'Late Sunday we requested help from the FBI. By the time they found where you were, you were on your way here.' He sat down on the edge of Roscani's desk. 'If you want to talk to your embassy you have every right. But understand that when you do, you will very quickly be talking to the LEGATS.'

'Not without a lawyer.' Harry knew what the LEGATS was. It stood for legal attaches, the name for FBI special agents assigned to U.S. embassies overseas who work in liaison with the local police. But the threat made no difference. Overwhelmed and shocked as he was, he wasn't about to let anyone, the Rome police or the FBI, continue this kind of questioning without someone very well versed in Italian criminal law standing beside him.

''Richieda un mandato di cattura.'' Roscani looked at Pio.

Harry reacted angrily. 'Talk in English.'

Roscani stood and walked around his desk. 'I told him to call for an arrest warrant.'

'On what charge?'

'-A moment.' Pio looked at Roscani and nodded toward the door. Roscani ignored him and kept staring at Harry, acting as if Harry himself had killed Cardinal Parma.

Taking him aside, Pio said something in Italian. Roscani hesitated. Then Pio said something else. Roscani relented and they went out.

Harry watched the door close behind them and turned away. The long-haired woman at the keyboard was staring at him. Ignoring her, he walked to the window. It was something to do. Through its heavy glass he could see the narrow cobblestone street below and across it a brick building. At the far end was what looked like a fire station. It felt like a prison.

What the hell had he walked into? What if they were right and Danny had been involved with the assassination? But that was crazy. Or was it? As a teenager Danny had had problems with the law. Not much, but some, like a lot of restless kids. Petty theft, vandalism, fighting, just generally getting into trouble.