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Bianchi as his model.”
    â€œMaybe so. But he got his fingers caught in a wringer when one of his people started talking to the FBI. They put the guy in the Witness Protection Program and the U.S. attorney started putting together a RICO indictment for Casselli. He didn’t stick around for the service of the papers. He got on a plane to Rome, and he’s been there ever since. He has a house in Naples, too, and a place in Positano, where you met him.”
    â€œHow did the Italian Mob receive him?”
    â€œColdly, at first, but they warmed up after a couple of big dons suddenly disappeared, never to be heard from again, and pretty soon Casselli was in the driver’s seat. It took him a little less than a year. Since then, nobody has challenged him. Except Marcel, of course, and you.”
    â€œIt’s not like we want to take turf from him.”
    â€œNo, you’re already
on
his turf, and he expects to get his pound of flesh from anybody who treads there.”
    â€œI don’t think I can spare a pound of flesh,” Stone said.
    â€œThat’s my boy, just keep annoying him until he rears up and disappears
you
.”
    â€œThat’s encouraging.”
    â€œI just want you to know what you’re up against. Casselli has a long memory, and he can be very patient. The downside is, he can be very
im
patient, too.”
    â€œMaybe I should have Mike’s people get Marcel out of Rome and back to Paris.”
    â€œAnd how are you going to do that?”
    â€œBy reminding him how close he came to losing everything to the Russians last year.”
    â€œI don’t think Marcel is accustomed to feeling vulnerable,” Dino said. “Maybe you’re underestimating him.”
    â€œI hope so,” Stone said.

17
    I t was nearly lunchtime when Stone’s new cell phone rang, and the caller ID number was blocked. “Hello?” he said cautiously, prepared to hang up again if it was Casselli.
    â€œStone, it’s Lance,” Lance Cabot said.
    â€œLance, how did you get this number?”
    â€œAnd good day to you, too. Is there some reason I shouldn’t have this number?”
    â€œYes, I’ve had it for no more than a couple of hours, and I got it for the specific reason that—”
    â€œYes, yes, I know about all of that. Mr. Casselli was making a pest of himself.”
    â€œRight, and if you can get the number, can’t Casselli?”
    â€œI very much doubt it—after all, I’m the director of fucking Central Intelligence, and I can get
anybody
’
s
number. I don’t believe Leo Casselli can. Do you mind very much speaking to me?”
    â€œOf course not, I’m just concerned that I was so easy to find.”
    â€œOh, all right, when I got an out-of-order recording on your old number, I called your secretary, Joan, and she gave me the new one. I don’t think she would give it to Casselli, so stop worrying.”
    â€œAll right, I won’t worry.”
    â€œActually, perhaps you should worry just a little, because Casselli called you yesterday and was connected to your old number for a couple of seconds.”
    â€œYes, I’m aware of that.”
    â€œThat was long enough for him to get a fix on your general location, if he has the right equipment, and I’m sure he does, so you should assume he knows you’re in Paris.”
    â€œSwell.”
    â€œBut, if you hung up immediately, he probably doesn’t have your street address.”
    â€œWell, that’s a relief.”
    â€œDon’t be relieved too quickly, he might have gotten it.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œBut don’t worry, I’ve got a fix on Casselli’s phone, and he’s still in Rome.”
    â€œThat’s good to know.”
    â€œOf course, he may be sending his minions to Paris as we speak.”
    â€œI can’t win, can I?”
    â€œOf course, if they don’t have your street address,