CHAPTER 92

CHAPTER 92

THE TRAIN ARRIVED AT Santa Lúcia STATION punctually at noon. Nicole spent a good part of the journey contemplating the beautiful landscapes of northern Italy. Now she was resting, slightly drowsy with her head leaning against the window of the cabin where she was next to Victoria, who was finishing the last pages of a book.

— My daughter, look — said the woman, waking her up.

— What?

— Look — said the woman, pointing through the window at the city that seemed to be built on the sea itself.

The young woman rubbed her hands over her face, and in an instant her eyes opened greedily, peeking at the fantastic city amidst the waters that unfolded in front of her.

— That's beautiful — she said, completely amazed now.

— Yes, it's beautiful — confirmed the woman — This is the grand canal, the gateway to the city of Venice — We'll go directly to the hotel, then we'll meet Greg and Fernando Dante.

— What did he find in Venice, such a beautiful place?

— Is this the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Serpent?

— I don't know my daughter, Greg didn't tell me, he just asked us to meet him here.

— Come on, let's get down, I'm sure you'll love this city.

— GREG — SAID FERNANDO, entering the small room cordially provided by the head of the Venetian Carabinieri.

— What happened, Dante?

— I just got this telegram — he said, handing it to the Detective.

Greg examined him closely. A slight smile appeared on his face.

— Hmm, I think our suspicions are being confirmed, Fernando.

— What was there?

Greg showed him.

— Look! According to the autopsy, the bullet that killed Emanuel Di Polli came from a 765 pistol.

— Yes, but how does that help the investigation?

— At first, not much, but it is interesting to know that this is the same caliber as the pistols used in Vatican security.

— DON'T WE GET A CAR? Nicole asked as she walked beside Victoria's chair.

— Cars in this city don't roll, my child, they slide.

— Do they slide?

— Yes, glide on the waters. Look, there's our bus, let's get on it.

Nicole looked straight ahead and instead of a bus, what she saw was a boat. A steamboat.

— This, as the Italians call it, is the vaporetto, the bus that will take us to the other side of the Grand Canal, where our hotel is located.