Chapter 3 KNOCK HER OUT

Riccardo

"Hey, my man, you came back!" When I saw my cousin again, it was unlike anything I've experienced so far, even if he wasn't long gone.

"But of course, I did. What were you thinking? That you can get rid of me that easily?"

I had really missed his jovial voice. Fabrizio was three years younger than me, which is why he was perhaps the most protected after the death of our parents. Apart from Aida, I was like his mother and father.

With one smooth gesture, I jokingly pushed my cousin and then, in an act of pure love, I put my arms around him, patting him on his back.

"Gosh, Fabrizio, you've only been gone a week and so much has changed in the area," I said with a bitter smile on my face.

My cousin was more loose, yet sometimes he seemed the most mature of the two of us, given my background.

"What do you mean?" A little trace of perplexity appeared on Fabrizio's calm face.

"For starters, Aida is gone!" The news fell like a bomb in the middle of a battlefield. It still affected me and now that I've repeated it even more.

"What do you mean gone?" he asked, looking worried.

"I mean gone, as in she left..." I went on a bit nervous as I had to repeat myself.

"When did that happen?" his questioning continued.

"Yesterday morning. After my usual pool bath, she threw the bomb"

"You know she has a little grandson" Fabrizio's calm face became full of love and serenity when he spoke of the young boy.

"I know. I was just not prepared for this. But that was not all that happened..." I tried to divert the subject, which was making me feel bad.

Fabrizio had moved closer.

"I am afraid you lost me here. What else happened? Another unpleasant business?"

"You can say that. I've seen a woman and I want her!" I said firmly and without hesitation.

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened, would it?"

"This time it was so different, Fabrizio. The woman was already gone by the time my men got to her." I explained resentfully, thinking with regret about that evening.

"So, what's your plan now?" he became even more curious.

"I have to go on two levels. One I'm going to search until I find her. No matter how many days it may take me, I will find her. In the second plan, I intend to get a reliable person on my side now that Aida's gone."

"A trustworthy person? Who do you have in mind? Be careful what kind of person you bring into the network." Fabrizio's face suddenly darkened.

"You are well aware, my dear cousin, that I know all too clearly how to keep someone on a short leash and what the punishment would be if they break the simple rules I impose," I reassured him by reminding him of the treatment of those who betrayed me.

"That's what I'm afraid of, that you don't know your limit, Riccardo"

"Then I'll choose someone who will impose some limits, but not on me, but on the entire world,"

His puzzled look made me realize he was no longer with me. "In other words, I need to find the best journalist out there to make me look good. An image that's inconspicuous," I said proudly, folding my arms across my chest.

"Oh, I get it. You need someone to create a false image for you, or rather, hide all your mischief and madness. Then I have the perfect person for that."

"Who did you have in mind? I hope he is a pro. I don't feel like teaching a debutant all it is to it, to tell him my entire life story. My life, my background, my moods," I replied, bored knowing all too well my cousin's choices.

"Who said it was a he?" Fabrizio's laughter was so loud and cheerful that the entire house came to life.

Sometimes Fabrizio's mind was so twisted that I was sure he outdid mine. But his life was still a mystery to me.

But saying it was a woman, mischievous smiles settled on both of our faces. It was like we could read each other's minds.

"I've missed you Fabrizio!" I said loudly and with determination and hugged him, patting him noisily on his back.

"I've missed you too, Riccardo!"

"So, what's new?" I changed the topic again, wanting to catch up with all his steps.

The brief moment of awkwardness got quickly replaced with a normal chat. My cousin showed a great interest in my work. Or my business. He had always been there for me, supporting me in what I did. When I had a business in progress, Fabrizio had my back all the time.

"We have a shipment of white powder coming next week, so I'm glad to have you here. I could use a hand."

"I know, the one from England"

"Oh, so you're all set up"

"Of course, I am. And yes, I'm glad I can help you too."

"I knew I could count on you," I said to him, patting him on his shoulder. "Come on, let's go grab something to eat, shall we? My treat"

"Ok, done. I have to confess that I am starving"

The times spent with my cousin were memorable, especially since he was away most of the time. We took my car and went to a nearby restaurant. Everyone here knew us. It was impossible for me to avoid being recognized anywhere in Sicily. And it wasn't all good.

"Good morning Mr. Serratore, this way, please!" the waiter greeted us with a stupid smile on his face.

"Good morning, Klaus! After you..."

Usually, we followed him to our table, but this time I asked for a different one. I just wanted to talk with Fabrizio more privately about what was going to happen. "Thank you so much, Klaus! I will have the usual please, and for my cousin the same"

"Coming right up"

I watched the waiter while he went away and then turned to my cousin with my serious look.

"This is going out of hands, my hands..."

"What is going on, Riccardo? Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Fabrizio was now watching me with a concern I have never seen before in him.

"Some of my trusted men have told me that the police and the agents are after me. I desperately need this person you told me about. I need to make them cut me some slack so I can do my job."

"Okay, I get it. I'll see what I can do. This woman is very busy..."

"Do you think I care, Fabrizio? I want her to be here and already start writing for important newspapers and magazines all over Italy and around the world. If you said she's very famous, then no one would refuse her collaboration"

"Oh well, that's a good thing. Now let's see how we get her here."

"That's why I have you, my dear cousin, who always helps me. Tell me, who is it?"

Just as he was about to answer me, the waiter returned with our food.

"Clarissa Ward is her name, and she's from England," Fabrizio began as soon as Klaus left.

"Winner of many awards, she doesn't back down from anything. She now works for London's and perhaps the world's best-known tabloid, the Devilish INK."

"Okay, interesting. I already like her"

Then Fabrizio's face suddenly changed.

"But you know, it's not so easy to bring her to Sicily. She's very well liked there and if she disappeared without a trace like that, someone would look for her. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Well, in this case we have to make it so that it doesn't look like kidnapping, that she would come willingly. What else do you know about her?" Again, my cousin's face changed, only this time it became brighter.

"I know she's going to Paris to see a certain Pierre Trottier, a pianist who's holding a gala in honor of his creations."

"Well, that's perfect!" I suddenly flinched as if I had come up with the best idea ever.

"What's so perfect?"

"When everyone thinks she's in Paris interviewing that man, Pierre, she'll actually be here." I concluded with a wicked grin.

"I understand. What I don't get is how are you going to bring her here?" It took me a few seconds to not grimace, but he still got me.

"Oh no..."

"Oh, yes!" And I bet my face changed too. In my mind, I had this plan and the more I thought about it, the more realistic it seemed.

"You will go to London and pose as Pierre's right-hand man and under the pretext of escorting her personally, you will bring her here."

"What if she realizes and puts up a fight?"

"Then... knock her out, so you can bring her here with no trouble"