"David, get out of bed. Do you want to be present when the memory of the two guards is refreshed under hypnosis? We need to be at the police station in half an hour."
"Just give me a sip of the wonderful coffee and I'll take a quick shower."
Julietta smiled, "You have earned it." She watched him struggling to pull his pants on, "Don't bother to dress, yet. Let's see you in daylight." She ogled him, "I have always had a fantasy about Israeli men. Thanks for fulfilling it."
David had a fleeting thought that he should start his own #MeToo protest of men being sexually abused by women. Then, he saw the big smile of Julietta's face and grasped that she was only teasing him. "I have heard about liberated Italian women who are sick and tired of the Mama's boys who live with their parents until they are 40 years old." He said, referring to the trend that many Italian men refused to leave their mother's home cooking and start a family.
When they arrived at the police station, David was introduced to the psychiatrist who would try to stimulate the memory of the policemen who stood guard at the basilica at the time of the attack on the murals. The psychiatrist shook hands with David, "I am Dr. Paolo Donizetti. I hope the session is productive, because a lot depends on the attitude and cooperation of the people being hypnotized. People who strongly resist, especially if they think that they may held accountable for negligence, are not good subjects." He turned to Julietta, "You have to persuade them that they will not be punished, and make sure that they understand that their cooperation is vital. Even promise them that they will be rewarded if they provide a good description of the terrorist."
"I'll talk to them", she said, "and prepare them for the session."
David intervened, "Doctor, it would be very helpful if you can get them to create an artist's facial composite, in addition to a verbal description."
Julietta talked to the two guards and assured them that they would not be answerable for any misdeed, and on the contrary, would be awarded if they could supply useful information on the suspected female terrorist. David studied the faces of the two guards while Julietta was talking to them, and although he didn't understand a word she was saying, realized that they were not convinced by her promises.
When they stepped into the room that afforded a view of the session being held by the psychiatrist, David expressed his reservations about the degree of cooperation from the two guards. Julietta shrugged but didn't answer. Then, a new thought occurred to him, "Julietta, when we visited the basilica, I saw that one needed a ticket to enter the alcove where the murals were and a special permit to take photographs. I noticed that the permit was in the form of a paper bracelet that was placed on the wrist of the photographer. The terrorist must have obtained the ticket and permit from the woman at the counter, near the alcove. She probably got a good look at the terrorist and may have even touched her hand when she placed the bracelet on her wrist. If the guards will not be forthcoming, as I suspect, then we should get hold of the woman."
"It's a good idea. I'll get the local police to find her and bring her here. The good doctor can then try his hypnotic tricks on her too."
As David had predicted, the psychiatrist couldn't get any useful information from the two guards. He told them to take a break and then tried again, once more without success. When the second session ended, Dr. Donizetti entered the room in which Julietta and David were sitting. "I am sorry, but the two men actively resisted my attempts to bring them back to the time of the terrorist attack. I could get nothing from them. I'll write my report and then go back to Florence."
Julietta said, "Please, stay a little while. We may have another witness who will be more knowledgeable and certainly more cooperative." She then explained the role the woman must have played and the fact that she had spoken directly with the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, an elderly woman, Rosa Cortese, was brought to the police station, and was introduced as the woman who sold the tickets and photography permits, on the day of the attack. Julietta asked her, "Signora Cortese, I am sure that you were shocked by the heinous terrorist attacks on our cultural heritage, as we all were. You have seen and spoken with one of the terrorists, the one responsible for the sacrilege committed in the basilica. Although this has not resulted in death or injury to people, it is an insult to our religion and culture. Our ability to apprehend the murderous perpetrators depends on your ability to help us."
The old lady crossed herself and answered, "I know that, but I cannot recall anything that happened on that day. I was interviewed by the police after the attacks but couldn't remember a single thing. It was as if my brain was wiped clean…"
Julietta interrupted her, "Signora Cortese, we understand this, and that is why we brought Dr. Donizetti here to help you. If you agree, and we hope you do, he will induce a pleasant hypnotic trance and help you remember the woman whom we suspect damaged the mural."
Signora Cortese looked a bit tense when she heard this. Dr. Donizetti smiled at the woman, "Signora, you have nothing to fear. I can assure you that you'll feel much better afterwards. A heavy burden will be lifted from your shoulders."
Julietta and David watched the psychiatrist bring the elderly lady back to the day of the attacks. The session went very smoothly as Signora Cortese was a very good subject for hypnosis and wholeheartedly wanted to be cooperative and helpful. "On the day of the attacks, I arrived early at the basilica and spent half an hour praying to San Petronio and the Holy Virgin. When the doors opened, the crowds of tourists and local people entered the basilica. Some tourists wanted to get a closer look at the mural and purchased tickets to enter the alcove. Others just wanted to buy a permit to take photographs inside the basilica. You know that photography without a permit isn't allowed, although many people cheat and take photos with their cellphones, thinking that we cannot see them."
The psychiatrist gently tried to bring her to the point, "Signora Cortese, one of the tourists carried a large bag with photographic equipment and bought a ticket for the alcove and a permit to take pictures. You placed the paper bracelet on her wrist. Can you describe her?"
"She was quite young, probably in her early thirties, and seemed to have no trouble carrying the large bag that must have been quite heavy. She was slim and although I didn't look closely at her face, I can remember she had pleasant features."
"What language did she speak?"
"She spoke to me in English. I don't speak the language but understood what she wanted. I think she spoke like Americans not like British people."
"You must have placed the bracelet on her wrist. Was there anything you can say about her hand?"
"Now that you mention it, I remember her hand was not soft, although her skin was smooth. I could tell that she was in good physical condition. I just remember one thing that was a bit odd — although she was an American her complexion was more like an Italian or a Greek, not pure white like many Scandinavians or Germans."
The psychiatrist said, "Signora Cortese, now try to focus on her facial features — the color of her eyes, her hair, her nose and chin, or any distinctive marks. Then, with the help of artists, we'll try to make a composite image of her face." He beckoned for the police artist to enter the room. "Signora, this is very important, this will be of great help."