Gretta was helping Helen get her things repacked and assuring her that they would be perfectly safe and onto a plane home in no time, arriving back in the evening. Arny was cornered with Jeffery, explaining what had taken place right from the first contact with Clarke and the ruse he tried to get the desired information.

"That man will be gone from the company as soon as I get home." Jeffery said sternly.

"That might be a bit harsh, sir, he did fess up almost right away. I think he was concerned Allen might do what you're considering." Arny gave him a judicious look. "He is a good man in his position with us; no point wasting good talent.

"It galls me, Wainright. I don't expect lily white from everyone but damn it, this was a deliberate conspiracy to commit a crime."

"Allen was the architect and in his case I think justice has been served... harshly."

Jeffrey clamped his lips and looked away. "Yes... I guess it has."

Arny leaned closer. "There is something else sir, perhaps connected to this..." He paused, trying to choose his words. "Interest in another uhm, pen has surfaced." Arny watched the lightening flash in Jeffery's eyes and the body language as he shifted uncomfortably on his chair.

"What interest?"

"Well, from the same man who is- was after the Montegrappa."

"You're referring to the Aurora." Arny nodded. "That is not supposed to be known to anyone, how did knowledge of its existence get out?"

"This man, Gravestone, has an incredible netwo−"

Helen came to their corner and handed Jeffrey a drink. She asked Arny if he wanted anything and Arny said he'd get himself a beer, letting her have his seat.

"Gretta says we can be on the plane home early in the morning day after tomorrow; it was the best she could arrange."

"I'm truly sorry this happened, dear. We both looked forward to our trip for so long."

She patted his hand. "I think I've had enough adventure for a while. The club ladies will be spellbound when I tell them what happened."

"Let's just hold on to that for a bit. I'd like to see calmer waters before accepting that this is all over. Those men were working for someone else, Helen; he's still out there."

"Do you think we could still be in danger?" her voice rose and he had to take her arms and calm her down. "I think we're fine, I really do. Just relax. All I'm saying is I want to be certain that interest in the pen is over before celebrating."

Arny drank his beer standing in the bedroom doorway, well away from the Glimbs so they could have some privacy. Gretta was on the phone as she packed her own bag, tossing it on the floor and bouncing down on the bed, legs crossed under her bottom. She said a few things Arny missed and then she closed the phone and lay back on the pillows.

"Ted says the polizia have pinned the whole thing on the thug that they picked up at the hospital. His voice box was badly damaged and he had a very hard time defending himself since he had little experience writing English." Arny shook his head. "Gravestone was pulled in, questioned and released with orders to get out of the country... not just Venice."

"So he'll be home ahead of us." Another head shake.

"No reason to believe that's a problem." She leaned up on one elbow.

"Seriously? You're talking to your famous sidekick, Gretta, I know what your army of rogues is capable of."

"Still, he's had another big setback; he must be getting tired of losing with all the hired help he's used over the years."

"All the more reason to push ahead. He's probably so filled with rage at you he'll come after you himself... and them" He jerked his head toward the door.

"Unlikely. Bishop only has one good arm now and besides, it isn't his style to do the work himself."

"You want to hope."

"Actually it would be better if I knew who might come... and you can bet someone will Arny."

"Let's just get home and make sure they're okay." He aimed his beer bottle at the Glimbs. Everyone said their good nights and Gretta and Arny took the living room and left the bedroom to the Glimbs. Once settled in the bedroom, Jeffery straightened out the missed flight with the airline and upgraded Gretta's arrangements to four first class tickets.

******

Arny slipped out of pants and top and flopped on the bed beside Gretta. "I brought up the other pen with Jeffery earlier." Gretta gave him a sharp look. "He admitted its existence and was upset that anyone knew about it."

"So what did he say?"

"Helen interrupted and later he flashed me look that said I would die if I mentioned it again but at least we know he does have it or knows where it is."

"So the mystery continues." She lay back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling.

******

A warm sun bathed the street outside the hotel and several guests lolled on the padded benches facing the water, enjoying the soft breeze and the activities around the line of water taxis. Gretta checked the group out while Arny took the Glimbs out to the waiting taxi.

"I'm afraid to get in, Jeffery."

"It's fine, really, dear. There are other passengers besides ourselves. It will be fine." He guided her into the taxi, assisted by a smiling driver and when Gretta came jogging down the steps they left for the Marco Polo Airport.

******

Maurice Trask listened to Ted's debriefing over the Congress secure line. With each detail his face grew darker and the pencil he'd been doodling with suddenly snapped in two. Against all his instructions and warnings Gretta Lawrence had proceeded to take independent action and now there were two bodies on two continents in the space of a few weeks and the Congress resources employed without authorization.

His appeal to the directors the first time had fallen on deaf ears but even they couldn't condone such rogue behaviour. He hung up, disgusted and buzzed for Rose. He would draft a formal complaint to have on permanent record, witnessed by his secretary; he would see how Miss Gretta Lawrence explained her way out of this fiasco when she got back.

*******

Sharing four business class seats courtesy of Jeffrey, the topic turned to the famous pen and after learning Jeffrey actually had it with him, they pleaded for a look. Arny held the item in his hand and studied the intricate workmanship with interest.

"Fantastic, and this is real gold and real jewels?"

"All real, Arny. And the nib is gold as well."

"Did you know the value of this when it was given to you?"

"I admit I was quite a bit low in my estimate. Years ago George Cutter and I went to Italy to woo a client who was in the retail jewellery line. He had photos of the various products manufactured under the Montegrappa name, lighters, cases, that sort of thing. One of those items was a limited edition pen that absolutely blew my mind. George got such a kick out of my reaction he joked about seeing that I got one when I retired. Of course that was just a joke then. When he handed it to me at the party I nearly fainted inside."

"It was very generous and probably as much a thrill for him as for you, considering your story."

"The generosity was due in part to the excellent production from our company, due in no small way to your contribution. George subsidized a portion but the bulk of the cost came from our war chest. That, young man is between you and I. Understood?"

"Absolutely. You and George have always been good to me and the rest of the staff; I don't see anything wrong in a deserved award at the end of an enviable career."

"Don't suck up, Wainright. I might just change my opinion of you." Arny's mouth dropped and he sat back not knowing where to look.

Helen leaned across the aisle and patted his arm. "He's pulling your leg, Arnold. It's a cruel streak I've had to suffer for years." Arny looked at Jeffrey and saw the tiny smile playing about his mouth.

"Arny has trouble finding the bright side of some things." Gretta teased and he made a face.

"Gretta, what do think will happen when we get home?"

"Helen, don't start─"

"It's important and I want to know."

"She's right, Mr. Glimb. You both should know that─"

"Gretta."

"Arny they have to know, don't be so stupid."

"Stupid! I'm stupid? Did I─"

"Alright people, settle down and let someone finish a sentence. That would be me." Jeffrey turned in his seat and eyed the group. "I'm under no illusion that this is over by a darned sight. If this pen is that important to someone to have people kidnapped and killed then we'd be foolish not to be on guard... even at home." He shot Arny a look that said, don't even dream of mentioning the other pen.

"But we can't live that way for ever!" Helen was beginning to get hyper and Gretta moved over and sat with her, letting the two men sit together.

"I want you to understand something Mrs. Glimb. Your husband is right about the person who wants the pen. I have dealt with this man a number of times; I even put him in jail only last year but he managed to get released and he's back to his old ways. The difference this time is that we know who he is and I will personally see that he does not bring any harm to you or your husband."

Helen took Gretta's hands. "Just what or who are you, Gretta?"

"I work for an agency called the Congress of International Antiquities. Our function is to keep rightful ownership of 'things' in the proper hands, the hands of the true owners."

"Things?"

"Mainly we deal in antiquities, as I said. Too many treasures are lost through greed and misappropriation by people just like the one who threatened you. Our function is to see that doesn't happen."

"But the violence, you- how...?"

"You should talk to Arny." Gretta grinned, deflecting her politely and stood up to let Jeffrey back into his seat.