chapter 50: Somebody will probably be willing to pay a lot of money for him,

They were approaching the suburbs of Naples. Old apartment houses lined the narrow streets, with laundry hanging out of almost every window,

making the buildings look like concrete mountains flying colorful flags.

Pier asked, “Have you ever been to Naples?”

“Once.” Robert’s voice was tight. Susan was sitting beside him, giggling. I heard Naples is a wicked city. Can we do a lot of wicked things here,

darling?

We’re going to invent some new things, Robert promised.

Pier was watching him. “Are you all right?”

Robert brought his mind back to the present. “I’m fine.”

They were driving along the bay of the Castel Dell’ Ovo, the old abandoned castle near the water.

When they arrived at Via Toledo, Pier said, excitedly, “Turn here.”

They were approaching Spaccanapoli, the old section of Naples.

Pier said, “It’s just up ahead. Turn left onto Via Benedetto Croce.”

Robert made the turn. The traffic here was heavier, and the noise of horns deafening. He had forgotten how noisy Naples could be. He