Read Online And Then You Die by Michael Dibdin - Free Book Online Page A

until the helicopter’s arrival the silence had been absolute. Zen felt as if he were being exiled from a paradise to which he could never return.
    A matter of minutes later they were back at Pisa, at the military end of the airport, away from the commercial terminal. Here Zen was led to a small fixed-wing jet aircraft with no markings. His baggage was placed in the hold while he climbed a set of fold-down steps to the interior. This consisted of a single cabin with comfortable chairs facing a low central table. Seated in one of these was the young diplomat who had visited Zen during his convalescence.
    He immediately stood up, shook hands with Zen and showed him into a seat, then produced a flask of excellent coffee and two cups. A moment later the stepladder was folded up, the door closed and the engines started.
    ‘Forgive the rudimentary cabin service,’ Zen’s companion said as the aircraft started to taxi. ‘On the other hand, the accommodation is superior to what you’re likely to have for the rest of your journey, and at least you won’t have to listen to the usual sermon about what to do in the unlikely event of a landing on water. I wonder if anyone’s life has ever been saved by one of those cheap life-jackets they stuff away under the seats. It seems to me that all those safety announcements do is spread an irrational fear of flying , actually one of the safest forms of transport. Imagine if every time you got into a bus or train or taxi you had to listen to a lot ofeuphemistic waffle about what to do if the thing crashed! No one would ever leave home.’
    The aircraft veered jerkily to the right, the engines roared, and before Zen knew it they were off the ground. He watched the coastline turning into a map for several minutes, then turned back to his companion, who was filling their cups of coffee. When he looked up at Zen, his professional mask was firmly back in place.
    ‘I trust your stay on Gorgona was tolerable?’ he said.
    ‘Very pleasant, thank you.’
    ‘It seemed the best short-term solution, given the events in Versilia.’
    He looked at Zen with a serious expression.
    ‘You’re a very lucky man. The Mafia have now tried twice to kill you, and failed both times. Very few people can say that.’
    ‘Is it certain that I was the intended target?’
    The young diplomat gestured dismissively.
    ‘ Dottore , there has never been a recorded case of a murder on the beach in that area. A few knifings late at night down at the Viareggio end, and the odd settling of accounts between drug gangs, but otherwise nothing. Then a corporate lawyer with no known enemies, seated in the place which you had occupied for several weeks, is shot through the heart at point-blank range with a silenced pistol in broad daylight by a killer who nevertheless completely evades attention, even though the bagno was packed at the time.’
    Zen nodded.
    ‘I suppose you’re right.’
    ‘Of course we are. Which is why we’ve decided to move you yet again, this time to the United States.’
    Catching Zen’s look of alarm, he held up a soothing hand.
    ‘The trial’s not due to start for some time, but the safest option in the meantime seemed to be to get you out of the country and into the hands of the federal authorities. They have a lot of experience in protecting witnesses, and America is a very large country . To make matters even more secure, we are flying you not to New York, where the trial will take place, but to the west coast. There you’ll be met by Italian-speaking agents of the FBI who will meet you airside, bypass all the immigration and customs procedures , and escort you to a safe house in a location which hasn’tbeen disclosed even to us. It will be impossible for the Mafia to find you there.’
    Zen looked out of the window again. The aircraft was passing over the Apennine chain. They were sending him away. He suddenly felt very small and helpless and desolate.
    ‘Our immediate destination is