Piazza Navona: Adventures of Ben and Bob

By Bob Haider

The adventures of Ben and Bob land the duo just steps away from Bob's residence in the Piazza Navona in Rome.  While Bob enjoys a late evening drink in the Piazza, a bomb explodes in Bob's apartment and soon, he is being shot at.  As someone is trying to kill him, Bob telephones his partner in New York City but Ben cannot arrive on a flight until the following morning.  Bob must find a way to stay alive in the meantime.  Ben is an entrepreneur, whose knowledge success and insight are sought worldwide.  Bob, published in many scientific journals, is a renowned inventor with numerous patents and winner of The Noble Prize in Physics.  Together, Ben and Bob form SWAMP---Strategies with a Meaningful Purpose---and team their skills to combat a menacing threat or solve an age-old mystery.  Follow the exploits of these two modern day knights as they crisscross the globe confronting intrigue and danger while exhibiting extraordinary physical ability.  After reading one, you will want to read another and another…until you have read them all.  Join Ben and Bob in their adventure in Rome…their next exciting experience---and yours---is only a CLICK away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Haider
• Release date: Feb 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224147274

Bob Haider

The Game Begins is Bob's third novel having also written Pictures on the Wall, his initial novel on political courage, and Whispers in the Night about retribution on a criminal empire.  Additionally, he is the author of numerous short stories including The Adventures of Ben & Bob series…the exploits of two modern day knights as they crisscross the globe confronting intrigue and danger in their fight against crime. Raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, Bob is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and lives in Glenview, Illinois with his long-time companion, Mary Ellen.

Book preview

Prologue

On this near cloudless night, the stars twinkled magnificently in all their splendor above the ancient city of Roma...the Latin name as given by the ancient Romans.  Seated at an outside table at the Bar Navona Bob took a sip of his Four Roses bourbon.  Having moved here five years ago, he often came downstairs in the late evening to enjoy a relaxing drink.  His apartment, just a stone’s throw away, overlooks the Piazza Navona.

In the historic center of the city, Rome does not allow any building construction to be higher than St. Peter’s Cathedral.  Thus, the historic center, despite the throng of tourists, has a small town feel as friendly residents, shop keepers and restauranteurs enhance that small-town vibe.

In the center of Piazza Navona is Bernini’s masterpiece...the iconic Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi—-the Fountain of Four Rivers.  At ten o’clock in the evening the water glistens in the lighted fountain while an obelisk in the center reaches heavenward.  It is majestic to both tourists and residents alike.  Some have knowledge of the Bernini fountain because of the movie Angels and Demons when it is highlighted near the end of the movie in a tense rescue.

Piazza Navona has remained one of Bob’s favorite places to relax in all of Roma.  While Bob often dined miles away throughout the city at the many venues Roma has to offer, in the late evening he frequently came downstairs...delighted in this bustling piazza.

Tonight, in addition to a drink, Bob came downstairs to enjoy a late evening snack.  He would often bring a book but tonight he was people-watching on this starry night as Italians and a sparsity of tourists at this late hour walked leisurely past his table.  For the most part, the tourists would stop to admire the Bernini fountain, while the locals who had seen it often would walk past on their way to destinations unknown.

Almost without exception, no matter where Bob was at any given time, he enjoyed watching people as they paused to view the many sites throughout Roma.  He marveled in the enjoyment of those witnessing something in this glorious city for the first time.  He would identify the first timers by their eyes...aglow with wonder.

Tonight, an elderly bearded man with a cane caught Bob’s eye as he approached the Bar Navona in a slow gait.  As the man took a seat at an adjacent table, Bob thought his long, shoulder length hair didn’t quite fit with his neatly trimmed salt and peppered beard.  Bob would do that from time to time...critique a person’s appearance.

A waiter approached with a menu and greeted him, Buona sera, signore, as he placed the menu on the table.

Buona sera, the man replied in kind.  I’d like a glass of the house red, he replied in English but with a distinctive French accent, and added, Merci.

The waiter nodded and quickly departed.

The elderly man reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of reading glasses as he picked up the menu and casually perused it.

The same waiter retuned as he delivered a quattro pizza to Bob and placed it on the table.

The elderly man who was facing Bob’s table said, That looks good.  What is that, monsieur?

Oh, this is the quattro formaggio pizza...a pizza comprised of four different cheeses...ricotta, mozzarella, gorgonzola picante and parmesan.  It’s really delicious.

That’s the key to a good pizza...the cheese.  Many people mistakenly think it’s the sauce or the crust, said the elderly man, as he shook his head, but it’s the fresh cheese.

That must be why pizza is so good in Italy.  Residents and restaurants alike buy their ingredients fresh every day.

The man nodded his confirmation, Oui, it’s the European way.  That sure looks good to me.  I think I’m going to...,

Please, Bob beckoned him with a wave of his hand.  Join me.  I have way more than I can eat.  They don’t serve pizza by the slice but that’s what I had a taste for so I ordered an entire pizza.  Please, join me.

Oh, well...I don’t...,

No, it’s alright.  I’ve got plenty.  Besides, the company would be nice.  You are no doubt French and I would like to ask you about Paris if you would be so kind to join me, as I am hoping to visit Paris in the near future.  Are you familiar with Paris?

Oh, oui, oui, monsieur, I live in Paris.

Oh, well, you could give me some tips on some Parisian restaurants that are generally overlooked by tourists...the ones where the locals dine, as he arose and extended his hand, My name is Bob.

––––––––

Oh, very well, then, he said, as he arose and brought his glass of wine with him.  Merci, as he placed his glass on the table.

As he extended his hand to introduce himself, the Piazza Navona was rocked by a thunderous explosion.

Chapter 1

As the sound of shattering glass cut through the night air, smoke billowed from an apartment overlooking the Piazza...a jagged gash appearing where a window had been moments before.

Immediately after the explosion a pronounced hush hung eerily over Piazza Navona.

Nobody moved.

For several seconds, the distinct flow of water in the Bernini fountain was the only sound to be heard as all were