Rome and Intrigue

George Roberts

Description

Our man Giorgio is returning to one of the trade offices via Cannes for plenty of social relaxation after several months in the field. Instead of enjoying the pleasures of rest, Giorgio is sent a sealed message: 'Return via Athens with immediate effect'. Giorgio teams up with his old friend Emilio to find some secret financial files which have recently been stolen - who took them, and why?The girls in D section who source Giorgio's messages and keep his secrets are looking forward to his return and looking forward to him livening the place up. Also anticipating Giorgio's return is a bodyguard who has certain feelings for him, even though he hid her exotic glittery shoes. And the other woman, whose side is she really on? Did she really want Giorgio?All are involved, for good or bad. The secret financial files will open a door to a world of money, and the people that Giorgio and Emilio are tracing all have their own reasons for stealing the files. All characters are caught in the midst of the struggles between love and trust, loss and grief, and the grand lifestyle that they all aspire to. In this lifestyle is a world of power and intrigue, and the invisible wealth of others. A secret, shadowy environment filled with cars, yachts and executive jets. There are some who live even deeper within this lifestyle. In an undefined tenebrous existence in the world of finance, there is always a price to pay, but who will pay this time?In this life of shadows, will they survive, with or without visible scars?

Sujets

• Thriller

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 19 décembre 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781784628543
• Langue: English

Extrait

Rome and Intrigue
George Roberts

Copyright © 2014 George Roberts
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or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents
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concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.
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Dedicated to my two great sons, always there with inspiring help.
All poems referred to throughout the story are on the last pages.
Contents

Cover


Also by George Roberts


Chapter 1


Chapter 2


Chapter 3


Chapter 4


Chapter 5


Chapter 6


Chapter 7


Chapter 8


Chapter 9


Chapter 10


Chapter 11


Chapter 12


The Commander


The Empty Bed


Golden Pearl


Rome and Intrigue Poem
Also by George Roberts

Days of You
The Enchanted Rib
Just Stir Me etc
Chapter 1


Athens


Welcome back to Greece Giorgio, you’re looking well. Thank you Emilio, good to see you again it’s been awhile, you’re looking fit and prosperous this section obviously agrees with you! I’m sorry to hear it’s your last tour, and possibly mine, neither of us will suit the inactive life style of a desk no matter how big it is. I agree Giorgio but I will have Lucia to organise my routine, who will you have now?
Come Giorgio, we need to move you away from this busy place and all the tourists; Lucia my aide has booked you into your usual hotel suite, all your bags are cleared and in the car which is waiting. We can talk there and on the way to your hotel, we will take the scenic business route as it will be our last opportunity, although you may need to visit one of our associates to advise them of our intentions and our requirements to this latest incident, other than that I can show you where other establishments are now located. I am sure you will enjoy the route; it is one which various drivers have taken you on your visits to dealings with assorted business types for working lunches.
Emilio we should always find time to enjoy the exquisite qualities and fine Grecian elegance of this city, which I might add we have both enjoyed on returning from the field. All now sadly in the past Giorgio, Lucia says this present crisis will need all your attention and mine, sadly my friend our time is limited with all our hours pre-booked for the short time we are here in Athens. You will have to eat and socialise in house, but you are used to living in hotels Giorgio their your second home.
True, and having read the abbreviated details of this visit Emilio, I guessed as much, although it means zero socialising, the upside of being in the office is it will give me chance to catch up on company procedures and protocols again, I shall have to abandon my rough practical ways of getting things done. Giorgio it will be good for you to be back from external operations, and in the comparative safety of our armoured umbrella away from the hazards you have recently experienced.
The joys of field work Emilio.
Maybe Giorgio but others will be glad to see you back safely,’ Lucia used to say to me you cannot be at sea for too long, even seabirds want to fly home in the end. Giorgio, the hotel has had a face lift and internal refit with more room refinements, better access and security, which reminds me Giorgio, claiming expenses has come under scrutiny again.
Have you had more social extravagances Emilio?
Not too many, but it is expected when you are entertaining certain groups to gather information. It sounds plausible Emilio.
We made our way to the hotel lift area.
Giorgio, the hotel manager, Andreus, is coming over, we can thank him for listening to our security suggestions and extra facilities during our last social gathering.
Giorgio, it is good to see you again, we have not seen you for a while, you have been enjoying the sun yes, we hope you will enjoy your stay with us again.
Thank you Andreus it’s good to see you too and the uplifting new style, it’s much appreciated to see and hear about the additional changes we all agreed from our last social meeting. Thank you Giorgio, it is still a well-remembered night, the band asked to be remembered if I should see you for an enjoyable time they had, I hope you will find everything is satisfactory in your room, which is including our special complimentary baskets exclusive to the suite.
Well Giorgio, everything to your satisfaction, the room is how you remember. Exactly how I remember it even with all the improvements, I also see several extra items on the new desk, and a bigger so called mini bar for the food and wine, we emptied it last time with our after party gathering, and all the extras I recall. That was a good farewell night Giorgio, the function hall was just big enough, and the quantities of food and drink, it has always amazed me just how much champagne the ladies can drink and where they put all the food.
Emilio, thank Lucia for me, for remembering to stock up on all the extras and office equipment we need, although looking at some of the extra equipment this large suite which I normally enjoy will be for meetings only.
Very true Giorgio, we can have the first unofficial meeting now at the new desk with the complimentary coffee, and excellent selection of sandwiches. The first item on the agenda, a sealed message from central for you, it arrived as I was leaving to pick you up.
The familiar envelope eh Emilio.
Some things never change Giorgio, and sometimes it’s good news.
This one is, it’s confirmation of a message I received from D section yesterday, it must be the same as you received it’s more or less what we discussed on our way here, my eight days in Athens are cancelled and so on, Emilio to liaise, internal department alert, timetable upgrade leave for Cannes office of foreign trade on completion of meetings in Athens. Here take a look just to make sure, oh and pass it on to Lucia for me; you know how she likes to file all of our reports no matter how minor.
It is the same Giorgio, that’s why I am still here, as you saw in my report, all this is due to unauthorised removal of documents. Vital information to the Athens independent finance meetings, they were taken from their offices of social learning. It’s an interesting title eh Emilio? For a so-called security department, I wonder about the people who make these decisions, and apply quirky names, they must be rotated ex-employees from add agencies.
Giorgio nothing surprises me with that organisation; it’s a place of no organisation, how did it go on your possibly last tour of the Middle East, anyone or anything I should know about not in the report. I have a couple of names and contacts for you to check, otherwise no major problems worth noting, it all went surprisingly well, almost everyone expected the reorganising and upgrading of company procedures, streamlining will make the next full round trip of all our Middle East businesses much easier, those unaware or not informed of our new system were happy to leave for the home office, albeit with immediate effect, apart from that it was all very low key and straight forward. I did leave a few days early missing out on a small social day which would have been a bit dry, and a couple of days briefing others on all the updates, which will now fall on to a couple of our younger colleagues who I’m sure will be happy to gain the experience of it all.
I know both of them Giorgio they will cope all right, especially after they receive my instructions. Nice touch Emilio, anyway you know the details of my new assignment, to adjust my travel arrangements to reflect on going changes in this sector, proceed from Athens to Cannes office via Rome at your discretion. It was eight days in Athens for departmental meetings, now it’s only four days, all with immediate effect, so as time is pressing Emilio, what’s the business itinerary you have for me?
You’re right time is pressing Giorgio, we only have four days and three nights here in Athens to assess what is going on and flush out as much as possible, who is behind it all and their motive. We have two meetings lined up, a business one tonight and a buffet evening tomorrow, I don’t have all the details for that yet and the last night is a more up market business meeting. Tonight it’s a low profile gathering of business and finance groups, general introductions low-key chit-chat, with cold buffet sandwiches and good vintage wine. It’s an ideal opportunity for you to meet the group chairman, but mainly, Antonio and his sister, I shall call for you at 18:00, you have three hours to be ready, no time for sightseeing or personal socialising eh Giorgio. I know you have my interest at heart Emilio, I said smiling, I read your priority report as to Antonio’s recent background; it would make a good story. However, I have a feeling there’s more.
Chapter 2


First Meeting

This is good Emilio, an impressive first night turnout, everyone’s socialising enjoying the evening with a lot of enthusiasm between the groups, I’ve been listening closely and reading between the lines there are some big financial incentives flying about, have you heard anything Emilio? Only as you’ve heard but it is something to do wi