"Catarella sum!" " What did you say?" " What did I say? "I'm Catarella"." "Who left this chest here?" "Nescio." " Is it full or empty?" " It's not empty, sir." " How do you know?" " I know... because the farmer whose land this is took a look at it and told me the lid was open just far enough to see that it's occupied." " Occupied by what?" "." " A dead corpse." "Dead." "Let's take a look." "Open it." "Lam fetet!" " What was that?" " I said it stinks. "Fetet"." "You're speaking in Latin, are you taking the piss?" "How could you think I would do such a thing?" "That I would take the..." "O me miserum, me infelicem!" " Sir, sir!" " Montalbano!" "Montalbano!" "Montalbano!" "Have you no respect for the dead?" " Good morning, sir." " Good morning, Catarella." " Catarella..." " Yes, sir." " Tell me something..." " Yes, sir." "Do you know Latin?" " Of course I do, sir." " You do?" " You've studied Latin then?" " No, not really studied," "..but I'm well-acquainted." " How come?" " A neighbour introduced us." " Who?" " The accountant Vincenzo Calastra." " Also known as "The Latino"." " Catarella!" " The accountant Vincenzo Calastra." " Fazio!" "Any news?" " No, no news." " Salvo!" "I've just had a call from Montelusa Police HQ." "Bonetti Alderighi has been rushed to hospital." "A heart problem maybe." " It is serious?" " We don't know yet." " Go and find out then!" "Go on!" "Okay, okay." " Sir, what's up?" " Didn't you hear him?" "Yes, but I didn't think you'd take it that badly." "What do you mean?" "We're human beings, not animals!" "Come in." "Good news." "It was not nothing serious, just bad indigestion." " Thank goodness." " Okay." " Come in, Catarella." " After you, sir." "Excuse me, sir." "There's a man here to report a case of assault." " What's his name?" " Either Di Maria or Di Maddalena." "My name's Di Marta, Salvatore Di Marta." "Mr. Di Marta, take a seat." "What can I do for you?" "I'm here to report an armed assault." " When did it take place?" " Last night." "My wife, Loredana, was on her way home, just after midnight." " Who was attacked, you or your wife?" " My wife." " How come you came to report it?" " My wife isn't 21 yet." "She's very frightened." "I think she's got a fever too." "Carry on then." "She was late home because she'd gone to see a friend who was ill." "She turned into Vicolo Crispi and saw a man lying on the ground." "She stopped to help him, she got out of the car." "He leapt up, holding something Loredana took to be a gun." "He forced her to get back in the car and sat next to her." " Was his face covered?" " Yes." "Once inside the car, he took my wife's bag and stole all her money." "He took the keys from the car, and threw them far away." "Then..." "Then?" "He kissed her." "Worse than that..." "He bit her." "Here, on her lip." "You can still see the mark." " Forgive me, but where do you live?" " On the new residential estate." "But your wife was assaulted in Vicolo Crispi?" "I know what you're..." "On my way home yesterday" "I didn't have time to take the takings to the night safe." "So I gave my wife the money and asked her to see to it." " How much was it?" "." " 33,000 Euros." " 33,000?" " Yes." " Does your wife wear jewellery too?" " Yes." "Two rings, a gold watch, a necklace, earrings." "All valuable stuff." "And her wedding ring, of course." " And he stole all these things too?" " No." "No?" "That's strange." "But we need to take a statement." "Come with me." "Fazio, can you take this gentleman's statement, please?" "He'll see to it." "Goodbye, commissioner." " Hello, Adelina?" " What is it, what's wrong?" "Nothing, Adelina, don't worry." "Listen..." "I need to talk to your son Pasquale." "He's gone out, I'll get him to ring you." "No, can you tell him to Cali in at the station?" " All right, I'll tell him." " Thanks." "Bye, Adelina." " Any news?" " Listen..." "This man, Gaspare Intelisano, has come to file a complaint." " What for?" " That's what's so strange." "Usually people come to report someone breaking their door down." "This time it's the opposite." " I don't understand." " Neither do I." "You talk to him." " Fill me in about it first." " l can't work it out." "Send him in then." "Giuseppe, send him in." " This way." " Thank you." " May I?" " Good morning." "Montalbano." " Intelisano, pleased to meet you." " Please take a seat." " Shall I record it?" " No, not yet." "Shall I start with my name and date of birth?" "No, not yet, tell us what happened." "First of all, sir, I am the owner of a large plot of land left to me by my father, God rest his soul." "it's situated in Contrada Spirito Santo." "There's an abandoned cattle shed on this land, which doesn't even have a door." "But yesterday when I was passing by l decided to take a look." "But could I get inside?" "No, I couldn't." " Why's that?" " There was a wooden door on it." "And a large chain." "So you're telling me that someone went there and put a door on it?" " Without telling you about it?" "." " That's right." " What did you do?" " I went round to the window." "But I couldn't see a thing." "Could I?" "No, I couldn't." "Because they had nailed a plank over the window." " Do you have any farmhands who..." " Yes, sir." "Two immigrants, a couple of Tunisians." "But they didn't hear or see anything." "I reckon they must have put the door on at night." "The door was here!" "it was here." " Perhaps you dreamt it." " I tell you it was here." "No, Mr. Intelisano is right." "These are new hinges." "it's recent." "So we have to ask ourselves why they put a door on a barn in the middle of a field?" "Wait a second..." "Sir!" "You see?" "it looks like a large crate was dragged over the floor." " And it must have been rather heavy too." " Yes." "Clear all the straw away." "I'll take a look around." " Sir!" " Yes?" " Take a look over here." " What is it?" "." "We've found a pile of greasy newspapers." " What do you bet it's gun oil?" " No, I'd lose the bet." "Look at this." "This is probably a piece of bazooka." " And look over there." " Fuck!" "So there were some weapons in there." "And they found them." " What do we do now?" " Collect all the fragments." "Galluzzo!" " What do you reckon?" " They won't use that shed anymore." " Why not?" " First, because they only use these makeshift arms deposits once." "Then Intelisano asked the Tunisians if they knew anything about the door." "So indirectly he told them he was aware of it." "So the two Tunisians could be working with the guys with the guns." "We've no evidence of that, either way." "And how did these guys, who are probably outsiders, know about this abandoned shed in the middle of a field if they weren't told?" "But I'm convinced we won't be working on this case." " Why not?" " Because I'm convinced there are fingerprints on these newspapers, that someone can work out from these fragments what weapons they are." "But we don't have these experts, so we hand it to the terrorist squad." " You're right." " Mimi, you take this box, take it to Montelusa, explain everything to the chief, then return with his blessing." " Okay." " You, Fazio, find out something more about these Tunisians." " But you said..." " We'll carry out a parallel inquiry." "The only problem is, Mimi, the people in Montelusa mustn't know about it." "You may go." "I was forgetting, sir." "I've got that information about Di Marta." " Whenever you want..." " Sit down, tell me now." "Before the girl married Di Marta, she was engaged to a guy called Carmelo Savastano for years, a real sleazebag, but she was madly in love with him." " Why did she finish with him?" " There are rumours that Di Marta negotiated it directly with Savastano." "What do you mean?" "He convinced him to ditch her?" " So it seems." " What do they say about her in town?" "Nothing bad." "She's a decent girl who only goes out with her husband" "..or to visit her friend." " What have you got on this friend?" "Her name's Valeria Bonifacio." "She lives in a villa in Via Palermo, 28." "And she's not married." "So... the robbery Loredana Di Marta was the victim of" "..was practically a hold-up?" " So it would seem." "All right." "Keep me informed about the Tunisians." "I'll see to it straight away." " Come in, Catarella." " I don't want to be a..." " I said come in." "Forgive me, sir." "Sir, Pasqualino's here, your maid Adelina's son." "He wants to talk to you yourself." " Send him in then." " Straight away, sir." "This way." " My respects, commissioner." " Hello, Pasquale." "Sit down." "Listen, Pasquale, do you know anything about a thief with a gun who robbed a woman in Via Crispi last night?" "." " He kissed her..." " Kissed her?" "Yes, then he took her money, but not her jewellery." "Do you know anything?" " What time was it?" " About midnight." " In Vicolo Crispi?" " Yes." "Commissioner, I reckon this woman is talking a load of crap." " Really?" "Why's that?" " Why?" "Because Angelo Burgio, who owns the jeweller's shop has reported a burglary in his home in Vicolo Crispi to the Carabinieri." " Yesterday, after midnight." " What about it?" "And the guys, my friends, as they usually do, had put a lookout inside one of the doors in Vicolo Crispi." "And this friend of mine was there on lookout from 11 .30 to 12.30." "And he didn't see any robbery, or anyone lying on the floor," "..or any car pull up." "I see." " Who is it?" " Good morning." "Commissioner Montalbano." "I'm looking for Ms. Valeria Bonifacio." "You're talking to her, come in." " Hello." " Please come in, commissioner." "Thank you." "I need to ask you a few questions about the robbery your friend Loredana was involved in." "You heard, didn't you?" "Yes, I know all about it." "Loredana told me over the phone." "She was distraught, poor thing." "I went to see her at home, and she managed to tell me all about it." "Even the details." "The kiss?" " Not only that." " Is there more?" " Yes." " Could you be more precise?" "it disgusts me to talk about it." "In short... that guy..." "Took hold of her hand... and put it..." "Do you know what I mean?" "Did he go any further?" "." "No, fortunately." "But Loredana was terrified." "Listen... what time did your friend leave your home that evening?" "I can't tell you the exact time, but... it was probably a few minutes before midnight." "Ten, fifteen minutes." "You're sure it wasn't before that?" "Yes... not before that." "What time does she usually go home?" "She usually leaves before dinner." " This was an exception." " How come?" "I wasn't feeling very well." "Loredana was worried, so she didn't want to leave me." "I see." "Listen..." "One last question." "When did Loredana realise she'd forgotten to go to the night safe?" "Was she still here or was it after she'd left?" "." "She realised straight away." "She wanted to go and do it, in fact, but I told her she could do it later." "That's why I feel so guilty." "If I'd let her go..." "No, you mustn't think like that." "it was just a coincidence." "Don't feel guilty." "All right, listen..." "Thanks for your help." "By the way, one last thing." "Do you know a man called Carmelo Savastano?" "Why do you ask?" "What's he got to do with the robbery?" "He hasn't, I'm just curious." "Seeing he was your friend's fiancé for a period...." "Yes, I know him." "But I haven't seen him for a while." "I see." "Thank you, you've been a great help." " I'll see you out." " Thank you." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "40 minutes." " Hello?" " Good morning." "This is Commissioner Montalbano." "Am I disturbing you?" "I wanted to ask you something." "What time did you leave your friend Valeria's home on the day..." "A quarter to midnight." "I see." "Thank you." "Sir, forgive me, but if we're sure Mrs Di Marta didn't drive down Vicolo Crispi that night, why do you want to know how long it took her to get to her friend's house?" "Do you want me to write on the report that I had information from a thief and from the lookout for a gang of robbers?" "Do I Cali Pasquale and the lookout to testify?" "You're right, I'm an idiot." "What shall we do then?" "We have to prove that Loredana is not telling the truth." "By the way, about that other business," "Intelisano gave me the Tunisians' phone numbers and addresses." "He says they're decent guys, good workers, with a regular contract." " Good morning." " Hello, Mimi." " Good morning." " Fazio's spoken to Intelisano." "No, wait a sec, hold it right there." "The police chief has issued us with an official warning." "He used these precise words:" ""tell Montalbano the inquiry into the arms trafficking is in the hands of the anti-terrorism squad now." I've warned you, okay?" "So after all this, how will we proceed with the inquiry?" "I'll think of something." "Tell Mr Augello about the Di Marta robbery." " Let's go." " Well?" "Mrs Di Marta reported a robbery that might not have taken place." " What?" " That's right." " So she's talking a load of crap." " That's right." "But how can we get her to admit it?" "Cali her in this afternoon." "She can bring her husband if she wants." "I'll ask her a few questions and we'll take it from there." "Okay?" "But don't let her see you, Mimi." "Okay..." "Why?" "It's for your own good, believe me." " Okay." " Wait a minute, Fazio." "I've had another idea about that arms business." " Hello?" " Mr Intelisano?" " This is Montalbano." " Good morning." " I need you to do me a favour." " Tell me." "I'd like to meet the two Tunisians tomorrow morning." "But don't introduce me as a police commissioner, tell them I'm interested in buying your land." " Do you think you can do that?" " You must have a reason for asking." " All right." " Thanks." "I'll call by at 9 then." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." " Is that okay so far?" "." " Yes." "What then?" "I'll go back there, but this time on my own, and I'll tell the two Tunisians not to mention it to Mr Intelisano because I want to know how much profit the land makes, how much it costs and so forth." "And I'll also ask them if they can give me some information on the land with the stable." "I'll obviously make it worth their while." " Sounds like a good idea." " Isn't it?" "So with your blessing, I'm going to have a good lunch." " Have you eaten?" " I don't usually eat at lunchtime." " Are you sick?" " No, I'm fine." " Are you fasting?" " Yes." " That's bad, really bad." " Did you cook this?" " Yes." " Liar." " My wife did." " Yes." "Tell her it's really good." "She's put wild fennel in it, I just love wild fennel." "It gives it a fresh taste." "Sir!" "There's a couple to see you." "They said you sent for them." " Yes, the Di Martas..." " No, I think they're local." " They're not from Marta." " Where have you put them?" " In your office, with Fazio." " Thank you." " I told you to make yourself scarce!" " It's not my fault." "They arrived early, but they haven't seen me." " But I saw her." " So?" " I know her." " Don't tell me you..." " No, I was with a friend one night." "He chatted her up, but she told him she was in love with someone else." " Does she know you're a cop?" " No, I introduced myself" "..as Diego Croma, a lawyer." " Good." "Is that your code name?" "Don't be so witty, just tell me if the fact that I know her" "..could compromise the inquiry." " No, but get lost now." "Okay." "Door!" " Good morning." " Good morning." "Loredana di Marta." "Please have a seat." "I'll try not to keep you too long, so I'll start with the questions." "When did your husband give you the money for the night safe?" "When I left to go to Valeria's house." " That would have been about..." " About half past eight." " And you forgot on the way there?" " Yes." "I had things on my mind." " I was worried, Valeria wasn't well." " That's quite normal." " So 3 people knew about the money?" " No, two." "Just me and my husband." "No, Mrs Bonifacio said you remembered as soon as you arrived at her home that you hadn't been to the bank." "You wanted to go back out, but she told you to do it on your way home." "Is that right?" "." " Yes, that's right." " So three of you knew about it?" "Yes." "Unless you stopped on the way, for petrol, for example," "..or to buy cigarettes." " I don't see where this is... lf you did, someone could have seen the money in your handbag." " No, I didn't stop anywhere." " You didn't stop anywhere." " Then things aren't looking good." " For who?" "For your friend Valeria, of course." "It's obvious." " Don't be silly, commissioner!" " Forgive me..." "You go and see a friend, with money in your handbag, you tell her you forgot to deposit it in the night safe, then she stops you going to the bank." "Don't you find that strange?" "Why should it?" "Seeing I had to go home sooner or later." "No, it's one thing to do it at 8.30, another to do it after midnight." "And we're talking about a beautiful young woman like you." "Don't you find it a risky piece of advice?" "I didn't know I would be staying that long." " Valeria didn't know either." " She could have faked her illness." "Then after you left, she could have called an accomplice, who rushed to Vicolo Crispi..." "and Bob's your uncle." "But let's forget about this for now, we'll go back to it later." "In fact, you'd better not mention it to Miss Bonifacio." "When you saw this man in Vicolo Crispi, was he lying on the ground or was he falling?" "I'm not with you." "What difference does it make?" "There is a difference, if he was lying on the ground, the robber was waiting for just any old car." "If he threw himself to the ground when he saw you drive up, he was waiting for your car." "Right?" "I confirm what my husband declared." " He was lying on the ground." " Perfect." "Listen..." "The report says the robber got into the car, took the keys out and threw them onto the street." "So when the robber ran off... you had to look for the keys?" " That's right." " Did it take long?" "I don't know, it was dark." "And I was distraught." "One other thing..." "Valeria told me something that wasn't in your husband's statement." " I told you everything." " Everything your wife told you." "You said you'd told me everything." "What else happened?" "I asked you a question!" " Mr Di Marta, stay out of this." " I'll say what I want to my wife." "Fazio, can you see the gentleman out, please?" "Please follow me." " This is an abuse of power!" " We'll discuss that outside." "This way." "Shall we carry on then?" "We might as well, now I'm here." "Why didn't you tell your husband the robber wanted something else?" "Why?" "Because he's jealous and he won't see reason." "He's capable of saying I didn't try and resist him." "But I don't know why Valeria thought she should tell you..." "Your friend did the right thing, and to be honest I think you're hiding something from me." "I've got a theory about how things really went." "Are you going to tell me?" "Please... that's enough!" "I'm sorry, we can't stop now." "I tell you what..." "I'll tell you what I think happened, and you correct me if I'm wrong." "All right?" "The thief got into the car, he took your money, then he ordered you to drive the car to a secluded place where he raped you." "Is that what happened?" "Yes." "Where's my wife?" "Inspector Fazio is taking her new statement." "She was raped, wasn't she?" "They've nearly finished, you can ask her yourself." "Did you really get the impression Valeria only told you half the story?" "It was Loredana's attitude that made me realise what game she's playing." " What game is that?" "." " Loredana wanted me to find out." "But she didn't tell us herself she had been raped, I forced hereto tell me." "Loredana and Valeria are playing a perfect team game." " Why would they do that?" "." " So we wouldn't suspect any complicity between her and the thief." "That's right!" "So if this robber exists, and we're not sure he does, the robber and his victim are working together," "..and that's where you come in, Mimi." " You want me to chat Loredana up?" "No, wrong woman, Valeria Bonifacio." "And it's no sacrifice because she's a beautiful woman." "Get Fazio to give you all the details, and don't come back here until you've made contact." "Yes, sir." "The Tunisians are in here, I'll introduce you." "They've worked here for two years." "This is Alkaf..." "And this is Mohammed." " Nice to meet you." " This is Engineer Carlo La Porta." " He's thinking of buying this land." " It's a good deal." " Even better if you keep us on." " Thank you." "Go back to your meal." "Excuse us." "It's a good place, because you've got the hayloft on top and the bottom part is used as storage, or a garage, to keep the seeds in." "I've left it exactly as it was, I haven't touched a thing." "The boys have the keys, they come here to shelter to eat, when the sun's too hot." " They've got the keys?" " Of course." " Do they sleep here?" " No, they live in Montelusa." "But tell me something, what did you think of them?" " They look bright, and experienced." " They are." " And they're hard workers!" " So you would rule out that..." "Commissioner, in a normal situation they would be true gentlemen, the problem is, in the situation they find themselves in..." "Of course." "Will you walk me to the car?" "I'll come back around 5." "Of course, but remember to come back before the sun goes down," "..or they'll have gone home." " Yes, don't worry." "Sorry, sir, it slipped out of my hand." " What is it, Catarella?" " There's a "married" doctor to see you." " A married doctor?" " From the "terrorism-ism" squad." " Oh yes, send him in." " Right away." "Please come in." " Hello, Sposito." "How are things?" " Fine thanks." " Take a seat." " It'll only take five minutes." "I went to Contrada Spirito Santo, and you were right." "It's probably a load of missile launchers and ammunition." "But I need some more information." "Your deputy, Augello, told me Intelisano didn't contact you the day he discovered the door," "..but the day after." " Yes." " And you went there the same day?" " Yes, the day he reported it." " lf that's how things are... ..it's obviously someone was watching the stable who knew Intelisano was not a passerby, but the owner." "So you reckon as soon as he walked away, they dismantled everything and fled?" " Precisely." " What difference does it make?" "It means that seeing it was unexpected, it's possible that the weapons have not left for their destination," "..and have only been moved nearby." " You reckon they're not far away?" "That's right." "Right... thanks." " Bye." "Good hunting." " Thanks." " What have you got for me?" " I found out Loredana Di Marta was admitted to a clinic in Montelusa last night." "How come?" "It seems she has a few bruises to the head and a couple of broken ribs." " How did she get them?" " No one knows for sure." "Some say it was her husband after the robbery, and others say she fell down the stairs." "I reckon Di Marta thinks she knows the name of the robber." " And he tried to beat it out of her." " That's what I think." "What we don't know is whether she gave him the name." "But perhaps it's time we kept our eye on this Carmelo Savastano." "I already have done." "When you say that, with that look on your face..." "Forgive me, but it's the only face I've got!" "Never mind!" "Carry on!" "Savastano is still leading the life of a sleazebag." "No one knows where he gets his money from." "He was in a brawl last night and the Carabinieri locked him up." "But they'll have let him go by now." " Let's keep our eye on him." " I already am." " I'm joking." " Get a move on." "Ah, sir!" "A Mr Intelisano left a message." "He said not to go where you are going to go until you have spoken to him." " Where is Mr Intelisano?" " He's on the phone." " Put him through to my office." " Immediately." " Hello?" " Is that you, sir?" " Mr Intelisano, what's up?" " Something you won't believe." " What's that?" " It's out of this world." " What is it?" "." " Amazing..." "Are you going to tell me or aren't you?" "After you left, I noticed the tractor was in the middle of the field with its engine running, but the Tunisians were nowhere to be seen." "So I went to look in the yard, they can't have gone very far, because all their things were there." " And what did you do?" " I waited half an hour and when they didn't come back, I went to Montelusa to look fort hem." "They weren't there." "Were they there?" "No, they weren't there." "The other Tunisians who live there, said they came back at 11 , they grabbed their belongings and ran off." "Well, I just can't understand it." "I'll tell you." "Someone was hiding in the hayloft, and he recognised me." "And as they had something to hide, they made their escape." "So you think they may have something to do with those arms?" "They're up to their necks in it." "How did the ones in the hayloft know who you were?" "I don't know." "Perhaps they've seen me on TV." "Not wearing a hat and glasses!" "No!" " How do you get into the hayloft?" "." " There's a ladder, I never go up." "Be careful, it's an old house." "Like its owner." "So I screwed up." " Did the police chief know about this parallel investigation?" " No." " I see, but I won't be the one to tell him." " Thanks." "But it doesn't mean the Tunisians and the guy hiding in the hayloft ran off because they recognised you." " No?" " What time did you leave?" " About 9.30 or 9.45." " That fits." " With what?" " As I told you, we're looking all over for the arms, which we think are still nearby." "This morning my deputy and the squad went back to inspect the cattle shed." "And then they headed towards the farm." "They found the keys on the floor, went inside but found nothing there." "So they moved further away." " They didn't look in the hayloft?" "." " No." "As you can see, we screwed up too." "So you think they ran off because they saw your men nearby?" "It's quite possible." "Can I ask you something?" "What net did they tell you to use for this case?" " A wide or fine mesh?" " No comment." "But I'll call my deputy and tell him to search the hay loft." " Thanks, Sposito." " Bye, Montalbano." "I don't understand why Sposito came here to tell you they ran off" "..and that his squad was to blame." " I can't work it out either." "I think Sposito is trying to divert my interest from this investigation." "But without the Tunisians, we've nothing else to go on." "That's right, so let's change the subject." "By the way... have you contacted Valeria Bonifacio?" " Yes, I have made contact." " Mimi, don't tell me you..." "I'd never do that on the first date, I'm a gentleman." "But let me tell you the story from the beginning." "This morning around 9 I was hanging around in front of her home, waiting patiently." "Good morning, Mrs Di Marta, please." "Mrs Di Marta." "Room 12, the first door on the right, but the doctor's with her right now." " All right, thanks a lot." " You're welcome." " Good morning." " Good morning." "You should have some respect for my wife." "I forbid you to see her, because you're the cause of all this." "Go on, show me how strong you are." "Go on then!" " Calm down." " She's a crazy woman." "Let go of me!" "You're a bitch!" "Calm down." "Are you okay?" "I'm Croma, I'm a lawyer, can I get you a glass of water?" "You're shaking." " Will you come outside with me?" " Of course." "This way." "She was still crying when we got outside so I... I took her to a cafe' to calm her down." "I bought her a drink, we sat there chatting for a couple of hours." " How did you introduce yourself?" " As Diego Croma, the lawyer." "I thought it best to use the name Loredana knows me by." " Did she confide in you?" " Yes." "She told me the husband had made her cry because he had stopped her from seeing her best friend because he's jealous of their friendship." "She also said.." "that it was the husband who put Loredana in the hospital." " Why?" " This time he was jealous of a man." "But she didn't tell me the man's name." " And this is all you got out of her in two hours?" " No." "The real news is that I'm going to her home tomorrow afternoon at 4." "She wants my advice as a lawyer." "And I get the impression she's not looking for an honest lawyer." "Well done, Mimi." " Hello?" " Why does it always take you so long to pick up?" "Oh, Livia!" "I've only just got in." "What's up?" "Are you angry with me?" "Me?" "No." "But..." "You sound strange, are you okay?" "Listen..." "I don't know." "I was thinking of coming there for a few days." "What do you reckon?" "Yes, I'm working on two cases, but I'd be happy to see you." "Well... if it's all right by you," "I'll come anyway." "Yes, but... is anything wrong?" "No, no, it's nothing." "I don't know, I'm feeling a bit down and it's too lonely here." "I need to be with someone." "Then come straight here, I'll expect you." "Tomorrow I'll ask for a few days off work." "Then I'll let you know." "Eh?" "Good night, Salvo." "Good night." " Sir." " Good morning, sir." " Have you called everybody?" " Yes." "The boy who called us is over there." " Where?" " Over there." " Good morning." " Good morning." " Commissioner Montalbano." " Salvatore Ingrassia." " Pleased to meet you." " This is my girlfriend." " Stella Urso." " Hello." " Well?" " I live over there." "I work in a fish shop, and I have to pass this way to go into town." "What time did you go home last night?" "It must have been about 9 o'clock." " And the car wasn't here then?" " No." "During the night did you hear any..." "Maybe... ..shouting or any strange noises?" " The house is too far away." "I know, but there's nothing here, I imagine it's very quiet at night." " Yes, that's right." " So?" "I can assure you I didn't hear a thing until 11 o'clock." "Why, what happened then?" "Did you go to sleep?" "You could put it like that." " I heard something." " How come I didn't?" "Because you always fall asleep straight afterwards." " What did you hear?" " I got up and went to the bathroom." " And then I heard the bang." " What kind of bang?" "You know when it's windy and the door slams?" " It sounded like that." " A single bang?" "That's right." "A single bang." " Could it have been a gunshot?" " How would I know?" " I've never heard a gunshot." " Of course not." "Listen, do you know what time it was?" "I know the exact time." "I went to the kitchen because I was thirsty." "I can't fall asleep if I don't drink some water first." "And while I was there I looked at the clock." "It was five minutes past one." "I'm never mistaken." " Good morning, doctor." " Montalbano." " What can you tell me?" " What do you want me to tell you?" "Can't you see?" "From first glance, it looks like the man was shot through the back of the head." "But it will be extremely difficult to identify him." "Look, he's burnt to cinders." "You can see for yourself." "Thank you, doctor." " Fazio, did you find anything?" " Yes, a cartridge in the back." "Hey..." "May I?" "Have a seat." "Weren't you meeting Valeria Bonifacio at 4?" "Yes, she called to change it to dinner." "Things are looking up." "Did you hear about the burnt-out car?" "It belonged to Carmelo Savastano," "..Loredana's ex." " Was it him in the car?" "We don't know yet." "Tell me something... lf it is Savastano, who would be your prime suspect?" "." "Di Marta." "I reckon after that beating, she told him his name." "What do you think about the robbery?" "Savastano continued to be Loredana's lover even after her marriage." "And after hearing about the 33,000 Euros he arranged to meet her." "They met up, she gave him the money and they made love." "Then a bit of play-acting to make it look like rape." "And what role did Valeria have in this?" "She covered for Loredana, who really does go to her home, but then she goes out again to meet Savastano." "And now, worried you might find out the truth, she contacts a dishonest lawyer like me." "Have you eaten?" "Do you want to?" "Coffee?" "Are you getting ready for tonight?" " It's for work, Salvo." " It's for work." "Have a good working day then." "Good morning." " Are you looking for someone?" " Yes, Luigina Castro." "You're speaking to her." "Pleased to meet you." "I'm Commissioner Montalbano." " Has something happened to my father?" "." " No." "Don't worry." "It's not that." " What is it you want?" "." " You know Carmelo Savastano, right?" " Carmelo?" " Yes." "Of course I know him, he was my boyfriend." " How long is it since you saw him?" " I haven't seen him for a year." "How come?" "Because I reported him to the police." "He used to beat me every day." "Yes, we know." "But you withdrew your complaint." "Yes, because I didn't want to ruin him." "I just wanted him to leave me alone." "What I wanted to ask you was..." "Does Savastano have any distinguishing marks?" " A broken tooth or a scar?" " Carmelo?" "He's got two toes missing from his left foot." " Two toes from his left foot?" " Yes, an iron crate fell on them." "Thank you." "You've been very helpful." " Good day." " Goodbye." " Have you got your mobile on you?" " Yes, sir." "Dr Pasquano, it's me Montalbano." "Sorry to disturb you." "You disturb me to such an extent, there is nothing you can say to alleviate it." "Doctor, what beautiful Italian you speak when you make the effort." "I imagine you want to know something about the burned corpse?" " lf possible, yes." " I confirm what I told you." "A single shot to the head." "Ankles and wrists tied with some wire." "An authentic Mafia execution." "Is there anything that will help us to identify him?" " Yes." "Two toes..." " Missing from his left foot." "If you knew already, why the fuck are you busting my balls?" "What beautiful Italian, my compliments, doctor." "Go fuck yourself!" "Goodbye." "Have you broadcast the news of the body in the burnt-out car?" "Yes, I did it myself this morning." "But no one told me what to say, so I kept it vague." " Do you want an exclusive interview?" " Fuck, yes!" "I'll give you one then." "But we have to decide on a few questions you're going to ask me." "Come on, Niccolo'!" " Always at your service." " You can ask me whatever you want." "As long as you ask:" ""do you think the corpse was a Mafia thug, could it have been a Mafia crime?" "News has come in that in the Raccadali countryside there was a shoot-out between the police and three immigrants who managed to escape a police operation." "The three immigrants are connected to the local crime ring." "It appears one of them was wounded during the shooting." "When we have more details, we will keep you..." "What can you tell us about this latest brutal murder in the Vigata countryside?" "First of all I can reveal the victim's name." "We're talking about a man from Vigata with a police record." "His name is Carmelo Savastano." " How was he killed?" " He was kidnapped and driven to the scene of the murder in his own car." "His ankles and wrists were tied up with wire." "Then the killers shot him through the back of the head, a single shot." "Then they set fire to the car." "Atypical Mafia execution." "So you believe Savastano could have been a Mafia thug?" "I would prefer not to answer that question." "Do you think he might have been killed because he offended someone, or because he refused to carry out an order?" "I don't think so." "I hope it's not the start of another Mafia feud." "And for this reason I will do all I can to thwart it with all the means at my disposal." "And we hope Commissioner Montalbano will succeed..." "Ah, it's the lawyer!" "Tell me." "Last night we had the pleasure of seeing you on TV, and there was one of the Cuffaros' old farmhands with us." "We sometimes invite him because he cheers us up by telling us amazing stories." "We've lost that old farming mentality now." "You're making me curious, you know." "Cheer me up too, tell me one of these stories." "Of course." "I'll tell you this one:" "there was this lion hunter whose friends played a trick on him." "After seeing a native kill a donkey, they bought it from him, they covered it with a lion skin, and they hid it among the trees." "The hunter spotted it and fired his gun." "And then he had his photo taken with the lion he thought he'd caught." "So everyone was convinced he had killed the lion, while not only had he not killed it, the lion wasn't even a lion, it was a donkey!" "That's really funny!" "I told you it was." "He knows a lot of these little stories." "I can imagine, I can imagine." "Now tell me why you're ringing." "I'm sorry, commissioner, they've just called my flight." "I have to run." "Goodbye." "What a pity!" "What a pity!" " All right, thanks for calling." " Thank you." "Right, the idea is that Savastano is a donkey, not a Mafia thug." "That he was killed by a native and not by a mafioso." "That someone wanted it to look like a Mafia crime, whereas it isn't." "They must have got worried seeing we are investigating on all fronts, and they phoned to say they didn't want problems." " That's right." " Now what happens?" " I want Di Marta in my office at 11." " At 11?" "Why so late?" "Are you busy?" "No, I'm not, you are." "I want to know everything about Salvatore Di Marta." "I already have done..." " Sorry." " Okay, let's hear it." " Does he pay protection money?" " Yes, to the Cuffaros." "The collector's name is Nino Gengo." "Could he have had an argument with this Gengo?" "No, I don't think so." "Gengo's not the type to kill anyone." "He's a flea, a leech, he only counts as long as the Cuffaros say he does." "But he could have asked him the name of a killer." "Hello, Mimi." "He could have, but he'd have been involved with too many people." "And if the Cuffaros' lawyer called to say it wasn't the Mafia..." "Are we to believe someone who's in with the Cuffaros?" " No." " Any news about Valeria Bonifacio?" "The first half of the evening, she behaved like a saint." "Eyes lowered, blouse buttoned up, she told me the story of her life starting from elementary school." "A bloody bore until 11 o'clock." " What happened after 11 o'clock?" " The TV was on and you appeared." "Then suddenly she got hysterical, I had to hold her down." " Then what?" " She was very tired, very weary." "And she said she wanted to go to bed." "I kissed her hand, like a gentleman, and I left." "But I'm seeing her for dinner tonight." " Where?" " At her home." " To sum up?" " To sum up... I reckon she was about to tell me something about Di Marta." "But she saw you on TV and changed her mind." "Now... why did you give that interview?" " I know why." "I'll buy you a coffee." " I've just had one." " Have another." "I don't want another coffee." " After you." " No, after you." "Where were you the other evening from ten on?" "Where do you think?" "At home." " Was there anyone with you?" " No." "Loredana's still in the clinic." " What did you do?" " I cooked something, watched the TV." " I was in bed by midnight." " Why did you beat your wife?" "I know, she said she fell down the stairs, but the doctor said the bruises on her body can't be explained by a fall." "Why did you beat her?" "Why?" "For not telling me she'd been raped." "I thought she knew the robber." "That she was protecting him." "And I hit her." "So it was out of anger?" "." " Of course." " That's not true." "You wanted your wife to tell you the name of the man who raped her." "Right?" " Yes." " Did she tell you his name?" " Yes." " Will you tell us too?" "Savastano." "Carmelo Savastano." "And I wanted to kill him." "And I would have done, if someone hadn't beaten me to it." " How would you have done it?" " I was going to shoot him." "Do you have a gun?" " Yes." " Where do you keep it?" "I keep it on me." "Can you stand up, please?" "With your hands in the air, please." "There's a bullet missing." " It's been fired recently." " I'd never used it." "I kept it in a drawer." "I wanted to see if it worked." "Is that a problem?" " Where did you try it out?" " In the supermarket car park." "The supermarket car park?" "Yes, in the evening." "Everyone had gone home." "Let's forget about that for now." "Please sit down." "In the supermarket car park he fires his gun!" "Can we go back in time for a moment?" "." "I'll try." "When you fell for Loredana, she was a shop assistant in your supermarket." " Yes." " We know that at that time, Loredana" "..was seeing Carmelo Savastano." " Yes, she told me." "But by then they weren't getting on." "They weren't?" "Why's that?" "." "Savastano treated her badly." "Just think, once... he wanted her to sleep with someone he owed money to." "But she refused, obviously." "And he cut up all her clothes with the scissors." "She wanted to leave him." " So he blackmailed her." " How?" "He threatened to publish some compromising photos." "And a video they had made when they were first together." " What did you do?" " I asked for a meeting." "We met down at the jetty and I got straight to the point." "I told him to give me all the photos he had." "There was a bit of a negotiation, but we finally came to an agreement:" "200,000 Euros in cash." "100,000 when he handed over the photos and video, and 100,000 on the eve of my marriage to Loredana." " Did Savastano stick to the deal?" " Yes." "Do you still have the material Savastano gave you?" "I destroyed it." "Listen... supposing you're telling the truth, why do you think Savastano would want to rob and rape your wife?" "I think he was instigated." "Instigated?" "By whom?" "By Valeria Bonifacio." " Why would she do that?" " Why?" "Because she hates me, she loves hurting us." "And because she's jealous of the love Loredana feels for me." " What do you reckon?" " Well..." "He's either very wily, and he's playing a difficult game, or he's a poor wretch up to his neck in shit." " What do you think?" " I totally agree with you." "I'll listen in to the wiretapping, you take the gun to Forensics." " And try and find out something else." " What?" "Did you hear about the shoot-out with the three immigrants?" "Yes, I heard about it." "And I probably thought the same thing as you." " Who were they?" " The three guys from Spirito Santo." "That's right." "Now if I ask Sposito about it, he might not tell me," "..but if you ask a colleague..." " I'm with you." "I'll go then." " Good morning." "I'm Montalbano." " Hello." "Officer De Nicola." "How long have you been wiretapping the calls?" "Since seven this morning." "I've recorded something." "Want to hear it?" "." " Yes, thanks." "Shall I use this one?" " Yes." "I'll plug it in." " Hello?" " How are you, Valeria?" " Loredana!" "My poor sweetheart." " When are you being discharged?" " Tomorrow." "Listen, my husband was summoned to the police station." " Do you think they'll arrest him?" " I don't know." "Listen..." " Is everything okay there?" " Don't worry, everything's fine." " Do you swear?" " I swear." " I'm going crazy here, not being..." " Take it easy, calm down." "Don't do anything foolish, just be patient." "Trust me, you'll make up for lost time." " The doctor's here, I have to go." " Wait a second, sir." "Just a second." " Valeria, it's me." " You're crazy!" " Listen..." " Don't call me until I tell you you can, okay?" " Where did this 2nd call come from?" " From a mobile in Monreale, sir." " That's all I can tell you." " Can you make a recording of it?" " Of course." " Can you do it now?" " Yes." "Did you talk to the anti-terrorism squad?" "Yes, they said their men had been after our friends for several days." "So they turned the cattle shed into a storeroom?" "Yes, they were trafficking arms between here and Tunisia, but not for profit, because they want to start a revolution there." "Sposito gave the order to arrest them, without shooting." "But what happened?" "The Tunisians were hiding in a cave, and Sposito's squad walked past without noticing." "Then suddenly they heard a round of machine-gun fire, and they starting firing at random." "But the Tunisians still got away." "They reckon one of them is wounded, because they found a lot of blood." " And there's something else." " What?" "Ballistics have ruled out that Di Marta's gun killed Savastano." "He was killed with a similar gun, but it wasn't his." " So that goes in Di Marta's favour?" " That's right." "Come in!" "Giuseppe!" "I'll say goodbye, I'm going to Valeria Bonifacio's." "Isn't it a bit early for dinner?" "I have to go home for a shower, I might even wear some perfume." " What's it called, "Virilite"'?" " Go fuck yourself!" " Hello?" " Hi, Salvo." "It's me, Niccolo'." " What can I do for you?" " Can I come round in 20 minutes?" " Why?" " I need to interview you." " Again?" "What about?" " Haven't you heard?" " No, what's happened?" " Tommaseo's arrested Di Marta." " Oh da..." " What did you say?" "Nothing." "Just try and get here as soon as possible." " I'll be right over." " Bye." " Hello!" " Hello?" "Mr Tommaseo?" "This is Montalbano." " I heard..." " Yes, we have strong evidence." "We didn't want him to tamper with the evidence." "And what's more he could attack his wife again." "Yes, but did you know the police lab said the killer's gun was not the one I confiscated from Di Marta?" "Yes, I was informed during the interrogation." " But it isn't relevant." " Okay, I understand." "Goodbye." "Neither I nor Public Prosecutor Tommaseo believe that Mr Di Marta actually fired the shot, though he may have instigated the murder." " Have you any proof against Di Marta?" " Not yet, but several clues." "It appears Forensics, after examining Di Marta's gun, has ruled out that it was the gun used to kill Savastano." "That's right, it isn't." "But if Di Marta ordered the killing, the fact that it isn't his gun is totally irrelevant." "So the police are still looking for the actual killer?" "The killers." "We are convinced there were at least two people." "Hi, how are you?" " Shall we go and eat at Enzo's?" " Do you mind if we go home instead?" " Why, aren't you feeling well?" " I don't know." "How do you feel now?" "I don't know." "I've never fell like this before." "What is it you feel?" "When I wake up in the morning... I feel like crying." "I'm sorry, I don't even want to talk about it." " No, I'm sorry." " It's not your fault." "It's got nothing to do with you." "Or with our relationship." " What is it then?" " I told you." "I don't know, I can't work it out." "It feels like... a threat of emptiness as though I were about to lose someone, someone dear to me." "A bit like when I found out that my mother had an incurable disease." "Something like that." "But I don't want to trouble you." "Good night." "Good night." " Montalbano!" " Sposito." "The chief says I'm to work alongside you." "I told him it's not a good idea." " You don't understand, I need men." " What am I, a horse?" "I need men to carry out orders, not someone like you." " You don't want me in your way." " It's not that!" "I won't steal the credit for their arrest, you know." "Fuck off, Montalbano!" "And I don't want you, is that clear?" "Very clear." "You know what?" "You go fuck yourself too!" " Sir." " Good morning." " Have there been any more calls?" " Yes, sir, her husband called at 8." "Then at 9 Mrs Bonifacio called Mrs Di Marta." "Do you want to hear it?" "." "Yes, let me hear the second one." "Here it is." "Loredana, sweetheart, I'll pick you up in the car." " I can't believe we can spend time together." " I can't either." "Listen, don't get angry, does he know they're discharging me?" " No, I didn't tell him." " Why not?" " It's for the best, trust me." " Have you heard about your husband?" " Yes, from the TV." "I've met someone who might come in handy." " I'm working on him." " Who is he?" "A lawyer, his name's Diego Croma." " What do you think?" " Valeria's in this up to her neck." "You've found me something on her already, but not enough." "I want to know everything about her." "I'll try." "It won't be easy, but I'll try." " Start right away." " Yes." "Come in!" "Giuseppe, come here." "And shut the door." " Have you got any news?" " As I told you... I went to Valeria's yesterday." "She came to the door in this dressing-gown... you could see everything through it." "From her bra to her panties." " Battle dress?" " Yes, sir." "But as she's very careful about dosing things out, she didn't take me to the bedroom, we sat on the divan." "Where..." "Mimi, we've got the idea." "We stopped when we got to the best bit." " Why's that?" " She wouldn't let me go any further." "She likes to keep people hanging on." " How did she react to my interview?" " She asked if I'd take a big risk." " Is that what she said?" " Yes, "take a big risk"." "I'm willing to risk my life for you, my dear." "Did she tell you what you were to do?" "Believe me, she's a wily one she is!" "She mentioned a parcel she would give me, but it wasn't for me." "I asked her who I had to give it to, and she started laughing and said I didn't have to give it to anyone." "I had to put it somewhere without getting caught, because if I was, I'd be in deep trouble." " And what is in this parcel?" " She said it's better I don't know." " When will she hand it to you?" " Someone's bringing it to her." " Are you going for dinner?" " No, lunch tomorrow." "She's out tonight." " Perhaps she's going for the parcel." " I think so too." " Come on, get a move on." " You're crazy." " Have you got the gun then?" " What are you thinking of?" "I won't give it you even if you start crying." "Don't you see if this gets out, and the police find the gun," "Di Marta is screwed for good, and you'll come out of it clean." "What if it doesn't work out?" "." "Anyway, it's in the sea." " In the sea?" "I don't believe you." " I tell you I threw it..." "What was that?" "Let's get out of here." "Good morning." " Sir." " Good morning." "I won't keep you long, I just want to know whether from 6.30 pm yesterday," "Mrs Bonifacio made or received any calls." "I'll check, but I think she did." "Yes." "At 6.50 pm she called a woman called Nina, and at 11 pm she made a longer call to a man called Diego." " Can I hear them?" " Of course." " I'll use this one." "Help yourself." "Here we are." " Hello, Nina." " Hello, ma'am." " Are you free tonight?" "Mimi, well?" " Well..." " Wait, let me guess." " Valeria's ditched you." " How do you know?" "I can tell by the look on your face." "Tell me about it." "She called me last night, it must have been about 11 o'clock." "She kept me talking for about half an hour and told me it was all over." " She didn't feel she could carry on." " Because she's a honest woman, etc." " That's right, how do you know?" " I do know a bit about women too." "I couldn't get her to change her mind." "Can I tell you something?" "You're losing your touch." " That's right." " That's right, yes." "Come in!" "Good morning." " Come in." "Have you heard the news?" " No." "Our Mimi Augello here has been dumped by Valeria." " Is that so?" "How come?" " It's quite simple..." " Can I tell the story?" " No." " Why not?" " You're taking the piss." "This time it's all in your favour, may I?" " Let's hear it." " Valeria dumped our Don Giovanni here, not because his virility fell short." "No, it was simply because she didn't have the parcel she was to give him." " Who told you that?" "." " Trust me, that's what happened." "But did Valeria ever mention a woman called Nina?" "Nina?" "No, never." "Okay." "This morning Di Marta's supermarket is opening again," "Loredana will probably take her husband's place, you go and see her." " What excuse do I use?" " I don't know, tell her... that Valeria ditching you was a hard blow, that you find it unbearable, that you're a wreck, and ask her to put in a good word for you." " Which is better than nothing." " We'll go and talk to her neighbours." " All right." " Let's go." "Bye, Giuseppe." " Good morning, I'm Commissioner Montalbano." " Good morning." " Do you live here?" " Yes, we're here on civic duty." " In what way?" " We watch people throwing out their garbage." "Paper with paper, glass and plastic with glass and plastic, and smelly stuff with smelly stuff." " Or they all please themselves." " Well done." "Listen..." "Can I ask you a question?" "Do you know Valeria Bonifacio?" "Of course." "She lives opposite." "What can you tell me about the people she hangs around with?" "Valeria?" "I only ever see her with a girl friend." "A pretty girl, a very pretty girl, what's her name?" "Loredana, that's it." "They're like two sisters, they're inseparable." "No men?" "Now I think about it... yes." "There was a man, until two months ago a man used to come and see her." "Three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday." "And always after lunch." "But I haven't seen him for the last two months." "The last time he was here, Valeria leaned out of the window and shouted such terrible words..." "She told him not to come back." "And how old is this man?" "I reckon he's 35 at the most." "He's at least 1 .80 mts tall, and always drives the same car." "A silver car." "Do you think he's her boyfriend?" "They didn't greet each other like boyfriend and girlfriend." "He can't be a relative either, she has no brother or cousins." "Listen, you said this man used to come here regularly." "Do you know whether Loredana was here when he came to visit?" "Now I think about it, yes..." "Loredana was always in the house when he came." "One last question, do you know someone called Nina?" "Of course, Nina's Valeria's maid." "She was also her wet nurse, her mother's milk dried up because of her troubles." "Mimi, did Valeria tell you anything about her mother being unhappy?" "She did tell me she didn't have a very happy childhood, because her father had a mistress, who bore his child." " So Valeria has a step-brother?" " Yes." " Older or younger than her?" " A few years older." " Did the father recognise him?" " She didn't tell me." " How did it go with Loredana?" " Fine." "She knew who I was." "And she told me that Valeria did actually like me." "So I played it up a bit, I even managed to shed a few tears." "She was moved and promised she'd talk to Valeria." "Good." "Come in!" " Well then?" " No luck." "There's only one male Bonifacio, Vittorio." "Valeria's father." "The step-brother could have been registered with his mother's name." " What was Valeria's mother's name?" " Agata Tessitore." " But she died three years ago." " I'll give it a try, it's worked in the past." "Do you want some water?" "No, thanks, sir." " Hello?" " Hello!" " Adelina, it's me Montalbano." " What can I do for you?" " I need some information." " Go ahead." "Do you know an elderly woman called Nina, who cleans for a lady called Valeria Bonifacio?" " Nina Bonsignori?" " I don't know her surname." "I know a Nina who buys her fish where I get mine, and she's always saying how good the lady she works for is, how kind and how beautiful, and she says she was her wet nurse." "That's her!" "When will you see her?" "Tomorrow morning at 7.30 at the fish market." "Listen, I'll tell you what I want you to ask her, but don't make a big thing of it." "Ask her who her boss's father was having an affair with." "Then call me when you have the name." " Okay, I'll call you tomorrow." " Thank you, Adelina, bye." " Tell me what it is you feel." " Salvo, it's... it's like a constant state of anguish that I can't get rid of." "However much I try, and I assure you I am, I can't find a reason for it." "It's as though from one minute to the next something bad is going to happen to me." "We can't just sit back and do nothing." "All right, if I still feel like this tomorrow, take me to a doctor." "But I want to try and get some sleep now." "Good night." "Hello?" " Commissioner, this is Adelina." " Tell me, Adelina." "I spoke to Nina Bonsignori, who didn't need any prompting to talk about her boss, who called her mobile while she was telling me the story." " Do you have a mobile?" " We all have." " Carry on." " She told me the father's mistress" "..was called Francesca Lauricella." " Francesca Lauricella?" "All right." "Thanks a lot, you've been a big help." " You're too kind." "Goodbye." " Bye." "Valeria's step-brother is called Rosario Lauricella." "He's 35." " Where does he live?" " In Monreale." "And what's more, I know who he is." " Who is he?" " The Cuffaros' man in Monreale." "I can't believe the Savastano murder was a Mafia crime." "Why?" "Because Guttadauro said so?" " He could be taking the piss." " No, Guttadauro was sincere," "..very sincere." " What about it?" "What about it..." "I'll be honest, mine is a reconstruction that can't be proved." "It's based on two theories, that cannot be proved either." "The first is that Carmelo Savastano continued to blackmail Loredana even after her marriage to Di Marta." "The second is that Rosario and Loredana, after meeting at Valeria's, ended up in a relationship and became lovers." "Now... when Savastano started blackmailing Loredana, Valeria told Rosario." " Why's that?" " Because Valeria, who's the smartest of them all... had a precise plan in mind." "In one fell swoop she wants to be rid of Savastano and Di Marta." "Two months beforehand, what does she do?" "She pretends to have a fight with Rosario and breaks off any contact." "She's so careful that when she wants to talk to him, she uses her maid's mobile." "I told you she was wily one." "Valeria, in order to carry out her plan, stages the fake robbery and rape." "To show us, and especially Loredana's husband, that Savastano was involved." "Then Di Marta became our prime suspect of the future murder." "We're with you so far." "Now let's hear the second episode." "When Loredana told her husband Savastano had raped her," "Valeria gets on to Rosario." "And what does he do?" "He waits for Savastano in the dark, he kidnaps him, kills him and sets fire to his car." "He wants it to look like a Mafia crime, but the Mafia denies it." " What about the parcel?" " That's simple." "Valeria knows there's no evidence against Di Marta, so she gets Rosario to give her the gun he killed Savastano with, she cleans all the prints off and gives it to you." " What was I to do with it?" " Hide it in Di Marta's office, at the supermarket, then she'd send us an anonymous letter, and Di Marta would be screwed for good." "But Rosario doesn't trust her, he says he's thrown the gun in the sea." "I think it could also be true because he's no fool, or not stupid enough to keep hold of the gun." "You've told us a nice story, now how do we make it reality?" "We have to set a trap for Valeria Bonifacio, it's the only way." "This will take place in three stages." "The first, we call her in, you and I, Fazio, will keep her chatting." "Five minutes later..." ""knock knock" and you walk in, Mimi." "I introduce you as my deputy Augello." "We'll ask her about the parcel, and she'll say it was a joke, a gift." "Then we get to the third stage." " What's that?" " I'm not telling you, I want you to be spontaneous." " Catarella, what's up?" " I bumped into it twice." " There's a lady to see you, sir." " Please come in." "Have a seat." "As you know, the judge hasn't confirmed Di Marta's arrest." "So the Prosecutor has asked for further investigations." "I've told you all I know, commissioner." "Yes, that's right." "I know, you've been very loyal... ..and sincere with me, so I'll be the same with you." "Right then..." "Please answer these questions." " All right." " Do you know a lawyer called Diego Croma?" "Yes, I know him, but..." "Come in!" " Good morning." " This is Deputy Commissioner Augello." "Why did you have to use a false name?" "I'd have fancied you even as a cop." "Can you tell me what you were going to put in the parcel that Mr. Augello was to hide in a place you didn't reveal to him?" "What do you think was in it?" "A necklace, it was a surprise for Loredana, to take to her office at the supermarket." "Why did you change your mind?" "Because I wanted nothing more to do with Mr Croma, or Mr Augello, whatever his name is." "Seeing our relationship was becoming a little too intimate, especially from his side, I preferred to end it." "It appears you met a man the other evening." "I haven't been out at night for months." "We have been intercepting your phone calls recently." "Is that so?" "Then why don't you let me listen to these calls in which I arranged to meet this man?" "I can't do that because you used your maid's mobile." "Nina Bonsignori's." "You must have dreamt all this." "And what if I had?" "What if I had arranged to meet this man?" "Is it a crime?" "No, that's not what I said, in fact." "Let me ask you something." "Do you remember why you and that man were forced to end your conversation and run away?" "How could I remember?" "I wasn't there." "Let me remind you." "Someone in the vicinity made a noise." "That someone was me." "I kicked a tin can while I was moving closer." "Do you want to hear it?" "You can hear the conversation you and that man had on this." "You asked him for the gun he had killed Savastano with." "You were going to put the gun in a box and give it to Mr Augello." "Mr Augello was to hide it in Di Marta's office." "Then Di Marta would've been screwed for good." "But the man told you he didn't have the gun anymore, he'd got rid of it." "We identified that man." "Rosario Lauricella, your step-brother and the lover of your friend Loredana Di Marta." "But do you know what?" "That man lied to you." "It's not true he threw the gun away." "We found it in his home when we went to arrest him two hours ago." "We questioned him and he gave in straight away." "And he said you had organised everything." "So I am forced to..." "He's useless!" "The bastard!" "All he can do is kill people and rob them!" "I'll show you all, all of you!" "Calm down, have you gone crazy?" " She's bitten me." " Let's get her out of here." "Let go of me!" " I'll show you all!" " Take hereto the security cell." " What can I say?" "Well done." " Did you like the third stage?" " The business about the conversation recorded in here?" " You took a risk." "It was the only way to get her to confess." "There's one thing I don't understand, or rather... I can understand why Loredana and Rosario would do it, but I don't see why Valeria would." "Once Di Marta got sent down, Loredana would have owned all his wealth, and she'd have compensated her friend for getting rid of her husband." "What's more, Valeria felt something more than friendship for Loredana, almost love, in fact." "She'd have done anything to see her happy, but she'll never admit it." "By the way, when do we take her new statement?" "Do it straight away, because if she calms down, she might just change her mind." "You go and see Tommaseo and get him to issue two arrest warrants." "One for Rosario Lauricella, the other for Loredana Di Marta." "All right." " Hi, Salvo." " Livia." " How are you?" " I don't know." " What do you mean you don't know?" " Something strange happened." "I was having another of my anxiety attacks, then suddenly, in the afternoon..." "It must have been about 6 p.m." "the anguish wore off." " At last!" " But wait..." "It was replaced with a feeling of resignation, as though... there was nothing else I could do." "As though what I feared had already taken place." "And all with that sense of loss, that sense of emptiness inside." "And I've been weeping ever since." "But it's made me feel better." "Why didn't you go to the doctor like you promised?" "Galluzzo said..." " No, I don't need to go anymore." " But you're not feeling..." "Please, Salvo, I'll get over it, I know I will." "That's enough now." "I've made you something to eat." "It might not be as good as Adelina's cooking, but I did my best." "I'm sure it'll be fine." "To your health!" "I'll soon be back to normal." "But I want to go home tomorrow." " Why?" " I think it will do me good." "In fact, I'm sure it will." " Do you want me to drive you?" " lf you want to." " Of course I do." "We'll leave tomorrow morning then." "Okay." "What's it like?" " Do you want the truth?" " Oh no!" "No, it's really good!" "Delicious." "It's better than Adelina's cooking." " No... no, I swear!" " You're telling fibs." "Fazio, sorry for not asking you in, but Livia's asleep." "No, I'm sorry to disturb you so late." "I just wanted to tell you that Tommaseo did what we asked." "He immediately signed the two arrest warrants." "We've arrested Loredana, but we can't find Rosario." "It won't be easy finding him." "He's the Cuffaros' man, they're bound to protect him." "Think so?" "I'm not so sure." "How did it go with Loredana?" " We went to the supermarket to get her." " Did she kick up a fuss?" "No, sir, but I didn't tell her I had a warrant." "I told her the Prosecutor wanted to see her straight away." "She called a head shop assistant and asked hereto lock up later." "The customers didn't even notice." "But I think she was expecting it." "I think we can call it a successful day." "Thanks." " For what, sir?" "It's my job." " Good night." " Are you ready?" " Yes." " Let's go." "Wait a sec..." " Hello?" " Montalbano, this is Sposito." " Can you be ready in 15 minutes?" " Ready for what?" "I want to show you something." "I'll send a car round." " No, there's no need." "Where are you?" " Contrada Casuzza." "Do you know it?" "." " Yes, but what's happened?" " I prefer you to see for yourself." "I'm on my way." "That was a colleague, I need to call off somewhere first." "All right." "Let's go." "Hi." "Hi." "It's the third Tunisian." "He was killed in the shoot-out." "He wasn't an arms smuggler, he was a freedom fighter." "He was the one in the hayloft who saw you through the binoculars." "We've identified him, I wanted you to see him before they took him away." "No, please, no!" "No, please, no!" "No, Francois!" "No, Francois."