CHAPTER NINE
The front doorbell rang at least four times within twenty minutes time. On each occasion, Daniela padded dutifully to the door and opened it to find another man arriving for the poker party her master had planned for the evening. After drinks and smoking in the den, the six men converged in the game room on the other side of the foyer, and moved to one end, where the poker table was surrounded by six comfortable club chairs. At the other end of the room was an antique pool table with hand-carved legs as big as tree trunks. Spaced around the room were comfy sofas and chairs, and tables for food and drink. Above the pool and poker tables, crystal chandeliers glistened brightly, giving the room an inviting glow.
With little further conversation, the men sat down to business an
