After leaving the Contessa’s house, Franco stopped at the supermarket. He bought some eggs, some meat and some vegetables.
Getting back home, he got ready to cook, and picked up his phone. He dialed Ginevra’s number. He invited her to eat at his place, and she accepted with pleasure.
At eight o’clock exactly the door bell rang and Franco rushed to open it. He greeted Ginevra with a kiss, then went back into the kitchen. In the meantime, Ginevra sat on the couch and stroked Giotto.
«I’ve got a new case to solve» shouted Franco.
«Another runaway dog?» Ginevra replied ironically.
«No, it’s something much bigger. A stolen painting!» replied Franco.
«A stolen painting? Come in here and tell me all about it!» said the girl with enthusiasm.
Unlike Franco, Ginevra loved studying! After finishing high school she’d enrolled at university, and had graduated with top marks in art history. She’d then worked as a tourist guide for several years before getting a job as the art expert at a well-known publishing company.
Which was why Ginevra was dying to know more. And Franco was in the mood to tell someone about his day.
«Well» began Franco «Last Monday I got a call from the son of the Contessa Della Torre, asking me to urgently investigate the theft of a painting.
The painting in question is “La Signora dei Cardellini” di Risippo. Do you know it?»
«But what are you saying?!?» exclaimed the amazed Ginevra
«“La Signora dei Cardellini” is one of Risippo’s most famous works. It’s priceless. What’s more, it’s extremely difficult to see, because it’s belonged to the Delle Torre family for generations and they have never allowed it to be shown publicly!
I’ve heard that Risippo’s work is amongst the most sought after and valuable on the underground art market. It would be worth several million euros!
This is a uniquely beautify painting, very beautiful brushwork. It was bought in the nineteen-twenties by Conte Ignazio Della Torre, the grandfather of the Contessa who called you, and it’s stayed in their home ever since.»
«Really?» said Franco, incredulous that Ginevra had quite so much useful information.
Above all, he was disturbed by the fact that the picture could be worth so much. And secondly, he hadn’t thought that, as well as black markets in guns, drugs and medicines, there would also be one for works of art.
He asked Ginevra to tell him more about it.
Franco learnt from Ginevra that almost every month somewhere in the world secret art auctions were held so that art collectors could meet and illegally buy and sell artworks, which were often stolen.
«A journalist friend told me that this month the auction will be held in Rome. I’m sure that the stolen painting will also be for sale.»
«And how does your journalist friend know this?» asked Franco, jealous that he’d never head his girlfriend mention a ‘journalist friend’ before.
«He has his sources» replied Ginevra, amused.
In the meantime, though, while they’d been speaking, Franco had forgotten that their meal was cooking. As a result, the whole meal was burnt and inedible.
«Let’s go out. I’ll buy you a pizza» suggested Ginevra.
So they did.
Oppure scopri il testo in inglese con traduzione a fronte (.pdf) 