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"She's well."
"I'm glad.I remember when she left Rome to study in the States," Louisa said."She was determined to see more of the world.She felt certain it would inspire her art.I was impressed that she would leave her darling boyfriend behind.Stefano was heartbroken when she left.But he loved her so much, he had to let her go."
"You knew Stefano, too?"
"Yes.He didn't attend classes here, but we often went to the same weekend parties.I actually saw him several weeks ago when he came to an open house.One of his nieces is applying to the school.I couldn't believe he was an inspector with the Polizia.He also used to be wild.He told me that Sylvie is moving to Firenze."
"Yes," she said, not really wanting to talk about her mother."Anyway, I know you're busy, but Nick and I wanted to speak to you about the robbery at the museum last week.Your grandfather's painting was stolen along with paintings by my great-grandmother, Lucinda Rossi, and Nick's great-grandfather, Tomas Caruso."
"Tomas Caruso," Louisa repeated, her gaze moving to Nick."Sorry.I hadn't put your last name with Tomas."She cleared her throat, turning back to Isabella."I was shocked by that robbery.I was going to visit the exhibition on Thursday.Unfortunately, I was out of town when it first opened.I couldn't wait to see Frederico's painting on display.When I heard it was stolen, I couldn't believe it."She shook her head in bewilderment."I don't understand what happened."
"Neither do we.Was Frederico's work valuable?Were there buyers who wanted to purchase his paintings over the years?"
"He made some sales when he was a younger man, but my grandfather died over twenty years ago, and he hadn't painted for a decade before that.He was quite mad at the end of his life, demented from years of alcohol abuse and his frustration with his own talent.He burned most of his work a few days before he drank himself to death.Luckily, I had taken a painting out of his home years before that night and tucked it away.I wanted to make sure my children and grandchildren could appreciate his talent.Of course, he wasn't just an artist, he was also a teacher, and some might say he left a bigger mark on the students who came through this school."
"So you took his painting years ago?"Nick asked."How long would you say?"
"I can't remember.He went through many dark periods, threatening to destroy everything, and that's when I decided to slip it out of his house and tuck it away.Why?Is that important?"
"We're just trying to figure out where all these paintings were before they were stolen," Nick said."We know that Lucinda, Tomas, and Frederico knew each other.What we don't know is why their paintings were stolen together in what appeared to be a targeted robbery.Do you have any ideas?"
"I don't.They were definitely friends at one time, but that changed at some point."
"What do you mean?"she asked.
Before Louisa could answer, another woman interrupted their conversation, a woman who was Louisa's identical twin right down to the white jeans.Only her sweater was purple instead of red.But she had the same hair, the same face.
"Ciao," she said."Is something wrong?You all look so serious."
"This is my sister, Victoria," Louisa said."Isabella Rossi and Nick Caruso, descendants of Lucinda Rossi and Tomas Caruso."
"Ah,Sí," Victoria said, giving them a thoughtful look."Then you are related to Sylvie Rossi, too?"
"Sylvie is my mother."
"I can see her in your face," Victoria said with a nod.
"They're asking about the relationship between Frederico, Lucinda, and Tomas, because their paintings were stolen together a few days ago," Louisa told her sister.
"That was terrible news," Victoria said.
"I know Frederico had a falling out with Tomas and Lucinda," Louisa continued."But I don't remember why.Do you, Victoria?"
"Our grandfather came to hate so many people in his later years," Victoria murmured."It's impossible to say.But it is funny that you're asking.A little over a year ago, I got the same question from an inspector with the Polizia."
She was shocked by Victoria's words."Stefano Gangi?"she asked."Was that the inspector's name?"
"No."Victoria gave Nick a thoughtful look."His name was Marcus Caruso.Is he related to you?"
"My grandfather," Nick replied, his lips tightening at Victoria's words."What did he ask you exactly?"
"He wanted to know about Frederico's relationship with Tomas and Lucinda."
"Why?"Nick asked.
"He didn't say.He also asked if I had any of Frederico's paintings at the school, which I did not.I didn't actually realize that anyone in the family had any of his work until Louisa mentioned last week that she had one of his paintings and was going to put it in the local exhibition."
"You never knew Louisa had the painting?"she challenged, surprised that Louisa wouldn't have shared that with her twin.
