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“You’re already in trouble.” He lifted his hand higher.
Raven looked over at the archivist, who was watching them intently.
“This is your job, Patrick.”
“A job I have because you covered my ass when I forgot to file the radiographs. Now we’re even.” He moved his hand in front of her nose. “Give me the flash drive.”
Raven muttered a curse and unzipped the pocket of her knapsack. She retrieved the flash drive and handed it to him.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” His voice was loud, too loud, and the archivist hushed them once again.
He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Tell Vitali I asked you to copy the files. If they confiscate the drive, I’ll help you get the files another way.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Raven gave him a worried look before exiting the archives.
“So do I.” He grimaced.
As Raven climbed the stairs to the second floor, she contemplated an alternative explanation, one that would exonerate Patrick. Nothing came readily to mind. She couldn’t even mention William York and his connection with Palazzo Riccardi.
Raven would never allow someone she cared about to be hurt. This was the core of her being. She’d made a mistake; she would take responsibility for it, even if it meant losing her position at the gallery.
She gave herself a short pep talk and approached Vitali’s office just as a loud female voice, speaking English, echoed down the corridor.
“Codswallop! I’ve been wandering the streets of Florence since before you were born. Clare and I will be fine for a couple of hours.”
Raven stood outside the open door, her palms sweating. She wiped them on her yoga pants.
“Katherine, the city isn’t safe.” Professor Emerson sounded exasperated.
“I don’t believe that for one moment,” the woman replied.
Taking a deep breath, Raven knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Vitali called, in Italian.
She entered the room and found the Emersons talking with an older woman who had short white hair and snapping blue-gray eyes. She was pushing a stroller in which Clare was seated, playing with a toy bunny and oblivious to the tension around her.
“Julianne can take her tour, you can discuss your situation with Vitali, and I’ll take the baby for a walk. It’s a beautiful day. She needs fresh air.” The woman wheeled the stroller around and headed for the door.
“No.” Professor Emerson’s voice boomed.
Everyone stared—at his sapphire eyes that blazed behind blackframed glasses, at his hands that were clenched into fists at his sides, and at his expression, which was frightening.
But Professor Emerson wasn’t angry, although he’d adopted an angry posture.
Raven scanned his expression and was surprised to see fear behind his eyes.
“Katherine, it isn’t safe. I can barely stand to have you, Clare, and Julianne out of my sight.”
His eyes moved to his wife and he addressed her. “You can take your tour. But Katherine and Clare must stay inside the gallery.”
His wife grasped his elbow and he unclenched his fists, his body relaxing.
Marginally.
“It’s all right, Gabriel. We’re safe now.” She gave him a smile, which he did not return.
“And you will remain so.”
Raven wiped her hands on her pants again and studied her feet.
She’d intruded on something she didn’t understand, a private conversation between a protective husband and father and his family. She found herself strangely moved by his intensity. It had been a long time since someone had been protective of her. It had been a long time since she’d had a father.
“We can walk indoors.” The woman referred to as Katherine turned toward Vitali. “Perhaps you’ll assign us a guide. Would that be acceptable, Gabriel?”
It seemed clear from her tone that she was annoyed, but she seemed determined not to argue with him.
Raven lifted her eyes and saw Gabriel nodding in a restrained manner.
“Then it’s settled. Now, if you’ll be so kind as to find us a guide, I’ll take Clare for a walk.” Katherine gave Vitali an expectant look, almost as if he were a concierge rather than the director of the Uffizi Gallery.
Raven half expected Katherine to begin tapping her conservatively shod foot.
Vitali motioned Raven forward.
“Mrs. Emerson would like a tour of the restoration lab. Please escort her downstairs and introduce her to Professor Urbano. He’s expecting her.”
Raven blinked.
Vitali’s eyes narrowed. “Miss Wood?”
Raven’s anxieties at being summoned to the director’s office because she’d copied files without permission began to lessen.
She cleared her throat. “A tour? Yes, of course. Of course. Thank you.”
She paused, wondering if he was going to bring up the flash drive or mention anything about the robbery. She wondered if news of her mid-night visit to Palazzo Riccardi had somehow come to his attention.
Vitali sat back in his chair and lifted the telephone, requesting that his assistant send one of the security guards to his office, that an important guest needed an escort.
Raven exhaled in relief.
Julia kissed her husband, patting him on the shoulder, before retrieving her purse and moving to Raven’s side. Gabriel followed his wife’s movements with a look of concern, his long fingers curving into fists once again.
With a nod, Vitali dismissed Raven, announcing that Katherine’s guide would appear momentarily.
Raven was not about to delay and so led Julia to the hall. Julia trailed behind her, limping.
Raven stopped. “Are you hurt?”
“Not really. When I had Clare, I had an epidural. I’ve had nerve issues in my right leg and foot ever since. It’s acting up today.” She forced a smile, but appeared distressed.
Raven moved closer, noticing that Julia was wearing flat, comfortable shoes.
“Should I get a wheelchair?”
“It isn’t that bad. Today my foot is numb so I’m having trouble walking.”
“I’m sorry.” Raven’s expression was sympathetic. “I broke my leg once. There was nerve damage. Whenever the weather changes, I have pain.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Julia started walking again, slowly. “I’m lucky my leg only acts up periodically. I’m told the numbness will go away eventually.”
“We’ll take the elevator.” Raven gestured to the far end of the hall.
“I know it’s short notice, but I wanted to see the restoration work before we left.” Julia spoke in low tones as they passed a few people in the hallway.
“No problem.” Raven watched her from the corner of her eye. “I thought you were staying in Florence for a week.”
“Our plans have changed.” Julia’s expression grew grave. “We’re checking out of the hotel this afternoon and going to Umbria.”
“Umbria is beautiful.”
Raven was distracted, thinking about what had occurred in the archives. It was possible the security guards hadn’t noticed what she’d done. Maybe she’d implicated Patrick for no reason. She’d have to warn him.
“Have you heard any rumors about the Gallery Hotel Art being haunted?” Julia’s voice intruded on Raven’s thoughts.
She turned her head to meet Julia’s eyes. “Haunted? No. I always thought it was peculiar their restaurant served Japanese food, but I haven’t heard anything about the hotel being haunted. Why do you ask?”
Julia fidgeted with her purse strap. “This is going to sound strange, but my husband thinks there’s a ghost in the hotel. That’s why we’re leaving.”
Raven’s eyebrows shot up. “A ghost? Why does he think that?”
“He woke up last night convinced someone was in our room. He couldn’t see anything but he felt a . . . dark presence.”
Raven’s heart began to speed.
“Did someo
ne break in?”
“I don’t think so. Nothing was missing and he didn’t see anyone. But he felt like someone was there and the doors to the terrace were open.” Julia smoothed her long hair behind her ears. “If it were anyone other than Gabriel, I’d dismiss it. But he’s seen—and felt—strange things before.”
Raven bit her tongue. She desperately wanted to ask Julia what strange things she was referring to, but she was an important donor and barely an acquaintance. Raven didn’t want to seem nosy.
“I don’t believe in ghosts. But it’s possible someone broke into your hotel room. Petty thefts are common in the city and, as you know, that hotel attracts wealthy guests.”
“I suppose that’s possible.”
“I hate to say it, but I’m wondering if the Uffizi robbery is connected to what happened in your room.”
Julia eyed Raven as they entered the elevator. “Why would you say that?”
“Your names are connected with the gallery. If someone found out you were staying in the city, they might think you’re carrying expensive jewelery or artifacts.”
“That makes sense. I’m not in a hurry to stay in the same hotel room, even if it was a burglar. This makes me sad because we stayed in that room before.” Julia appeared wistful.
