Jeffrey sat on the cot with his arm around a shaking Helen, his eyes on the wooden door across the room. The two men had taxied through several side canals and finally into a dead end where they docked the boat and hustled the Glimbs inside an ancient looking building and a small unit on the second floor. Warned to keep quiet, they were left locked in the tiny bedroom.

"Chin up, dear, we'll get out of this. I think it has something to do with the pen; we should be able to come to some accommodation."

"Oh Jeffrey, how can you be so calm. After what that agent told you these men might not want any accommodation; they might just─"

"Now, now. Take it easy. Our energy and concentration should be directed on looking for opportunity. Let's wait until they make their move; we can't get out of here anyway."

Bishop listened to the report from his employee and congratulated him on the speed with which his task was accomplished.

"Your recommendation was no exaggeration. I am pleased... now, did you get the pen?"

"We haven't started yet, I wanted you to know we had the couple and if you had any changes you wanted to make."

"Just get me that pen and call me when you have it." There was a pause. "On second thought, I have an additional request, one that is linked to this affair. Let them stew for a night and you come and see me in the morning."

The man ended the call and returned to the room where his partner waited. "No change. He wants the pen."

"Let's get it then and finish this thing. I can't believe he made such a big deal about it. A child could have pulled this off."

"He was very pleased, Tino. We might even see an additional bonus when we're done. He wants to leave them alone overnight and see me first thing in the morning so we will deal with the Glimbs when I return."

Tino shifted his bulk on the wooden chair and puckered his thick lips. "How about a dinner then; I'm sure if Mr. Gravestone thinks we had to apply extra effort, a bonus might very well be in order."

"Grand idea. What would you like?"

"Italian?" Both men laughed heartily and left the building, taking a short cut through the walkways and catching a taxi cab to their choice of restaurant.

It was dark when the door to the small bedroom opened and Jeffrey sat up, shielding Helen with his body. The man crossed the room and handed Jeffrey a cardboard box that felt warm on the bottom.

"It's a pepperoni pizza. I also have two espressos. We will discuss our wants in the morning."

"My wife needs to use the bathroom." Jeffrey took the box and set it on the end of the cot.

The man looked at Helen, who had opened her eyes and stared back fearfully.

"Bring her then." The man turned and waited by the door.

Jeffrey helped Helen up, assuring her it was okay, and guided her to the door and past the big man.

"She needs the bathroom." Tino looked up from his seat at the table where a container with four cups of espresso sat steaming, and nodded.

Helen entered the small bathroom and Jeffrey stood just outside the door while the two men waited silently, watching him.

"What do you plan to do with us? Let my wife leave; you can do what you need with me, she has a heart condition."

"We found no medication in your luggage or in her purse."

"We are working on a low stress program just while on holiday. We wouldn't have been able to get insurance if we mentioned her medication."

Tino laughed. "Hear that, Vitto, our guests are cheaters on their medical plans."

"Cheap cheaters as well." The big man rumbled.

"Think what you like, just let her go. Please."

"How old are you, Mr. Glimb?"

"What?"

"Your age."

"Sixty-eight, why?"

"And your wife?"

"Look wha─"

"How old?"

"Seventy-one."

Tino's eyebrows rose and he looked up at Vitto. "A very nice specimen for that age eh, my friend?"

"Still within appeal range, I agree."

Jeffrey felt his underarms dampen and he swallowed contemplating the man's comment. Helen opened the door and stepped out, holding Jeffrey's arm. He led her back through the small galley kitchen to the room with the cot.

"Perhaps Mrs. Glimb would like to spend her night with us, eh?" Tino called from the table. Helen gave a small gasp but Jeffrey shoved her further into the room and ignored the taunt. "You might feel different in the morning." Vitto closed and locked the door, leaving them sitting on the cot in the dark.

"I'm scared, Jeffrey." She clutched at him and began to sob.

"Try and get some sleep; there's nothing we can do until morning now, and don't worry, I won't let anything happen." His promise sounded hollow and he wondered just what he could possibly do if push came to shove.

**************

Vitto savoured the rich coffee and the buttered toast as he listened to Bishop's addition to his request and the agreed amount for the extra duty. The warmth of the morning sun gave him a feeling of complete confidence and the thought of such easy money from a man who was reputed to be so clever and dangerous.

"I want him gone... completely, understand?"

"Completely, sir. I have performed such disposals before; it will not be a problem."

"How are our friends behaving?"

"Quite docile. I think when the time comes there will be a short burst of attempted heroism by the husband but..." Vitto grinned and fluttered a hand.

"I don't want them found either."

"The canal will do nicely for that, you needn't worry."

"Fine, get this other business done then get me that pen."

Vitto finished his coffee, wiped his mouth and bowed his departure.

Allen Lockhart looked up at the knock on his hotel room door. It wouldn't be Gravestone; he'd demand any meetings on his turf. He went to the door, hesitated and then opened it.

"Mr. Lockhart?"

"Who are you?" Allen gripped the door handle tightly.

"Mr. Gravestone sent me."

"Oh, does he want to see me?" he relaxed slightly and stepped back a bit.

"Never again, Mr. Lockhart." The move was a blur and even the pain was slight and brief but Allen felt his legs collapse and his breathing stutter as he gaped at the slim knife being pulled from his chest. He looked up at the man seeing a dead flat expression as he toppled backwards onto the floor. Swirling blurred images swam in front of his eyes and then the dark edges began to creep inward until all was black.

Vitto moved into the room and closed the door. He dragged Allen's body to the bathroom and placed it in the tub then he returned to the door and retrieved the bag sitting outside. Back in the bathroom he plugged the drain, turned on the taps and when the tub was full enough, opened the bag and took out the large container, holding his face away as he removed the top and poured the contents over Allen.

An instant sizzling sound started and a weak vapour rose from the tub as the chemical instantly began dissolving all traces of Allen's identity. Vitto emptied the container and replaced it in the bag then closed the bathroom door, left a no disturb sign on the outside door and made his way down the stairs to the garage.