The Blood Lance by Craig Smith Read Free Book Online

grown - he would send her some elegant gift that showed genuine care in its selection. With it came long, handwritten notes that gushed with grandiloquent laments at time's passing or gave stirring anthems to the beauty of youth that fades before it is ever truly discovered in a mirror. Ethan knew enough Italian to be impressed with Bartoli's poetic accomplishments. He also understood that to Kate he was family.
    Giancarlo greeted Ethan warmly in very good English. Ethan answered him in Italian. Hearing an American speaking Italian pleased Bartoli no end. Had Ethan lived in Italy? No, Ethan told him, but when he had first met Kate she had told him she could never marry a man who could not speak Italian. 'I took my first lesson the next day.'
    Bartoli laughed with pleasure at this, turning to Kate. 'I like this man, Katerina! 'I'm just sorry to have missed your wedding. . . but of course I was not invited. . .'
    'It was a small wedding,' Kate answered. She was blushing. 'The two of us, a witness and a priest.'
    'You only needed to call. You know that. I would have been there to make it five if I had to travel halfway around the globe!'
    'It was my fault,' Ethan told him. 'Once I got her to say she would marry me, I didn't want to give her time to change her mind.'
    Bartoli asked them about their year in France and wanted to know about the mountains they had climbed. Talk about the mountains went on for a while, and then he wanted to know about their plans for the future. Were they going to stay in Zürich or return to France?
    Kate looked at Ethan. 'We're going to spend the summer in Zürich. Then, who knows?'
    'Any chance I can talk you two into forming a business partnership with Luca and me?'
    'What kind?' Kate asked him.
    'An associate of mine saw a very fine Cezanne last summer in a private home in Malaga. Reasonable security, but nothing the two of you couldn't get past.'
    'We are out of that line of business for good,' Kate told him.
    This raised a curious eyebrow and Bartoli turned his gaze on Ethan. 'My fault again,' Ethan said. 'I finally figured out stealing things was probably not the safest way to make a living.'
    'Well, I can't say I disapprove,' Bartoli told him, his eyes cutting back to Kate. 'There comes a point when the risk is greater than the reward. I suppose if you have earned enough to be comfortable it's time to get out.'
    'We appreciate the offer,' Ethan told him, not daring to look at Kate, who he feared would be interested. He had lost his taste for stealing after their last job and had even told Kate they either stopped or he was leaving. To his surprise, she took him at his word. His fear at this point was she had accepted his ultimatum with the idea that she could change his mind eventually.
    Kate turned to Ethan. She hated to say it, but one of them probably needed to make sure everything was all right inside. Did he mind?
    Ethan turned to Bartoli. 'We could all three go in, if you want. Have a look at the collection Roland put together. . .'
    Bartoli said he was going to have to take off soon. Besides, he was familiar with most of Roland's collection. He had only wanted to stop by and wish them well. He added that if the two of them ever wanted to visit him, all they had to do was give him a call. He would make time for them no matter what.
    The two men shook hands and then Ethan headed back for the house.
    *

    Without taking his eyes from Ethan as he walked away from them, Giancarlo told Kate, 'I like him.'
    'I like him, too.'
    Bartoli turned and looked at her with his steady gaze. He did not say it, but he seemed to wonder if that was all she felt. 'I'm glad he has convinced you to give up the life, Kate.'
    'There was a time when I needed it. It was the only thing that really made me feel alive. Even now, I can't say I don't miss it.'
    'When one is good at something, it is hard to stop.' He let this settle, before asking, 'I assume you have told Ethan what happened on the Eiger?'
    Kate turned