Free The Venice Job by Deborah Abela

velvet lounge suite, a small gold-rimmed table and chairs, and a giant four-poster bed draped with crimson lace and covered with shiny plum-coloured pillows.
    â€˜Is it okay?’
    But no matter how hard Max tried, she couldn’t answer.
    â€˜There’s a fridge with food and drinks as well, but you can call down to the kitchen at any time tohave food brought up. Oh, and there’s one more thing to show you.’ Luca led her over to the window, threw aside the curtains and opened the doors onto a stone balcony.
    From this height Venice looked even better. The city and her canals were laid out in front of Max like a fairytale city. Its lights shimmered off the water like a million low-flying fireflies hovering protectively over small squares, while music and the smell of the sea brushed past her in a cool touch.
    â€˜It’s not unusual for Venice to steal away one’s words. It has been doing so for hundreds of years, but you do like it, no?’
    Linden and Toby appeared behind her.
    â€˜It’ll do,’ Linden said. ‘Sometimes you have to rough it a little when you’re on a mission.’
    Luca smiled before closing Max’s curtain and doors.
    â€˜We better get to it,’ Max forced her mouth to work. ‘Linden, could you activate the Shush Zone?’
    Linden rifled through his pack while Max took out her palm computer.
    â€˜What’s a Shush Zone?’ Toby asked.
    â€˜It’s a restrictive sound field that stops anything we say leaving this room.’ Linden sat beside Luca on the lounge. ‘But we need to move in close.’
    He lifted a small metal dome into the air and moved it in a sweeping arc. It created a snug, green, glowing curve around them as Max opened the connection on her computer to Spyforce.
    â€˜Ah, you’re there.’ Steinberger’s face appeared on the screen before them.
    â€˜Yes, sir,’ Max answered. ‘We’re at Luca’s and ready to begin our mission.’
    â€˜Excellent. As you know, the city of Venice is under great threat and it is up to you to find out how and by whom. You will be …’
    Steinberger was interrupted by another incoming message.
    â€˜Yes, Mr Harrison. I’m talking to them now. They’re in Venice and I’m about to brief them further. Yes, sir. Absolutely, sir. Goodbye, sir.’
    Steinberger ended the connection. ‘Mr Harrison sends his love and wants to know if you have clean … hankies.’
    â€˜Hankies?’ Luca frowned.
    â€˜Handkerchiefs,’ Linden whispered. ‘They’ve got a thing about them.’
    â€˜Oh.’ Luca looked confused.
    Steinberger continued. ‘We are closely monitoring satellite information and we have the mayor’s house and all major buildings and touristsites under twenty-four-hour surveillance. So when the extortionist makes their next move, we will know about it. You will meet with your contact, Agent 31, in the Accademia art gallery tomorrow at ten a.m. He will have further information about the threatening note Luca’s father received.’
    â€˜Shouldn’t Luca’s father be here?’ Linden asked.
    â€˜We need this mission to be as low-key as possible, and for that, Spyforce and the Italian government thought it better if Luca’s father went about his regular business. He has been given a private and direct line to me and I will update you on any information he has that you need to know.’
    â€˜This will lead the criminal to believe nothing is being done,’ Luca continued, ‘therefore increasing the surprise they will get when we catch them. Isn’t that right, Maxine?’
    â€˜Sorry?’ Max had been listening to Luca’s accent but not what he was saying.
    â€˜It will make our … victory sweeter?’
    Toby and Linden smirked.
    What will? Max thought. Then, knowing she had to say something, she said, ‘Absolutely,’ and tried to look