First Mission Chapter 2: Gift

"Should we head in? It's been too long."

Ferro turned from the banks of video monitors. "There is no we, Paolo. She's your cyborg, and this is your mission. So tell me, what are you going to do?"

"Maybe, uh, she is just, uh, taking in the museum? I mean, the girls can be pretty disoriented when they first go out in the field." Priscilla smiled in her nervousness, so forced and wide it creased her eyes closed. All the better to avoid Ferro's hawk-like glare.

Paolo swallowed and took the other approach. "I'm going to go in." He looked at his phone, at the repeating rows in the call history. "I think this is my fault. We didn't go over what to do well enough. She must be in trouble."

As he closed the back door, the van started up. Paolo rushed up to driver and pounded on the door. Amadeo gave an apologetic look and rolled down the window. "Uh, it was her-"

Ferro leaned through the curtain between the seats, the one shielding the surveillance gear from stray glances. "We're heading back."

"But-"

"I'm sure you can handle it. And, when you're on a real job, you won't have us to fall back on. Get used to it, and be thankful it's a small and safe situation."

"Yes, Ferro. I'll get it fixed."

"See to it. Amadeo."

With a half-hearted wave, Amadeo put the vehicle in gear.

Paolo nodded and turned around, sizing up the Musei Capitolini with sigh.

He started with the collections manager's office. The door gave way to his lockpicks with but a minute's protest. The office was deserted, and a quick search showed him the sticky residue where the bug used to sit. Quickly, he backed out and re-locked the door, then started a slow room-by-room sweep of the floor.

Years in the field honed a sixth sense, a hunch that was undefinable, indescribable, and infrequent, but almost unerringly accurate. Just after exiting a gallery, he felt the urge to re-examine it. A more detailed sweep rewarded him with nothing more.

As he turned away, through the nearest window, he spied Dina and another girl getting into a car.

Ξ§§§Ξ

"…a blue Audi. Plate was BE 027-something. Left the museum two minutes ago, headed east."

"Two minutes is a large head start, Paolo. That's a lot of traffic cameras to look at."

"It took me this long to get signal on my phone." Paolo looked around. The alley was deserted.

"Yes, the museum has cell jammers installed. Many cultural sites have them now."

"It would have helped to know that, Priscilla!"

There was a pause on the phone, some shuffling noises. When Priscilla spoke again, her voice was hushed. "It wasn't my idea. They wanted to see how you would handle it. That's why we had to fetch the bug - it's a voice-activated recorder. We couldn't get a transmitter to work."

Paolo thought back to his cell phone and the single number showing again and again on the call record. "Well, that explains why she wasn't picking up before. But, she's still not picking up."

"Lots of Audis. And we're missing a lot of digits. I have … fifteen matches, so I'll have to do some more analysis to find a usable one."

"I didn't get a good look at the driver. He had dark hair, almost black. So did the other girl."

"Well they're likely immigrants. That means they're probably not the Padina. Probably." Priscilla hummed a soft and low monotone.

Paolo could almost imagine her tongue slightly between her teeth, not quite protruding past her lips. Both were signs the pretty intelligence analyst was deep in thought. He knew better than to interrupt her.

After far too long a silence, she said, "I narrowed it down to three. I'll send you the addresses."

She rang off. Priscilla's very formidable in her element, he thought. Memories of her intensity as she explained the realities of his new life edged into his memory. He shuddered at the thought of her truly angry.

Ξ§§§Ξ

Maria mother, Rosalina, was overjoyed to see Dina. Upon seeing the girls, she gave each a hug and a kiss, with Dina and Maria equal in her eyes. However, during the car ride to their home, Rosalina's attention was split between soothing the crying baby Leona in the car seat beside her and quizzing Maria about her visit for school. Dina sat in an uneasy silence, trying to think of what answers she might need to know to continue this game of pretend.

Once they parked the car, Leona started wailing. Rosalina tried gently jostling the baby carrier, making faces, and cooing at her, all having no success. All the way to the walk-up, Maria and her mother focused solely on baby Leona.

At least I don't have to answer questions, Dina thought.

That ended as soon as they entered the cramped, but neat apartment. Sofrina, Maria's older sister, took over caring for Leona. In-between commanding Maria and her brother, Alfonse, to ready the table for dinner, the dreaded questions began.

"So, Gina, have you heard from your mother while you were away at school?"

"Uh, no. I, ah, I'm at a special school, and we don't get many visitors."

"Oh, the school you're at now? Alfonse, use the good dishes!"

"Yes, it's… it's really small." Dina paused. "It's for, uh, kinda special kids."

As if aware of her discomfort, Rosalina said, "So it's only temporary?"

"Uh… I think so."

"I mean, It's only while you recover from the accident."

Dina nodded. Her thumb and forefinger rubbed together, sandwiching a piece of her hem.

Rosalina nodded, then focused on finishing the dinner Sofrina started before they entered.

When dinner was finally announced, Dina arose from the sofa where she kept herself out of the way. The table was cozy, and Sofrina sat on folding chair so Dina had a seat. She picked up her fork, but Rosalina smiled and held out her hand. "First, grace. We have a lot to be grateful for."

"Dear God, we're grateful for Gina joining us. We're grateful to her mother for helping us get this flat, and all the other things she did. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Signora Pacelli. Please guard her and watch over her, wherever she is. Please bless the food and guide us in your light. In Jesus' name we pray, amen."

As everyone raised their heads and lowered their hands, Rosalina caught Dina's eye. "Oh, Gina. I'm sorry for forgetting. Leona and dinner and all that. Your mother left a letter with you."