The Diva Crusade (John McRae Book 1) by Phoenix Ford

Author:Phoenix Ford [Ford, Phoenix]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Croesus Books
Published: 2017-05-17T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

The next morning John was waiting in their hotel room when Sylvia returned from the British Embassy just before 10 AM. She was carrying a brief case.

"That didn't take long," John commented.

"No, but we are required to check in with the local MI6 team when we operate in any country, provided there is a local MI6 team. And let me show you everything they turned up on Contessa Eleanora Ravasini." Sylvia opened the briefcase and pulled out a file. In addition to a detailed background investigation report it contained various news articles from newspapers in Rome concerning charitable activities of the contessa on behalf of the Catholic Church. "I learned that on October 31st she is having a Halloween Masked Costume Ball in her villa as she apparently does every year to raise money for a home for retired priests. Tickets are 1,000 euros per couple and can be purchased at her villa when we go there this morning during viewing hours. I think we should buy tickets and go to the ball to get a good look at her."

"That sounds interesting and maybe fun too," John replied. "What shall we do for costumes?"

"That's no problem. I can get our offices in London to send over costumes for us, probably from an opera company. I was thinking perhaps we should go as Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Does that suit you?," Sylvia asked.

"That sounds good to me. I suppose we should wear some kind of masks too to better disguise our appearance." John continued looking at the news clippings which included photos. "She looks quite beautiful."

"Yes and obviously aristocratic. Are you ready to go to her villa? We can take a taxi to Piazza del Popolo, cross the river a short distance from there and walk along the river until we come to the villa. It should be open now. It's a beautiful fall day, so this ought to be enjoyable." Sylvia opened the door to the bathroom. "I'll be right out."

They crossed the river on the Ponte Regina Margherita and turned left on the first street which ran beside the river. The fall colors of this leafy district were magnificent with the crisp blue sky beyond. There was one palazzo or large villa after another, each set in its own spacious grounds. Even though they were in the middle of Rome there was a much calmer feel to this neighborhood which had once been outside the city itself. After about ten minutes they saw a discreet sign by the entrance to a villa that said "Villa Ravasini." They walked up the driveway and saw another sign that said "Entrata" with an arrow pointing to a door to the right of the main entrance.

John held the door open for Sylvia and followed her to a counter where a young woman sat. The room was set up like a small gift shop with postcards of the villa, books on the palazzi and villas of Rome, reproductions of art objects and other items for purchase.

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