Free Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins

crucifixion.' 'And is it?'he asked. 'Not really, Professor. A very fair exchange in return for what is gained.' He scowled and gave her a push. 'Go on, get out of here before you seduce me entirely. Go home.' For once, she did as she was told, too tired, too spent to argue. The Convent of the Little Sisters of Pity was in Huby Road, a large red-brick building behind high walls which had once been a college for the training of elementary school teachers. The teachers had long since moved out and a large mortgage had taken over. For twenty years this and the Little Sisters, with a considerable amount of faith had been the base for all their work in the city. The chapel was cold and smelled of damp, which was hardly surprising as no heating of any kind was possible because of fuel rationing. It was a place of shadows, candlelight and darkness alternating. Maria Vaughan genuflected at the altar rail and lit a candle to the Virgin. She knelt in prayer for a moment, then rose, picked up her mop and bucket, moved to the central aisle and started to clean the floor. In spite of the tiredness she did not mind, for it was a simple enough task and gave her time to think. High up in the gallery, Sister Katherine Markham, the Mother Superior of the convent, stood with Harry Carter and Luciano watching her. 7* 1 'I thought you said she'd been working all day at the hospital?' Carter said. 'That's so. She's a theatre sister there.' 'Then why this?' 'However hard the day has gone, each member of the Order has an allotted task to perform each evening. However menial, Colonel, it is a symbol of the love that binds us all together. We"ll go down now and I'll introduce you.' She started along the gallery to the stairs. Luciano grinned and said softly, 'Ask a stupid question. Professor, and see what you get.' Maria looked up as they approached and paused in her work. 'Sister?' she said. Sister Katherine smiled. 'You have visitors, Maria. This is Colonel Carter and this is Mr Orsini.' Maria stood there, transfixed, staring at Luciano. He smiled easily and said in Sicilian, 'Hello, pretty one. It's been a long time.' Sister Katherine gently took the mop from Maria. 'I'll finish here. You can take these gentlemen to my office.' Maria looked again at Luciano, turned and walked away. As Carter and Luciano started after her, Sister Katherine said, 'We use the lodge as a guest house, Colonel. You're welcome to spend the night with us.' She dipped the mop in the bucket and started to work on the floor as they went out. The office was small and cluttered, barely room for the desk and filing cabinets. Luciano leaned against the door, smoking, while Carter and Maria faced each other across the desk. 'So there you are,' Carter said. 'It's really very simple. All it requires is a yes or a no. Mr Orsini and I..." 73 'The subterfuge is not necessary, Colonel,' she said calmly. 'I am familiar with Mr Luciano. He is a part of a past which I no longer wish to acknowledge. Which no longer forms a part of my life.' 'Can you cut off a leg, an arm and be the same person?' Luciano asked in Sicilian. She answered in the same language. 'Good husbandry, Mr Luciano, to lop off the rotten branch to save the tree.' Carter said patiently, 'Sister, to save thousands of lives it's necessary to persuade your grandfather to come over to our side publicly. You could just be the one to do it.' 'You're wasting your time, Colonel. I have had no dealings with my grandfather for years. This entire affair is preposterous and nothing to do with me. And now you must excuse me. I have work to do.' She brushed past Luciano and went out. Carter picked up the telephone and gave the long distance operator the number of SOE's headquarters in Baker Street in London. Luciano said, 'So, what happens now?' 'She'll go,' Carter assured him. 'How can you be so sure?' 'Oh, the thought of all those dead men should do it. She's a good woman, after all. Can't you tell?' The phone rang and he picked it up.