Coventina by Jamie Antonia Symonanis Page B

said.
    “Yes.”
    “I am Denise, we spoke on the phone.”
    “Of course, won’t you please come in?”
    “This is Layla, a dear friend of mine and Quintus, who speaks little to no English. He is an investigator from Italy.”
    “Please be seated. Can I get you something, tea perhaps?”
    “No thank you, we’re good. We just had breakfast. Can you tell us all that you know?”
    Esther stood up and walked over to a cabinet, returning with a paper portfolio containing a large stack of papers in her hand. “My son James put this together for you. It gives you a physical copy to take with you of all we know, complete with their travel itinerary, recent images of her and Anna,” she said, weeping when she returned to her seat.
    Denise handed the packet to Layla who leafed through it. “So this was simply a vacation, to Rome only?” Layla asked.
    “Yes. Coventina and Anna are both artists. They were traveling there to see some of the world’s grandest art first hand. In addition, in a way, it was a return to a home away from home. She had traced our roots back to pre-Roman times and found that undoubtedly we had Roman ancestors.”
    Layla could see that Quintus was becoming very curious about the conversation, especially when he heard Esther mention Rome and Romans. Quintus, she is telling us that Coventina traced her ancestry back to pre-Roman days and that this family definitely has Roman ancestors.
    Layla, you communicate as our friends upstairs do. Thank you.
    “When was the last time you spoke with her?” Layla asked.
    “They called from Rome airport to let us know they made it there safely,” Esther said quietly.
    “Nothing after that?” Denise asked.
    “No.”
    “How did you come to believe that she was abducted?” Layla asked.
    “Police found their suitcases and one of their telephones on a street in Rome. Actually they said some honest citizen found them and turned them in to a police station.”
    “Do you have any contacts in Italy who have been working on this?” Denise said.
    “James put everything in that packet.”
    “May we see her room?” Layla asked.
    “Of course. This way please.”
    They were greeted by a painting on the wall when they entered the bedroom.
    “Did she paint this?” Denise asked.
    “Yes. It is a self portrait in oils,” Esther said. “She can speak Italian fluently.”
    Perhaps it will give her an edge, if her abductors are Italian or are speaking Italian. Layla said.
    If.
    “Do you have something of her’s that has not been laundered, something she wore or bed linens?” Layla asked.
    “Yes. I have not laundered anything since she left. Here. I am certain she wore this the day she was here packing for her trip,” Esther said, handing Layla a long deep red V-neck t-shirt.
    “May I take it with us?” Denise asked.
    “Yes, of course. Help yourself to anything that might help.”
    Layla pulled a sheet off the bed and gently wrapped the folded t-shirt in it.
    “Esther, did Coventina ever show evidence of an interest in the occult?”
    “No, not that I know of. She has always been able to finish my sentences when speaking if she chooses to. She jokingly used to say she was a witch when I asked her how she was able to do that.”
    “Thank you.”
    Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
    I am if you are. Layla said.
    What are you thinking? Quintus asked.
    That with any luck we might be able to communicate with her like this, Denise said.
    Before leaving, they told Esther not to worry. “It just clutters your thinking and solves nothing,” Denise said.
    “I’ll try, but it’s not easy.”
    “I cannot promise you anything other than this. We will do everything in our power to try and find your loved ones. We’ve a personal reason to take a special interest in her disappearance.” Denise said.
    “Special interest?” Esther sighed.
    “Yes, very special indeed.”
     
     
     
16
    Roman Column
     
    Lucilla watched the Mustang approach and park a short