Free Coventina by Jamie Antonia Symonanis Page A

with Raphaela,” he said. “May I see some identification please?”
    They showed him their passports. “We are here on behalf of friends whose family members were abducted. Raphaela reported what she saw that led to the acquisition of their belongings. We were hoping to ask her a few questions,” Denise said.
    “Please park your vehicle against that wall and follow me.”
    “Did anyone get a look at the men who caused the disturbance the other day,” Layla asked as they walked through the modern lobby past the receptionist to an area with some comfortable seating.
    “Yes, and we have images of them on the security tape. When you come to our gate there is a tiny hidden camera in the unit that is activated when you push the button.”
    “Might we be able to get a copy of those to take with us?” Denise asked.
    “I will arrange it.”
    “Have the police received those images as well?”
    “Yes. Please make yourselves comfortable. Raphaela will be right down.”
    “Gracie.”
    “What does Raphaela mean?” Denise asked.
    “God heals,” Layla said.
    A woman with shoulder length black hair stepped off the elevator. “Hello, I am Raphaela,” she said.
    “Denise, and my friend Layla. Is it okay to talk here?”
    “Yes. I don’t have much to tell actually.”
    “Why not just tell us what you saw,” Layla said.
    “I was standing at the window in my office on the top floor. A white taxi pulled up just past the clearing beyond the trees on our side of the road. The driver jumped out and walked quickly to the trunk, opened it, and threw two suitcases into the bushes before quickly getting back in the car and speeding off.”
    “You mentioned something about being able to make out who was in the back seat?” Layla said.
    “Yes. There were clearly two young women struggling in the back seat with a male on each side of them. One of them turned her head so far as they were speeding away I could see her face. The look on her face is something I cannot stop in my mind.”
    “Could this be the woman you saw turn her head in that back seat?” Denise said.
    “I would say there is a high probability that the woman in this photo and the one in the back seat of that taxi are the same person.”
    “Raphaela, the security guard told us about some men that were not let in who were here a few days ago wanting to speak to you. Can you tell us anything about that?”
    “I was not at work the day they were here. I have been told they were not Italian, and that they were rude, and seemed very angry.”
    “You realize there is a good possibility that they are the same men who were in that taxi don’t you?”
    “I have thought of that. I do not know how they would have gotten my name or even know anyone reported what they saw that allowed the police to claim the possessions of those two women.”
    “I can imagine,” Layla said. “Please do not take this personal, but I believe these two women were abducted into the sex slavery trade. The only people who knew of your report were you and anyone you might have told here or out of work, and the police. The research I have done of sex slavery abductions in Italy is that they happen a lot, and that quite often the police know these low life’s who do this, that they are on their payroll to look the other way and allow it to continue.”
    “I have thought about this. How else could they have gotten my name?”
    “Is there somewhere you can stay other than where you normally do?” Layla asked.
    “I already have. I live alone. When I heard that these men were here looking for me I arranged to stay with a friend.”
    “Do not travel alone for a little while,” Layla said.
    “The security guard drives me home and stops up to make sure no one is there waiting.”
    “How do you get to work?”
    “He picks me up. I think he likes me,” she blushed.
    “Good.” Layla said.
    “Ah, here is my bodyguard now,” Raphaela said, motioning to the opening elevator door.
    “Here