She kidded him, "David, I can tell that you are really happy to see me."
David looked down at the front of his pants, saw nothing out of the ordinary, and said, "Sure I am." When he saw her face splitting smile, he added, "Stop kidding me. I am glad you are here. Would you like something to drink before we go out for dinner?"
"I'll have what you are having. I have made reservations at a restaurant that specializes in local cuisine. We have plenty of time for a drink and catching up on our business, but you must promise me that once we enter the restaurant you won't say another word about work."
David placed his right hand on his heart, and in a serious tone said, "I solemnly swear to refrain from talking about work during dinner."
She laughed mischievously, "Not good enough. Swear that once we step away from this bar you will focus on the present company."
David was beginning to feel intimidated by this extraordinary woman. While he was waiting for her to arrive he had searched the internet, trying to learn more about his date. He saw that she had won a special recommendation, and promotion to Head of the AISI office in Bologna, in recognition of a daring operation she had carried out. Apparently, she had posed as an actress who was addicted to recreational drugs and infiltrated the Mafia gang which supplied drugs to the high society in Florence. At one stage, she was trapped in a nightclub that served as the hub for drug distribution, with three gangsters who had discovered her identity and intended to murder her after having their way with her. She managed to neutralize all three with a series of quick karate chops and well-placed kicks and called the police for back-up. When the police arrived, they found the gorgeous blonde sitting on a bar-stool sipping a cocktail, while the three men were lying on the filthy floor, trussed like turkeys and cursing her and her ancestry. Despite threats by the Mafia, and corrupt politicians who were in the Mafia's pocket, she gathered evidence that, with the help of a brave judge, was sufficient to send two dozen politicians and gangsters to extended prison sentences. However, she was forced to leave Florence, for fear of revenge.
Julietta said, "Tomorrow, an expert hypnotist will try to bring the two guards who were stationed at the basilica back to the time the suspect perpetrator arrived with her photographic equipment. If you wish, you can sit in the adjacent room and watch the process on closed circuit TV."
"I'd like that, although I don't understand Italian. I have seen this in the past and can tell you it's an effective tool, if the procedure is properly conducted."
"I can sit with you and translate. Perhaps you'll have some insights that elude us."
"Julietta, I am bothered by the fact that no one credible has claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Bologna. They could have been carried out by any political group or terrorist organization that wishes to instigate unrest and show that the government is weak and helpless and that it cannot guarantee the safety of the citizens or protect the historical cultural sites. This would superficially be on the agenda of many political and terrorist groups. But the apparently pointless desecration of the mural in the basilica fits only one type of terrorists — Islamic terror organizations."
"Do you have any specific group who could do it?"
"Well, you must know that Jihadist groups usually boast that their members are willing to die for the cause of Islamic world domination and like to use suicide bombers or operate in a way that would lead to a shoot-out with police or army forces. This was true for Al Qaeda and ISIS, to name two of the larger Islamic terror organizations. There was one group that was always proud to announce that it does not send its members to their untimely death — NEMESIS. If that is the case, then we may be facing a grave conspiracy because its aim was to obtain a nuclear weapon. I do not believe that they have changed their strategy although they may have set new targets."
"David, if that's the case, then these attacks are only the tip of the iceberg. I have read your file, that was sent over by General Benini. I know that you have spent years chasing extremist Islamic terrorists and have succeeded in foiling their plans. I believe in your gut instincts, so we'll do our utmost to get to the bottom of the attacks here."
"Julietta, it's getting late — let's head to the restaurant. No more shop-talk. I always wondered whether spaghetti Bolognaise, the favorite comfort food, originated here."
"Let me be your guide in the marvels of Bologna's best cuisine. First, never, I repeat, never, order spaghetti Bolognaise here."
"What? I thought it would be the best place for this dish."
"No one in Bologna eats spaghetti Bolognaise. They eat ragu — a meat sauce usually served with pasta, but not necessarily spaghetti."
"This is new to me. On second thought, I guess that Hollandaise sauce had nothing to do with the Netherlands and that the thousand-island dressing was not invented in Ontario."
She interrupted, "Don't get carried away. Parmesan cheese comes from Parma, Philly cheese cake comes from Philadelphia, and…"
"OK, I get it. Ragu it is."
When they reached the restaurant Julietta said, "I'll order the food. You can select the wine."
She called the waitress and in rapid Italian ordered some of the fine local dishes, while David struggled with wine-list until the helpful waitress recommended a bottle of Barolo from Piedmont, explaining that it was made from Nebbiolo grapes. She hastened to get a bottle from the wine-cellar, open it and poured some for David to taste. He swirled it in the glass, sniffed and inhaled the intoxicating aroma, tasted it gingerly and smacked his lips. Julietta watched him and barely contained her laughter when he made a face and nodded in approval. While the waitress went to fetch a decanter, he whispered, "I hope the wine is good, because I am no expert."
"I gathered that. Don't worry, the price of this wine is the guarantee of its quality."
The waitress returned with the largest decanter David had ever seen and then proceeded to swirl the red liquid for several long minutes. Julietta and David watched and just as he was about to ask the waitress to stop and pour the damn thing, she smiled, "Now, it's ready."
Meanwhile, a plate of cured meats and cheeses was brought to the table. The plate included pieces of Parma ham, Mortadella, Culatello, Parmigiano cheese and, of course, balsamic-vinegar from Modena that was quite sweet, olive oil and Crescentine sticks. Next, the first course, primi piatti in Italian, arrived. Julietta explained that the Tortellini, small rings of pasta stuffed with meat or cheese, were handmade by the grandmother of the restaurant's owner. By the time the main course, secondi piatti, arrived David was quite full, but the odor of the steaming small meatballs in tomato sauce — Polpette alla bolognese — was appetizing so that he ate them with a drooling mouth. He leaned back and unbuckled his belt, but Julietta didn't stop. She made sure that the waitress placed the plate of Dulci, or sweets, in front of David and explained that Zuppa Inglese was sponge cake soaked in liquor with custard and cocoa powder on top. David said, "Here's another dish with a completely inappropriate name — Zuppa. Isn't this soup?"
Julietta laughed, "How about some appropriately named coffee and a nice diegestif?" She ordered espresso and grappa. "You know that the real dessert will not be served in the restaurant", she smiled suggestively.
David started to feel like a sex-toy but liked the not-so-little girl who would be playing with the toy.
The next morning, David woke up when the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted into the bedroom and flooded his brain with memories of the previous evening. He opened his eyes and it took him a short moment to realize that he was in Julietta's apartment. He heard her singing to herself in the kitchen and smiled contentedly. Once again, the feeling that he was merely a sex-toy crossed his mind. He stretched his long limbs and wondered if children's toys also enjoyed being played with as he did.