Death Run

“I think you can drop us just here, Giuseppe,” Dad said to the gondolier, indicating a point at the side of the canal before the bridge.

But Ralph and the Mafia man with him had realised where they were heading and were already running from the bridge.

Dad thrust a few Euro notes at the gondolier as they all three leaped off.

“Keep the change,” Rich told him.

The point where the Grand Canal doubles back on itself is called the Volta. Cutting between high, impressive buildings they found that they were in the area inside the curve of the canal.

“This way,” Dad yelled, leading them between yet more buildings.

They passed a line of dustbins and Jade paused to pull several over. Dead flowers and old chicken bones strewed across the passageway, but the bins themselves would slow down their pursuers.

Rich could hear Ralph shouting somewhere behind them. “We need to lose ourselves in the crowds!” he said. The heat was getting to him and sweat was running down his face.

“Yeah – what crowds?” Jade was right – the narrow side streets were almost deserted.

“We’ll find some,” Dad promised. “San Marco is this way. Loads of people.”

They emerged into yet another small square. There was a church on one side, a small shop on the other. Its window was full of colourful Murano glass – vases and bottles, ornaments and figures.

“If we get that far,” Jade said.

There were two other streets leading off the square. Two of the men in suits were coming down one of the streets. The skull-faced man, soaking wet, and another of his Mafia colleagues were coming down the other.

“Back the way we came?” Rich suggested.

But as they turned, Ralph and the man who had been with him on the bridge appeared round the corner behind them. Rich wondered if they could get to the church and find another way out. But Skull-face was already too close – they’d never make it.

“Let’s go shopping,” Dad said quietly. Then louder: “Now!”

They sprinted to the shop doorway and dashed inside. The shop was full of expensive glassware, all arranged on shelves and plinths. There were statues and vases, ornaments and sculptures. Dad was reeling off rapid Italian to a little old lady standing behind a low counter that boasted a cash till and a roll of floral wrapping paper. Without a word she pointed to the back of the shop.

“Grazie,” said Dad.

“Ciao,” Rich told her.

There was a door at the back of the shop and Dad barged through it. He held it open for Rich and Jade, then slammed it shut. They were in a small courtyard.

“Hang on,” Jade said. She grabbed a long-handled yard brush that was leaning against a wall and jammed it hard against the door. It wouldn’t keep Ralph and the others in for long, but it might slow them down.

From the other side of the door came the sound of smashing glass – lots of glass. Then furious cursing in a high-pitched female voice, followed by a man’s cries of pain.

“Maybe she’s got another brush in there,” Rich said.

“No time to find out, sadly.” Dad led the way out of the courtyard and into the street beyond. From behind them came the sound of splintering wood as the woman’s tirade increased in volume and intensity.

Two streets further on, they slowed to a walk. All three of them were out of breath and feeling the heat.

“Still bored?” Dad asked Jade.

“Still wanting to have a talk about what happened in Mont Passat,” she shot back.

“Ah, that.”

“Yes,” Rich agreed. “That.”

Dad shrugged. “No big deal.”

“Being chased through Venice by the Mafia and an Eastern European gangland boss is no big deal?” said Jade. “You still have some serious lifestyle problems, you know that?”

“I know I could do with a drink.”

Jade’s eyes widened, but Rich had seen Dad’s mouth twitch with amusement. “He’s winding you up, Jade.”

“Well, we can’t go back to the hotel. What did Ralph want?” Dad asked before Jade could come back at him.

“Ask him yourself,” said Jade.

Rich thought at first she was sulking. Then he saw that a figure had stepped out of a side street just ahead of them. Ralph. Behind them, dark-suited men stepped out of alleyways and alcoves and stood with arms folded – blocking any hope of another escape.

5 (#udc61f0fc-478b-5357-808d-801fc1dda3d8)

Jade’s fists were clenched so tight her nails dug into her palms. She was tense, ready to run as soon as Dad gave the word. The Mafia men stayed where they were while Ralph walked confidently towards Jade, Rich and Dad. He had his arms spread and hands open as if to show he meant them no harm.

“As I told Rich,” Ralph said, “I want to give you a warning.”

“Threats?” Dad sounded amused at the idea.

“No. I think that’s what Rich assumed. But no – no threats. A friendly warning. For your own good.”

“Go on then,” Jade said. “Just warn us, then we can all go.”

Ralph was right in front of them now. “First, I must apologise. I didn’t mean to worry or frighten or offend you. But as you will soon appreciate, this is important – to you rather than to me. So I am sorry for the slightly… extreme measures I have taken.”

“You can’t say ‘slightly extreme’,” Rich told him. “Something’s either extreme or it isn’t.”

Ralph nodded. “Extreme but well-intentioned then. Let me make it up to you.” He smiled suddenly, turning in an instant into a genial host. “Let me offer you a late lunch. After all, with all that running you must have worked up quite an appetite. I know I have.”

“So, you chase us half across Venice then offer us a pizza?” Dad said. “You always did do things differently, Ralph. If it is Ralph today. Only I’ve known you by so many names.”

“Hardly unusual in our profession, Mr Chance. Or is it Mr Ronson? Or David Melbor? Last time we met you were Harry…” He clapped his hands together. “Anyway, the offer stands. Lunch at my villa – or rather the villa my local colleagues have put at my disposal. Lunch and a friendly chat and some good vintage wine. Or possibly,” he said, looking from Jade to Rich, “good vintage lemonade.”

“Oh, well,” said Jade, “if there’s going to be lemonade.”

The speedboat was large and fast. It cut through the canal, leaving a V in the water and setting gondolas rocking and gondoliers shouting. It was also noisy, but with the spray and the wind in her face, Jade found it refreshing. Her blond hair blew round her and she pushed it from her eyes.

“Aren’t you hot in that jacket?” Rich asked the skull-faced man who was sitting opposite them in the back of the boat.