The Villa

with Jerry, or why after all this time, all this planning, Jerry would kill him. Would risk that, would bother. Doesn't ring for me. But I'm not a cop, and neither are you."
    "They'll have to question him. Even on the word of someone like Donato, they'll have to. He'll slither and he'll slide, but…" She stopped, took a breath. "We'll be stopping in New York to refuel."
    "Three countries in one day."
    "Welcome to my world."
    "You won't get anything out of him, Sophie."
    "Just the chance to spit in his face."
    "Yeah, there's that." And he'd get a charge out of watching her do it. "You know how to track him down? It's a big city."
    She sat again and pulled out her Filofax. "Making connections is one of my best things. Thanks."
    "Hey, I'm just along for the ride."
    "Let me tell you something that didn't escape my notice today."
    "Sophie, nothing does."
    "Exactly. I was plowing my way through this mess, making calls, arrangements, pushing all the buttons, you never interrupted me, never asked me any questions, never patted my head and told me to step back so you could handle it."
    "I don't happen to speak three languages."
    "That wasn't it. It didn't occur to you to flex your muscles and take over, to show me you could handle things for me. Just like it didn't dent your ego that I knew what I had to do and how to do it. You don't have to flex your muscles because you know they're there. And so do I."
    "Maybe I just like watching you flex yours." She got up just to crawl into his lap, curl there. "All my life I've made certain to hook myself up with weak men. All show, no substance." With her head on his shoulder she could finally rest. "Now look what I've done."
     
    Jerry made several calls himself. From pay phones. He didn't consider Donato much of a problem, but more of an inconvenience. And even that would be seen to before long. He'd accomplished what he'd set out to accomplish.
    Giambelli was fighting its way out of yet another crisis, the family itself was in turmoil, consumer trust was diving toward an all-time low. And he was reaping the rewards, personally, professionally, financially.
    Nothing he'd done—nothing he'd done that could be proved—had been illegal. He'd simply done his job, as an aggressive businessman would, and had seized opportunities that had come his way.
    He was more amused than annoyed when lobby security announced he had visitors. Prepared to be entertained, he cleared them, then turned to his companion. "We have company. An old friend of yours."
    "Jerry, we've got two solid hours of work to get through tonight." Kris uncurled her legs from the couch. "Who is it?"
    "Your former boss. Why don't we open a bottle of the Pouilly-Fuisse? The '96."
    "Sophia." Kris surged to her feet. "Here? Why?"
    "We're about to find out," he said as the buzzer sounded. "Be a good girl, won't you? Fetch the wine."
    He strolled to the door. "Isn't this a lovely surprise. I had no idea you were in town." He actually leaned forward to kiss Sophia's cheek. She was quick, but Tyler was quicker. His hand rammed sharply into Jerry's chest.
    "Let's not start out being stupid," he advised.
    "Sorry." Holding up both hands, Jerry stepped back. "Didn't realize things had changed between you. Come in. I was just about to open some wine. You both know Kris."
    "Yes. How cozy," Sophia began. "We'll pass on the wine, thanks. We won't be here long. You appear to be enjoying all your new employee benefits, Kris."
    "I much prefer the style of my new boss to the style of my old one."
    "I'm sure you're a lot more friendly with your associates."
    "Ladies, please," Jerry pleaded as he closed the door. "We're all pros here. And we know executives switch companies every day. That's business. I hope you're not here to scold me for snatching one of yours. After all, Giambelli wooed one of our best away just last year. How is David, by the way? I heard he had a close call in Venice recently."
    "He's doing very well. Fortunately for Kris, Giambelli has a firm policy against trying to kill former employees."
    "But apparently not a strong enough one against internal wars. I was shocked to hear about Donato." Jerry lowered to the arm of a sofa. "Absolutely shocked."
    "We're not wired, DeMorney." Tyler ran an arm down Sophia's arm to calm her. "So you can save the act. We paid Don a visit before we left Europe. He had some interesting things to say about you. I don't think the police will be far behind us."
    "Really?" He'd been fast, Jerry