The understatement of the year. “You might say that.”

“We’d like to help you out. They won’t be looking for you on a yacht. Why don’t you let us pick you up?”

“Thanks, Monte, I appreciate it. The answer is no.”

“I think you’re making a mistake. You’ll be safe here.”

Why was he so eager to help? “Thanks, anyway. I’ll take my chances. I’d like to speak to Susan again …”

“Of course.” Monte Banks handed the phone to Susan. “Talk him into it,” he urged.

Susan spoke into the phone. “Please let us help you.”

“You have helped me, Susan.” He had to stop for a moment. “You’re the best part of my life. I just want you to know that I’ll always love you.” He gave a little laugh. “Although always may not be such a big deal anymore.”

“Will you call me again?”

“If I can.”

“Promise me.”

“All right. I promise.”

He slowly replaced the receiver. Why did I do that to her? Why did I do that to myself? You’re a sentimental idiot, Bellamy. He walked back to the table.

“Let’s eat,” Robert said. They ordered.

“I heard your conversation. The police are looking for you, aren’t they?”

Robert stiffened. Careless. She was going to be trouble. “It’s just a little misunderstanding. I …”

“Don’t treat me like a fool. I want to help you.”

He was watching her warily. “Why should you help me?”

Pier leaned forward. “Because you’ve been generous to me. And I hate the police. You don’t know what it’s like to be out on the streets, hounded by them, treated like dirt. They arrest me for prostitution, but they take me to their back rooms and pass me around. They are animals. I would do anything to get even with them. Anything. I can help you.”

“Pier, there’s nothing you …”

“In Venice the police will catch you easily. If you stay at a hotel, they will find you. If you try to get on a ship, they will trap you. But I know a place where you will be safe from them. My mother and brother live in Naples. We can stay at their house. The police will never look for you there.”

Robert was silent for a moment, thinking about it. What Pier said made a good deal of sense. A private house would be much safer than any other place, and Naples was a big port. It would be easy to get a ship out of there. He hesitated before he answered. He did not want to put Pier in danger.

“Pier, if the police find me, they have orders to kill me. You would be considered an accomplice. You could be letting yourself in for trouble.”

“It’s very simple.” Pier smiled. “We won’t let them find you.”

Robert returned her smile. He made up his mind. “All right. Eat your lunch. We’re going to Naples.”

Colonel Frank Johnson said, “Your men have no idea where he is headed?”

Francesco Cesar sighed. “Not at the moment. But it is only a matter of time before …”

“We don’t have time. Have you checked the whereabouts of his ex-wife?”

“His ex-wife? No. I don’t see what …”

“Then you haven’t done your homework,” Colonel Johnson snapped. “She’s married to a man named Monte Banks. I would suggest that you locate them, and fast.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

She wandered down the broad boulevard, barely conscious of where she was going. How many days had it been since the terrible crash? She had lost count. She was so tired that it was difficult for her to concentrate. She desperately needed water; not the polluted water that the Earthlings drank, but fresh, clear rain water. She needed the pure fluid to revive her life essence, to gain the strength to find the crystal. She was dying.

She staggered and bumped into a man.

“Hey! Watch where …” The American salesman took a closer look at her and smiled. “Hi, there. Imagine bumping into you like this!” What a doll.

“Yes, I can imagine that.”

“Where are you from, honey?”

“The seventh sun of the Pleiades.”

He laughed. “I like a gal with a sense of humour. Where you headed?”

She shook her head. “I do not know. I am a stranger here.”

Jesus, I think I’m on to something. “Have you had dinner?”

“No. I cannot eat your food.”

I’ve got a real weirdo here. But a beauty. “Where are you staying?”

“I am not staying anywhere.”

“You don’t have a hotel?”

“A hotel?” She remembered. Boxes for travelling strangers. “No. I must find a place to sleep. I am very tired.”

His smile broadened. “Well, Papa can take care of that. Why don’t we go up to my hotel room? I’ve got a nice, big comfortable bed there. Would you like that?”

“Oh, yes, very much.”

He could not believe his good luck. “Wonderful!” I’ll bet she’s great in the hay.

She looked at him, puzzled. “Your bed is made of hay?”

He was staring at her. “What? No, no. You like your little jokes, don’t you?”

She could barely keep her eyes open. “Could we go to bed now?”

He rubbed his hands together. “You bet! My hotel is just around the corner.”

He picked up his key at the desk and they took the elevator to his floor. When they got to his room, the man asked, “Would you like a little drink?” Let’s loosen you up.

She wanted one desperately, but not the liquids the Earthlings had to offer. “No,” she said. “Where is the bed?”

My God, she’s a hot little thing. “In here, honey.” He led her into the bedroom. “You’re sure you wouldn’t like a drink?”

“I am sure.”

He licked his lips. “Then why don’t you – er – get undressed?”

She nodded. It was an Earthling custom. She removed the dress she was wearing. She was wearing nothing underneath. Her body was exquisite.

The man stared at her and said, happily, “This is my lucky night, honey. Yours, too.” I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before. He tore off his clothes as fast as he could and jumped into bed beside her. “Now!” he said. “I’m going to show you some real action.” He glanced up. “Damn! I left the light on.” He started to get up.

“Never mind,” she said sleepily. “I will turn it off.”

And as he watched, her arm reached out, out, across the wide room, and her fingers became leafy green tendrils as they brushed against the light switch.

He was alone in the dark with her. He screamed.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

They were travelling at high speed on the Autostrada del Sole, the freeway to Naples. They had been driving in silence for the last half hour, each preoccupied with his own thoughts.

Pier broke the silence. “How long would you like to stay at my mother’s house?” she asked.

“Three or four days, if that’s all right.”

“That will be fine.”

Robert had no intention of staying there for more than one night, two at the most. But he kept his plans to himself. As soon as he found a ship that was safe, he would be on his way out of Italy.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my family,” Pier said.

“You have just one brother?”

“Yes. Carlo. He is younger than me.”

“Tell me about your family, Pier.”

She shrugged. “There is not much to tell. My father worked at the docks all his life. A crane fell on him and killed him when I was fifteen. My mother was ill, and I had to support her and Carlo. I had a friend at Cinecitta studios and he got me bit parts. They paid very little and I had to sleep with the assistant director. I decided I could make more money on the streets. Now I do a little of both.” There was no self-pity in her voice.

“Pier … are you sure your mother won’t object to your bringing a stranger home?”

“I am sure. We are very close. Mother will be happy to see me. Do you love her very much?”

Robert glanced over at her in surprise. “Your mother?”

“The woman you were talking to on the telephone in the restaurant – Susan.”

“What makes you think I love her?”

“The tone of your voice. Who is she?”