Page 21 of Chasing Caine
“Were the flowers still here then?”
“I was here to check on Minerva and the scaffolding, so I could have easily missed it.” It was only Sunday. Someone had removed a portion of this wall since Wednesday. And I’d been too distracted on Friday to narrow our timeframe.
“We need to report this.” She dropped my hand and pulled out her phone again, finger hovering over the numbers. “I don’t have anyone to call over here.”
Mario handed my phone back to me. “I’m sure it’s in the laboratory. No one would have stolen it.”
Samantha whipped around to scowl at him. “You’re kidding, right? You’re an archaeologist working in one of the world’s most significant historical sites, in a country with the world’s biggest cultural heritage crime problem, and you’resureno one would have stolen it?”
Mario looked from her to me, his usual charm fading under her intense glare.
“I have two words for you: Civita Giuliana.” She counted on her fingers for emphasis, sliding her phone into her bag. “Looters digging tunnels around the site, less than a mile outside this Park’s border, destroying ancient walls and relics, searching for things to sell. Who knows how many artifacts they stole or destroyed before the Carabinieri caught them. What makes you think Pompeii itself is immune to that?”
He shrugged, practically wilting under her gaze. “Better security?”
“How many tourists are stopped every year trying to smuggle items out of here?”
Mario opened his mouth to respond, but she continued speaking over him.
“Because I guarantee you, there are far more who don’t get caught. Just look at—”
“Samantha.” I touched her arm, which fell from where she was pointing at my cousin.
She snapped out of her moment and looked at me, the tension in her muscles and jaw releasing. A blush crept up her cheeks. “But, you’re right. It’s probably at the lab.”
“Antonio told me you were passionate about cultural heritage crimes, but...” Mario flailed his arms, searching for words. Finding none in English or Italian, he blew out a deep breath and smiled at her. She had won him over in that instant.
“Never lose your fire, bella.” I stepped closer and kissed her temple. “And we’ll check with the lab when they’re open.”
The Casa di Marte was not reserved for my team alone, but I would’ve expected the courtesy of someone alerting me or Mario if part of the wall was scheduled to be removed. I had a bad feeling Samantha was correct. If she was, there was not a great deal to be done, other than to report it to the authorities.
But that would have to wait for us to speak with the conservation officers in the laboratory. Which would also have to wait until after the surprises I had waiting for Samantha at the villa.
“Okay, boys.” She gave a tight-lipped smile and intertwined her fingers with mine, finally ready to learn something. “Why don’t you tell me more about Casa di Minerva?”
Chapter 9
Samantha
Weroundedthecorner,climbing the gently inclined side street to Mario’s villa. The road was narrow, a concrete barrier on one side, a white stone wall on the other. Olive trees surrounded by long grasses and weeds dotted the space opposite Mario’s. A few houses in red or white stucco stood nearby, but none as tall or built as high up to obscure his amazing view.
We’d walked back from the train after our full day at Pompeii, and I was looking forward to getting off my feet. The hastily purchased shoes weren’t as good a choice as I’d hoped.
“At least fifteen times,” laughed Antonio.
I tugged his hand and shot him a disapproving glance, which accomplished exactly what I expected. Nothing.
“Seriously?” asked Mario.
“Sì, she turned me down at least fifteen times.”
I shook my head. “I’m sure it was only two or three.”
“Two or three times the night we met, bella!”
“Okay, okay.” I put out my free hand in surrender. “Can we be serious for a moment?”
“Not usually.” Mario nudged me with an elbow.