Palermo, SicilyThe Grand Hotel Palermo was showing signs of wear and tear in the late afternoon sun, a testament to better days. However, its grand façade was totally in keeping with the dark windowed limousine that sped along past the afternoon tourists and street vendors. It swung across the oncoming traffic on Via Roma and pulled up in front of the hotel. No one looked twice; it was a common sight in the homeland of the Mafia and their clandestine world. Two men climbed out wearing hats and sunglasses. They were ushered straight into the hotel by uniformed attendants, and through into a private room where a man and two females were waiting in trepidation.
“Sit down,” hissed the Teacher, his appearance hidden behind his hat and sunglasses, which he declined to remove. His visible featur
