Roma: James and Miceal, #2

By d.s. Eliot

The second in the James and Miceal Series sees our two hero's heading to Rome for a well deserved holiday after the high adventure of taking down the biggest scandal to hit Australian politics in history in their first adventure, the novel Kalgoorlie. It is a time of care-free love and sight seeing in one of the oldest and richest cultural cities on the planet. It is during a site-seeing trip that James and Miceal are hit on by an Italian playboy who invites them to a party that very night. As one of the rich elite, Pipetiano Ferrari's party is of course held in one of the most expensive suites in Rome. At the party James's investigative reporter instincts kick in noticing that most of the party goers are underage. An unplanned meeting with South African Mike van Tonder and Italian beauty Rafaela Bruttomesso shed light on a world of underground human trafficking including pornography, child smuggling and other dark secrets. It is time to reunite the Australian team. Alice, Ceila, General Knowles, Blake as well as John and his 'dark web' hackers come to Rome to help James and Miceal uncover this huge dark world. The adventure takes them across Italy on a cat and mouse chase to bring the baddies to book. It all comes to a head with the head of the Catholic Church, The Pope himself. Twist after twist and roller-coaster after roller-coaster take you on this incredible fast-paced adventure of mystery and intrigue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: d.s. Eliot
• Release date: Mar 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370927425

Book preview

Chapter 1

Touchdown at Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport, James and Miceal holding hands. They disembark and head into the baggage collection area. They fortunately packed light. Once collected they enter the arrival hall. It’s a little bewildering. Everything is in Italian with occasional English signage. They figure that the train image means the way to the subway. As they walk, the way is filled with Leonardo da Vinci inventions. They are architecturally very powerful. A statement, ‘Genius’.

They find the Rome Metro and the map of the subway. It appears, as they discuss, that the green line is to Termini, the central train station in Rome. They purchase the one way tickets to the Termini. It’s all quite thrilling. They start discussing their non-planned adventure as the metro train departs.

Where do you think we should stay? James asks.

Miceal, Well mate, first let’s find an English to Italian dictionary. Let’s stay under the radar. Something neat and clean, a little out of the way. The subway seems okay. Let’s get something to eat. We can explore some options, have a look and then decide.

They arrive at Roma Termini. It is a modern bustling rail subway. They exit into a city with a three thousand year old history, nestled between hills. Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Palatine Hill, Quirinal Hill and Viminal Hill lie snuggled around the Italian capital, which lies on the banks of the Tiber River.

They find a MacDonald’s. Order burgers and start going through the map and dictionary they just bought at a small vendor store just outside the Termini. Frist the small dictionary reveals, ciao. Hi. Buongiorno. Good morning. Buonasera. Good evening. Scusami. Excuse Me. Most importantly, Parla Inglese. Do you speak English? The burgers finished they need to decide where to find what the dictionary says is called a pensione. It also advises that the easiest way to do this is to find an Ufficio Turistico, a tourist information office. A cleaning attendant arrives to clean up the remnants of their meal. James, Parla Inglese?

He beams, Si. I studied English at Oxford. How can I help you?

James, We are Australian and have embarked on a rather unplanned holiday. We need a place to stay?

The waiter immediately, Go to ‘Family House,’ or ‘Casa Familia.’  It’s about one point four kilometres from the Coliseum. It’s very good value, clean and quite modern.

James ventures, Mille grazie.

The attendant smiles and heads to his next table. Miceal and James set out, buy local sim cards for their mobiles. Getting a taxi is a lot more complex. The taxi driver, Dove va?

A frantic search through the dictionary, Familia Casa, quanto costa? The answer does not even make sense.

Promptly they arrive at a black door with the ‘Family House’ logo on the awning. The payment is a little tricky as James believes they are being ripped off. Miceal after a bit of Italian bickering, sees James paying the taxi driver. Miceal, We need to find that room! Miceal starts walking to the black door. James finishes getting his change from the taxi driver and as he departs adds, Cagna!

He strolls over to join Miceal, What did you say to him?

James, Bitch! I had to look up some words first. I have a few extra insults if you want?

Miceal, Let’s get that room.

They enter the reception. A pretty girl behind the desk, Ciao.

James, Ciao. Parla Inglese? The girl smiles. A room for two with a bathroom.

Again, she smiles. Her fingers fly across the keyboard, Bene. Fine. Then to James, It will be fifty-five Euros, breakfast is included. She passes James a key card and adds, We do require a deposit of one hundred Euros and your passport." James opens his wallet. Forks out the requested amount with his passport. Miceal also drops his passport on the reception desk.

The room is not white and spritely but a grey double bed dive. They settle in. Order in something to eat and wait for the jetlag to pass, a slumber and some sleep.

Chapter 2

A marathon nap and they are up. Shit, showered and shaved, the duo head for the rather meagre eating lounge for breakfast. James, Let’s do Trevi Fountain first. Please! My mom always said, ‘Now that’s the place to be.’

Miceal, Sure, lets hit it. Plates empty and full they go straight to reception, to a reasonably hot looking boy receptionist.

James, Ciao!

The receptionist looks up, Yes, we do speak Inglese in Italy.

Miceal, How do we get to Trevi Fountain?

The phone rings, Una momento. He answers. Pronto. A few seconds later, Si. He ends the call and redials another number. Alberto, vorrei un taxi per favore. Then to James and Miceal, The taxi will be here in about three minutes, you can wait on the curb. As told they head to the curb with a small backpack with their mobiles, camera and a few odds and ends. It is at least ten minutes before Alberto arrives, with great fanfare and a kiss on each cheek. Dove va?

James is much better adept at new languages, "Trevi Fountain, per forvore.

Alberto, Andiamo! Let’s go!" He smiles.

The trip is brief, but for the blearing constant hooting. Can these people drive, Miceal thinks.

The driver at two blocks out from Trevi, "Best you get out here. It is much cheaper besides I am an Aussie supporter. James pays, and they start the short walk to Trevi Fountain.

Fontana di Trevi is utterly exquisite. Building of the fountain was started in 1732 but the architect, Nicola Salvi, died and the baroque building was only finished in 1762. James relates all of this to Miceal as they take in the view. They take several pictures with their mobile phones and a couple of selfies. The camera technology on the mobile phone, at ten mega pixels returns really great quality images. James is all over the place regurgitation information and facts. James, The famous La Dolce Vita movie by Federico Fellini with the unbelievable scene in Trevi, was shot here. That happening before we were born in 1960. He proclaims. Very chuffed, "Here is an Australian dollar coin. Put it in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder into the fountain.

Miceal, Are you mad?

James, "No. It is a well observed tradition. Just do it. Don’t be such a party pooper. I am going to do the same. They take their Australian dollar coin in their right hands and throw the coins over the left shoulder. They giggle at the act. Wishes made, they stroll through the surrounding streets and soak up the city of Rome and its Italian atmosphere. It is not long before they pass ‘The Albert’.

James, We have to have a drink in there.

Miceal, Why?

James, What! Have you lived under a rock in Kalgoorlie your entire life? A glint in his eyes.

Miceal, Yes mister money bags. I still don’t get it?

James, You know the famous gay piecing, A Prince Albert. The Albert Bar. Get it now?

Miceal, Yes bitch!

James orders two Peroni drafts. It is a large venue, but they settle in easily as the language is mainly Inglese. The drafts done they head out.

Not fifteen minutes’ walk and much chatting amongst the two lovers, just off Via Nazionale, they pass ‘The Public House.’ James, Go on let’s have a beer here too mate. A public house. You may get lucky? Giggling at his own joke. Miceal smacks him softly on the back of the head as they enter.

It turns out to be quite the party place. As always in the left corner. Due Heineken per fevore, as the waiter arrives. James is very happy with his linguistic Italian skills growing. A pint or two and party mode sets in. The Public is a very lively place. Hair down, bottom’s up. All in all, a very pleasant space. James bumps into a very good-looking guy. Hey!

Pipetiano responds in perfect English, Hello, you must be Australian?

James smiles, Yes, I’m James.

Pipetiano, Can I buy you a beer? He hits on James.

James, My boyfriend is waiting. Flattered at the offer James heads back to Miceal. Smiling at his better half. However, Miceal peers over James’s shoulder.

Pipetiano steps past James, Pipetiano Ferrari, he introduces himself.

Miceal, and extends his handshake.

Maria to James, Can I buy you birre?

Miceal, Sure.

They settle down and Pipetianorattles on, Yes, my uncle was Enzo Ferrari. He smiles smugly. I however have greater ambitions than smelly oil and noise levels. My plan is to become Prime Minister. He declares. What are you doing tonight?

Miceal, Probably getting drunk and then heading to bed.

Pipetiano, Well, come and get drunk with me. I am throwing a small private party tonight. Take the metro to Ottaviano then onto San Pietro. Here’s my mobile number. One of my aides will pick you up. Say 19h00. He drains his birra and departs.

Miceal, Why not my love? Free booze, and it’s not like we have anything else planned for the evening.

James, Well okay, but don’t mistake that he is ‘not’ a player.

Miceal, "Agreed. Make sure we