Paola was looking at him as the Marchese spoke and she saw a flicker in his eyes.
She was almost certain that, if he did get what he wanted, he would not hesitate to kill them both to stop them informing the Police of what had happened.
After a moment, because it was difficult to speak, she said,
“I-I cannot give you – the ring, because I do not – have it – with me.”
“What do you mean not have it with you?” the Big Man asked angrily. “You brought the Marchese here so that you could put it into his hand.”
“Y-Yes – I know,” Paola said, “b-but – I was not certain if he – would come – and I intended to arrange to make – the handover on – another day.”
The four men were staring at her, but she was looking only at the Marchese.
“I-I am sorry,” she said to him, “I – did not imagine that –
