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She did so He had perfect coordination, and a her by the waist to set her into the gondola

She teetered a little as the gondola listed from side to side, as the water lapped at the hull He seemed relieved when she took her seat, and then he pushed off fro speed as he wielded his pole

They had entered a larger body of water when he turned to her "Venice is a good place, a really good place Little crime, but always, when you have so many people from so many places, people with money, jewelrythere will always be cri concerned," she told hi him She wondered suddenly if she was a total fool?if he could be a her down a deserted canal, lift her purse, bonk her on the head with his pole, and toss her into the water

No He was hts, bringing her bit by bit to more heavily traveled areas Soon, she realized that they were back in the area behind St Mark’s Basilica She knew these waters; they were lined with restaurants, hotels and shops

"You’re so serious today; is so?" she asked hi his head "No But you must be careful There are so ood There are thieves, maybeworse"

"I am very careful"

"Be more so Please Stay with people you know"

He was so somber that she nodded, not at all tempted to tell him that she was independent and capable

Or that she had already been scared enough to make sure that she was doubly watchful in all that she did like following a stranger in a cloak and mask? she mocked herself

"I’ll be e, she noted that Ragnor was standing on the calle to her left side; she saw him immediately because he was taller than those around theainst the black leather of the cape he earing

He wasn’t alone, and he hadn’t noticed her, or the gondola

She shtly Tiff had found the object of her desire The brash A to him earnestly, her hands on his chest

"I’ll be careful," she repeated, a strange sensation tingling at her nape Ragnor had warned her about danger in Venice Now Sal was doing the sa hera dead man’s face on athe whisper of wings in the night

She should just fly ho to do

No

She couldn’t go hoh she had been afraid, she was also couiled?

That was the ter, it seemed to fit perfectly She would be careful, she told herself, as she had pros did happen In a real world

"The Danieli," Sal said, sliding next to the side entry of the hotel "Please, you will not be alone?" A bellondola As she stood to disembark, Jordan kissed Sal’s cheek

"I pro so sweet You are the best gondolier" He offered her a deep smile "Grazie Ciao, bella!"

"Ciao, bravo," she told him

She thanked the bellman as well and entered into the lobby of the hotel It was busy, filled with laughter, languages, costumes, and an air of camaraderie and war slowly

People were so beautiful

They were having sowas happening here to mar the wonder of this city, it had to be stopped

Sal D’Onofrio poled his gondola out of the narrow canal, heading around the vaporetto that waited at the dock in front of the Danieli He passed the Square and the Doge’s Palace, entering into the waters of the Grand Canal He hadn’t spoken of his discovery that risly find to Roberto Capo at the police station And now

He still did not feel like singing He was going hoain

Gondolas were out in s Giuseppe Donati, a friend, waved at hi couple in full costuure on the dock, a ondola

Sal waved a thank-you to his friend He had not really intended to pick up another costu to help shake off his unease He slid to the bank, forcing hinore? And you wish to ride?"

Theno assistance He spoke in a low voice; indicating the route he wanted to take He spoke in English, hat accent, Sal couldn’t tell It didn’t er near his own hoht he intended to re pedestrians, shopkeepers, children, dogs and dog-walkers