Iris Johansen - Blind Alley

“Yes and no,” Trevor said. “The exits from public places were generally called that. For years the guards told gullible tourists that the Romans gorged themselves and then made themselves throw up to eat more.”

“Charming. And this vomitorium was an exit from the theater?”

“It could have been. The Via Spagnola tunnel winds around so much that this could have been an exit for another public building or residence. At any rate, it's damn convenient for us.” He glanced at Joe. “And there are three tunnels leading off that vomitorium. Aldo will probably be hiding in one of them if we can set him up.”

“And the vomitorium is the target area?” Joe asked. “Exactly where is it?”

“A short distance farther along the tunnel. After you pass the offshoot passage that you'll be taking, you come to a wider area that was evidently the treasure trove the thieves were after when they dug the tunnel. The vomitorium evidently contained several large statues that were stolen. Only the bases are left.”

“How's the light?”

“Better have an infrared scope. I'll have four torches scattered on the walls around the area. That's all I can promise you. It's just as important that he doesn't see you as it is that you see him.”

“And what's going to bring him to the room?”

“Jane.” His glance shifted to her. “And Cira.”

Joe shook his head. “Are you going to send him an engraved invitation for the event?”

“I hope we don't have to. If he calls Jane as he did before she left Georgia, she can set him up. There's a good chance that will happen.”

“And if it doesn't?”

“We have a backup.” He continued, “We're announcing that the coffin containing the remains is being transported day after tomorrow from the tunnel where she was discovered to the lab here at the villa for forensic examination and reconstruction. I've chosen two well-known forensic experts who have the reputation of not being assholes like Sontag and I'll hand out their names to the media to verify.”

“How?”

“That's up to you, Quinn. I don't care if you persuade or threaten them. Just get them to lie through their teeth and go underground for the few days they're supposed to be at the villa.”

“We're just going to let Aldo follow us to the villa?”

“Right, he's going to follow us through the theater tunnel to the robbers' tunnel leading to the villa.”

“What?”

“It's the kind of flamboyant showmanship Sontag would pull. Dramatically revealing the place where the skeleton was found to the media and then leading them through the darkness to the place where Cira's identity was going to be discovered. Or rather to the point where we have the local police barricade the tunnel to keep the media from going any farther and knowing where we exit.”

“Aldo would be insane to be in the middle of that mob of reporters.”

“He won't be in the middle. But he'll be there somewhere in that network of tunnels keeping an eye on what's going on,” Trevor said. “And he'll go back and explore later. We won't make it too hard for him to find the Via Spagnola tunnel.” He added to Joe, “Have you made sure the tunnel where the skeleton was found was put off-limits by the local police and guarded twenty-four hours a day?”

“Of course, it made sense. I just suggested it would be wise to protect the area from thieves who might contaminate the excavation site. They were eager to please. There's a good deal of American money being poured into that hole in the ground. So what's going to draw him to the vomitorium if the reconstruction is going to be done at the villa?”

Trevor smiled. “Because we're going to let Aldo believe that Sontag is going to have a news conference down there for the great unveiling of the reconstruction.”

“My God,” Jane whispered.

“Again, it's the kind of flamboyant thing Sontag would pull. Leading the reporters through the darkness to a mystery destination, the vomitorium.”

“And we draw Aldo down there instead. He'd want to destroy the reconstruction before the media got to it,” Jane said slowly. “How do we do it?”

“You challenge him, taunt him, make him think you're taking him on one on one. He's a supreme egotist besides being nuts. You find a way to exploit his weakness.”

She frowned. “It could work.”

“It better.” Trevor turned to Eve. “Everything okay?”

She thought about it. “No. How is Aldo going to know about the vomitorium?”

“Once he discovers the Via Spagnola tunnel, he'll reconnoiter and the vomitorium is fairly easy to find for someone used to negotiating tunnels. Once he finds it, he's not going to go any farther.”

“Why not?”

“He'll know it's the place. I've set it up. I've got lamps, batteries, and photo equipment all over the place down there. He won't be able to miss what's going to happen.”

“How can you be so sure he'll even find it? It's a hell of a lot to assume.”

“You're right. That's why I set up a video camera on the ledge where Joe's going to be waiting. It's pointed directly down at the vomitorium. If Aldo's exploring down there, we'll know it. Trust me.”

“I don't trust anyone where Jane's safety's concerned. And I hate the idea of using her as bait.”

“Eve, you knew that this was the only way we could do it,” Jane said quietly. “And Joe is going to be there to protect me.”

“And I'll be there, too,” Trevor said. “I'm taking her down to the vomitorium that night. You go down ahead of us, Quinn. I'll scout out the tunnel before we take her down and be with her as far as the offshoot passage before I join you at the ledge. I'll guarantee she'll be safe until she gets to the vomitorium. After that it's up to all of us to make sure she stays safe.”

“Why can't we bring more security down there?”

“The minute he'd see them, he'd flit. As long as we don't let him get near Jane, she'll be safe. He never uses a gun. He wants ritual. It's important to him. We don't give a damn about ritual; a rifle bullet will suit us just fine.”

“This had better work, Trevor,” Eve said grimly.

“Lord, what's a man got to do? I'm open to suggestions.”

“You'll get them if we see any signs that this damn plan is disintegrating.” She turned and headed toward the doorway leading to the hall. “And in the meantime I'm going to bed. I'm beat. Joe?”

“I'll be there in a minute.” Joe finished his coffee. “I'm going to check with the security boys and see if they've noticed anything.”

“It's too early,” Trevor said. “Aldo's not going to make a move yet.”

“It must be wonderful to be able to see into a crystal ball,” Joe said sarcastically as he opened the kitchen door. “Personally, I've always found that it's better to expect the unexpected.”

“So have I,” Trevor murmured as the door closed behind Joe. “Usually. But Aldo is different. . . . I feel like I know what he's thinking—it's different.” He picked up the cups and plates and took them to the sink. “And maybe I'm wrong and Quinn is right on target. Having two varying viewpoints only makes it safer for you.” He turned to face her. “You were very quiet while I was sketching in my ‘master plan.' Don't you think it will work?”

“I've no idea. It's difficult to imagine. . . .” She moistened her lips. “You said that the tunnel was directly below this house?”

“Yes.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “Does that make you nervous?”

She shook her head. “Not nervous.” Her glance shifted to the window. “It's getting dark. It will be even darker in the tunnel, won't it?”

“Yes. What are you thinking?”

She looked back at him. “I want you to take me through the tunnel. I want to see this vomitorium and I want to see for myself where Sontag barricaded the tunnel anteroom where Cira is supposed to be.”