They passed inside, navigating the tangled undergrowth and trees until they arrived at an outcropping of rock above the compound, an unobstructed view of the buildings below.
—
The main house was an ornate stucco structure, with marble pillars and tile roof, manicured gardens, and a swimming pool. At the front of the house was a courtyard with a marble fountain, and two largebuildings. Four vehicles were parked in the drive—a dark sedan and three black SUVs.
From her vantage, Nikki could see an armed security guard in the courtyard, and another two pacing around the buildings.
Nikki and Federico and De Rosa stayed for more than an hour in their uncomfortable perch, watching the guards conduct their patrols. Then De Rosa stepped away and Nikki heard the low murmur of his voice on the phone.
“Would they be holding Valerio in the house?” she asked Federico.
“Doubtful,” he said. “Luca doesn’t like messes.”
He was silent several minutes, then continued, this time in a low voice, glancing in the direction of De Rosa. “Take care of yourself, bella,” he said. “He’s lying to you. This isn’t only a reconnaissance mission.”
“He’s trying to find Lazarov,” Nikki said.
“Yes. And when he does, do you think he can afford to wait…to let him get away?”
“What can he do on his own?” she whispered. “If he was going to take Lazarov tonight, he would have more men with him.”
“Tito Calandra was shot,” Federico said. “That doesn’t happen…. Nobody gets that close unless someone betrayed Calandra. They have a traitor. De Rosa’s looking for Lazarov on his own because he doesn’t trust anyone else.”
“How can you be sure?”
“He’s on the warpath. He killed that Dutchman. That should tell you how important this is to him. Watch and see. He’s coordinating with Calandra now. Just make sure you’re far away when they pull the pin.”
—
De Rosa returned several minutes later.
“I count eleven men,” he said. “I don’t see Lazarov.”
“Patience,” Federico advised.
Nikki checked her watch. It was 01:22.
—
At 01:46, two men came from the main house, strode across the courtyard, towards the hillside and into the woods. They returned afew minutes later, dragging a figure between them. Nikki’s heart hammered and she strained to see.
He was dark with mud and blood, boots and clothes caked in it. It painted his face and hands, obscuring his features.
“Is it him?” she asked Federico. “Is it Valerio?”
She wanted to race down the hill and…then what?
She took out her phone and started filming.
The mud-stained man was clearly injured badly. When the guards dumped him on the ground, he lay motionless for a few beats before struggling to sit. There was something about the way he moved, the curve of his back, and the shape of his body…. Nikki grew more and more certain that she was right.
It was Valerio.
Thirty-One
Things moved so quickly, Nikki couldn’t be sure of everything that happened, or why.
A man came from the house and questioned Valerio. Then, suddenly, viciously, began kicking and punching him.
