signor Peci's been the pretty signora's stud for some time now. She likes them strong and handsome, Enrico. In case you're interested.'

'Don't call me Enrico.'

She cackled and I heard her turn over. I lay there sickened. Why I should feel like that I don't know, but at least now Piero's resistance to my winch was finally explained. No wonder he'd gone pale around the gills. I'd suggested turning his private knocking-shop into a store room for reproduction 'antiques'. There'd be no question of the decision Adriana would make—after giving my scheme a token consideration, for the sake of appearances.

'Poor Lovejoy.' I heard her mattress creak as she huddled down to sleep. 'You've a worse surprise to come.'

'What do you mean?' I tried again, getting mad. 'Anna. What surprise?'

She wouldn't say any more. I lay there wondering why it was suddenly so important to me and finally decided it was because Adriana's Emporium was the one place with everything I needed for the rip. Satisfied with my logic, I eventually rolled over to sleep.

'Cretino,' Anna murmured.