The Mafia Emblem Read online

  - 18 -

  Ben carefully stood among her cases, trying to shield his stained trousers from any prying eyes. He hoped they were not too worried about strong smells in this hotel. However most people appeared to be much more interested in La Signora Donna Carter who seemed to have taken centre stage in the life of the Excelsior Hotel.

  He looked round. There on the shelf beside him was the early edition of the Naples evening paper. In the centre of the front page was a large photograph of a blasted, lunar landscape with jets of smoke and steam rising from it. “Solfatara Erupta” blazed the headline. The article below seemed to be a description of the new activity in the volcano which had been semi-dormant for centuries. However it was now becoming active again. Ben was able to make out that thousands of people had been moved from the city of Pozzuoli which was built all round the volcano. The city centre, the old town around the harbour and the suburbs near the crater itself were now prohibited areas. Police patrols arrested anyone found inside the barricades.

  Donna finished chatting up the reception clerk and came over to him. “Here you are. I’ve fixed everything. All you need to do is sign this registration slip. Any squiggle will do.”

  Ben put his illegible signature where Donna indicated and she took it back to the desk. Then she returned, took his arm, and shepherded him to the lift. He carried one of her cases and the porter trailed behind with the others. She pressed the button for the tenth floor.

  In the lift she pressed a ten euro note into his hand. “I think it’s better for you to hand over the tip,” she murmured. “These Italians are sticklers for doing things the right way.”

  “I haven’t much cash with me,” said Ben. “I really need to get to a bank.”

  “There’s one just round the corner but it doesn’t open till four. We can go later.”

  Ben thought she seemed to know her way around Naples pretty well. But before he could ask her about it the lift stopped and Donna led the way along a thickly carpeted corridor.

  “It’s just down here on the right.”

  “Have you been here before?”

  “This is my fifth visit.”

  Donna stopped outside room 1008. She inserted the key and opened the door. Ben looked past her into a beautiful room with a large double bed. But what most caught his eye was the complete wall of windows on the far side of the room. They opened onto a balcony which provided the most magnificent views across the whole Bay of Naples.

  Ben followed the porter into the room. “Wow,” he said. “I hope mine isn’t as expensive as this.”

  “This is yours,” said Donna over her shoulder.

  He gulped and she grinned at him. “Aw, don’t worry. Joseph Carter’s paying.”

  “Really?”

  “Uhuh. Shouldn’t you tip the bell-boy?”

  “What? Oh.” Recalled to his duty, Ben handed over the ten euro note.

  The porter bent low as he took it. “Grazie, Signor Carter?”

  “Pardon?” Ben watched the door close behind the man then turned to face Donna who winked at him.

  “It’s a little secret between me and the man on reception. I reckon it’s the first generous act that Carter Junior has done in the whole of his goddam life. And he doesn’t even know about it.”

  She crossed to the bed, unzipping her skirt as she went and letting it drop round her ankles. She slid her blouse off and tossed it on the bed. Then she reached behind her back to undo her bra.

  “I sure am looking forward to that shower,” she said.

  Ben hastily went to check that the lock was secure on the bedroom door. When he turned back, Donna was coming towards him. Her naked body was an uplifting sight to a weary man who’d been chased round Naples by crooks for the last couple of hours.

  She laughed at the expression on his face, walked right up to him and poked him in the chest. “Are you coming for a shower or not?” As he reached out to touch her she spun away and added, “And don’t forget to stick your clothes outside the door for room service. I don’t want to share my bed with a trash collector.”

  Ben stood, as if in a trance, and watched her buttocks undulate into the bathroom. Then he hastily started to take off his trousers.