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.The dust was already beginning to settle.I pointed to the mattress.It was a pile of clothing.Elmo called for a team.They’re collecting prints and materials in the room.”“But as you already told us,” said Sister Liona.“The room wouldn’t have been so dusty if someone had recently been in there.”“We must wait for test results to determine if the items in the room are related to Pia’s disappearance.Someone had used that room at one time or another.I didn’t even get to examine any of the evidence so now we have to wait.”“You sound disappointed, Sister Daniela.You were frightened and understandably so,” said Mother Faustine.“You could’ve been hurt.”“If I hadn’t screamed, I would’ve been able to examine the evidence before Elmo found me.And if it had pertained to the child’s kidnapping, we’d be a step ahead in the case.I wish I’d kept my wits about me.”Sister Angela smiled.“I’ll try to talk to Ricco tomorrow or the day after.I may need a ride into town if anyone’s going my way.”“I’ll ask Michel if you can use the truck,” said Sister Daniela.Chapter EightThe children gathered in the dining room for lunch.The two nuns sat outside on the grassy slope when Chief Inspector Pagano approached.“I hope you’re all right, Sister Daniela.You should’ve waited for Elmo before you entered the room.”“Did you find the nun’s habit?” asked Sister Angela.“Nothing black.There were sheets, a blanket, and a towel in the pile on the bed next to Sister Daniela.”“It felt like more than that,” said Sister Daniela, playing with a tiny flower growing out of the lawn.“I thought it was a body.”“You couldn’t see.That place was dusty.”“What are you going to do now?” asked Sister Angela.“We’ll take what we’ve found back to the station and examine the items.There might be DNA among the sheets.There was no pillow so we have no pillowcase, but you never know.”“And your opinion?” asked Sister Daniela.“The dust was so thick I doubt anyone had been in that room for years.Do you think this nun suspect could’ve slept there the night of the abduction? Her habit wouldn’t have been black when she approached the victim.As for her white headpiece—it was probably bigger than yours, Sister.You two wear more modern ones.Vatican II changed everything.”Sister Daniela touched the edge of her veil.“It’s a good thing I removed it before my search.I didn’t have to scrub it this afternoon.”“I’m so glad you were able to bathe and don a fresh habit earlier,” said Sister Angela.“How long do you think it will take to get the DNA back from the lab?”“About a week, assuming we can find something to test.Then we have to match it to someone in our database.Odds are, we have no nuns in there, but you never know.Sometimes they’re arrested for protesting in government buildings.”“A week’s too long, Ricco.The child will be long gone.”“I agree.We can’t wait around for the results.We have to find another lead.”Sister Daniela walked into her classroom to teach until the final bell that would send her students to study hour on the first floor.Thank you for the help, Allegra.”“Do they think Pia was in there?” asked Liliana.“Did the witch make her stay there?”“No,” said Sister Daniela.“It’s just an empty room.We don’t know where she took Pia.I’m changing the subject.I need to assign some homework.”From inside the classroom, Sister Angela stared through the window at the fence and the vineyard next door.She’d have to find out more about the vintner.What was his background? Did he know the nuns personally? Suddenly she stood and walked out the door.Someone had just passed by the window.She had to find out who he was.Sister Daniela must have been too busy to notice.She continued answering questions and handing out new assignments.Sister Angela spied a new picnic table on the grass and sat down on the bench.Not a minute later, a man appeared from around the corner with another bench.“Who are you?” she asked.“Gavino Abiati, the estate manager.”“I didn’t know the orphanage had one.How long have you been here?”The young man removed his gardening glove to swipe away a curl that was stuck to his forehead.“I took over my father’s business when he died about ten years ago.”“Do you go inside?”“Yes, of course, though I usually enter through the basement door when it’s open.”“Do you have a key for when it’s locked?”“Yes, of course.” He pulled up his t-shirt and showed her the dozens of keys hanging from a ring on his belt loop [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]