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"Well, you're here in Rome now.And it sounds like you have a personal story to chase."
"It's turning out like that.I just came to make sure my grandmother was all right, but I've become very interested in Lucinda's life."
"Our great-grandmother was a fascinating woman.She spent time with men who weren't her husband.She was adventurous and artistic.She hung out with artists and smoked cigarettes and drank lots of wine."
She laughed at the look of envy in Joelle's eyes."How do you know all that?"
"My grandmother used to talk to me about Lucinda.She said her mother was fire, a bright flame that never dimmed, which is weirdly ironic since she died in a fire.But while she was alive, she lived.Lucinda chased her dreams.She's always inspired me."
"She's beginning to inspire me, too."
"Well, you're already doing amazing things, so clearly you didn't need the inspiration."
"Tell me about your life as a jewelry designer.Do you work with celebrities?"
"A few.I'm still growing my clientele.But I love designing personal items for people.It's my specialty.I've also been going to some fashion shows in Berlin, Paris, and London, and I've been able to find clients there, both fashion designers and celebrities."
"That sounds more exciting than Lucinda's life."
"It's starting to be," Joelle said with a laugh."But I'm not there yet.I want to be great.I want to be famous.I probably shouldn't say that out loud, but you're family.I wish I had met you before now, Isabella.I was always intrigued by the daughter of the black sheep we weren't allowed to discuss.I swear your grandfather made your mother sound like a…well, I don't want to say the word he used, but it wasn't good."
"He thought she was a terrible person for getting pregnant without being married."
"That certainly wasn't a crime, and Sylvie got a beautiful daughter out of it, so it all worked out, didn't it?"
Clearly, Joelle was not one to judge, which made Isabella like her even more."Do you have a shop here in Rome or do you work out of your house?I'd love to see your jewelry."
"I work mostly out of my apartment, but I sell my work in various stores and at art and jewelry shows.I would love to show it to you.How long will you be in Rome?"
"I'm not sure.I might have to wait until all this is resolved before I can look at your jewelry, though, but definitely before I leave."
"That would be lovely.I heard your mother moved to Firenze.Will you be seeing her on this trip?"
"I'm not sure yet."
"I'm surprised she's not here checking in on Gloria."
She shrugged."She's busy getting settled in."
"So, what do you think about this robbery?Is there a mystery behind Lucinda's painting?Because I don't understand why anyone would break into a museum to steal it."
"I have no idea.Maybe it just got caught up in the heist."
"Heist is such a sexy word.It sounds so James Bondish."
She smiled."It does, but from what my grandmother described, the robbery was terrifying, not at all sexy."
"I shouldn't be making light of it.I'm glad she's all right.Gloria is so kind and loving.I just wish she'd told me about Lucinda's painting earlier.I'm sad I may never get to see it.She doesn't have any idea who stole it?She saw nothing when they were in hiding?"
"No," Isabella confirmed, wondering why Joelle kept asking her the same question in a slightly different way, as if Joelle thought she was hiding something from her.
"It just seems like she'd have some idea, that she would have heard some story about the painting over the years," Joelle persisted.
"Did your father ever hear anything?"she asked.
"Only rumors that Lucinda and Tomas were having an affair."
"My grandmother says that wasn't true."
