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"Well, we're doing that today, so we'll see.You don't have to worry about what you're walking into.She's not horrible.She's just…I don't know how to describe her, because she's been a lot of different people.I'm not sure who she is now, who she is on her own.But she might not be on her own.She mentioned something about a man in her life again, so there's that."She blew out a breath."I'm sorry.I'm rambling on, and I don't usually do this.I don't talk about her.I don't bring my friends to meet her."
A smile played across his lips."So, we're friends now?"
"I think we became more than friends last night."She didn't want to think about how much more, because her feelings for Nick were a little too strong."We should move on with the day, get showered, dressed."
"Hang on," he said as she started to get up."Don't flip the switch that fast."
"We have a lot to do."
"And we'll do it.But don't jump out of bed because you suddenly remembered how good last night was."
"I wasn't thinking that at all," she lied."I just need to use the bathroom.Why don't you order breakfast?"She slid out of bed and hurried into the bathroom, very aware of Nick's eyes following her every step of the way.
After breakfast, they left their hotel room just after ten.As Nick escorted Isabella downstairs, he could feel her tension.She'd been unusually quiet since she'd gotten dressed, and he wasn't sure what was going on in her head.Maybe she was nervous about seeing her mother again, or she regretted last night, or perhaps she was worried someone would try to kill them again.
Just going through all that in his head made him tense, too.Not about her mother or their night together, but the real possibility that someone would try to hurt them and that he wouldn't be able to protect her.He needed to make sure that didn't happen.
He felt better today.The pain in his head had settled into a dull ache, and he'd had a shower and a good breakfast, so he was ready to face whatever was coming.
An electronics store two blocks from the hotel was their first stop.He took Isabella's hand when they left the hotel, acutely aware of everyone in their immediate vicinity.Their destination was located on a side street under the shadow of the Duomo, Florence's magnificent cathedral.There were no customers in the shop, only one older guy working the counter.
On the way to that counter, he picked up two prepaid phones."Ciao," he said."I'll take these, and I'm picking up a package for Bill Jamison."
The guy gave him a sharp look and then went into the back room, returning with an unmarked cardboard box.Nick paid with his alias credit card.The man said absolutely nothing as he handed him a receipt.
After leaving the shop, he led Isabella around the corner and into the shadow of an alley where there were no people and no cameras.He opened the box and took out the gun and ammunition provided.He loaded the weapon and tucked it between his lower back and the waistband of his jeans, pulling his shirt down over it.He put the rest of the ammunition and one phone in his backpack.The other phone he handed to Isabella.
She'd gone a little pale at the sight of the gun."You think we're going to need a weapon?"she asked.
"I hope not."
"The danger seems very real again."
"It is real.You can't forget that.Let's find a cab."
They returned to the main street and flagged down a taxi.Several minutes later, they pulled up in front of the art gallery owned by Dario Micheli.The gallery was one large room with dividers set up to steer visitors into different time periods.
As they looked around, a man came out of a back room.He was short and stocky, with a receding hairline and thick glasses.
He gave them a friendly smile."Buon Giorno."
"Are you the manager?"Nick asked.
"Sí.I am Elio Barone.How can I help you?Are you looking for a particular artist or style of art?"
"I'm interested in art by David Leoni.I understand you showed one of his paintings several months ago, but it was stolen," he said.
Elio's smile faded."Unfortunately, that is correct, and we have no others by Signor Leoni."
"My name is Nick Caruso.This is Isabella Rossi.Each of our families donated paintings to the Museo dei Capolavori, and they were also stolen.It came to our attention that the robbery here was similar, and that David Leoni was a friend of the painters in our family, Tomas Caruso and Lucinda Rossi.Have you heard of them?"
"I haven't.I'm sorry to learn of your loss, but I don't know how I can help you."
"Could you put us in touch with the owner of that painting?We'd like to see if we can find a connection between the artists and their paintings."
Elio hesitated."I'm sorry, but I cannot give out that information."
He'd had a feeling that would be Elio's response.
