Free Rendezvous in Rome by Carolyn Keene Page A

we can’t prove any of the stolen jewelry has been here. Oh—by the way, you haven’t seen any Etruscan pins come in today, have you?” she asked.
    Seeing Claudia’s blank look, Nancy told her about Signora De Luca’s pin. As she talked Claudia grew visibly more distressed.
    â€œSo the thief is still at work,” she said. “Sandro did not tell me a thing about this latest theft. We must do something!”
    Nancy was also surprised that Sandro hadn’t mentioned anything to Claudia. “Did you talk to him last night?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Claudia said, a little too quickly.
    Nancy looked at Claudia closely for a moment, then said, “Well, we need to know more about where the stolen jewelry is going. Who’s buying it? And is it being sold in Italy or smuggled out?”
    Bess seemed perplexed. “You mean learning that might help us figure out who the thief is?” she asked. “But that seems like pretty specialized information. How can we find it out?”
    â€œYou need to talk to an expert,” Claudia said.“What about Fabio Andreotti? I know you suspect him, but I cannot imagine him stealing.”
    Nancy was doubtful, but she decided to go along with Claudia’s suggestion. If nothing else, it would give her a chance to find out more about how Andreotti himself might be involved in the thefts.
    The girls set out on their Vespas to catch Signor Andreotti at his office. Claudia piggybacked behind Nancy, giving her directions through the back streets, while Bess rode behind them. They were still several blocks away when Nancy felt Claudia’s grip tighten.
    â€œThere he is!” she exclaimed in Nancy’s ear.
    Nancy stopped, waving for Bess to pull up alongside. “There who is?” she asked Claudia.
    â€œFabio Andreotti,” Claudia replied. She gave a meaningful nod across the street. “At the café.”
    Nancy spotted Fabio Andreotti seated at an outdoor table under an umbrella. He was engaged in a lively conversation with a woman seated across from him, his smile lighting up his stern, chiseled features. The woman’s back was to the girls.
    â€œWho’s he talking to?” Bess wondered aloud.
    â€œMaybe we should go closer to get a better look,” Claudia suggested.
    The three girls rode slowly down the road until they could see the woman’s profile. Claudia did a double-take when she saw the woman.
    â€œWhat is Paola doing here? She is supposed to be looking at merchandise,” she said in confusion. “I had no idea they knew each other.”
    This was news to Nancy, too. As the girlswatched, Paola picked up a small fabric Preziosi sack near her chair and drew a package partially out of it, showing it to Andreotti. Then she slipped the package back and handed him the whole bag.
    Fabio Andreotti looked around him, an uncomfortable expression on his face. He started to say something, but Paola put her finger to her lips to silence him. Then, as the girls watched, she put on a pair of sunglasses, stood, and disappeared into the street!

Chapter

Eight
    D O YOU THINK THAT —” Bess began.
    â€œThat was a rendezvous to pass off stolen goods?” Nancy finished the question for her.
    The three girls looked at one another. “Maybe it is the pin you were talking about,” Claudia suggested.
    Bess grabbed Nancy’s arm. “We have to get it before he can dispose of it!” she cried.
    â€œHe’s paying the check now,” Nancy said as the art dealer rose. “Let’s follow him.”
    Signor Andreotti strolled down the street, swinging the sack Paola had given him. The girls drove their Vespas slowly on the opposite side, keeping behind him. A few blocks later they realized he was going back to his office.
    â€œLet’s get there first and just ‘happen’ to run into him in the lobby,” Nancy suggested. “Then he won’t have time to