Pronto by Elmore Leonard

did.
    The woman discounted or disagreed with everything he said. He was glad she didn't want to see his villa; he didn't feel much like going up there, riding the funivia with the woman. Then feel he should ask her to have dinner with him and ride back down again.
    As soon as he returned to his suite at the Hotel Liguria, Harry called Joyce and saw her living room in late morning sunlight as he listened to the phone ring.

    Chapter Ten.
    He told Joyce right away, "I don't want to say too much over the phone."
    "But are you okay?"
    "I'm fine. Listen -- remember when I told you that story I've never told anyone else in my life?"
    "That's where you are?"
    "Yeah, but don't say it. Are you busy?"
    "Am I busy? Right now?"
    "I mean are you working?"
    "The end of the month I'm doing a German catalog, right here. Everybody in the world's using South Beach."
    "How would you like to take a trip instead?"
    She paused. "You sound different."
    "I'm trying not to say too much, just in case. I'll tell you, though, I'm standing here looking out the window... I think you'd like it."
    There was a silence as she paused again.
    "I don't know if I can. I have to make a living."
    "Don't worry about that for now, just think about coming. You wouldn't need anything dressy, but bring a coat. It's cooler than Florida."
    "How do I get there?"
    "Don't worry about that either. I'll work something out."
    She said, "I think I'm being watched."
    This time Harry paused.
    The Hotel Liguria, on a hillside above the road that followed the coast to Santa Margherita and Portofino, was high enough to give Harry a clear view of Rapallo from this far side of the bay: centuries of gray and sand-colored houses and buildings against steep green hills, palm trees along the seafront, an old resort city more Victorian now than medieval. Learning to live here, he hadn't thought of what he might have left behind.
    He said to Joyce, "You mean the police?"
    And heard her say, "I hope so." And then say, "I've had visitors, friends of yours and someone who isn't a friend. They all seem to think I know where you are."
    He was careful, saying, "Was it Tommy who came to see you? You know who I mean?"
    "He tried to. Raylan ran him off. But I don't think it's Raylan who's watching me. He's a pretty nice guy."
    Harry said, "I didn't mean to get you involved." Heard himself and knew it sounded lame. "I'm really sorry. I can understand if you don't want to come."
    She said, "No, I want to." Sounding sincere.
    He said, "You don't think maybe we should wait awhile?"
    And she said, "Do you want me to come or not?"
    He liked her voice, the familiar sound of it, just then with an edge; but he felt they were talking too much. He said, "Are you nervous?"
    "A little, yeah."
    He said, "I miss you, I want you to come more than anything. Listen, I'll figure out how to work it and get back to you." Harry paused. He said, "Joyce? You know the aftershave I like?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Bring me a couple bottles. Okay?"
    She said it again, "You sound different."
    He said, "I know I do."
    Harry stood looking at his view of Rapallo beyond the marina on this side of the bay and the statue of Christopher Columbus, anxious to show Joyce his villa. He believed that with a good pair of binoculars he would be able to pick out the villa from here. Tomorrow was Sunday; he'd look for binoculars on Monday. This evening he could stroll down to his favorite fish restaurant or stay in, have dinner in the hotel dining room with its sterile white tile and potted palms. Hotel literature said the English loved the Liguria. At least at one time they did. Built more than a hundred years ago the hotel became popular with English tourists just after the First World War. The restaurant in town or the hotel dining room ... Harry hated eating alone. The woman this afternoon, the way she smoked, sucking deeply on her cigarettes, had made him want one. He'd almost taken a Salem from her pack on the table. He had told Joyce he wanted her to