Authors: C. De Melo
“Go an enjoy yourself, princess. I’
ll see you soon.”
***
The taxi came to a stop in front of the splendid villa known as the Galleria Borghese. It was nestled in a large park with lovely trees. People strolled throughout the pathways, taking photographs or simply gazing on the beautiful architecture. Bill and Drew followed us at a discreet distance.
“I cannot believe that nothing has ch
anged in twenty years,” I exclaimed joyfully after being allowed into the gallery. “Now I’m going to show you some of the most beautiful sculptures in the world.”
Lance smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I slipped my arm through his and led him to Bernini’s
Apollo and Daphne, Pluto and Proserpina
and
David
respectively. He marveled at the elegance and movement of each piece, and how the genius sculptor had managed to breathe life into the marble. He was also taken with Canova’s exquisitely carved statue of the reclining
Pauline Bonaparte
.
After viewing sev
eral magnificent sculptures, I led him upstairs where he saw the works of the controversial painter, Caravaggio and Titian’s famous
Sacred and Profane Love
.
“I
know that piece!” Lance exclaimed excitedly.
“It’s a famous work of art
, so I’m not surprised,” I said.
“But I
never quite understood it,” he confessed as he stared at the two beautiful red haired women Titian had painted so beautifully. “Is the naked woman supposed to be the profane one?”
“One would think so a
t first glance. She is naked, but naked in honesty and truth, not indecency. Notice there,” I said, pointing up at the painting. “She holds the lamp of truth in her hand. The woman who is dressed in rich clothing is the profane one. See? She also wears gloves. Clothing and gloves conceal, and those who attempt to conceal things may be construed as cunning or deceitful. It’s symbolic…” I trailed off. I was suddenly embarrassed by the way he was looking at me.
“So, the woman who appears to be the wealthier of the two is profane, while the naked woman is sacred?” he asked.
“Yes, I think that’s it,” I replied self-consciously.
“I’
m pretty impressed.”
I blushed, lowered my
head and continued to lead him through the exhibit. We took our time and thoroughly enjoyed the masterpieces around us. As we left the museum, Lance placed his arm around my shoulders. I looked up at him in surprise.
“Thanks for allowin
g me to tag along, Zoë. This has been great,” he said.
“You’re wel
come.”
“Do you want to walk through the park? It’s such a nice day,” he said.
“I’d like that.”
It really was an exceptional day; enamel blue sky, brilliant sunshine and a refreshing breeze. We walked under the shade of trees towards a footpath that wound its way to a large duck pond. Bill and Drew followed behind, quietly taking in the scene around them. We sat at the edge of the pond and soaked up the sun as we talked and laughed.
At one point I kicked off my shoes and placed my bare feet on the grass. Lance followed suit.
When I noticed
that the shadows around us had shifted, I looked at the time. Three o’clock! “There’s no way we’ll be able to see the Vatican Museum today because it’s so late,” I pointed out. “We’ll have to go tomorrow.”
“
Time flies when you’re having fun,” Lance said. “I don’t know about you, but I am famished.”
“You should be. We haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“How about we grab some lunch?” he suggested.
“Sounds good.”
W
e walked out of the park and found a little eatery with outdoor tables that offered service non-stop throughout the day. Since most of the lunch crowd had already gone, the place was almost empty. Bill and Drew sat down and we picked a table far enough to ensure private conversation. We ate crispy salads, spicy pasta and fresh bread. We washed it down with a bottle of good white wine.
“This has been the best d
ay I’ve had in a long time,” I confessed, sitting back with a glass of wine in my hand. “Life back home has become mundane.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t help that Michael is gone most of the time,” he said.
I smiled wryly. “If he isn’t away on business, he’
s locked in his office. Sometimes I wonder if he even knows I’m there.”
“He cares about you.”
“I know he does, but I often feel like a possession instead of a person.” Lance studied me intently and I added, “Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you these things. As for last night, I definitely shouldn’t have divulged such private matters. After all, he
is
your brother.”
“Non
sense,” he assured. “Besides, I know Michael’s flaws better than anyone.”
“I feel so guilty saying anything that would
even resemble bad-mouthing him after all he’s done for me, but…”
“But?” he prompted.
I toyed with the edge of the napkin in my lap. “Well, things just haven’t felt right. At home, I mean.”
“Like what?” he asked, his eyes intent.
“Like the missing trunk,” I said.
“What are you talking about?”
I lowered my voice and proceeded to finally tell him about the trunk.
When I had finished, he leaned forward and asked,
“Is it still in the garden shed?”
“It was there the last time I looked. Do you want to know what t
he really strange thing is? Juana seemed very nervous when Maria first mentioned the trunk on Thanksgiving. For some reason I think Maria did it on purpose. Juana actually got upset when I insisted on seeing it. I just get the feeling they both know something I don’t.”
Lance let out a sigh and looked extremely concerned.
“Is this what you wanted to talk to me about on Monday?”
I nodded. “I debated telling you at all
after you blew me off.”
“
You did the right thing by telling me. And I’m sorry I had to cancel our lunch last Monday. I have a good reason, however. You have to believe me.”
“I do,” I assured. When Lance look
ed troubled, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Zoë
, there’s something you should know,” he said in a serious tone.
The look o
n his face made my stomach turn. “What is it?”
“Not here. Let’s go across the street for some gelato. I don’t want to risk saying anything with our companions sitting right there.”
“Okay,” I said.
Lance turned towards Bill an
d Drew. “We’re just going across the street for some gelato. No need for you two to follow.”
Drew nodded and Bill said, “Please stay visible.”
The narrow street was mainly pedestrian and we’d be in their line of vision at all times. Lance led me gently by the elbow across the street and purchased two small cups of gelato. We sat side by side on one of the benches outside the
gelateria
.
“What should I know, Lance?” I asked, enjoying
a spoonful of pistachio gelato.
He paused to think of the right words before responding.
“Listen to me carefully and don’t react to what I’m about to say…Michael is being watched.”
“What do you mean?
”
“It
isn’t easy for me to tell you this, and I’m not even sure I should, but I trust you.” He paused. “Michael is being watched by the government; the CIA to be exact.”
I fought the inclination to jerk my head up. “Why?”
“They’re trying to prove his involvement with terrorists.”
A feeling of uneasiness settled over me.
“Terrorists? There must be some mistake,” I protested.
“There’
s no mistake. In fact, I saw one of them leaving your home.”
“Who
m?” I asked in disbelief.
“T
he man posing as Joseph Greeling.”
“
Are you absolutely certain?” He glanced up at the bodyguards before nodding. I added, “Michael said he was a business associate. I’ve heard him mention the name on a few occasions while he was on the phone.”
“He lied
to you. Greeling’s real name is Al Majed.”
“Al Majed…
I think my mother mentioned that name to me once. She said he’s the terrorist who poisoned the water supplies with the Pod virus, and the government has been trying to track him down for a while. Am I right?”
“Yes,
that’s right. You can imagine my shock at seeing him casually walk out of your house.”
“Are you positively certain that Michael knows Greeling’s true identity? It’s possible that my husband is being duped
, you know.”
“We’
ve been watching Michael for quite some time and-”
I cut him off.
“
We?
”
Lance looked down guiltily at his untouched chocolate gelato. It was melting, as was mine.
“You’re working for them,” I accused.
“Yes,
” he said, not meeting my eyes.
I stared at him in disbelief.
“How could you betray your own brother?”
“
Please lower your voice,” he warned, looking at Bill and Drew who were digging into their tiramisu with oblivion. “I have no choice,” he added.
“I don’t beli
eve Michael would knowingly get involved with a dangerous terrorist.”
Lance took hold of my
hand and squeezed it hard. “Listen to me, Zoë. I didn’t believe it at first either, but then I saw the proof with my own eyes. The rift between us was caused by what I found on his desk. There is no doubt that Michael knows.”
I felt like vomiting. “Oh, God.”
“You can’t say a word about this to anyone.
Anyone
. Do you understand?”
I nodded slowly, my eyes on the melting green mush in the cup within my hand. A fly landed on the rim and I didn’t bother swatting it away.
Lance continued, “That trunk you found must contain some kind of incriminating evidence.” He paused. “Zoë?”
I kept my eyes on the fly and didn’
t respond.
“Zoë?”
I finally looked at him.
“The only reason I’m telling you
this is because I trust you. I care about your safety,” he said gently. “Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
His expression was intense. “I need to get to that trunk without Michael’s knowledge. There’s no way I can do that without your help.”
“How long have you been an informant for the
CIA?”
He sighed.
“Almost two years.”
“Aside from whatever it is you found on his desk
, what else have you discovered?” I demanded.
Lance looked down for a moment.
“A few things here and there that seem shady, but aren’t serious enough to incriminate him.”
“He’s innocent,
” I stated firmly.
“Then why does he lie?”
“When did he lie?”
“He didn’t go to London last February.”
“Of course, he did,” I said defensively. “He had to go to London on business.”
He looked at me long and hard.
“He was in Rio de Janeiro. I was there, too. I saw him, but he didn’t see me.”
“Were you there because of the CIA
?” He nodded and then it dawned on me. “One of the main headquarters for Z-Lab Industries is in Rio.”
“Yes.”
“So you also lied to me when you called and said you were in Costa Rica,” I pointed out.
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Yes.”
“Does Michael suspect anything?
”
“I don’t think so. At least I hope not
.”
“Why have you kept this from me for so long
?”
“When was I supposed to tell you
, Zoë? Do you realize how difficult this is for me? How does one broach this topic? I knew I had to tell you sooner or later, but I had to wait for the right time.” He paused, glancing at the bodyguards. “I know this must be hard for you to accept, but it’s for your own safety. After what you told me about the trunk, I don’t think it’s fair to keep you in ignorance. If you don’t want to help me, I understand. But your silence is vital to my survival and to the CIA’s operation.”
I pondered his words for a long moment as he watched me expectantl
y. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my bodyguards stand up and stretch. They had finished their desserts and paid the bill, and now they were watching us from across the street while smoking cigarettes.