"Inspector Montalbano:" "The Scent of the Night" "Who's the woman?" "The name of the hostage." "Cosentino." "Gargano's secretary." "I see." "Galluzzo, how old is the man?" "About 80." "A good person." "I can't understand why he..." "Salvo is here." "Excuse me." "Hello, Inspector." " ls he still inside?" " Yes." " ls he armed?" " Yes." "I want my money back from Gargano." "That son of a bitch!" "He stole from me." "I want my money or I'll kill his employee!" "My dear Mr Garzullo!" "It's nice to see you." "How are you?" "Fine, thanks." " Stop or I'll shoot!" " For the love of God!" "I'm ready to sacrifice myself for Mr Gargano." "Don't talk nonsense, no need for sacrifices." "Where were you last night, Mr Garzullo?" "What's it to you?" "Just answer me." "At home." "I'd just come back from the hospital." "You didn't watch TV?" "What's this TV crap?" "What are you on about?" "That's why you haven't heard!" "Heard what?" "Mr Gargano has been arrested." "Ls... that a fact?" "On my word!" "Yesterday, in Messina." "He had 1 2 suitcases full of money." "The restitution of money starts today in Montelusa." " Do you have a receipt?" " Yes, here in my pocket." "Sure?" "Right here." "There's no problem, then." "Can I go tomorrow?" "Sure." "Galluzzo, Fazio, into the car, quickly!" "To the hospital." "Please send all these people away." "If someone asks about Gargano, don't say anything." "Shall I warn the authorities about the false news of Gargano's arrest because lots of people will apply..." " Will you see to it?" " Yes." " See you at the station." " Bye, Salvo." "Are you all right, Miss?" "Want a glass of water, coffee, anything?" "A glass of water, please." "Tortorella, a glass of water for the lady." "Right away, sir." "Why do they hate Mr Gargano so much?" "Why?" "Because he disappeared with their money." "But why think the worst?" "He could have lost his memory due to an accident, a fall, who knows?" "I can understand... even appreciate your loyalty to your employer, but this man has swindled half of Vigata, and run away with several million euros." "Yes, I know." "Do you have any idea where the money is?" "I only know that he invested the money." "In what and where I don't know." " Did he and you..." " What?" "What are you suggesting?" "I was asking if he's contacted you since his disappearance." "If he had, I'd have told Mr Augello." "He questioned me." "I'll repeat what I told him." "Mr Gargano's one aim in life is to make others happy." "Yes." "Your water, Miss Cosentino." "Thank you." "I'll give you some advice, if I may." " Lock up and go home." " Why?" "Because soon the whole town will have heard about what Garzullo did and I wouldn't like some idiot to attempt the same thing." "No, I can't leave the office." "What if he returns and finds it empty?" "I can imagine his disappointment." "One last thing." "Do you intend to lodge a complaint against Garzullo?" " Absolutely not." " Better this way." " Bye, have a good day." " Bye." "Silence!" "Sorry, but the news you heard was wrong." "Gargano has not been found." "Silence!" "Know what I suggest?" "Go home and relax." "I promise we'll do our best to find that bastard." "We want our money back!" "If I find him, I'll eat him alive." "Did you warn the authorities to expect lots of people making claims?" "Yes, I said there was a false rumour about Gargano's arrest." "And I'm sorry that bastard hasn't been caught, Salvo." "You don't mean you too..." "Forget it, me too." "Bloody hell!" "Salvo, forget it!" "Yes, let's forget it." "Let me see if I've got it." "About two years ago, this accountant Gargano arrives from Milan, right?" "Yes, and to promote the economic awakening of our beloved and suffering land, he opens four companies, in Vigata, Montelusa, and two other important towns." "Soon he gets" "After six months he pays them 20% interest." "As you can imagine, people were queueing to hand over money until the accountant disappeared." " What do you think?" " About what?" "What are we talking about?" "Where do you think Gargano is?" "I think he had some mafiosi among his biggest clients who realised Gargano was swindling them..." "Where can we find a mafioso so stupid he can't see that Gargano is a swindler?" "Look, Guarnotta thinks that as well as me." "Why Guarnotta?" "He's an expert in fraud so he's decided to take part in the case." "Wonderful!" "So we'll have Guarnotta in the way as well." "It's marvellous!" "Damn!" "How much money do you think Gargano managed to get?" "According to Guarnotta, about 1 0 million euros." "When was the last time anyone heard from him?" "A month ago he rang Cosentino to say he was coming from Milan." "How?" "A month ago he told Cosentino he was coming from Milan." "Has Catarella infected everyone?" ""How" as in "by what means?"" "By plane, car, jumping from a helicopter?" "Cosentino didn't know." "Here in Vigata, he travelled in a BMW 5 Series, but we haven't found it." "Come in." "Sorry, sir, the Commissioner in on the line." "Thanks." "Excuse me." "Hello, Commissioner." "Montalbano here." "Montalbano, come here immediately!" "Yes, I'll be there in about an hour." "Do you understand the adverb "immediately"?" "Be in my office in 1 5 minutes." "Clear?" "All right, as you say, Commissioner, immediately." "Goodbye." "Right, as we were saying, did he have other employees in Vigata?" "Two." "A Giacomo Pellegrino, an economics graduate, and a Michela Manganaro, who's about to graduate." " Do you have their details?" " Yes." " Will you give them to me?" " Yes." "All right." "Listen, do me a favour." "In half an hour, call the Commissioner and say that on my way there my car ran off the road." "Nothing serious, three stitches, and if I feel better later," " I'll visit him." "Okay?" " Okay." "Bye, Mimi." "The old olive tree!" "What have they done?" "What a disaster!" "Those sons of bitches!" "Look at this!" "Ls that so?" "Damn you!" " Hello, Paola." " Hello." "How are you?" "Can I help you?" "May I?" "Come and sit down." "Thank you." "Montalbano, against my will" "I've been forced to poke my nose into some files concerning one of your unsavoury investigations of a few years ago, before my time." "It's a case involving a Tunisian prostitute, later found dead, who had a son called François." "Apparently, you once had intentions of getting married and adopting this boy." "Ls this true or not?" "Yes, it's true." "Later, you changed your mind about adopting the boy, so François was later entrusted to a sister of your deputy, Mr Domenico Augello." " Correct?" " Yes." "All in the family, eh?" "I can see that you already have a firm view about something which I'd almost forgotten." "Anyway, I'd ask you to weigh your words carefully." "Don't you dare threaten me!" "Come on, tell me what happened to the book." " What book?" " Stop pretending!" "What fucking book are you talking about?" "You haven't a leg to stand on." "But before the book, let's talk about the child." "The prostitute's child." "Without telling anyone, you took this orphan home." "That's child abduction, and there's a court for that." "There are special judges for minors, do you know that?" "You should follow the law, not flout it." "We're not in the Far West." "That's not all." "Not satisfied with this brave deed, you then gave the child to your deputy's sister, as if he were a toy." "Deeds of heartless people." "Criminal deeds." "But we'll talk about this again." "There's worse." "The prostitute had a passbook with 300 million in it." "This passbook passed into your hands, then it disappeared." "What happened to it?" "Did you divide the money with your accomplice," "Domenico Augello?" "I'll say this man to man." "Forget about the boy." "François has been legally adopted by Augello's sister and her husband." "Leave him out of this." "For your vendettas and stupidities, I'm here." "I'm more than enough." "Agreed?" "Agreed?" "Agreed." "And the passbook?" "Commissioner, where do you get all this information?" " Someone wrote to me." " An anonymous letter?" "Let's say... it's unsigned." "No, let's say it's anonymous." "Aren't you ashamed of that?" "Montalbano..." "Montalbano, come back here at once!" "Don't tell me I've lost it!" "As you tend to listen to anonymous letters, I won't sign this." "Meanwhile, I send you a copy of a receipt from notary Giulio Carlentini to whom Mr Salvo Montalbano entrusted the sum you asked me to account for." "The original is in the hands of Montalbano." "It can be seen by kind request." "Signed, a friend." " Come in." " Hello." "May I?" " By all means." " Good afternoon." " Remember me?" " Yes, Inspector." " Take a seat." " Thanks." "I need some information." "Do you recall me bringing you a passbook with about 300 million in it?" "Of course, it belongs to the Tunisian boy." "Exactly...." "And you still have it?" " Yes." " Sorry for asking, but I feared you might have invested it in a certain way..." "What do you mean?" "There was this nasty Gargano business." "I don't know if..." "You think I'm such a fool to trust a swindler like him?" "I put the money in the bank, as I told you." "In the bank, right..." "Sorry, I don't know what came over me." "Just forget it." "Thanks a lot." " Don't mention it." " Good evening." "Mimi..." "Listen, Mimi..." "Mr Augello isn't here?" "No, he's not here today." " He's away the whole day?" " Tomorrow and the day after..." "Why?" "Have you forgotten?" "His marriage license." "He's marrying Beatrice." "When is he getting married?" "Mother of God!" "In five days." "And you're his best man!" "Of course I remember, Fazio." "Who's that?" "He's come to report vandalism to a villa he's renovating." " When did it happen?" " Yesterday." " What's his name?" " Giacomo Pellegrino." " What did you say?" " Giacomo Pellegrino." " Has he signed his statement?" " He can do it now." "Well, Mr Pellegrino, if you've read it, you can sign there." "Hello, I'm Inspector Montalbano." "Hello, Inspector." "You didn't give your phone number." "It might come in handy." "0970-21 -03-02." " You're not from Vigata?" " No, I'm from Montereale." "You're renovating a seaside villa?" "It's not mine, it's my nephew's." "He has the same name as me." "He's the Giacomo employed at the King Midas?" "Yes, sir, that's him." "I see." "Why didn't he come to report it himself?" "Because, Inspector, this is what happened..." "About a month ago, the day before that bastard, the accountant Gargano was due to arrive... I remember it well, Inspector, it was August 31 ..." "Mr Gargano didn't swindle you too?" "Yes, sir, everything I had." "Don't remind me, because it makes my blood boil!" "So as I was saying, on August 31 at about 9 a.m. my nephew came to see me in Montereale saying that Gargano had phoned him and ordered him to leave for Germany to do some business." "My nephew had a flight leaving Palermo at 4 p.m." "So he left word that he'd be away for about a month and I was to take care of his villa." "Pardon my asking, but could you explain something?" "Go ahead." "How did you know Pellegrino had a villa in Marinella?" "I didn't tell you." "Would you satisfy my curiosity?" "No." "They also broke the windows, right?" "Yes." "Do you think I talk to fortune tellers, have a crystal ball?" " Don't get angry, Inspector." " I am angry." "I passed by it yesterday, to see how the olive tree was." "Was it okay?" "It's gone." "They removed it to make way for the villa of that idiot, Giacomo Pellegrino." "I see." "What do you mean you see?" "What do you see?" " Nothing." " Good." "Nothing." "Listen, seeing Giacomo Pellegrino is squandering money in Germany, do we have Michela Manganaro's address?" "Yes, Inspector, I wrote it here." " Here." " Thanks." "Who is it?" "My name's Montalbano, I'm a police Inspector." "Hello." "Inspector?" "You sure?" "That I'm an Inspector, I'm sure." " What do you want?" " ls Michela Manganaro home?" "Yes, she's resting." "Wait, I'll call my husband." "Filippo, come here." "Someone who says he's an Inspector is here." "Speak a bit louder, he's deaf." "Who is it?" "My name's Montalbano." "I'm a police Inspector." "Inspector, you must speak louder." "Manganaro is deaf, he can't hear." "Understand?" "Police!" " What do you want?" " What's happened?" "Police?" "Come in." "Thank you." "Mind your fucking business!" "Bastards!" "Go in." "Let's stay quiet, my daughter's sleeping." "I know why you came to see my daughter." " Sit down." " Thank you." "Because of that bastard Gargano." "Yes." "Are you a victim of his scam too?" "Filippo!" "I've told Michela, she won't be long." "Thanks a million." "Do you think I, Filippo Manganaro, am so stupid" "I'd be taken in by a scam concocted by Mr Gargano?" "I didn't want my daughter even to work for that thief." "Why?" "Did you know of Gargano from before?" "There was no need, because all those dealing with money are swindlers." "Have you ever heard of a book called..." "Das Kapital by Karl Marx?" "Here and there..." "Why, are you a communist?" "Communist?" "Communist..." "Begin, Beppe." "So comrades, come rally And the last fight let us face" "The Internationale unites the human race." "Here I am..." "At your service." "Glad to meet you." "Inspector Montalbano." " Michela, it's a pleasure." " Sorry to disturb you." "Don't worry." "I came to ask a few questions about your work and Mr Gargano." "Go ahead, but I've already been questioned by someone in your department." "Mr Augello, I think." "You've been questioned?" "Yes." " On the record?" " Yes." "Strange!" "Why didn't Mr Augello tell me anything?" "Ask him." "Mr Augello, besides being vain, has his head in the clouds, because he's getting married." "Could be." "I see..." "Having said that, I won't bother you any more." "Goodbye, then." "I'll see you out." "Bye once again." "Glad to have met you, Inspector." " Where shall we talk?" " The police station?" "And if we meet that jerk Augello?" "I don't like police stations." " Let's go to a bar." " You're joking." "People gossip about me enough." "But with you, there's no danger." "Why is there no danger?" "You could be my father." "Where to, then?" " Where do you live?" " There are people there." " Married?" " No." "So, will you decide?" "Take the first left." "It's a work day, so it's empty, but it's packed on weekends." " You come often?" " Sometimes." "I'd like to know more about Gargano's methods." "The money you collected, what did he do with it?" "Gargano often brought the cheques." "Then I, Mariastella or Giacomo deposited them at the local bank." "The same if the client came to the agency." "Later, Gargano had the money credited to his Milan bank." "And as far as we know, the money didn't stay there long." "It ended up in Germany or Liechtenstein." "Apparently he was accumulating money abroad so he could swindle us all when he chose." " Were you too..." " Swindled?" "No." "I didn't give him a single lira." "And even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't." "You met my papa." "But I lost two months' salary." " May I ask a personal question?" " Sure." "Did Gargano try to lay you?" "Well, officially, he did court me, just as he courted Mariastella." "She was very jealous." "But if I'd told Gargano I was ready to sleep with him, he would have fainted." " Why?" " He was gay." " Gargano was gay?" " Yes." "It took me a while to discover it." "Whereas Giacomo knew right away." "Maybe because he was gay." " Was Giacomo gay as well?" " Yes." "Before you ask, I must tell you I forgot to mention it to that arsehole, Augello." "What have you got against him?" "You see, Inspector, I slept with Augello." "Because I liked him." "But before I left the hotel bedroom," "Augello, with a towel over his willie, told me he was engaged and was soon to be married." "It was so mean I regretted sleeping with him." "That's all." "I'd like to forget it." "Let's forget it." "Listen... does Miss Cosentino know that Gargano is gay?" "Well, I think she was so much in love she wouldn't have noticed." "She can't tell the difference between a hen and a cock." "Do you think that Pellegrino and Gargano..." " Were they..." " Did they sleep together?" "Yes." "I think it was more probable than not." "No news from Pellegrino since Gargano's disappearance?" "I only know that when Gargano disappeared, so did Pellegrino." "And I'm not surprised." "Only Giacomo knew Gargano's business." "Maybe the previous morning he went to the bank and learnt that the money from Milan hadn't arrived." "So he made himself scarce." "That's my theory." "No, it's wrong because Giacomo left for Germany a day before Gargano was due to arrive." "Ls that so?" "What for?" "To do some business, on Gargano's orders." " Really?" " Aren't you convinced?" "Gargano sent Giacomo to deal with certain situations." "But things of little importance, and always in our agencies." "I doubt he'd send him to Germany for important deals." "Giacomo knew more than us, but he wasn't up to that level." "He lacked the experience." "I think he used that excuse on his relatives to disappear for a while." "Scared of irate clients." " To stay away for a month?" " I don't know what to say." " Do you mind if I smoke?" " No, go ahead." "Got a light?" "There should be a lighter there in the pocket." "There isn't." "I put it there a couple of days ago." "Be good." "Good... here." " Sorry, Inspector." " Got the registration number?" "I can't find Mr Augello, not even on the mobile." " Check his desk." " You authorise me?" " Yes, go ahead." " No need, all done." "I should hammer you for that." "Look in Augello's papers and tell me exactly when Gargano was expected." "September 1, when the interest was due." "At 9 a.m. 20 people were awaiting him." "Today is October 5 so there's been no news for 35 days." "Hello, Miss Cosentino, Montalbano here." " I need some information." " Ask." "How did Gargano come to Sicily?" " By car, in his car." " Milan-Vigata by car?" "No, he'd put the car on the Naples-Palermo ferry." "Same for the return journey." "I'd book him a single cabin." "I see." "Thank you." "Sorry for the trouble." "Here, have this bundle and take it away." " Did you sign them?" " Yes." "Sit down, I'll tell you what to do." "Now then..." "Montalbano here, who is it?" " Am I disturbing you?" " Who is it?" " It's Mimi." " Ah, tell me." "Do you have five minutes?" "Yes, tell me." "Not on the phone!" "Do you want to come here?" "Yes, if it's no bother." "Come then, I'll be waiting." "Who is it?" "Mimi." "I was calling from outside." "Damned mobiles!" " Mimi..." " Good evening." " What's happened?" " Nothing." " Nothing?" " I'll tell you." "Got two fingers of whisky, straight?" "Sit down." "Were you eating?" "No, don't worry." " I'm disturbing you." " Don't worry, I said." "Here." "Well, here we are." "Tell me." " I have a problem." " You don't want to marry." " Who told you?" " Never mind." "It's not that I don't want to get married... I love Beba." "I like everything about her." "The way she walks, how she dresses, cooks... the way she makes love, I like everything." "But?" "But I don't feel like marrying her." "Or rather, I feel like marrying her... but some nights I count the hours to the wedding day." "I'd like to fly off to Papua." "I've a couple of places I'd like to send you." "I didn't come here for you to take the piss out of me, Salvo!" "I'm just saying that to downplay the situation." "Downplay..." "I feel terrible!" "Want to continue?" " Are you really interested?" " Of course I am." "It's..." "I don't know what's happening to me." "Some nights I feel I have the heart of an ass." "The next night I have the heart of a lion." "I feel torn in half." "Understand?" "Sure." "Sometimes, I avoid taking on commitments because I'm sure I won't keep them." "And the next night I see myself as a father with four kids." "I don't know what to do." "I'm scared of freaking out at the last moment." "And Beba?" "How would she take such a blow?" "It's a constant agony, Salvo." "Understand?" "Yes." "Am I boring you?" "No." "Stuff you, Mimi!" " Got some for me?" " Sure." " One?" " Thanks." "Salvo, forget what I said last night." "It's all nonsense." "I want to marry Beba." "All the best, then." "Congratulations." "For what?" "Your work on Gargano." "Your contribution was miniscule." "My participation was minor, Guarnotta was in charge." "Don't blame me." "You have no idea where the money went?" "No." "We think that Gargano used the usual trick of smoke and mirrors." "He set up many companies overseas and shifted the money from one to the other hoping to lose all trace of it." "Didn't you think he could have disappeared around here?" "There's no proof of that." "No airline or train ticket, nothing to show he left Milan." "At least in the days before his disappearance." "He could have come by car." "No, his car is well-known here and no one saw it." "Paradoxically, Gargano may never have left Milan." "Anything else?" "I think Beba is rather angry." "Do you mind?" "Go, by all means." "Why are you pissing about with Gargano?" "I have no idea." "Any news of François?" "I spoke with Franca, he's well." " See you at the wedding." " Bye." "Fazio, forget what I said yesterday." "Augello said they searched for him." "But no one saw Gargano around here." " As you wish, Inspector." " Any news?" "I found a note among Mr Augello's papers, a man who says he saw Gargano's car in a country lane near the sea on the night of August 31." "But Mr Augello wrote "Do not take into account."" " So they ignored it." " Why was that?" "Because the witness is Antonino Tommasino." "What matters is that he saw Gargano!" "No, two years ago this man went to the police to report that he'd seen a three-headed monster." "And last year he came here saying he'd seen a flying saucer." "He told Catarella, who got excited and began..." " I can imagine." "Thanks." " it's all right." "Salvo!" " The wedding is postponed." " Changed your mind again?" "No, Beba received a call this morning." "Her father's had a heart attack." "She left at once." " What do I do?" " Meaning?" "I can't wait another month." "One night looking forward to the wedding, the next, wishing to run away from it." "Take me to the altar in a straitjacket or I'll crack." "Forget that." "Go and see how your father-in-law is, then come back to duty." "Meantime, I'll tell Livia." "No need, I already told her." "His future father-in-law falls ill, his aunt cries and despairs, his wedding is screwed up, and the first thing he does is call my fiancé!" "The idiot!" "Anyone home?" "Hello, Inspector." "I was passing and I wanted to see if you had any news." "None." " Take a seat." " Thanks." "No news from Giacomo Pellegrino in Germany?" "Germany?" "Yes, he had to go there for work." "Didn't you know?" "No, I didn't know." "I was wondering what happened to him." "I thought he didn't show to avoid..." "No, his uncle, who has the same name, told me he had to go to Germany on business for Mr Gargano." "He left on August 31." "The day before Mr Gargano's expected arrival?" "Correct." "Something wrong?" " Frankly, yes." " Tell me." "Giacomo worked most closely with Mr Gargano in making payments and working out the interest." "For Mr Gargano to send him far away when he was needed, seems strange to me." "Besides, Giacomo... didn't really understand high finance." "But Mr Gargano did, he was a wizard." "Of course." "You wouldn't have Giacomo Pellegrino's address?" "Sure." "Mrs Caterina!" " Mrs Caterina!" " Who is it?" "Come here." " This gentleman wants you." " Tell him to come up." "I'm coming." "Thanks a lot." " Hello." " Hello." "Who are you?" " Inspector Montalbano." " I was expecting you." "I felt it." "He's a degenerate criminal!" "He should go to prison and rot there!" "Who do you mean?" "My husband, of course." "He hasn't slept at home for three nights!" "He lives it up, gets drunk, goes with whores..." "he's a real bastard!" "I'm not here for that." " You aren't?" " No." " Take a seat, then." " Thank you." "Why did you come?" "Giacomo Pellegrino." "He rented the flat below, right?" "He's such a good lad!" "Clean, polite." "I'm sorry I lost him." " What do you mean?" " Because he left." " He no longer lives there?" " No." "Tell me from the beginning." "What beginning?" "About August 25, he told me he was leaving." "As he hadn't given notice, he gave me three months' rent." "On the morning of the 30th, he packed his suitcases, said goodbye and left the flat vacant." "That's the beginning and end." "You're sure it was the 30th, not the 31 st?" "Absolutely." "Because the 30th was my birthday." "And on that day, that great bastard of a husband left me here all alone." "Ah, I see." "Did he tell you where he was going to live?" "He told me he'd be going to Germany for a month, and when he got back he'd live in his house." "Did anyone come looking for him?" "No, no one." "Last question." "Do you know if he had a car?" "Giacomo?" "No, he didn't." "He had an old moped which only worked sometimes." "I see." "Okay, signora, thank you." "I won't see you out because I'm behind in preparing lunch." "Don't worry, have a good day." "Goodbye." " Hello, who's speaking?" " it's Montalbano, Catarella." " Good morning, sir." " Put Fazio on." "One moment." "Fazio, it's the Inspector." "Fazio here, Inspector." "Check the 4 p.m. flight to Germany on August 31 and see if there was a booking for Giacomo Pellegrino." "Yes." "Whereabouts in Germany, Inspector?" "I don't know." "Germany is a large country, it has many cities." "Ls that so?" "Trying to be funny?" "No, I was trying to get more precise information." "If I knew, I'd give it to you." " I'll check right away." " Good." "Franca." "Salvo!" "What a big surprise!" " How are you?" " Fine." "Heard about Mimi's wedding?" "That it's postponed?" "Yes." "Where is everyone?" "The adults are working, Giuseppe and Domenico are at school, and François should be back soon." "A seasonal worker has gone to fetch him." " I have something to ask you." " Yes?" "Remember when I brought François here?" "I didn't tell you that his mother Kerima had put aside a sum of money..." " Salvo!" "You're back!" " François, how are you?" " Will you sleep here?" " No, I can't." "I want to show you something." "Roberto!" " Like it?" " Beautiful!" "Papa gave it to me." " Who?" " Papa." "Ah, Papa." "Come on." "There you go." " I must tell you a secret." " Tell me." "When I'm big I want to be a policeman like you." " ls that so?" " Yes." "Come..." "Dear Commissioner, I hope you've received my anonymous letter and photocopy of the receipt for 300 million lire from notary Carlentini." "I enclose copies of all documents pertaining to the legal adoption of the child you accused me of abducting." "I consider the matter closed." "If you wish to go over that again, I warn you I'll sue you for defamation." "Salvo Montalbano." " Did you want me?" " Come..." "Here, Catarella." "Take this money, attach a stamp and post this letter." "But we have lots of stamps here." "I know, but I want to pay for this stamp myself." " ls that clear?" " Yes, sir." "Fazio!" " Coming." " Any news?" "Yes, Inspector." "Thanks to a mate in the airport police whose mate is going out with..." "Fazio!" "Pellegrino had a ticket issued by a travel agency for a flight at 4 p.m. on August 31." " Like his uncle said." " But guess what?" " He never took that flight." " Sure?" "Gospel truth." "Let's see." "Movements of Giacomo Pellegrino, on August 31, the day before he disappeared." "At 9 a.m. he meets his uncle." "At 2 p.m. he goes to the airport and changes his ticket." "What does he do in between?" "Where did I put it?" "Here it is." " Hello, who's speaking?" " it's Montalbano." "Sorry to bother you, I need information." " Go ahead." " Okay." "We've had no news of Pellegrino since September 1." "Can you remember if he came to the office on August 31?" "Inspector, I can't forget those days." "I've thought about them constantly." "On the 31 st Pellegrino came to the office late, about 11, and left almost immediately." "Said he had to see a client." "He came back after lunch, about 4.30, and stayed until closing time." "Thanks a lot and congratulations on your excellent memory." "Goodbye." "So, at 9 he meets his uncle, then goes to the office." "At lunchtime he rents a car, goes to the airport, changes his ticket and returns to his office." "Why all this rigmarole?" "To cover his tracks, sure..." "But from whom?" "And especially why?" "Mr Gargano had" "But Giacomo Pellegrino, what reason did he have?" " Hello, Inspector." " Hello." " I made that call." " Well?" "Pellegrino didn't sleep anywhere." "He rented a car on the morning of the 31 st and returned it at 4 p.m." "The car hire girl, who's quite bright, said the mileage corresponds to Palermo and back." "That fits." "She also said he specifically requested a car with a big boot." "Of course, for the two cases." "There's one more thing we need to know." " Where he slept on the 30th." " Exactly." " What do you think?" " No idea." "What an idiot!" " What is it?" " Get in the car and follow me." "Understand why I got so angry?" "Let's go inside." "This is where Pellegrino slept on August 30." "See?" "He probably shaved here." "Inspector!" " There are bags here." " Bags?" "Big bags, Inspector." "They're his." " There are only clothes." " Same here." "Did he go without even a pair of briefs?" "Where the hell has he gone?" " Who is it?" " Inspector Montalbano." "Sorry, I can't ask you in because I'm not dressed." "I only wanted to ask a few questions." "Good morning." "I wanted to ask you this." "When Pellegrino left, you said he had two large suitcases." "Anything else?" "Yes, he had a briefcase." "He kept papers in it." "Papers?" "How do you know?" "I saw it open once." "There were pages, letters, diaries, and some square things for the computer." " Disks?" " Yes." "So Pellegrino had a laptop?" "Indeed." "He always had it with him." " He kept it with him?" " He didn't leave it to me." "Right." "If you've no more questions, I'll say bye-bye." " Thank you." " Goodbye, signora." "Let's suppose Pellegrino has fled abroad." "The first question is why?" "He had little to do with Gargano's swindle." "If that's the case, it leads to the second question." "Where did he find the money to buy and renovate his villa?" "I don't know." "The villa signifies that he intends coming back." "Unless something happened to make him leave for good and to hell with the villa." "There's something else." "What happened to the moped?" "Maybe the uncle has it." "No, because the day he came to the station, he wanted to report the moped missing." " Did he do so?" " He forgot the rego, model, and even if it was still there or not." " So he did nothing." " Correct." " Fazio?" " Yes?" "What's the name of the man who saw the flying saucers?" "Antonino Tommasino." "But he's a raving lunatic, you can't rely on him." "Do we have a choice?" "No, we don't." "Where does he live?" "I'll draw you a map." "Do something else." "Go to all the banks in Vigata and ask about Pellegrino's financial situation." "How much money he had, what he did with it, any suspect payments, everything, okay?" " Okay." " Go." " Wait, it must be precise." " A map, not a painting." "You might get lost, it's hard to find." "Nonsense." "May I?" "May I come in?" "Can I help you?" "Signora, the door was open, I even rang the bell, but..." "The bell doesn't work." "Don't worry." " I called out." " Don't worry." "I won't." "Inspector Montalbano, glad to meet you." "I'd like to speak to Mr Antonino Tommasino." "Of course." "I'm his wife." "Come, I'll take you." " Thanks." " Come, Inspector..." "Come." "Nino?" "Come, Inspector." "Nino..." "Nino, Inspector Montalbano would like to speak to you." " Glad to meet you, Inspector." " Likewise." " Please, sit down." " I'll leave you." " Coffee, Inspector?" " No, thanks a lot." "Please..." "Sorry to disturb you." "Reading anything interesting?" "The so-called Book of Roger by ldrisi." " Idrisi?" " An Arab geographer." "Satisfy my curiosity." "What did they say about me?" "They told me that often you see strange and non-existent things." "You're kind, Inspector." "In simple terms, they said I'm mad." "You're right, Inspector." "For some years now I've seen things which don't exist." "I have a grandson, Michele." "Sometimes we play right in front of the house." "One day, while we were playing," "Michele began making voices." "He said the clearing was full of horrible dragons." "To play the game, I screamed in fear, so much so that the little one got scared and tried to pacify me, saying "Grandpa," ""dragons don't exist, you mustn't be afraid." ""l just invented them as a game."" "You see, Inspector, for some years I've been like my grandson." "In the same situation." "I happen to see things which don't exist." "I see them for a while." "After a while, I realise they don't exist and they go away." "Ls that clear, Inspector?" "Crystal." "May I ask what they said I saw?" "A three-headed sea monster and some flying saucers." "Did they forget the dwarf from Venus?" "It seems so." "Do you agree with me that all those things don't exist?" " Of course." " Good." "But if I come and tell you that the other night I saw a car such and such why shouldn't you believe me?" "Ls a car imaginary, is it non-existent?" "I'm talking about an everyday item, a car with four wheels and a number plate." "I'm not saying I saw a dwarf from Venus." "Take me to where you saw Gargano's car." " Are you sure it was here?" " I'm positive." " Where was the car?" " Right there." "Are you sure it was on the night of August 31?" "I'm willing to bet on it." "Sorry to insist, but it's vital." "How can you be so sure?" "Because when I saw it I thought that the next day," "September 1, Gargano would pay me the interest." "Don't tell me you're Gargano's victim too?" "Yes, I fell for it like an idiot." "He took me for 20,000 euros." "That's why I was surprised to see the car." "But I was also glad as I thought he'd keep his word." "Instead, the next day, they said he didn't turn up." "Why were you surprised when you saw the car?" "The location, first of all." "Then the time." "it was well after midnight." " Did you check your watch?" " I don't wear a watch." "In daylight, I can tell by the sun." "In darkness, by the scent of the night." " The scent of the night?" " Yes." "Does the night have a scent?" "Every hour, the scent changes." "Pay attention, Inspector." "The car was right there, facing towards the sea." "Sure it was Gargano's car?" "A BMW 5 Series." "The same he used last year to screw me out of my money." "Maybe he had company..." "I don't think so." "This isn't a quiet place." "Two years ago, a young couple was assaulted." "Besides, a man in his position, with his money, doesn't need to screw in a car." "Sure." "Professor, you don't have to answer me, but what were you doing here at that time of night?" "I walk at night." "From my house to here is a brisk 20-minute walk." "I came that way." "I walked right behind the car." " Any passengers?" " I don't think so." "Unless they were inside and they hunched down on seeing my silhouette." "It should be here." "Well?" "Found anything?" "Mullet, white bream?" "Such luck!" "The car is right under here." "You're joking?" "I'll check it again." "Wait, Salvo!" "The discovery of Gargano's car came after an anonymous tip-off to the Montelusa police." "The recovery operation is continuing." "Meanwhile, the divers have brought up the body of a man trapped in the vehicle." "Let's speak to Mr Guarnotta, who's in charge of the case and received the anonymous call." "Has the corpse been identified, Mr Guarnotta?" "There hasn't been an official identification, but we can say that it's highly likely to be Giacomo Pellegrino, Gargano's associate." " Was there anyone else?" " In the car, no." "But there may have been another person who was thrown clear when the car hit the water." " Could it be Gargano?" " Possibly." "Thank you, Mr Guarnotta." "Awaiting the results of the search..." "There." "Did you make out what Guarnotta thinks?" "Guarnotta is quite clear, at least in private." "In public, he doesn't commit himself." "He thinks Gargano trod on the mafia's toes." "Either because he took someone's money, or he encroached on territory where he shouldn't have." "Even if that were so, what has Pellegrino to do with it?" "He was unlucky to be with Gargano." " Nonsense!" " Why?" "According to Guarnotta, they were found and shot, put in the car and pushed into the sea." "It's a matter of hours until they find Gargano's body, depending on the current." " You believe that?" " No." "How could the mafia know one day beforehand that Gargano would flee, and kill him?" "If he'd been killed two days after, sure, but the day before?" "You're right." "Something else is odd." "How do you explain that they were alone together, at that time of night, in a place for screwing?" " I don't think they were..." " Yes, they were." " ls that right?" " Yes." "Fuck!" "You remembered the way." "You've been back here?" "What was so urgent?" "I must go to Palermo for a few days to sit for some exams." "So I wanted to see you, to tell you something." "What is it?" "Such haste!" "What kind of exams?" "If I have time, I'll sit for one exam." "What else do you have to do?" " Come, come..." " Have you gone crazy?" "What do you think..." "Get stuffed!" "I fell for it." "I should have let you continue to see how you'd get out of it." "Exactly the same way as when you tried to kiss me." "I was sure you'd do that." "You love to provoke, eh?" "Yes." "While you like to play Mr Chastity." " Peace?" " Peace." "Did you want to tell me something or just play games?" "Half and half." "This morning when I heard Giacomo was dead, I was horrified." "How did he die?" "He was shot in the face." "A lot of things don't add up." "Let's hear them." "First, why was Gargano's car found here?" "There are two possibilities." "Either he left it for Giacomo, or else Gargano is back." "But why come here and risk everything?" "Go on." "Let's suppose Gargano was with Giacomo..." "Why meet in a car like illicit lovers?" "Why not go to Gargano's hotel or anywhere safer?" "The other times they didn't meet in a car." "Well, Gargano was miserly." "How do you know that?" "Well, not miserly, but stingy." "Once he took me to dinner." "I could sense his dismay when I chose expensive dishes." "Then he complained about the bill." "But... it only happened once." "It was part of his seduction technique." "He took Mariastella out once." "The next day she was in a complete daze." "She had a radiant smile." " Know what?" " Tell me." "Mariastella reciprocated." "She invited him to her home." "She has a large villa just outside Vigata." "She lives alone since her parents died." "Is it true that Mariastella still pays the agency's rent and phone?" " Yes." " ls she rich?" "Her father must have left her something." "She wanted to pay my wages out of her own pocket." ""Emanuele will reimburse me" she said and blushed all over." "Poor girl, she's crazy about him." "She won't accept reality." "What do you think happened?" "At best, Gargano is living it up on some Polynesian island." "At worst, he's being eaten by fish." "I'm going to sit for three exams." "Good luck." "Let me know the results." "Okay." "Bye." "Come in." "Hello, Chief." " Where have you been?" " Doing my duty." "When I heard, I put myself at Guarnotta's disposal." "As per instructions." "Did I do right?" "Excellent." "Was Gargano's body found?" "No, they've lost hope." "With all those currents, it could be in Tunisia." "Come in." " Sorry, Inspector." " Come in, Fazio." "I have news." "A scoop!" "Sit down." "On October 1 last year, 100,000 euros went into Pellegrino's account." "Another 1 00,000 arrived on January 1 5 this year, and 1 50,000 on July 7, making a total of 350,000." " Who made these payments?" " Emanuele Gargano." "Emanuele Gargano?" "Fuck!" "From his personal account, not the King Midas account." "And each time Pellegrino received a payment, next day he'd pay some money..." "For the mortgage and renovations." "Exactly, Inspector." "So, gentlemen, my main question is;" "why was Gargano paying money to Pellegrino?" "For love, why not?" "It wasn't just a sexual relationship." "I'd say it was blackmail." "He could have threatened to out Gargano." "Nowadays, who gives a stuff about being gay, Fazio!" "Gargano tried to disguise the fact." "Though it seems a bit weak as a threat." "I think this is what happened." "Listen carefully to this." "Well, Gargano organises a scam which takes time and needs a real organisation, such as an office, some employees, and so on." "One of the employees is Giacomo Pellegrino." "Pellegrino has a particular mind." "What do you mean?" "The mind of those people who deal with money." "They know all about money, like they know themselves." "How it shits, how it pisses, how it eats, how it sleeps, when it wants to reproduce, make more money, even when it gets suicidal." "And these particular minds are called big bankers, big operators, big speculators." "They are people who function only in their field." "Because out of it they become clumsy, limited, primitive, agreed?" "Giacomo Pellegrino has a particular mind and meets someone even more particular," "Emanuele Gargano." "They fall in love." "Gargano entrusts Pellegrino with more important tasks, and Pellegrino, who's no fool, soon learns that something doesn't add up." "But he keeps quiet." "He starts to keep a record, establish connections." "And Gargano is so much in love he never suspects?" "Even if he does, what can he do?" "Sack him?" "That would make things worse." "He hopes Giacomo is happy with the villa." "Precisely." "He'll take the money and Pellegrino will enjoy the villa." "Why tell his uncle he was going to Germany?" "So his uncle would tell us." "So he can appear squeaky-clean and say his trip to Germany was a ruse to get him out of the way." "Then why all this fuss with the tickets?" "To protect himself, from Gargano and us." "Pellegrino had it all worked out." "But there was one hitch." "What hitch?" "What hitch?" "A shot in the face is a mere trifle?" " No." " I think that Pellegrino, on feeling the sting coming, fled." "He went to Gargano demanding more money." "And Gargano agreed." "What's more, he said they'd go abroad together and live happily ever after." " And he accepted?" " On one condition." "That Gargano tells him where the money is held and gives him the access codes." "Gargano agrees, but says it's better to travel separately, so it won't look like they fled together." "Gargano had transferred the money some hours before and has no intention of meeting him abroad, right?" "Correct." "But Pellegrino is no fool." "And at dawn on the morning of August 31, the day they're supposed to leave, he calls Gargano and tells him to hurry to Vigata, otherwise he'll squeal to the police." "They must go abroad together." "Gargano has no alternative and rushes here in his car." "We meet at last!" "Bye." "I'm sorry." " Hello." " News about Miss Cosentino?" "Yes, she was born here in 1 950." "Her father, Angelo, merchant, honest and respected." "Her mother, Carmela Vasile-Cozzo..." " Her mother, Carmela..." " Carmela Vasile-Cozzo." "Thanks." "He made me waste a whole morning." "Then didn't even ask what I found out." "Carmela was my cousin," "Mariastella was her only child." "She was also my pupil." "She's always had a certain disposition." "In what way?" "She was awfully closed, reserved, almost surly." "She was an only child, and the loss of her mother at 1 5 undoubtedly had a negative effect on her character." "Since that day, she dedicated herself totally to her father and never left home." "Were they well-off?" "They weren't rich, nor were they poor." "Five years after Carmela's death," "Angelo died, the father." "Mariastella was now 20, but she behaved like a child." "Why?" "When I heard of Angelo's death, I went to see her." "I hugged her, wanted to comfort her." "She shoved me away and said to me "Why?" "Who's dead?"" "She wouldn't accept reality, wouldn't accept her father's death." "The situation went on for three days." "Poor Angelo's body was lying there on her bed, and Mariastella wouldn't let the undertakers do their job." "I thought she'd gone mad." "I thought she'd gone mad, but she wasn't mad." "She was simply scared." "Scared of being alone, scared of being an orphan, scared of having no one to give her support." " Miss..." " Are you hurt?" "Sit up." "Slowly does it..." "She just stepped out." "it's not my fault..." "No damage done." "Thank you all." " What do you want?" " I'll take her to hospital." "I'm not going to hospital." "I'm all right." " I want a medical report." " Why?" "Because later on, the lady can say she suffered fractures and I'll be in trouble." "I'm Inspector Montalbano, I'll take responsibility." "In that case, I'm going." "Where are you going?" "Home." "Thanks for everything." "Out of the question." "You're shaking." "Give me the keys, I'll take you." "No, no..." "Give me the keys." "Lean on me." "No, thanks, there's no need." "My car's there." "I'll get one of my men to drive your car home." " Please, come in." " Thank you." "That's my father." " Can I help?" " No, thank you." "If you'll excuse me just for a moment," "I'll get some cold water, it'll do me good." "Let's not stay in the vestibule." "I'll show you the other rooms." "Come, Inspector." "This is the first drawing room." "Follow me." "This way." "This is a second drawing room." "Follow me." "And this is the smoking room." "I know, it's a very large house for one person." "I live in one wing of the house." "There are rooms over there where I haven't been in years." "I know, it's a very, very large house, but I can't see myself living anywhere else." "That's all." "Please..." "Come, Inspector, come." "And this is the guest bedroom." "There's nothing else to see." "Forgive me, but I need to sit for a bit." "My room is just there, come." "The pain is unbearable." "Shall I call you a doctor?" "Yes, thank you." "Doctor La Spina." "His number should be next to the phone." "Thank you." " Hello, Dr La Spina?" " Yes." "Sorry to disturb you, I'm Inspector Montalbano." "Yes, I'm Dr La Spina." "I'm calling you from Miss Cosentino's home." "What's happened to her?" "Nothing serious, she was hit by a car and is in some pain." " I'll be right there." " Doctor... I must ask you something for which I'll take responsibility." "I need..." "please don't ask why..." "Miss Cosentino to sleep for some hours." " For her own good." " Leave it to me." "Thank you." "He's coming." "Thank you, Inspector." "Inspector, nothing is broken, only a bad hip contusion which I medicated." "And I gave her something." "She'll sleep for a few hours." "I also persuaded her to rest, just as..." "as you advised." "What do I owe you?" "I've known Mariastella since she was a child." "She might need a nurse or someone to keep her company." "Don't worry, I'll be here." "Good." "Goodbye, Inspector." "Good night." " Who is it?" " it's me." "Mr Gargano!" "What's happened?" "Mr Gargano..." "Mariastella..." "I need to talk to you." "Come on..." "I'd like to stay here for a few days." "Yes." "Gargano was only a con man, he couldn't bear Giacomo's murder." "After disposing of the car, he took the briefcase and ran to Mariastella, certain that she wouldn't betray him." "Mariastella received him, comforted him, took him in." "And then?" "After he fell asleep, she killed him." "Why?" "Jealousy?" "A mad reaction to the news of his affair with Giacomo?" "No." "Mariastella would never do that." "What, then?" "She killed him out of love." "She killed him, the only being she loved, to spare him from the scorn, dishonour and jail." " Did you call an ambulance?" " it's coming." "No need for you all to go in." "I told you what you'll find inside." "You'll also find a briefcase with the laptop and disks of Giacomo Pellegrino which will allow you to access Gargano's bank accounts." "You must try to recoup all the stolen money and give it back to those poor people." "See you." "You wait here." "You come with me."