The Robber Princess

Chapter 13. Berto, the Archbishop, and a Hot Necklace

Chapter 13

Unable to see the man's face in the dark room, Regina cried out and pushed the man away. She heard the metal-on-metal click of a switchblade being released and felt a cold, sharp object on her throat slightly piercing her skin.

The black-clad figure bending over her said, "I'm sorry. But even a quarter of its value would set me up for life." The voice was Filiberto's.

Regina forced herself to relax, then suddenly slapped the hand holding the knife away from her. Unable to see it, she had to risk cutting her hand on its sharp edge. But the risk paid off; the knife went flying across the room and landed on the floor. With her other hand Regina jabbed at about where Filiberto's face should have been. Her fist met some soft cartilage and Filiberto yelped in pain. Regina aimed her right fist at the same spot and this time Filiberto's yelp was accompanied by a satisfying crack.

The top light came on and Angelica rushed in. Filiberto was writhing in agony on the floor, clutching his broken, bloodied nose. Regina sprang out of bed, kicked him hard in the nose again, then in the groin. With Filiberto now unable to resist, Regina leaned over him and delivered a classic left lead and right cross to knock him out.

"We have to get out of here before he comes to and calls his friends," said Regina. "Grab a change of clothes and your purse. And your wig. Don't even get dressed. Leave everything else behind. Vite!"

A minute later the two sisters were out the front door and running down the street, still in their night clothes and carrying a few miscellaneous belongings. It was four o'clock in the morning; the streets were dark and still empty. They rounded a corner, then another. Regina led Angelica into a back alley and down a stairwell.

"We'll change here," whispered Regina, "but quietly. Then we have to get as far away from the Piazza as we can." They stripped and quickly donned their street clothes. There was no time for Regina to put on her wig. She hoped no one was watching them from any of the many dark windows.

Once dressed, Regina led Angelica through more winding back streets. Eventually the streets let out to a wide thoroughfare. Even at that hour there was traffic. Regina disposed of their night clothes in a public trash receptacle.

"We're too conspicuous walking around at this hour," declared Regina. "Someone's going to rob us ... or proposition us." She faced the oncoming traffic and raised her arm. An empty taxi pulled up next to her. "Buongiorno," said the driver. "Dove vanno?"

"Termini," replied Regina. Going to the train station under the guise of catching an early train, was the quickest way to explain being out on the streets at that hour.

Fifteen minutes later they alighted the taxi next to the 3000-year-old Servian Wall outside Roma Termini train station. A crowd of burly men holding picket signs was gathering in front of the entrance. "It looks like there's going to be a rail strike today," said the driver. "Do you want me to take you back?"

"No thanks," replied Regina. She paid the driver and rushed after Angelica, who was already headed into the station.

"Slow down or you'll call attention to yourself. We run only when chased."

"What do we do now?" asked Angelica, slowing down as directed.

"I need a moment to think. I really don't know who we can trust now."

"Maybe we should go back to the plane? Find a nice secluded island somewhere?"

"Too conspicuous. We're better off in a big, crowded city." Angelica stopped and pointed Regina toward the giant poster they had just passed-and advertisement of package vacations to Nuova York. "Of course!" exclaimed Regina. "New York! The biggest city in the world where we can easily blend in."