Retired from MCI, Kat has left the constant danger behind and has
found the normal life she’d always wanted. That all ends when she
discovers that her old outfit has been spying on her. Then she learns
that an imposter calling herself Anita Franco is carrying out a deadly
plan for revenge by assassinating European officials. The result is that
the real Anita Franco, aka Kat, is being blamed for the murders. Her
aim is to have the authorities find and kill Kat. Seeing this as an
opportunity for another kind of revenge, someone working within MCI
wants her dead and a kill squad is sent to Toronto to erase her. Raini
Hanamansingh, the agent originally sent to spy on her, discovers the
truth and quits MCI to team up with Kat. Together they race to Europe
to conduct a desperate and harrowing search to find the killer and clear
Kat’s name. Meanwhile, they must elude the men who were sent to kill
them both.
Retired from MCI, Kat has left the constant danger behind and has
found the normal life she’d always wanted. That all ends when she
discovers that her old outfit has been spying on her. Then she learns
that an imposter calling herself Anita Franco is carrying out a deadly
plan for revenge by assassinating European officials. The result is that
the real Anita Franco, aka Kat, is being blamed for the murders. Her
aim is to have the authorities find and kill Kat. Seeing this as an
opportunity for another kind of revenge, someone working within MCI
wants her dead and a kill squad is sent to Toronto to erase her. Raini
Hanamansingh, the agent originally sent to spy on her, discovers the
truth and quits MCI to team up with Kat. Together they race to Europe
to conduct a desperate and harrowing search to find the killer and clear
Kat’s name. Meanwhile, they must elude the men who were sent to kill
them both.
The concierge, Nicolas Righetti, kept a little black book that had it all, the favored guest, their special tastes and unique appetites, whatever they might be. The wealthy and powerful clients knew that when they needed something special, all they had to do was follow the instructions on the young man’s business card … ‘For something special, day or night. Call Signore Righetti.’
What she needed was access to that book, access to the section that recorded the purveyors of pleasure that could satisfy those late-night appetites and peccadillos.
Setting up this meeting with Righetti was the easiest part. She had said it was important to meet privately and that would awaken his curiosity.
She chose him as her source because she was counting on the chance that he was young. Hopefully, he was old enough to remember Anita’s sexsational fame as the Happy Widow of Ibiza, and young enough to have missed that Anita Franco had assassinated the crime boss Delph Petros. The risk was worth it as he agreed to meet her at 11:00 am.
Righetti was a stout, pleasant looking little man with wavy black hair and a broad smile. He offered her a seat then sat down at the desk. “Yes, Signorina Franco, how may I be of service to you?”
“Signore Righetti, I am new to Rome ...”
“Benvenuto.”
“Uh yes … thank you … I’m setting up a business providing a special and very exclusive service.”
His naturally animated round face became serious. “I see, go on.”
“I believe what I am offering will be of mutual benefit.”
Even though he thought he knew what she was talking about, he wanted her to confirm it. “I am intrigued. What sort of special service are you providing?”
“I tailor my business to the special needs of my clients,” she said, crossing her legs suggestively. “I am eager to make a name for myself in Italy. I believe you know what I am talking about.”
“I believe I do.” Apparently, that was as close to confirmation as he would get. He became aroused merely by the suggestion.
“Perhaps you could help me.”
“If I can. First tell me how I would benefit from your service.”
“I assume that you receive a percentage of the service fees.”
“Generally, 15% of the gross.”
“That seems more than fair. I would be prepared to offer you a signing bonus, for want of a better term, and a premium on top of your usual percentage.”
“That sounds very generous. How much would the premium be?”
“Say another 5%.”
“I like it. You understand that I would need to sample your special services before I make my decision.”
“Oh, of course, that goes without saying. But before I take care of you, there is something I need from you.”
“Ah hah,” he said, preparing for the inevitable catch, “and what would that be?”
“I want a list of the girls you have already given access to and the names of their regular clients.”
“That is impossible,” he said resolutely.
“Nothing is impossible, Signore.”
“But why would you want that?”
“It’s just good business to know with whom, and what I am working. I’ll make it worth your while, of course.”
“Of course.” Leaning forward and putting his hands together as if in prayer. “How much are you offering?”
“We could start with this.” She carefully placed an envelope on his desk.
“I see an envelope with bank notes, but it does not tell me how much.”
“Ten thousand euros.” His eyes widened. “Does that appeal to you?”
“Oh, it does.”
“Wonderful. Then if I am happy with the list, I’ll let you have a bonus.”
He was overwhelmed. “A second bonus?”
“My personal attention.” He would have thought that was a given, but he didn’t say that. His job had provided him with the opportunity to become an expert in selecting the most desirable women for the hotel’s guests. “Would you mind standing up, so that I may have a good look at you?”
She did.
“Now would you turn around for me.” She began to turn. “Slowly please.” She smiled. He studied her with a critical eye and concluded that this woman was one of the better ones. Oh no, she was the best.
But during their interview he had neglected to insist on knowing what her service was. She towered over him. His eyes were level with her shoulders making it perfect for a view of her cleavage. In bare feet, she must be at least six feet tall. His general professional assessment was that the dress and shoes she wore were perfect. They showed off her beautiful body without being too obvious. The neckline revealed just enough cleavage to draw in the eye without being vulgar. He knew that his more discerning guests would love the look of her, and the names of affluent guests quickly came to mind.
“You are so thoughtful, Signore. Do you like what you see?”
“You are beautiful…” His voice trailed off.
“I hear a ‘but’.”
“More of a question actually. I wonder, what sort of things will you do for them?” That was the right question, but they were talking about two entirely different things.
“I am a professional, Signore. I recognize the same quality in you. I do whatever it takes to finish off my client. And I don’t kiss and tell. None of my clients has ever complained.” How could one be more truthful than that?”
“I like the way you put that.” She nudged the envelope closer. “Do we have a deal?” He took hold of the corner, but she pressed on it with a fingertip. “Ah-ah-ah, not so fast, Signore Righetti. First, you must give me what I want. A printout of that list, if you please.”
“Yes, certainly.” He took a little black book from his pocket. “I’ll scan it for you.”
“No-no-no, Signore. I need it typed. Double spaced, and don’t forget to link the clients to their favorite girls. Also, I need the client’s preferences. That is very important.”
That elicited some sarcasm. “Is that all?”
“No.” He raised his eyebrows. “You must see to it that I won’t have any trouble with your security when I come to visit my clients.”
He relaxed. “That will not be a problem at all. We have a system in place for just such situations.”
She knew that of course, that was why she asked for it. He opened the side drawer of the desk and took out a golden disk with his signature engraved on the face. “When you are invited by one of our guests, you will show this token to the security people as you enter the hotel. It is my personal guarantee that you are a trusted, … uh, service provider.”
“How simply perfect. Thank you. I will wait for you in the lobby.” Returning the money to her purse, she turned to leave.
“Ah, I thought you would…”
“What, here? Are you mad?” She smiled. “No-no-no, there is a time and a place for everything Signore Righetti. What I will provide for you will be special, dare I say, unforgettable.” A confident whore, he thought with a momentary touch of anger soon replaced by eager lustful anticipation, “I’ll start on the list right away. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“That’s a good boy.” She tapped the end of his nose with her fingertip and withdrew from the room without looking back.
He set to work copying the names he had so diligently collected since he arrived at the hotel as a bell hop. It looked unimpressive printed on plain paper, so after placing it a plain white envelope, he happily erased the file from his hard drive.
He couldn’t see her in the lobby and anxiously called out, “Signorina Franco?” With no response, so he called once again, “Anita Franco?” People turned, as people so often do, to see if they could identify the person who would eventually answer. One or two of the hotel guests knew that name and remembered the glamorous woman vividly. They also failed to locate her.
Hedda was well pleased by their reactions. Not wanting them to put her together with that name, she sat quietly watching Righetti in the marbled mirror. When he seemed to give up his search and everyone relaxed, she moved quietly towards him and tapped him on his shoulder and put her finger to her lips.
The gesture did two things. Forcing his silence made it seem that she was not Anita Franco, but someone with an unrelated question. Also, it encouraged Righetti to recall that their business was not open to public scrutiny. “Do you have the list for me?”
“Si, Signorina Fra...”
“Shush now, let’s try to employ a little discretion, Nicolas.”
“Scusa. The information you requested is in this envelope. Now you have something for me?”
“Of course. You have been most helpful.”
“Yes, yes, but when will I receive my unforgettable reward?” His impatience was a bonus for her if she could make him hand Desrosiers to her on a platter.
“That depends on who is coming to stay here, doesn’t it?”
That was all it took. Eager to please his new madam, he handed the politician’s head on a golden token. “There is a very special someone on my list who would appreciate your services. His preference is for a particular brunette with dark eyes and tanned skin. But one look at you and he will forget there was ever anyone else.”
“How flattering. When will he be here?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“And does he have a name?”
“Of course, Monsieur Desrosiers. He is the French Minister of Defense, a very important man.”
“How absolutely thrilling. His favorite woman, what is her name?”
“Clarissa. You will find her name near the top of the list along with her address and phone number.”
“Perfect. I’ll make some special arrangements for Clarissa, so that I can take her place when the minister requests a visit.”
Just the mention of the name Anita Franco was enough to spark renewed interest among some of the guests. She was thought to be dead, but an official at the hotel, especially someone like Signore Righetti, who should know about these things, was looking for her in the hotel lobby.
Word began to spread out from there. A tabloid picked up the rumor. All that was known about her outside of the criminal underworld, was that she was a glamorously wicked woman who had a series of tragic relationships with rich old men.
FINDING CLARISSA
Righetti’s list was exactly what she needed, and her first order of business now was to meet Clarissa Aubertin and find a way to get her quietly out of Rome. She soon discovered that the list provided that solution as well.
She called her man in Zürich and gave him the list of Clarissa’s clients. As soon as the name came up Siggi recognized a fellow Suisse and made contact with the man.
Ibrik Stromboli was a flamboyant German millionaire, living in Zürich. Kraft had done a special favor for Stromboli and the old party animal was now indebted to him. Kraft called the man and suggested that it was time for one of his famous celebrations and mentioned that he had a special request. Thinking that this favor would clear his debt, Stromboli was delighted to agree.
Kraft suggested he invite Clarissa to a party and keep her entertained for a week or so. It was as simple as that.
Stromboli was delighted, saying that Clarissa could never turn down a party. But there was a problem, she had a cat that was too old and frail to travel. Clarissa would need a cat sitter.
That cat became Hedda’s key into the woman’s apartment.
“Ah hah,” said Kraft, “I have the perfect solution. As it happens, I have a friend visiting Rome for a few days. She is unhappy with her present accommodations and wants to leave her hotel and rent an apartment.”
“Wonderful, then I’ll arrange it right away.” Stromboli called Clarissa and told her about the party and his dear friend who was in Rome.
“Does she like cats?” asked Clarissa.
“That’s just it, she loves them.” Stromboli had no idea if that was true, but he would say anything to get Clarissa out of Rome to clear his debt with Kraft. I’m sure she would be happy to look after your Clio. I could arrange to have her meet you this afternoon. Would that be acceptable?”
“Yes, of course it would! How wonderful, then I can come to you party!”
It all seemed to happen so naturally. Preparation for the Minister’s first night in Rome would be a simple matter of introducing herself as Anita Franco when she showed the token to the guards. Then be prepared to fight.
A HOUSE CAT NAMED CLIO
They met at the Caffè delle Palme, Clarissa’s local, just up the street from her apartment. Hedda had an instant and rare emotional reaction when she saw her for the first time. Her almond shaped, dark chocolate eyes latched onto Hedda’s like a tractor beam and the connection was complete. Both women were bi. Making love to another woman, especially an experienced, Mediterranean beauty like this one would be very satisfying.
Beyond that first impression, it was amazing how closely the woman resembled the real Anita Franco. Though Clarissa was an inch or two shorter, her facial features and body were similar. Her brown olive skin was smooth to the touch and her black haired gleamed in the hot Roman sun.
“Ciao Anita,” she said, taking hold of Hedda’s arms and kissing her on each cheek. She felt so warm and inviting. “I can see why you are a close friend of Ibrik. He has always been partial to beautiful blonds. Come, we can get to know each other over a cappuccino.” They took the small table at the front of the café.
“Ciao Clarissa, who is your lovely friend?”
“Anita Franco, she is visiting from Spain. Two cappuccinos please Helena.”
After Helena left them Hedda commented on her introduction, “Ibrik must have told you all about me.”
“Only a little, he said I would like you.”
“Was he right?”
“Come Anita, you know that Ibrik is always right. It is a shame I am flying out tonight, we could have spent some time together.”
Never one to let an opportunity for pleasure to pass her by Hedda had an answer for that. “We still have all afternoon.”
Clarissa smiled happily. Though Hedda was perhaps ten years her senior, Clarissa felt like she had met a kindred spirit.
“I am so glad you like cats. He can be difficult; it takes a cat person to make him comfortable.”
“Don’t worry, I adore cats.”
“How lucky it was that Ibrik sent you to me.”
“Yes, wasn’t it? Dear old Ibrik.”
They lay in bed perhaps a little longer than they should have. Clarissa packed quickly, kissed Hedda goodbye and left with her girlfriend Ester on Stromboli’s private jet.
Clarissa’s apartment suited Hedda very well. It was small, but tasteful, and very comfortable. Her business was obviously very rewarding. With the first phase of her plan completed, she turned her attention to the more difficult problems.
A gossip columnist picked up the rumor that Anita Franco was in town and penned an article titled, Do you remember the Happy Widow of Ibiza. It ran on page five with a small low res. photo of Anita from the paper’s archives. Very few people took the time to read it.
Note: This is the third book in the series. The first books, Kat In Harm's Way and To Kill Kat, aren't necessary to understanding what's going on in The House Kat but I do recommend starting at the beginning so you can enjoy all the delicious spy-vs-spy hijinks and get a bit more context.
The House Kat opens with former spy and assassin, Kat living a quiet life in Canada. She's put her tumultuous past firmly behind her and is focused on building a future with her daughter, Sara, and lover, Deacon.
But Kat's past isn't done with her. Someone is using one of Kat's old identities to very publicly commit murders. Hoping to clear her name, Kat must give up the peace and solitude she's worked so hard to achieve. She plunges back into the international underworld where spies, mercenaries, and assassins lurk.
While Kat investigates her doppelgänger, she's the target of a former colleague with a score of their own to settle. The situation quickly escalates and Kat's worst fears come true: her family is targeted.
It's time to go on the offensive, with deadly consequences for Kat's foes.
Things I loved:
* Witty banter
* Globe-trotting espionage
* Spy trade craft, gear, and vehicles
* Fast-paced thrill ride that kept me flipping pages until late at night
Things I didn't love:
* Too many hidden agendas and double-crosses, which made it harder to follow the actual plot and know who the "goodies" and "baddies" were
* Kat has a lot of candy (good qualities): she's beautiful, intelligent, athletic, highly trained, skilled, knows how to pilot helicopters, is a polyglot, etc. For me, this is a "Superman problem" where the character is so blessed that it takes really incredible, almost impossible, things to threaten them.
Highly recommended for espionage thriller lovers. If you enjoy works by John le Carré and/or Brad Thor, TV shows like La Femme Nikita and/or Alias, or the memoir of North Korean defector and former assassin, Kim Hyon-hui, Tears of My Soul, check out all of Kat's adventures.