Rendezvous in Rome Read Online Free PDF Page B

Bess’s necklace. When she got to the part about Signor Andreotti’s belief that the necklace was authentic, Sandro whistled.
    â€œYou didn’t tell me that,” he said. “He must be mistaken. Massimo wouldn’t have a real necklace.”
    â€œI hope you have it in a safe place, my dear,” Signora Fiorello told Bess. “Fabio Andreotti is a good friend and an excellent art dealer. If he says it is real, it is real.”
    Bess looked at Claudia, who nodded slightly. “Actually, I have the necklace in my knapsack,” Bess said. She drew it out and held it up to the light. “I’m not really sure what to do with it. It’s so valuable that I feel nervous about carrying it around.”
    â€œI have a safe,” Sandro’s mother offered immediately, leaning forward to look at the necklace. “You could leave it with me.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” Sandro agreed. “Then we’d be sure it’s secure.”
    George smiled and said, “Actually, Claudia mentioned that you have a safe. Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”
    â€œOf course not. Come with me,” Signora Fiorello said immediately. “I will show you my own Etruscan necklace, and then we will put yours safely away.”
    â€œMamma,” Sandro said, “they don’t want to see your jewelry.”
    â€œOh, I’d love to,” Bess protested.
    Signora Fiorello beamed at Bess and took her arm. She led the way down the hall to a large, feminine bedroom and went over to the wall next to her desk. A large painting hung there. WithSandro’s help she removed it and set it on the floor. Behind the painting was a wall safe.
    Nancy and her friends kept a tactful distance while Signora Fiorello spun the combination. All the while she chatted about her own jewelry collection. Sandro rolled his eyes, his face red. His mother’s banter was obviously embarrassing him.
    â€œHere we go,” Signora Fiorello said as the safe door swung open. She moved a few things around, frowning as she looked into the safe.
    â€œWhere did I put them?” she said, a note of panic creeping into her voice. “The box was right on top.”
    She started taking boxes out and putting them on her desk. Finally everything was on the desk, and the safe stood empty. After checking each box Signora Fiorello looked disbelievingly at the empty safe.
    â€œIt’s gone,” she said in a strangled voice. “My Etruscan necklace is gone!”

Chapter

Four
    C ALL THE POLICE ,” Sandro said to Claudia, his face pale. Hurrying over to his mother, he led her to the bed, and she lay down. Signora Fiorello wore a look of utter shock.
    As Claudia picked up the telephone on the desk, Nancy went over to the safe. Carefully using one fingernail, she swung the door toward her by its edge, then examined the area by the lock.
    â€œNo sign of a forced entry,” she reported to Bess and George, who were hovering behind her. “At least none that I can see. Maybe the police can come up with a set of fingerprints.”
    â€œThey are on their way,” Claudia said as she replaced the telephone receiver in its cradle.
    While they waited for the police Nancy, George, and Bess stood at the far end of the room and talked quietly about the upsetting event. Nancygestured to the pile of boxes on the desk. “There’s still a lot of jewelry here,” she said to her friends in a low tone. “A professional thief wouldn’t leave all this behind. I wonder if she could have misplaced the necklace.” At the moment, however, she didn’t think she should question Signora Fiorello. She was too upset.
    Sandro, who had left the room, returned holding a damp towel. As he was placing the towel on his mother’s forehead the doorbell buzzed. “Claudia, can you get that?” Sandro asked.
    Claudia left the bedroom, returning a moment later with two policemen.