Rendezvous in Rome by Carolyn Keene Page B

course. She is here now,” Claudia replied. “I will tell her you are coming.”
    When Nancy and Bess arrived at Preziosi a short while later, Claudia welcomed them, then disappeared into the back. She returned a moment later with a tall, slender woman who had jet black hair combed into a sleek pageboy.
    â€œI’m Paola Rinzini,” the woman said in good English, holding out her hand. “You wanted to speak with me?”
    After Claudia introduced the two girls, Nancy turned to Paola and asked, “Could we talk in private?”
    Paola lifted an eyebrow. Without a word she led the girls into her office. The back half of the large room was a storage area. The front half looked as if it was being used as an office. It held a desk, two chairs, and a bookshelf.
    Paola walked behind the desk and gestured for the girls to sit. Claudia leaned against the wall while Bess and Nancy took the two chairs.
    â€œSeveral pieces of Etruscan jewelry have been reported missing,” Nancy began, taking a direct approach. She thought Paola’s eyes narrowed a little, but she wasn’t sure. “We’re asking people who sell copies of Etruscan jewelry if they’ve seen any pieces they think might be authentic.”
    Paola frowned and turned to Claudia. “You know we don’t sell real jewelry. Ours are inexpensive replicas.” Paola gave an impatient sigh. “I’m sorry I can’t help you girls.”
    Nancy wasn’t about to give up so easily. “We purchased a necklace two days ago from MassimoBianco in one of the piazzas. Then we came here and tried on some of your necklaces,” she explained. “Somehow, either from Massimo or this store, we walked away with a real Etruscan necklace.”
    â€œMassimo sold you a stolen necklace, eh?” Paola said, leaning back in her chair. “I guess we’ll have to stop selling his jewelry, then. He’s the only one who makes Etruscan copies for us.”
    â€œWe’re not sure it came from Massimo,” Nancy put in quickly. “And we’re not sure it’s stolen—so far.”
    â€œWell, it didn’t come from here,” Paola said flatly, her dark eyes cold. “And I don’t like what you’re implying.”
    â€œDon’t you even want to see the necklace?” Nancy asked.
    â€œThis is a respectable business,” Paola said angrily. “We don’t traffic in stolen antiquities.”
    Bess spoke up from the chair next to Nancy. “Would you mind if we took a look around, then? I’d like to see your jewelry up close.”
    Paola stood up. “Who are you?” she asked stiffly. “Are you with the police?”
    â€œNo,” Nancy replied coolly. “I’d be happy to send the police if you’d prefer. Signora Fiorello asked us to find her necklace. It’s been stolen.”
    Paola’s eyes widened. “Signora Fiorello is a friend of mine. I didn’t know something of hers was stolen.” The store owner threw up her hands. “Fine, if you are doing this for her, look at anything you want. Just don’t scare the customers.”
    Using the techniques Signor Andreotti and Massimo had shown her, Nancy examined the store’s jewelry collection. Three Etruscan necklaces lay in a glass showcase, prominently displayed.
    â€œThose are the ones from the package,” Bess whispered. She looked more closely. “And that one’s mine! That’s the one Massimo gave me!”
    â€œShhh,” Nancy said. “Of course the necklace he gave you would be here. After all, you did accidentally trade it for the real one.”
    â€œDo you think Paola will give it back to me?” Bess whispered. “I got so excited about the stolen necklace that I totally forgot that I’m out a necklace now.”
    â€œDo you think Paola Rinzini looks like the type of person who’s going to give you a necklace you say is