“So you are a friend of Tino?” he asked, more of an accusation than a question.
“I am.”
“Because I know all of Tino’s friends. I’ve never seen you or heard him mention you.”
“We worked for Signor Bonfanti.”
“Bonfanti,” said Jack, rising up onto his toes. “He’s done. No one cares about him anymore.”
“Giacomo,” said Falconi. “Show some respect.” The older man directed his attention to Simon. “When did you work for Il Padrone?”
“A long time ago. Almost twenty years. Don’t remember you.”
“You wouldn’t. I was away. In Italy. Cremona.”
“Making violins.” As well as the home of the finest violin manufacturers in Italy, Cremona housed one of Italy’s largest maximum-security prisons.
“Something like that,” said Falconi. “I need to ask you a couple of questions, then we can all get out of here. What do you say?”
“I’m listening.”
“What exactly is it that you think Tino Coluzzi took?”
“I’ll tell Tino when I see him.”
“He’d prefer that you tell me.”
“So you do know him?” Simon said. “You had me going back there. You’re very good, you know. Usually I can tell straight off if someone’s putting me on. But you? I was sure I’d come to the wrong place. The problem was that I was sure Jack had mentioned that he hung out here with Tino.”
“The hell I did.” Jack looked at Luca. “I’ve never seen this guy in my life.”
“You also said that Tino was getting a crew together. Mostly guys from back home.”
Luca Falconi gave Jack a withering glare, shaking his head. It was clearly not the first time Jack’s big mouth had betrayed him.
“Answer the question,” said Jack, growing more agitated.
“Tino knows what it is,” said Simon. “I don’t need to tell him. Where is he, by the way? Maybe we can meet up. It’d be good to see him again.”
“He would like to know who you’re working for,” said Falconi.
“Like I said, I’ll be more than happy to explain everything to him when I see him. If you want, give him a call. I’ll tell him over the phone.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Didn’t you call him already? I mean, why else are we out here? Bet you surprised him. Not the kind of news I’d want to get in the middle of the night.” Simon laughed. “How’d he take it?”
Luca Falconi said nothing,
“Don’t listen to this guy,” said Jack. “He’s not one of us. He’s a cop. Look at him. Why else does he show up now?”
“Shut up, Jack. Look at his arm.”
“It’s fake.”
“I’ll give you a chance to take that back,” said Simon.
“Whoever you are, Tino doesn’t like you asking questions,” said Falconi.
