last part, but we do think that C3 is possibly an offshoot of the old P2, Propaganda Due, a clandestine Masonic lodge that was shut down about twenty years ago. The Italian government nearly collapsed when it was found that P2’s members consisted of numerous top officials in Rome, all corrupt and on the take. Everyone from the highest-ranking politicians to the police and judicial officials, even a number of high-ranking Vatican officials, all commingling with the mafiosi.” He slowed for a turn, and Syd caught a glimpse of the steep cliffs and the lake below. “The downfall caused the collapse of the Banco Ambrosiano, a major financial institution which was controlled by the Vatican. And that’s not even counting the murders connected to the whole affair.”
“Was Adami part of that operation?”
“Damned straight he was. As usual, he managed to survive the scandal. Claimed he didn’t know the P2 Masonic lodge wasn’t the social club he’d thought. Which is how we came up with my cover. A rich American Freemason, looking to buy some artwork from him.”
Xavier’s conspiracy paper aside, it seemed the Freemason connection certainly opened doors, she told herself. “And all you intend to do tonight is to plant a listening device?”
“An undetectable device. It’s our best chance to figure out where he might be making and storing bioweapons. We want to prove it, destroy them, and shut him down.”
As they neared the villa, Sydney smoothed her dress, adjusted the diamond bracelet at her wrist, then pulled the visor down to look in the mirror. “How about a test,” she said, turning her head from side to side as though looking at the diamond earrings, but in reality checking to make sure the tiny transmitter in her ear was not visible. Griffin, Giustino, and Marc were holed up in a van farther down the hill near the small town of Nemi, monitoring their progress. Once at the villa, Tex would have to leave her to break into Carlo Adami’s office to plant the listening device.
“Testing, one, two, three,” came Griffin’s voice.
“Perfect,” she said.
Tex stopped at the tall wrought-iron gates, adorned with the Orsini coat of arms, and showed his invitation to one of the uniformed guards, who took it, leaned down, looked into the car, eyed Sydney, then returned the invitation to Tex. “Enjoy your evening, signore è signorina,” he said, waving them through.
The gates slid open, and Tex drove up the long winding drive, lit on either side by torches set into shallow pans. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows across grotesque moss-covered statues of satyrs chasing nymphs. The drive ended in a broad ellipse before the great Renaissance mansion, and Tex pulled up to wait their turn behind a Ferrari that had stopped behind a Mercedes. Angry clouds threatened rain, but the stylishly dressed guests seemed not to notice. Not one umbrella or raincoat marred the perfection of the Fendis, Versaces, and Armanis worn by the men and women emerging from the various luxury vehicles. A few moments later, two of several crimson-liveried valets walked up to the Lancia, one opening the door for Sydney, another for Tex. The keys were left in the vehicle.
“You be careful with that there car, son,” he said, in a thick drawl. He didn’t wait for a response, just took Sydney’s arm possessively, playing his part of the rich Texan. Sydney, keeping up her role as arm candy, laid her hand over his, and gave her best ingénue smile, having to look up at him. At six-three, with shoulders that looked like a linebacker’s, and thick wavy blond hair shimmering in the torchlight, he was an impressive sight in his tux. He led her up the steps to mingle with the guests, as they waited for their introductions to the count.
A white-gloved waiter bearing a tray of spumante approached. “Prosecco, signorina? Signore?”
“Grazie,” Sydney said, taking a glass.
Tex took one as well, leading her through the gilded columns of the cavernous salon, whose baroque mirrors reflected light onto the fanciful parrots that darted in an impossible flight across the frescoed ceiling. Sydney, in her black velvet and crepe Ferragamo gown and simple diamond earrings, blended in with the other women, who, according to Tex, included contessas and principessas among the guests. A discreet servant informed them that an al fresco supper, as well as their host, Carlo Adami, awaited them in the Raphael Loggia, which she discovered was the name of the great veranda that overlooked the gardens and Lake Nemi.