Death Run by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

idea.
    â€œNo. I think that’s what Rich assumed. But no – no threats. A friendly warning. For your own good.”
    â€œGo on then,” Jade said. “Just warn us, then we can all go.”
    Ralph was right in front of them now. “First,I must apologise. I didn’t mean to worry or frighten or offend you. But as you will soon appreciate, this is important – to you rather than to me. So I am sorry for the slightly… extreme measures I have taken.”
    â€œYou can’t say ‘slightly extreme’,” Rich told him. “Something’s either extreme or it isn’t.”
    Ralph nodded. “Extreme but well-intentioned then. Let me make it up to you.” He smiled suddenly, turning in an instant into a genial host. “Let me offer you a late lunch. After all, with all that running you must have worked up quite an appetite. I know I have.”
    â€œSo, you chase us half across Venice then offer us a pizza?” Dad said. “You always did do things differently, Ralph. If it is Ralph today. Only I’ve known you by so many names.”
    â€œHardly unusual in our profession, Mr Chance. Or is it Mr Ronson? Or David Melbor? Last time we met you were Harry…” He clapped his hands together. “Anyway, the offer stands. Lunch at my villa – or rather the villa my local colleagues have put at my disposal. Lunch and a friendly chat and some good vintage wine. Or possibly,” he said, looking from Jade to Rich, “good vintage lemonade.”
    â€œOh, well,” said Jade, “if there’s going to be lemonade.”
    The speedboat was large and fast. It cut through the canal, leaving a V in the water and setting gondolas rocking and gondoliers shouting. It was also noisy, but with the spray and the wind in her face, Jade found it refreshing. Her blond hair blew round her and she pushed it from her eyes.
    â€œAren’t you hot in that jacket?” Rich asked the skull-faced man who was sitting opposite them in the back of the boat.
    His suit had soon dried in the heat of the day, and even without the mask he looked gaunt and menacing. “But where would I hide my gun?” He opened the jacket to reveal a shoulder holster.
    â€œYou could try a career change,” Jade suggested.
    â€œGet a nice job in an office,” Dad agreed.
    The man shrugged. “Then I would have to wear a suit anyway.”
    Ralph turned from where he was standing at the front of the boat and shouted over the sound of the engine. “Scevola loves his work.”
    â€œ Family business?” Dad wondered.
    â€œOh, yes,” the skull-faced man – Scevola – said. “And I love my family too.”
    The boat turned off the main canal, heading into a narrow, private waterway. At the end, Jade could see an enormous house. It was painted pale yellow and unlike so many of the buildings she had seen by the water, it was clean and dry and in immaculate condition.
    Inside, the building was just as impressive. Heavy crystal chandeliers hung from ornately plastered ceilings, and the carpets were so deep it was like walking on a well kept lawn. Ralph led them along a wide hallway to an enormous drawing room. French windows gave on to a wide terrace overlooking the water, and Ralph gestured for them to sit.
    It was bizarre, but Jade found she was feeling more relaxed on the terrace of Ralph’s Mafia-supplied house than she had done all holiday. She sipped at iced mineral water and picked at a pasta salad. OK – pasta yet again. But she’d let Ralph off, just this once.
    With the exception of skull-faced Scevola, the other men had left. Ralph did most of the talking. He explained again about the Banker and how he had access to a large number of criminal bank accounts.
    â€œNow the Tiger, he is a very different sort of man,”Ralph said. He poured himself more wine, holding the glass up to admire the quality of the pale