I sussed him. He was a calm, immaculate sort. You immediately received the impression that nothing could possibly take this man by surprise. It was a troublesome world, clearly, but controllable. His thinning hair was flattened, his suit brand new.
Behind all that cleanliness and order he was tough, and in charge.
'About your presence in Rome, Lovejoy.' He raised a podgy palm to arrest my run of falsehoods. 'No fabrications, please. Save those for others. You are, I believe, a divvie?'
'Yes.'
'An impressive attribute.' A pause. 'For one so poor.'
'My stuff was stolen. I got dipped.'
'So you say.'
'It's the truth. I'm earning my wages in antiques. Signora Albanese decided the deal, not me.'
'I heard. But that still leaves a gap in your story, no?'
'Not that I'm aware of.'
'Perhaps I should explain, then. You come here, ostensibly as a tourist. You are relieved of your wallet. So you gravitate to a job in an antique shop, simply to earn your fare home.'
'That's it.'
He continued smoothly, 'I am reliably informed that your country's' authorities have an enviable record in establishing administrative systems the world over. I am further informed that they can cope with a stranded tourist.'
'I never thought of it.'
He leant forward, shaking his head.
'Lovejoy. I swear to you. I do not intend to destroy you, or any plans you might have.
And whatever you say will go no further. But I must know. Do you understand?'
I was getting sick of people uttering threats at me and then demanding if I understood.
They'd all been at it today and it was getting on my wick.
'No, I don't understand.'
'You were merely one of the crowd,' he said gently. 'At first, that is. Until now. When you and Adriana…' He paused to make certain it sank in. 'Naturally my wish for Adriana is that she enjoys a stable relationship. I condone it. And, until now, that which has existed between Adriana and Piero Peci has been eminently suitable. I am naturally very concerned when Adriana shows signs of changing her arrangements.'
I was lost. It was all too liberated for me to take in at one go. 'You mean I'm sacked?
Or I'm not to see Adriana?'
'Not at all. Some relationship, of the kind Piero has previously provided, is essential. All I want to know is what your game is.'
I drew breath. He didn't mind Adriana having another bloke, even if it was in the plural, and all he wanted was for me to be frank about my presence in Rome? I began to get a headache.
'It's…' I hung my head, as if in shame. What the hell could I tell him? Tinker always says you should get your lies in first. Second and you're sunk. I started to talk, praying something would come. 'It's… somebody I've met.'
'Adriana?'
'No.' That road might be even more dangerous. 'I admit I have some motive for staying…' Anna! Anna! I burbled, 'I… I want to stay for a while, at least until I've worked things out. She… she isn't free. She has obligations. I'm not at liberty…'
'Somebody else? Not Adriana?' There was a dry rasp. I looked up. The blighter was laughing, heaving up and down in his chair. 'So. It isn't really Adriana at all? By acquiescing to Adriana you were merely demonstrating unfailing obedience to your employer?'
'Well, if you put it like that…'
He took off his specs and wiped his eyes. I didn't think it was all that funny but he was rolling in the aisles.
'I'm sorry, Lovejoy,' he said, wiping his eyes with his glasses lifted on to his forehead.
'Very remiss of me. But if you only understood the context…'
'Is that all?' I rose, trying for a bit of dignity. It can be useful in the right place.
'My abject apologies, signor,' he said, still falling about. He came with me to the door.
'But Adriana playing second fiddle to some other woman is delicious.'
I went frosty. 'Can I go now?'
'The car will be at the entrance for you. Don't be too offended, Lovejoy. Let's say it's our little secret, shall we?'
'Look, signor.' I had to get one thing straight. 'What if the signora says I'm to dine with her again, and…?'
'Be her guest, Lovejoy.' He smiled and patted my arm.
'After all, everybody's different. And you are merely… what's the expression?…
