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"That would be nice," her grandmother said."The two of you were such good friends, and I think Sylvie could use some of her old friends as she starts over."
"I should go," Stefano said."Please, be careful."
"Let us know if you hear anything more about the investigation," her grandmother said.
"I will do that."
As Gloria closed the door behind Stefano, Nick said, "Were you both telling the truth about not having any more paintings?"
His question surprised Isabella, but to her amazement, guilt entered her grandmother's eyes.
"Really, Grandma?"she asked."I thought you just found one loose canvas."
"That's true," Gloria said quickly."But I did find a sketch book.They're rough drawings.I'm sure no one would care about them.It's not another painting.I wasn't lying."
"What about you, Nonna?"Nick asked.
"I believe there is another painting by Tomas somewhere, but it's not here or in the vault," Anna answered."I'm not sure where it is.But I always thought Tomas had given Marcus two paintings to take care of.When I was getting the painting from the bank, I found some letters between Tomas and a woman referred to only by the initialJ.She mentioned something about his gift to her.I wondered if he might have given her the painting.But I don’t know who she is."
Isabella's mind raced with possibilities.Her job as a journalist was all about following leads, unraveling threads of information, and finding the truth.She hadn't heard any leads until just now."I want to see the sketchbook and the letters."
"So do I," Nick said."Is there anything else the two of them left behind?"
"Tomas had a few personal items," Anna said."They're in the vault as well.We can go to the bank tomorrow."
"All right."Nick paused."Were either of you surprised that Stefano showed up here asking questions?"
"Why would we be surprised?"Gloria asked in wonder."Stefano grew up with Sylvie.Paolo and I were friends with his parents."
"And Marcus mentored him when he first joined the police," Anna said."I remember how happy he was when Stefano became a police officer.Stefano had been rather wild as a younger man.It was good to see him get himself together.Why are you suspicious of him?"
"He seemed very interested in what you witnessed and whether there was other art in your possession."
"He wants to make sure we're safe," Anna said.
"I hope so," Nick said."But going forward, let's eliminate any doubt about whether you could recognize a voice.You saw nothing and you know nothing."
"You're scaring me a little, Nick," his grandmother said with a worried glint in her eyes.
"I think you should be careful, even around people you've known a long time.Everyone wears a mask.Everyone has their own agenda."
There was a harshness to his words that made Isabella think he was talking about much more than the immediate situation.But she had enough to figure out without wondering about a man she didn't even like.
"You're so cynical, Nick," Anna said with a sad sigh.
"I prefer realistic."
"In his last year, your grandfather had the same look in his eyes that you have in yours now, a disillusioned weariness," she added."I don't enjoy seeing it in you."
"Well, I am tired, so I'm sorry if I didn't sugarcoat my words the way I should have, Nonna, but I stand by them.Stefano might be the greatest guy in the world, but the only people you should talk to about this situation are in this room."
"I understand."
"I do, too," Gloria said."But I believe Stefano came here because he was worried, and for no other reason.That said, we'll be careful.Now, we should get back to cooking."
As their grandmothers returned to the kitchen, Isabella turned to Nick."You really think Stefano had an ulterior motive?"
"I don't know.Did your mother ever talk about him?"
