CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SEVEN – AN OLD ALLY

With trembling fingers, Joan dialed the number she had been given. The line crackled with static before a gruff voice answered. "Who is this?" Joan swallowed hard, steadying her nerves. "Luigi, it's Joan Keppler. I need your help." There was a pause, and Joan could almost hear the gears turning in Luigi's mind as he processed her request. "Keppler? How did you get this number?" "Alessandro gave it to me," she lied, hoping the mention of his name would carry some weight. "He said you owed him a favor." Another pause, this one longer and heavier with suspicion. "And what makes you think I'd help you?" Joan took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenge ahead. "Because if you don't, I'll be forced to tell Scipione about that little incident in Palermo." The line went silent, and Joan knew she had struck a nerve. Leverage was her only currency in this dangerous game, and she had played her hand well. "Meet me at the old church in Monreale tonight," Luigi finally said, his