See Naples and Die Read Online Free

and
approaching him – were Mario and Lorenzo. Fabio had to dispose of the USB. If
he dropped it then they would more than likely search and find it. He was even
thinking of trying to swallow it when, as he passed Chrissie, he noticed her
half-open shoulder bag. She was paying the deposit, and had left the bag
partially open. Fabio dropped the memory stick into the bag. He stopped for the
briefest of moments, and read the address Chrissie had just written. His
English was pretty good, but he couldn’t make out the name of the street. All
he got was Chrissie McGuire, Liverpool, England … then he moved quickly away
from the girls. Mario had seen him so Fabio walked directly towards the
enforcer, trying to act as casually as was possible in the circumstances.
    “Hello, guys. You doing some shopping?”
he said, smiling.
    Mario punched him in the stomach and,
before his body could double up in pain, Lorenzo grabbed him by the collar and
lifted him up. Then they marched him away by the scruff of the neck, like some
naughty schoolboy. Two other henchmen surrounded the stall, and started to move
people aside while they searched the ground.
    Chrissie put her money back in the bag
and zipped it up. They gave the black-suited guys a quizzical glance and moved
away. She was pleased with the deal for the sculpture, and they all decided
this was the time to stop shopping: quit while you’re ahead. Gino was waiting
outside a cafe bar at the entrance to the market area, and they made their way
back to him. They had only known Gino for a few hours, but his smile welcomed
them back like long-lost friends. They sat outside the bar and drank Peroni. It
was cool and refreshing, and they watched the people of Naples passing by.
    An hour later they were back on the
quayside. Gino gave his address, and they promised him faithfully that they
would send a photo of them all together with a signed recommendation. One last
round of kisses and then they walked to the boarding gate, showed their passes,
and went back on board the ship. It had been a good day.
    Once back in the cabin they kicked off
their shoes, and then took turns to shower. This was the last stop on the
cruise … no more tours, no more sightseeing, no need any more for the
comfortable footwear and beach bags. Chrissie opened her shoulder bag and took
out her purse. Nothing else in there mattered for now so she closed the bag and
threw it to one side, ready to pack into the suitcase. Tonight it was the
farewell dinner. Tomorrow they would depart the ship and fly home, and all this
would become just a memory. Chrissie thought it a little sad that they were
closing a door on Italy. She had liked it here, and was sorry to see it end.
Little was she to know that this was only the beginning …

Chapter Four
     
     
    The afternoon flight from Naples to
Liverpool was making its descent. It was thirty minutes late, which wasn’t too
bad, and overall it had been a good journey.
    The plane touched down, and everyone
trooped off to the carousel to reclaim their luggage. Chrissie, Brenda, and
Megan took their place at the worst show in town, and watched the assorted
baggage on its revolving stage. Every colour and shape of suitcase went round
and round and round. Eventually, with luggage retrieved, the girls made their
way to the arrival area. They were to meet their arranged taxi driver outside
by the entrance to car park number 2, and were heading towards the exit when
Megan touched Chrissie’s arm and motioned with her head. Chrissie followed
Megan’s gaze, and saw a young man holding up a large piece of card saying,
‘Chrissie McGuire’. The girls changed direction and walked towards the man with
the sign.
    “Hiya,” said Chrissie.
    “Ciao, beautiful ladies. You are
Chrissie McGuire?”
    “The one and only,” replied Chrissie.
    “Another Italian … that’s a coincidence,”
thought Megan.
    “The car is this way,” said the Italian,
and walked quickly towards the exit.
    They