The Case Puzzle

Chapter 17

We walked down the street to a small restaurant, Pasta la Vista. We took a seat at the tables available outside, besides the busy streets.

"La Campania is crowded all day long but it's a bit more during lunch hours. Believe me though, it's less stuffy outside," Angelia said, chuckling as we looked around the flow of people around.

I looked at the menu; lasagne, spaghetti, tetrazzini, pasta primavera, and more, all which made me salivate. I closed my eyes and flipped to a random page to choose. Okay, carbonara it was.

"So, are you from around here itself or did you come here only for the art exhibit? " I asked as we waited.

"Oh, I'm from Napoli itself, and I am also one of the main organisers of this exhibit," Angelia replied.

"So painting is your full-time job?"

"Hmm, yes. That's somewhat the case," she nodded.

Her paintings were very good and she seemed to be well known around. I glanced at her clothes. Was that Gucci?

"And it pays well," she winked at me and I grinned in response.

"And what about you?" she asked, leaning forward, clasping her hands together.

"Nothing great. Just a paralegal at a law firm," I shrugged.

"That's still good, as long as you have the ambition to rise up the levels," she nodded.

"Definitely," I smiled in agreement. Just in time, our meals arrived.

We continued our conversation throughout the meal as I inquired about her journey as an artist. I also learned that she was 28 years old, a bit older than me and did Fine Arts at university. She talked a lot about Naples, giving me advice on where to visit.

When we finished eating and paying, we stood up to head to the exhibit. But a text interrupted me.

Castiel 12:30

Return. Now.

I texted him right away asking why, but being the annoying self that he was, he didn't text back. I rolled my eyes at my phone and sighed, as Angelia raised a questioning eyebrow at me.

"I'm sorry, a...friend texted me saying that there is some urgent matter to take care of, so I need to return," I gave an apologetic smile.

She shook her head. "No worries. Maybe we could meet up another time while you're still in Italy. Can we exchange phone numbers?"

"Sure," I said, handing my phone, as she inserted her number.

I took a taxi back to the apartment. I wondered why Castiel wanted me back. He usually preferred that the 'pest' stayed out all day.

I got out of the car and headed back to the building.

"Hey!" someone shouted from behind.

I turned around and saw the man from the morning. He approached me and handed me what I believed were my earphones.

"I was parking here and I saw those falling on the ground," he explained.

"Thanks," I answered and glanced at his black van, parked nearby.

"What's your name, by the way?" I asked.

"Why?" He frowned questioningly.

"Why not?" I asked, frowning in return.

"What if I don't wanna reveal my identity?" He shrugged.

"Then you're suspicious. Are you a spy? Or are you one of those strangers roaming around in a black van, kidnapping people?" I raised an eyebrow.