Injection of delight.

Publication: The America's Intelligence Wire

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Financial Times Ltd.

(From Financial Post)

PALERMO, Sicily - Inever actually spotted a single Mafioso. In fact, I didn't see anyone particularly swarthy, threatening or even slightly resembling the stereotype.

We did, nonetheless, have a plethora of armed guards looking decidedly menacing at anyone who even looked like they might approach our refuge in the seaside Hotel Cetarium. All were in decidedly para-military blue jump suits and armed with nine-mill Berettas.

Only I got a funny feeling it wasn't my worthless behind they were protecting. After all, the kidnappers who spirited Yours Truly away would likely be able to feed their cat for a week on the ransom the National Post would offer. Nope, I think they were guarding the cars, all eight of them brand-new Audi A4s. But while they were indeed hot off the factory floor, the assembled press expected little beyond some new sheet metal (with Audi's new trademark and controversial grille), as well as some swivelling headlamps, so we were wondering what all the fuss was about.

As it turns out, there was actually quite a bit of depth...

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