The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 18
The Lombardi Emeralds by Margaret Mounsdon.
« Previous Post- 1. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 01
- 1. The Lombardi Emeralds – Episode 18
May awoke late the next morning, refreshed and feeling more like her usual self. A maid had already tidied the studio, pulled back the curtains and cleared away the remnants of last night’s pizza supper. After her shower May decided to spend the morning checking up on the local newspaper reports filed at the time of the jewel robberies.
“Si, signorina,” the maid replied to her request, “a car and driver will be outside for you in ten minutes.”
After dressing in casual top and trousers, May grabbed her bag and notebook headed outside. A young driver was waiting by the main gates.
“You wish to go to the records office?” he asked as he held open the door of a scarlet low-slung roadster, the hubs of its sports wheels gleaming in the morning sun.
“Thank you.”
May settled into the passenger seat. With the top down she had a chance to take in the local scenery. Since her arrival she had not been able to explore the area. The villa was sheltered on one side by a backdrop of surrounding hills and in the distance she could hear a woodpecker in action. She leaned back in her seat and let the sun’s rays warm her face.
Was this where her roots lay? Was her father Italian?
A crocodile of children waved as they drove by and an old man struggling up the hill with a heavily laden donkey paused to let them pass on the narrow road leading down to Bella Acqua.
As they descended the hill, the white sails of the yachts created a stunning contrast to the deep turquoise water of the lake. A woman emerging on to a first floor villa balcony threw some bed linen over the rails allowing it to air. She greeted May as her driver slowed up for the crossroads.
“You go up in the world. No more smelly taxis for you.” Betta cast an appreciative glance at the car’s paintwork.
May smiled and waved back.
“All is well with you?” Betta called out.
The car drove off before May could reply. She gave a backwards wave but did not turn round so missed the thoughtful expression in Betta’s eyes.
A few minutes later the driver pulled up outside a dark grey building that looked more like a monastery than a records office.
An imposing Roman statue dominated the square overshadowing the building.
“Is this the right place?” May asked.
“Si. It was once inhabited by Benedictine monks, signorina, but for many years now it has housed all local records. What time would you like me to collect you?”
“One hour?” May did not hold out much hope that her search would be successful but she knew she had to try.
He responded with a noisy rev of his engine and drove off, pretending not to notice the admiring glances of a trio of young girls gathered by the traffic lights.
May mounted the steps leading to the records office. Inside she met a warren of corridors and signs indicating various libraries and archive stores.
She stopped a passing official.
“Newspaper records?” she asked in hesitant English.
“What century?”
“Er, twenty-five years ago?”
“Follow me, please.”
The office was hidden away at the back of the building and looked as though it had at one time been a kitchen. Hooks still hung from the ceiling and a huge fireplace had been converted into a small reading area.
A smiling official took down May’s details then returned with a list of numbers indicating the area where she would find the relevant newspaper editions she was looking for.
She took them to a desk in the corner. May struggled with her translation of the reports but it wasn’t difficult to gather the jewel thieves had targeted mainly high profile residents of the area.
At the top of one report there was a photograph of two women. With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach May recognised her mother and although the second photograph was blurred the caption identified her as Lis Gilbert, the other half of the Beautiful Twins. May had to agree Lis possessed a stunning Nordic beauty.
There were passing references to Vin’s father Alberto and pictures of his team carrying out their investigations.
The assistant approached May.
“There is a young man outside asking for you.”
Startled to realise she had spent more than an hour perusing the records May stood up and thanked the assistant for her help.
“You have been reading up about our famous jewel robberies?” the assistant enquired, glancing at the newspaper articles.
“Do you remember them?” May asked.
“I was fifteen at the time but I recall there was a beautiful blonde lady suspected of being involved. Are you writing a book?”
“My mother was the other lady in the picture.” May indicated the photograph.
“Do you remember her?” The assistant shook her head.
“I believe one of the ladies ran away to get married but it may only have been gossip. It was a long time ago. I am sorry I cannot be of more help.”
