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She frowned at that reminder and quickly changed the subject."How can I help you?"
Before he could answer, her grandmother and Anna came into the entry.
"Stefano," her grandmother said with delight."Is that really you?"
"Sí," he replied as her grandmother grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house.She gave him a kiss on each cheek."It's lovely to see you.It's been a long time."
"Since Marcus's funeral," he said with a sad nod."I've been meaning to stop by for a while.I'm sorry I haven't made the time."
"Well, it's good to see you now."Gloria's expression turned serious."Would I be correct in assuming you're not just here to say hello?"
"I heard about what happened at the museum yesterday," he admitted."I wanted to make sure you were all right."
"That's so sweet of you.Anna and I are fine."Gloria stepped back so Anna and Stefano could exchange a hug.
"Did you meet my grandson?"Anna asked.
"Not yet.I was surprised when I looked at Isabella and saw Sylvie in her eyes."Stefano turned to Nick."I should have introduced myself.I'm Stefano Gangi.I'm a family friend and an inspector with the state police.Your grandfather, Marcus, was one of my mentors."
"Mine, too," Nick said."What can you tell us about the investigation?"
"It is in the hands of Capitano Lavezzo at the Carabinieri T.P.C.I have heard that the security system was disengaged when the thieves entered the building, so there was no video evidence.The back door by the loading dock was the point of entrance.Because no alarms went off, it was some time before the police were alerted by someone walking in the street who said he heard gunshots in the museum."
"What about exterior cameras on the building?"
"Turned off," Stefano replied, a grim look in his gaze."It is my understanding that the only eyewitness was the guard, but no one has spoken to him yet, as he is currently sedated."Stefano looked back at Anna and Gloria."I was told neither of you could identify anyone."
"We were hiding," her grandmother replied."We heard the men mutter a few sentences.One said Caruso and that someone would be happy to get the art, that they had been waiting a long time."
"I wasn't aware that you heard them speak.Could you recognize that voice if you heard it again?"Stefano asked.
"Oh, I don't think so," her grandmother replied.
"And you didn't see anything else?"Stefano pressed."Often, when witnesses have time to think a minor detail will come back into their mind, like the type of clothing, the color of hair, or a particular shoe brand.Has that happened?"
"Not for me."Her grandmother looked at Anna."You saw more than I did."
"Which was very little," Anna said."There were two men.I only saw them from the back, and they were dressed completely in black: pants, coat, hood, and shoes.Even their hands were covered with black gloves.There was nothing identifiable about either of them.I wish there was.I want them to be caught.I want them to be punished for what they did to Enrique, and I also want to get our paintings back."
"I understand," Stefano said with a nod."Do you have any other paintings from your relatives here in the house?"
"No," Anna said.
"Do you think we're in danger, Stefano?"her grandmother asked.
"I wouldn't think so.You didn’t see anyone, and you don't have any other paintings.I believe the thieves got what they wanted.I can't see why they'd come after you."
"That's a relief," her grandmother said.
"However, I would like you to call me if you have any other worries or if you remember something later that might be helpful."He pulled out a card and handed it to Gloria."Here is my number."
"Thank you, Stefano," Gloria said."We appreciate your concern."
"I always felt like you were family."He paused."Did Sylvie tell you we spoke a few days ago?"
"No.I didn't realize you two kept in touch."
"We hadn't talked in thirty years, but a mutual friend told me that Sylvie had come back and was working at a gallery.She gave me Sylvie's number, so I called her.She was quite surprised to hear from me, but we had a pleasant conversation.We're going to meet up soon."
