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"That is the most puzzling part of this theft.Obviously, someone was willing to kill to get them, so they have value, but it's not apparent to us what that value is.I've spoken to several art experts, and no one has come up with an answer.None of these artists were well- known, and all three passed away years ago.But it is early days.We hope to find more leads as we continue our investigation.It can take weeks, months, sometimes years, to track down stolen paintings."
"We may not have that kind of time.I'm concerned about my grandmother's safety.They may think she can identify them."
"But I can't," his grandmother put in.
"When did you notice the car following you?"the captain asked."Was it when you left your house?"
"No.We went to the bank before coming here," he replied."The car picked us up after that."
"But he drove away once you arrived here?And he allowed you a view of his license plate by driving right past you?"
"Yes, and that was odd.He clearly didn't care that I could read his license plate."
"What is the name and location of the bank?"Captain Lavezzo asked, picking up his pen again.
He gave him the bank name and address and then said, "Perhaps there's a camera around the bank that might pick up the car.It was a blue Toyota Yaris."
"Why don't you give me your number, and I will let you know what I find out?In the meantime, perhaps it would be wise to take your grandmother out of Rome, maybe back to the States."
"We've been talking about that, haven't we, Nonna?"
"Yes, and I don't need you two making decisions for me.I've been doing that longer than you've both been alive," she said sharply.
Captain Lavezzo nodded."My apologies.I simply wish to keep you safe, Signora."
"Finding the thieves who stole my father-in-law's painting is the best way to do that, Captain," she said.
"I will do everything I can to make sure the stolen paintings are returned to their rightful owners."
"I'd like to help you do that," he said."I have resources I can offer."
"I appreciate that, but my team has a great deal of expertise in these matters, especially where it concerns Italian artists and their art."
"Of course.Let me know if you change your mind."
"Certainly.And now I will return to work," Lavezzo said as he rose."Thank you for coming in."
He had more questions he wanted to ask, but he could see that Captain Lavezzo was not interested in collaborating with him, so he simply muttered his goodbye along with his grandmother.
"Do you think he's going to find the paintings?"his grandmother asked as they headed downstairs.
"I hope so, Nonna."But as they left the building and headed home, finding the paintings was the least of his worries.Things weren't adding up, and that had his nerves on edge.He needed to figure out what was going on before anything else happened.
It was both awkward and entertaining getting to know her extended family members, Isabella thought, as she and Joelle took their coffees into the living room after a very filling lunch while her grandmother showed Victor around the house.
Victor had turned out to be a charming, sophisticated man, who traveled extensively, and loved to talk about those travels, as well as wine and food.Joelle was not as smooth as her father.She was more arty, flamboyant, and also very sarcastic.
Joelle had asked a lot of questions about Lucinda's art and the robbery and exactly where Gloria had been and what she'd heard.Her grandmother hadn't seemed uncomfortable with the questions, although she'd stayed a little vague on the details.Perhaps Nick's warning about not trusting anyone but the four of them had stuck in her head.
She had to admit that she liked Victor and Joelle more than she'd thought she would.She'd had a chip on her shoulder her entire life when it came to family.Because her grandfather had kept her away from the family during her summer in Rome, she'd assumed that no one wanted to meet her, but perhaps that wasn't true.
Even now, she could see Joelle eyeing her with blatant curiosity.
"What?"she asked as she sipped her coffee.
"I'm just wondering what it's like to be a journalist," Joelle said."Do you travel all over the world?Do you interview world leaders?Do you report on grisly crimes?"
"I've traveled the US, interviewed congressmen and senators and reported on some grisly crimes," she said with a smile, appreciating the fact that someone was actually interested in her and not just that she was Sylvie's daughter or Gloria's granddaughter."But I haven't gone international.Maybe one day."
