M-101 Athens

Excerpt

“Pietro, we’re in public. I must ask you to stop it immediately.”

He withdrew his foot.

“Spoil sport,” he grinned at him, and slipped his feet back into his shoes.

Gerrard would not look at him. His face was still red, and he didn’t know what to think. Here he’d thought Pietro was such a gentle-mannered young man.

“A penny for them,” Pietro said softly.

“I think I’d better see you home,” Gerrard replied hastily, looking at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting this afternoon, and I’m already running a little late.”

He offered him an apologetic smile, but Pietro wasn’t having any.

“It’s a pity you’re so easily embarrassed. We could have had some fun.” Pietro stood up abruptly, pushing back his chair. “Don’t bother seeing me home. I might try to kiss you or hold your hand or something.”

“Pietro,” said Gerrard beseechingly. He shook his head.

“If you lose your inhibitions sometime, Gerrard, I usually hang out at the Museum on Friday mornings. It’s good for the creative juices. See ya.”

He strode away. Gerrard leapt up to follow him, but the waiter intervened with the check. Gerrard paid it off and ran for the door, but Pietro was nowhere in sight.

Claud stood respectfully by the door, as usual.

“Did you see him?” panted Gerrard.

“’Him, sir?” asked Claud.

“Pietro, the boy I lunched with.”

“I’m sorry sir, but I did not see the young man.”

Claud’s normally impassive face appeared just a bit smug, but Gerrard did not notice.

“Drive around the neighborhood. He can’t have gotten very far.” He climbed into the car and waited impatiently for Claud to get it in gear.

They drove about Athens for what seemed like hours, but no trace of Pietro did they find. Finally, frustrated, Gerrard gave it up, ordering Claud to drive him to his meeting. He sank back on the leather seat, cursing his stodgy upbringing and stupidity.