Rendezvous in Rome by Carolyn Keene

and dating. She obviously wanted to spend more time with Massimo, even if she wasn’t interested in a romance.
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” Nancy said quickly. “I can deal with replacing my cards tomorrow.” And, she added silently, now she could keep her eye on Massimo and the others to see if they made a move with the necklace.
    â€œSoccer in Italy is a real event,” Claudia chimed in. “But what about lunch?”
    The teens grabbed some panini and headed for the Foro Italico, where the soccer match was taking place. Flags and banners in bright colors waved everywhere. Turin’s fans were decked out in black and white, while the Romans wore yellow and red.
    As the group made its way to the seats the crowd surged with each kick and play. Chants of “Juve!” and “Roma!” were traded back and forth.
    â€œWhat’s ‘Juve’ ” Bess shouted above the din.
    â€œIt stands for Juventus,” Sandro explained. “That’s the name of the Turin team. And Rom—”
    â€œIs the Roman team,” Bess finished for him. “I get it. These people are serious sports fans.”
    â€œSometimes too serious,” Claudia said, nodding. She was sitting next to Sandro, holding his arm, Nancy noticed. She didn’t seem angry with him anymore. “Terrible things can happen at soccer games when the fans get out of hand.”
    â€œGreat. Does that mean we’re going to be attacked if we shout the wrong thing?” Bess asked.“I think Nancy’s been attacked enough for one day!”
    The crowd was on its feet, screaming for a goal. Sandro explained the game to Bess while Massimo, who was standing between Nancy and Karine, pointed out the favorite Roman players.
    When Turin got the ball Massimo quietly excused himself. Nancy watched him disappear.
    Could he be meeting someone? she wondered. She climbed over the people in her row and followed him. Maybe he was getting rid of the necklace!
    Massimo was standing near one of the refreshment stands, sipping a soda. Nancy waited for something to happen, but to her surprise Massimo finished the drink, then bought a few more and headed back to the group.
    Had he just waited until he finished so that he could carry more sodas back? Or had he been waiting for someone who never showed up? He didn’t have his backpack with him, she noticed. Maybe he didn’t have the necklace on him after all, she thought. His polo shirt had no pockets, and Nancy doubted he could be concealing the necklace in his tight jeans.
    Once back in his seat Massimo became a boisterous fan, yelling “Roma” joyfully with the crowd. At halftime he excused himself to use the restroom and again left his backpack behind.
    This time Nancy wanted to search the backpack. “Does Massimo have some sunglasses?” she asked Karine, who was sitting on the other side ofMassimo’s empty seat. “The glare is hurting my eyes.” Without waiting for an answer Nancy unzipped the backpack and thrust her hand in. “He won’t mind if I borrow them,” she said sweetly.
    While she pretended to rummage for the glasses Nancy searched the backpack thoroughly. Bess’s necklace wasn’t there, nor did she see any other Etruscan jewelry.
    â€œNo glasses,” she said, replacing the backpack and smiling at Karine. “Oh, well.”
    Could Massimo have hidden the necklace in the catacombs, expecting to get it later? It would be fairly safe hidden among the bones. Or maybe Sandro had it. He and Claudia seemed to have made up. Did that have anything to do with the necklace?
    A sudden roar went up from the crowd behind her. Nancy looked at the field, wondering if the teams were coming back on for the second half. Nothing was happening on the field, but the commotion behind Nancy was growing. Massimo’s voice rang out loudly.
    Turning, Nancy saw him barreling through the stands about ten rows