Goddess of Death by Roy Lewis Read Free Book Online

Arnold caught his glance the man smiled slightly, hesitated for a few moments, then came forward. ‘Excuse me,
signor
… I think you may be Mr Landon, from England?’
    Arnold smiled in surprise. ‘You’re right, but I don’t believe we have met.’
    The stranger extended his right hand. ‘It is true, but I am happy to make your acquaintance.’ His English was precise, histone somewhat clipped. ‘Please permit me to introduce myself. I am Colonel Messi, from Pisa, of the
Guardia di Finanza
. At your service.’
    His handshake was firm. Arnold shook hands, then said, ‘I don’t understand how you would be able to recognize me. This is my first time in Albi.’
    Colonel Messi smiled: his teeth were very white and regular against the deep tan of his features. ‘Well, let me admit that it is not due to any particular perspicacity or detective work on my part: rather, I should say that I have been told about you, and in fact I recognized you from a photograph that was provided to me. By my cousin.’
    ‘Your cousin?’
    ‘Carmela Cacciatore.’
    ‘Ah! I see.’ Arnold hesitated. ‘But I don’t understand why she would have shown you my photograph.’
    Colonel Messi placed his left hand on Arnold’s shoulder in a confidential, friendly manner. ‘Do not be alarmed. It was merely to bring me up to date with her activities, and her intentions. You see, Mr Landon, I have a personal interest in the meeting to which she has invited you.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Indeed, we are now due at that meeting.’ He glanced over Arnold’s shoulder. ‘As my cousin is clearly coming to tell us.’
    Arnold turned as the colonel’s hand fell away. Walking towards them was Carmela Cacciatore.
    She was as he remembered her: large-bosomed, round-cheeked , smiling and exuberant. She was already opening wide her arms. ‘Arnold. I thought I’d find you here, precisely on time.’ She took him firmly by his upper arms, kissed him on both cheeks then stood back to take a long, careful look at him. ‘You are well, I see, though perhaps a little tired about the eyes from too much office work, is that it? And I see you have met Colonel Messi.’
    ‘Indeed. Your cousin, I understand.’
    Carmela laughed, linked her arm in his and began to lead himacross the room. ‘In a distant way,’ she said, as the colonel fell into step beside them. ‘But we do not see much of each other. We work in somewhat different fields. Though in respect of today, we have a common interest, one might say. Come, we have a room,’ she announced, ‘in the
Aile de Suffragens
. The others will be along soon.’
    ‘The others?’ Arnold was somewhat mystified. ‘I thought you wanted to have a private discussion with me.’
    Carmela laughed. ‘I have misled you!’
    The pressure on his arm was firm.
    The room was set up high in the building; tall windows looked out over a cool courtyard where a fountain played. The floor was of dark polished wood; a long oak table dominated the centre of the room and six chairs had been set, grouped at the far end of the table. The colonel wandered away from Carmela and Arnold, took one of the chairs and set it against the wall, near a window, a little distance from the table. Arnold guessed he was demonstrating that he was not to be an official member of whatever group was assembling here. Arnold turned to Carmela. ‘A formal meeting? I thought you had invited me to an exhibition, and then to talk personally about something.’
    She pouted prettily at him. ‘And if I had invited you to a meeting, would you have come, without wanting to know more? I thought I would have a better chance of snaring you if I remained somewhat vague. The exhibition was merely an excuse, and one which you could perhaps offer to your friend Miss Stannard.’ There was mischief in her smile. ‘I think perhaps she did not approve of you coming to meet me? She likes to keep you to herself?’ When Arnold did not rise to the teasing, she added,