The Venice Job by Deborah Abela Page B

yard. He was knocked unconscious.’ Steinberger spoke carefully. ‘He has a broken arm and a knife wound to the side.’
    â€˜Is it serious?’ Linden asked.
    â€˜He’ll be okay. He’s being taken care of in hospital.’
    Max was having trouble believing Steinberger’s news. ‘But how was his cover blown?’
    â€˜We’re not sure. Agent 31 is one of the best in the business when it comes to being discreet. But we do feel this is a warning that the people behind the threat are very clever, and very dangerous.’
    Steinberger fell into a heavy silence.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Steinberger.’ Max wanted to reassure him. ‘We’ll complete our mission.’
    â€˜Yes, the mission,’ Steinberger reluctantly continued. ‘I’ve spoken to Mr Harrison who wants you to abort the minute you think you’re being followed.’
    â€˜Abort?’ Max had never heard Steinberger suggest aborting a mission before, no matter how dangerous it was becoming. ‘But sir, what about Venice?’
    â€˜We have other agents briefed who can take over within an hour. Once your cover is blown, your lives will be in great danger and it will be vital that we get you out of there as soon as we can.’
    Luca went to speak. ‘Actually sir, we are …’
    â€˜Being very careful,’ Toby interrupted. ‘If we think we’re being followed, we’ll let you know.’
    Luca frowned at Toby who gave him a warning look in return.
    â€˜That makes me feel better,’ Steinberger mustered a half smile. ‘I’ll be in touch as soon as I know more. Oh, and those two men you asked me to I.D., all we found was small-time crime, but nothing to get too worried about. Why did you want them checked?’
    â€˜We happened to spot them behaving suspiciously in the Piazza San Marco,’ Toby jumped in. ‘But if they’re petty criminals that probably explains it.’
    â€˜Oh, okay then,’ Steinberger replied. ‘I don’t want any of you to take unnecessary risks.’
    â€˜Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Goodbye,’ said Max as she closed the connection.
    â€˜We should have told him.’ Luca was annoyed that Toby had lied.
    â€˜So he could take us off the mission?’
    â€˜He is the boss, we must trust what he says.’
    â€˜Do you do everything you’re told?’ Toby was beginning to lose patience with Signore Charming.
    Luca said proudly, ‘Yes, I do.’
    â€˜Then life must be very boring for you,’ Toby muttered. ‘And why are we being followed, Luca? The only people who know we are here are somehigh-ranking Italian police, Spyforce … and your family.’
    Luca looked away. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
    â€˜We all heard what Steinberger said,’ Linden reasoned. ‘The people behind this are very dangerous and are probably following anyone with even the slightest connection to the mayor or the city authorities.’
    Toby frowned. Linden made sense, but that didn’t mean Luca was in the clear.
    â€˜From now on, we all have to be extra cautious about who we talk to,’ finished Linden.
    There was a knock at the door. Linden deactivated the Shush Zone and Luca opened the door to face one of the house staff who handed him a note. There was an exchange of Italian before Luca closed the door and turned to the others. ‘Another note.’
    â€˜We can see that,’ Toby responded pointedly.
    â€˜The housekeeper found it under the front door. It is addressed to Maxine.’
    Max unfolded it. ‘It says, “I have news about the threat against Venice. Meet me at the Rialto Bridge at one p.m.” That’s in less than an hour!’
    â€˜Who is it from?’ Toby asked.
    Max turned over the note. ‘It doesn’t say.’ She looked at Luca. ‘How long will it take to walk there?’
    â€˜Almost half an hour, but you