Luciano's Luck (1981) by Higgins Jack

Author:Higgins, Jack [Jack, Higgins,]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-03-16T14:25:45+00:00

Collinson found the first-aid box and scrambled across. "You all right, sir?"

Grant said. "How could I be anything else. A bullet in the arm, another in the leg, the port engine burned out? Who could ask for anything more." He grinned through the pain. "Now cross your fingers, say a prayer, and let's see if I can still fly this thing."

Chapter Ten.

VITO OPENED the door of the boiler in the basement at the Contessa di Bellona's villa. He had lit the fire earlier and it glowed red hot. He turned to Luciano and Carter.

"Okay, everything inside."

They tossed in the jump suits, the bundled parachutes, the equipment bags and Barbera closed the door. "Harry, it's good to see you."

"And you, Vito. When do we see Luca?"

"I don't know, Harry, don't even know where he is. Padre Giovanni is my only contact with him."

"Who's he?" Luciano demanded.

"Prior of the Franciscans at Crown of Thorns."

"The Mafia connection?"

"Oh, sure," Barbera said. "We got God on our side, too." "Actually, that's more accurate than you know, Vito," Carter told him. "llo you know where we found Luca's granddaughter?" "Not until you tell me."

"A convent in Liverpool in England. Little Sisters of Pity."

Barbera's mouth gaped in surprise. "You're kidding?"

Luciano said. "The old man should be pleased. Isn't it everyone's ambition to have a priest in the family? Maria's just the female equivalent."

They went upstairs and Barbera led the way through the back passageway to the enormous kitchen at the rear of the house. There was a fire on the wide hearth, which Savage was replenishing with logs.

Maria stood at the table slicing bread and salami. She wore a headscarf, a woollen jacket and a black cotton dress and looked perfectly at home in her surroundings. Rosa had taken off her raincoat and cap and crouched at the fire, stirring soup in a pot.

Savage got to his feet as the other three men entered. Like them, he wore a cloth cap; patched, shabby clothes; and leather leggings, the typical attire of the mountain shepherd or hunter.

Luciano shook his head. "It's no good, kid. Even in that outfit you still look like a whisky ad."

Savage found it difficult to raise a smile, for the knowledge of what Detweiler had done weighed heavily on him.

He said to Carter, "Look Colonel, about Detweiler. ." "Nothing to be said," Carter told them. "Not until we hear the full facts."

"When I get back to my place in Bellona, I'll radio Maison Blanche," Barbera said. "They'll know if he returned with the plane." He put an arm around Luciano's shoulder. "And now, Don Salvatore. A drink to celebrate your safe delivery."

Double doors stood open to the terrace overlooking the rear garden. Savage moved out and Carter went after him.

"It wasn't your fault."

Savage shook his head. "Not good enough, sir. Poor judgment on my part. I thought I knew him."

Carter gave him a cigarette and Savage turned and looked across the kitchen at Rosa crouched by the fire.

"The girl--how old is she?"

"Rosa? Sixteen or seventeen.

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