Survival is a Dying Art by Neil S. Plakcy

Author:Neil S. Plakcy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fbi, police procedural, italy, art, gay, mystery
Publisher: Samwise Books
Published: 2018-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

18 – Business Class

Jonas left us to call his boyfriend, and Lester checked the weather forecast for Venice. Temperatures were going to be in the seventies and eighties, with high humidity, so he helped me pick out shorts and lightweight shirts, with one pair of slacks and a small umbrella.

Frank’s travel agent sent me confirmations of my ticket on the Air Berlin flight the next afternoon and my reservation at a hotel called Locanda del Ghetto in Venice. She noted in the email that it was a five-minute walk from the second stop on the boat from the airport, and included walking directions from the hotel’s website.

Venable had emailed, too. Frank Sena would go to Venable’s house on Thursday, and I’d Skype them on my laptop before Grassini arrived. The Italian would show us the painting, and if it was all kosher, Frank would initiate the wire transfer to Grassini’s account.

By the time Lester and I were finished I was even more excited—which led to great fun together before we fell asleep.

We went for a run together the next morning, and after I showered, dressed, and checked my luggage twice to make sure I had everything, I drove to Frank’s condo. “I’m so pleased that you’re doing this for me, Angus,” he said as he handed me the credit card. “Your flight and your hotel will be charged directly to me. Feel free to use all this for your expenses, and if you run over, just let me know when you get back.”

“Thank you for the chance to go to Italy,” I said. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be able to travel, and to meet up with my brother.”

“Tell me, is your brother as handsome as you are?”

“Even better-looking. And straight.”

Frank laughed. “Then you two should have a great time in Italy. Remember, you’re part of a great gay fraternity. All you have to do is turn on your gaydar and you’ll be able to find men to give you directions, point out the best restaurants and bars.” He smiled. “And whatever else your heart desires.”

“I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with my brother,” I said. “And I have a boyfriend back here who’s more than enough for me.”

Frank leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the left cheek, then again on the right. “Just so you’re prepared for Europe.”

I slid the charge card into my wallet and drove to the office in Miramar with my suitcase and my backpack in the trunk. When I got to my desk I saw that Miriam had emailed me the work and personal cell phone numbers for Leonardo Foa, the Carabinieri officer I was to liaise with, as well as his email address. I sent him a message with my arrival time and said that I’d call him once I was able to get a local SIM card for my phone.

Then I went to see Miriam. “I have a name and address for the guy who says he has the painting,” I said.

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