“Don’t shoot!” a man said in English.
“Get out,” said De Rosa in Italian.
When the man didn’t answer or follow the instruction, Nikki edged closer, and repeated the command in English.
He was bleeding as he staggered out, left hand clutching his right elbow. Blood was coming through his shirt at the shoulder and down his arm.
“I’m shot,” he moaned.
“Mac!” exclaimed Nikki.
She hadn’t known what to expect, but certainly not the Dutch naval officer. He was out of uniform and wore a white cotton shirt, a cardigan draped around his neck. He sobbed and fell to his knees.
“Nina! Take me to a hospital. I need a hospital!”
“You know him?” De Rosa said with a suspicious glance.
“He’s my brother’s friend,” said Nikki. “He doesn’t speak Italian.”
“Translate for me,” De Rosa told her. Then, to Mac, “Why are you following us?”
Sweating heavily, Mac rubbed a palm shakily across his face, smearing blood. “We want to talk to Tito Calandra.”
“Who?” De Rosa demanded. “Who wants to talk to him?”
“I work for an elite Dutch intelligence organization—MIVD.”
De Rosa gave a humorless laugh. “How elite can it be if you’re one of them? Why do you want Calandra?”
“The assassination attempts,” Mac stammered. “We know Calandra’s been shot. We’d like to meet with him—make an arrangement.”
At his words, Nikki forgot to translate. She turned to De Rosa. “Has Tito been shot?”
She hadn’t considered—hadn’t let herself consider—that Tito could actually be injured or killed. The possibility was a meteor strike. She reeled from the impact.
De Rosa stared at her. “I won’t discuss this with you. You’ve already made your feelings clear. Tell me what he’s saying.”
“People know where I am. They’ll be looking for me,” said Mac, seeming to gather his courage. “Nina…Nina…you know me. I’m friends with Gianni. We’ve had dinner together.”
“Why would an intelligence officer be friends with my brother?” Nikki asked, realizing the answer as she spoke. “Because he’s connected to Tito!”
“Tell me what you’re saying.” De Rosa insisted. Nikki told him.
“Tito’s my nephew’s godfather,” she explained.
“Ask the Dutchman how he knew where to find us,” said De Rosa. “We can’t continue if they’re following.”
Nikki asked.
“Your bag,” Mac said. “I put a tracker in your bag…at your house.”
“Why?” Nikki demanded.
“We hoped you’d lead us to Calandra.”
Nikki told De Rosa.
“Get it,” he instructed.
