“Are you still sure you can handle a full-sized book, Joe?”
The Cavaliere del Piave’s thick eyebrows and his height even seated put more fear in Joe than perhaps the man intended. Behind his desk, with the view of the City out two large windows and surrounded by the space and light of his office, the magnate exuded power more directly than in the intimacy of dinner the week before. “Business letters are just between me and my correspondents; this book has to cut a bella figura for the whole Group to the world.” Continue reading
On Saturday, the rain stopped around noon, as it did for a little bit every day now. Spring was just around the corner. The wind blew hard all afternoon, but by sundown it was just a breeze. Nancy and Joe took a taxi to their dinner meeting with del Piave. 
Joe was in his room trying to concentrate on a totally boring chapter about the Concert of Europe when he heard the front door open. He heard heels hit the floor. 
