See Naples and Die Read Online Free Page B

it up his arse,”
shouted Chrissie.
    “No …” said Salvatore, with an
expression that portrayed discomfort. “That is where they looked first.”
    “Who are they?” asked Brenda.
    “You said they were bad people,” added
Megan.
    “The main thing is,” said Salvatore, “that
you still have the USB. If you have, then we can all make a lot of money.”
    “You still haven’t explained who these
bad people are,” persisted Megan.
    “We are making a movie,” replied
Salvatore. “It is a great story and people want to steal it from us.”
    “So that’s what’s on the memory stick …?
The story?
    “No,” said Salvatore. “We have to raise
money to finance the movie. A lot of money. The information is a list of people
who have been contacted and would like to invest. With this backing we can
produce the film, but also our rivals would like this list so that they can
raise the money first. If they get these investors on their side we will have
to sell them the rights to the story … for a few olives.”
    “For peanuts,” said Brenda. “In England
we say ‘For peanuts’.”
    Salvatore took a few moments to digest
this, and then nodded. “Yes: for a few peanuts and olives.” He smiled. He could
see they were mellowing.
    “So,” said Chrissie. “We give you this
memory stick, and then what? You give us a fiver apiece and say ‘Thank you’?”
    “No,” cried Salvatore. “You are now part
of our production team – a very important part. It was always a
bit of a problem that it was down to me and Fabio to meet with these people.
They are very important contacts, and I have my limitations. I will set up the
meetings and you can do the negotiating. Italian men like to deal with
beautiful women. Also, the fact you are English will give us a global face. We
will appear to be serious players. It gives everything a higher profile.”
    “And what’s in it for us?” asked
Chrissie.
    “When money changes hands you will
receive 5 per cent of that investment. You will be named as co-producers of the
film, with full title credits and a percentage of profits. When we premiere you
will be guests of honour.”
    “We’re in,” said Chrissie.
    “Hold on a minute,” said Brenda. “We get
hijacked by some nobody Italian, who comes out with the most absurd rubbish
I’ve ever heard – and who wants us to get involved in
what’s probably some scam. We need to check this out. We need to check you out,
Salvatore, or whatever your real name is. No. We’ll get back to you. Call us
next week … Now drive us home.”
    Salvatore looked at the floor.
    “Now what?” asked Brenda.
    Salvatore sighed and looked up. “When
Fabio was captured he was put under a lot of pressure. They wanted to know
where the USB was, and eventually he had to tell the truth. One of their men is
part of our side, and he let us know about Chrissie McGuire. So then we found
out that you had the lists, but so did our enemies. If I’m in Liverpool … then
so are they. I suppose they could be waiting at your address.”
    “Then we go there. We give them this
memory stick, and to hell with you and Fabio and your so-called film-producing,”
said Brenda, sharply.
    “It’s up to you,” replied Salvatore. “But
they will give you nothing, whereas we are offering you a piece of the whole
thing. It is incredible. But if you are with us, then you cannot talk to our
enemies. We must go, right now, to London. You will be guests of my family, and
we will make plans. You will become rich. You will meet film stars and many
famous people. Your lives will change forever.”
    “I know what you’re thinking, Chrissie,”
said Brenda. “But just look at it sensibly. We meet this clown –
who offers us fame and fortune – and ten minutes later we’re letting him take
us to God knows where, with nothing but a car full of dirty holiday clothes and
some ridiculous promise of becoming film producers. It’s laughable.”
    “You know I can’t think