"Lousy bastards." " Hello." " Catarella, is Augello there?" " No." " Let me speak to Fazio then." "Okay." "Yes,sir?" "Fazio, come to my place." "Bring Galluzzo too." "Has something happened?" "I'm on my way." "The world's full of bastards." "Follow the tracks back to where they killed it." "There you'll find iron bars, ropes and cigarette butts." "Gather it all up." "I want fingerprints, DNA tests." "I want to catch this scum." "Yes, sir." " Why do you think they did it?" " I don't know." "I've heard there's illegal horse racing in Vigata now." " You think this is connected?" " I don't know." "It could be." "They must have stolen him." "See if it was reported." "Are you kidding ?" "No one reports things here, you know that." "This is a serious business." "We're talking about millions here." " Who runs it?" " Michelino Prestia, 50." "He was an accountant for a supermarket firm." " But he's just a front man." " Who for?" "I don't know." " ls it your horse ?" " No." " Be straight with me." " Am I being crooked?" "If it's not yours, you won't have to pay for its removal." " It's not mine." " I'll take your word." " You know whose it is ?" " No." "Okay." "How did it die ?" "I saw the carcass from the window of my beach house." " You didn't see it die ?" " Evidently not." "I'lltakeyourword." "Take my word." "Hello?" " I was thinking." " About what?" "About who's responsible for its removal." " isn't it you?" " Yes, according to article 11 ." "ifit'saccordingtoarticle23, it's the hygiene office." "As you've always taken my word... take it for a while longer." "If you don't remove this carcass from my house within the hour..." " Who are you ?" " Inspector Montalbano." "it'sdefinitelyarticle11then ." "Really?" " So you'll remove it?" " Of course." "Are you sure?" "Why are you asking me ?" "Because the hygiene office might not agree." "You know about these matters of jurisdiction, don't you?" "Don't worry, it's article 11 ." "We'll send someone round right away." "Thank you!" "Bastards." " How can this be?" " it's gone." " What ?" "It was here." " I know, but it's gone." " How ?" "This is unbelievable." " I don't know." "Is it a joke?" " Are you joking?" " No!" "You think we're here to joke?" "Watch what you say!" " Let's go." " Go then!" " Fazio?" " Yes." "You see?" "I was on the phone when they loaded it onto a truck and took it away." "Inspector?" " Did you get everything?" " Yes, 2 iron bars, 2 ropes... 11 cigarette butts and a lighter." " Take it to Forensics." " What shall I tell them?" "That we're investigating the murder of a horse?" "Tell them there was a fight and we need to identify the aggressors." "They'll know it's horse's blood." "Galluzzo, just do as I tell you." "You see how fresh the tracks are?" "There must have been two or three of them at least." "Sorry, I slipped." " What is it?" " Esther's here to see you." "What's her name?" "I just told you." " Her name's Esther?" " Her surname's Man." "I'm Rachele Esterman." "Hello, I'm Inspector Montalbano." "I want to report a missing horse." " A horse?" " You already know about it?" "Yes." "Can you fill me in?" " Okay." " Do you live here?" "I've been staying with a friend in Montelusa for three days." "If you're here in Montelusa, you have to report..." "The horse was in the care of someone in Vigata." " What's their name?" " Saverio Lo Duca." "So you came to Montelusa with a horse?" " Of course, I had to." " Why?" "For the race in Fiacca tomorrow." "When did you realize it was missing?" "I didn't." "I was called today at dawn by the groom at Sciscì's livery yard." " Who's Sciscì?" " Saverio Lo Duca." "Saverio Lo Duca." "If they called you at dawn..." "Why am I only reporting it now?" "Because my horse, Super, would escape sometimes." "At 3:00 they told me they couldn't find him." "Is he a valuable horse?" "He's worth a fortune." "He's a racehorse, an English thoroughbred." "I don't think your horse was kidnapped." "How do you know?" "Have you spoken to the livery yard?" "No, but..." "He's dead?" "Yes." " Was he run over by..." " No." "He was killed." "Can I see he?" "No." "Whoever killed him took him away." "Have you recently received... any irresistible proposals?" "I've received many." "Some I accepted, some I didn't." "They never involved killing a horse." "Are you married?" "Yes and no." " Do you get on with your husband?" " We're like brother and sister." "But Gianfranco would sooner kill himself than a horse." "Thank you for your time." " You don't want to report this?" " it's too late now anyway." "Let me know if you find out anything else." "Yes, can I have your number?" " I'll give you my mobile number." " Okay." "34306..." " Yes." " 21235." "235." "You can find me at my friend's house." " Can you give me her number?" " I don't need to." "You have it." "it's Ingrid Sjostrom's." "You're a friend of Ingrid's!" "Good." "After you." "Goodbye." "Mimì!" "Fazio!" "Who was she?" "Cut the crap, come on." "Sit down" "Who was that lady?" "That was Rachele Esterman." "Guess why she came here." "To report a missing horse." " Where does Lo Duca keep his horses?" " In Monserrato." " Near Palumba." " I'll go there tomorrow." " Do you know Michelino Prestia?" " No, who is he?" "He's a front man for illegal horse races." "Fazio will explain everything to you." " illegal horse races?" " There may be a connection." "As I have friends who know Michelino Prestia... .. instead going through him..." " Okay, you deal with it." " Okay." " There's something I want to say..." "Go ahead." "We shouldn't believe everything Mrs Esterman told us." "You want to find out more about the lovely Mrs Esterman?" " Yes." " Do you want to see to that?" "Yes." "Okay, but I'll do it myself." "Ingrid?" " Ingrid?" " Salvo." " Why are you here?" " I was hiding." " Why?" " I wanted to see you." "I rang the bell, as you didn't answer I came in via the terrace." "But when I got here, I saw two men coming out of the house." " So I hid." " Did you get a good look at them?" "No, I immediately hid." " Were they armed?" " I don't know." " Which way did they go?" " I don't know." "When I looked, they'd gone." " Got any whisky?" " Yes, come inside." "Here you are." "Thanks." "That's better." "You really got a fright, I've never seen you like this." "When they left, I called you, but you didn't answer." "I thought that they'd... I didn't even have the courage to come in." " Can I take a shower?" " You know where everything is." " Who do you think they were?" " Just a couple of petty thieves." " They saw me go out..." " Tell me the truth." "How could they have known no one else was here?" "They took a chance, then they heard you and ran off." "I'm not convinced." "I don't want to eat out here." "Ever since I lived here in Marinella, nothing's happened." " There's always a first time." " Okay." "They won't come back now that we're here." "They stole my father's watch." "No, I'm sorry!" "So am I, but this just proves they were petty thieves." " I've lost my appetite." " Taste this, you'll see." "You have to try Adelina's ." "Well..." "Here's to my saviour." " When will the interviews begin?" " What interviews?" "With Rachele." "Does she appeal to you?" " No, she's involved in this case." " What did she do?" "Her horse was killed." "She says she has no enemies so it must be to get at Lo Duca." " So?" " I need to verify this." "How long have you known her?" "Six years." "We met in Palermo at the Hotel Igea." "It was 1 7:00 and I was in bed with a certain Walter." "We'd forgotten to lock the door." "She burst into the room, furious." "I didn't know Walter had another girlfriend." "He managed to escape, but she attacked me and tried to strangle me." "How did you become friends?" "That evening at the hotel restaurant." "She came to sit at my table and she apologized." "We both decided that Walter was a spineless bastard." "We hit it off." "And we became friends." " ls Esterman her maiden name?" " No, that's her husband's." "Hers is Von Tussen, she's a noblewoman." "If they're no longer in love, why doesn't she divorce him?" "He's very religious, he goes to church and to confession." "I don't know what he does at the Vatican, he'd never divorce." "I don't even think they're separated." " Did you try this wine?" " Yes." "It's amazing." "It's made in Pantelleria." "It's nice." "Good morning." " Who are you?" " The police." "I'm looking for Lo Duca's livery yard." "Are you from police HQ in Montelusa?" "Yes, why?" "My boss reported the theft, why else would you be here?" "Of course!" "Why did you go to Montelusa and not to Vigata?" "This place is huge, half of it is in Vigata, half is in Montelusa." "My boss obviously preferred to come to you." " Right." " This way." " Nice horses." " I know." " What's your name?" " Antonio Firruzza." " Are you the keeper here?" " For a few days." " The real keeper is Vario lppolito." " ls Vario his surname?" "No, that's his name." " When the theft happened..." " lppolito was here." " Where is he now?" " In hospital." " Poor man." " This way." "Come in." " How did the theft take place?" " lppolito told me." "He was asleep in his house, when the bell rang." "He thought it was our boss, so he went outside to look." "By the time he saw it wasn't Lo Duca, it was too late." "The intruder used a gun to make him open the gate with his keys." " Didn't lppolito see who it was?" " No." " It was really dark." " And then?" "Then lppolito felt a blow to his head." "The next morning we found him tied up and gagged." "The next morning?" "So it wasn't him that told Mrs Esterman." " No." " Was it you?" " No, it must've been my boss." " No, it wasn't him." "Go on." "I came here as soon as I heard, with two other colleagues." "When we got here, these two stables were empty." " The horses had been stolen." " Two horses?" "Esterman's horse and my boss's." "The two horses were similar, I thought it was strange... .. that they'd stolen two horses that were so similar." "Maybe they came here to get one horse in particular... then they saw two similar ones and they took them both." "I don't think that's what happened." " Why not?" " Because they knew the horses." "They took the right saddles from the tack room." "I think they knew what they were doing." "Inspector, Mrs "Striomstriommi" is on the phone." "Put her through." " Hello, Ingrid." " Hi." "Rachele called me from Fiacca." "She spent the night there, she's  racing one of Lo Duca's horses." "Good." "She said she'd be really pleased if you came to watch." "Me?" " What time's the race?" " Tomorrow at 1 7:00." "I can pick you up, we need to be there at 1 6:00.." " Okay." " I was right, you see ?" " About what?" " She does appeal to you." "Nonsense!" "What shall I wear?" " You look good naked." " Bye." " Thanks." " Wait, Inspector." "Fazio is waiting for you at the betting pool in Via Meucci." "Betting pool?" "Are they betting on fish?" " No, on horses!" " I know." " ls that Michelino Prestia?" " Yes, Inspector." "He loves gambling, he often spends all day here." "What do you know about him?" "He was an accountant for the Cozzo and Rampello supermarkets." "In 2004, he resigned and he hasn't worked since." "He's married to Grazia Stornello." " And?" " She's Marianna Todaro's daughter." "Are you going to run down his entire family tree?" "No, but Marianna's one of Balduccio Sinagra's three nieces." "A year after he married, Sinagra suggested he leave his job... to go and work for him." "Michelino said no, that he wasn't good enough." " What did Balduccio say?" " Nothing." "He got hooked on gambling a few years ago." "Things seemed fine for a while, but Cozzo and Rampello noticed money was missing." "Michelino had taken the money to gamble it." "Yes." "Because of Sinagra, he got away with just being fired." "But they wanted their money back and gave him three months." " He asked Sinagra for the money." " Yes, but he was told to get stuffed." "And then?" "He shows up with the money three months later." " Who gave it to him?" " Ciccio Bellavia." "One of the Guffaros?" "Yes, the Guffaros run the illegal horse races, not the Sinagras." "You think the dead horse and the illegal races are connected?" " Don't you?" " I don't know." "Every time we have a theory, it's wrong." "I think the horse was stolen to spite Lo Duca." " But they stole his horse too." " And so?" "Why did they steal Mrs Esterman's horse too?" "Right." "As far as I know, Lo Duca isn't involved in the races." " Are you sure?" " I wouldn't bet on it." "Lo Duca keeps saying that the Mafia respects him at least until recently." "Why would he say that?" " You know who's protecting him?" " No, do you?" " I'm asking you." " I'll find out then." "Where do they hold these races?" "The venues change, they run each week." " Always at night?" " Yes, they're very professional." "They use a generator and make it look like broad daylight." " How do they tell people?" " Using coded phone messages." " Can we decipher them?" " With the equipment we have?" "They don't even give us petrol." " Did you get the petrol today?" " Yes, will I be refunded?" " Mrs Esterman?" " Who's calling ?" " It's Montalbano." " Have you changed your mind ?" " About what?" " Are you coming tomorrow ?" "Yes, I'll be there." "Good, I'm glad." "I'd like to dine with you too." " Actually, tomorrow..." " No excuses." "Don't worry,  Ingrid will be there too." "Why did you call me ?" " Well, Mrs Esterman..." " Call me Rachele." "Okay." "You're sure it was the keeper who told you about the robbery?" "Yes, I think so." "I was sleeping." "Maybe I got it wrong." "Why ?" "Because Lo Duca told me the poor keeper is in hospital." " But..." " But what?" "I'm almost certain that he said he was the keeper." "Lo Duca hadn't told anyone  to inform me, that was his job." " Did he do that?" " Of course." " He called me from Rome at 9:00." " You told him you already knew?" "Yes, he said that maybe it was someone from the yard..." " But they hadn't been told to." " I see." " Just one more thing." " Wait." "You think that the person who called me wasn't from the yard but was one of the men who killed the horse?" " ls that right?" " Yes." " Why did they do it?" " Good question." "I have no answers right now." "I like you... I like talking to you." "See you tomorrow, Salvo." "See you tomorrow." "Ladies and gentlemen..." " Who's that guy?" " Baron Piscopo of San Militello." " We're his guests." " What's he like?" "He's dedicated to pious acts, he's very courteous." " ls that how he made his money?" " No." "His father left it to him." "He had shares in a German steel business." " By the way, do you have money?" " We pay to watch the race?" "No, but you have to place a bet." " How much do you win?" " The money goes to charity." " The winner gets a kiss." " How much are the bets?" "Whatever you want." "One thousand, two thousand..." "I don't have that much money." "I've got 300 euros at most." "That's fine." "Let me introduce you to our host." "Baron Piscopo of San Militello, this is Inspector Montalbano." " I'm honoured." " Welcome." " Thank you." " Do you like it here?" " Very much." " I'm glad." " We're going to place our bets." " Please excuse us." "I'll introduce you to the others later." "Which horse am I betting on?" "I don't know them." "On Rachele's, like me." "Give me the money and wait here." "You don't want me to do it?" "No, they'll let me jump the queue." "Great!" "Inspector Montalbano." "Rachele told me you were here." "I'm Saverio Lo Duca." "If you don't mind, I'll get straight to the point." " No, I don't mind." " Thanks." "Rachele told me she reported the theft to the police." " You told her it had been killed." " Exactly." " How did you know?" " it was a coincidence." "The horse died right outside my house." " And did the carcass disappear?" " Yes." " You know why?" " No, do you?" " I might do." " Why then?" "It's a vendetta." "Three years ago I had an argument with a stable boy... I lost my temper and hit him over the head with a stick." "I didn't think I'd hurt him, but he became an invalid." "I paid for his medical treatment... and I've kept him on the pay roll." " So why would he..." " He's not all there." "He left home, his wife's not seen him for months... if he's mad at you, why would he steal Mrs Esterman's horse?" "I reckon he thought both horses were mine." "Did you tell my colleagues in Montelusa about this?" "I don't want to make things worse for this poor man." "So why are you telling me?" "Because I've been told that you can be very understanding." "If that's the case, will you tell me this person's name?" " Gerlando Gurreri." " Gerlando Gurreri." "That's her, in the red jacket." "Yes." "She's the only one in red." "They're off!" " There they are." " She's catching up!" "Come on!" " She'd have won with her horse." " You think so?" " Are you disappointed?" " Yes, a bit." "Because you won't get a kiss from Rachele." "It's not fair, you should've won." " Maybe with my horse." " I met Giogiò." "Do you mind if I sit at a different table?" " No." " I'll take you home after dinner." "Okay." "Goodbye." "Well..." "Here's to your race!" "Did Lo Duca tell you his theory about the robbery?" " He thinks it's a vendetta." " Could that be the reason?" "Why not?" "Sciscì was a real gentleman, he wanted to give me compensation." "But it's not his fault!" "He was mortified!" " But I teased him a bit." " About what?" "Because he always says he's well-respected in Sicily and that no one would ever cross him." " I'll have it, if you don't like it." " Really ?" "Do you like it?" "This is the only advantage of eating outside." "I'll show you Moon Ray, the horse I rode today." " Did you like him?" " Yes, but he's going back tomorrow." "This way." " ls he a bay horse?" " Yes." "What are you after?" "I've got nothing." " Where have you been?" " To see Moon Ray." " See you later." " Okay." " I'll call you tomorrow." " Okay." "Bye." "Shall we go?" "What's so funny?" "You've got straw on your jacket!" "Give me that." "Good morning." "Salvo!" "Yes?" " Did Rachele get what she wanted?" " Thanks to you." " What do you mean?" " That you planned it." "She told you she'd taken a fancy to me, and you invented the story about Giogiò so we'd be left alone." "Yes, you guessed." "Well?" "Now I feel a bit jealous." " You act the saint with me, but..." " But you sponsored me!" " Sponsored you?" " Yes." "Montalbano's  is the best in town!" "Are you mad with me?" "No, with myself." "With you, with Rachele and the universe." "Salvo, I'll be straight with you." "Yes, Rachele wanted to be alone with you and I helped." "But I don't think she held you at gunpoint, you could've said no." "You can't be mad at me or Rachele, only with yourself." " Yes, but..." " Let me finish." "I know what you mean when you talk about your "cassata"." "Did you want a declaration of love?" "Did you want an alibi... so you'd feel less guilty about a quick roll in the hay?" "No, but..." " You know what?" " What?" " You disappointed me." " Why?" "I was sure you'd be able to handle Rachele." " Fazio." " Good morning, sir" " You need me?" " No, I need to report something." " Report what?" " A break in and attempted robbery." "One thing's certain, they wanted to break my balls." " I don't understand." " Thieves broke into my house." " Thieves?" " I'm sure they weren't thieves..." " They weren't?" " Stop repeating everything I say!" "Stop gawping and come with me." "Call Augello." "Sir." " Aren't you going to say anything." " I was thinking." "The first time they took the watch to look like thieves." "But they didn't find what they wanted so they came back." "I've got two questions." "Why did they bring the watch back?" "And did they find what they wanted?" "If they didn't, they'll be back today or tomorrow." " I've got an idea." " Tell me." " You're sure you're being watched?" " I'm positive." "Go home for lunch today, prepare the table outside." "I'll show up at 1 5:00 in a patrol car with the siren on." "You rush out to join me and we drive off." " Where to?" " Just for a drive." "If they're watching you, they'll think we had an emergency." "They'll feel safe so they'll make their move." " And then?" " Galluzzo will be waiting there." " I'll tell him now." " No." " Forget it." " I don't like this story." "When is Giacomo Licco's trial starting?" " In a week." " it could be a warning." ""Mind what you say because we know where you live."" "It could be." " Who's Giacomo Licco?" " You were on leave." "We arrested him some time ago." "He collected protection money for the Mafia." "He blew the kneecaps off a trader who wouldn't pay up." "The trader said he didn't see his attacker, but Salvo found some evidence against Licco." " I'll be a witness in the trial." " Well... .. maybe it is a warning." " One more thing..." "We don't know if it was Esterman's horse that was killed or Lo Duca's." "Do we have a photo of the horse?" "I know where to get one." " Inspector!" " I'm coming." "Come on, hurry!" "Come on." "Damn it, move it!" "Come on." "Hold the door." "Stop, police!" "Come out!" "Fuck off!" "Salvatore!" "Come on!" "Help me!" "Quick!" "Bastard." "Holy shit." "Well, Galluzzo?" "How are you?" "Fine, sir." "I was scared." " They shot at me." " What did you do?" "I shot back." " I hit one of them." " You did?" " Yes." " Are you sure?" "They had to carry him away." "There's a petrol can here, they wanted to set fire to the place." "Can you tell us what happened?" "Yes, it's over now." " There was a car waiting for them." " So they knew they'd drive away." " Why didn't you follow them?" " My gun got stuck." "In fact, take it to the armoury and thank them." "If they'd noticed it wasn't working, I wouldn't be here now." " What do I say now?" " About what?" "If they ask me why I fired my gun?" "Say you had to shoot a rabid dog and your gun got stuck." " What are you going to do?" " Repair the shutters." "I can do that for you." "You have any tools?" "Look in the store room." "Inspector, can I have a word?" "Yes." " We have to get our story straight." " About what?" "There was a shoot out." "Someone will have heard it and called the police." "I bet no one called them." "Whoever heard the gun shots, obviously knew it was a shoot out and they'll keep quiet." "I found them, I'll start." " You want some coffee?" " No, or I won't sleep." " You want some?" " Yes, thanks." " Are you worried?" " Yes." "There were three of them, with a car and a boat." "They're no amateurs." " You take sugar?" " One." "I think the Mafia's involved." "Maybe you were right about the trial." "The Guffaros are involved." "Do they think I'll go to court and retract my statement?" "They just want to scare you." "Their lawyers will do the rest, you'll see." "I think you should spend the night at the station." " They won't be back." " How do you know?" "If they wanted to kill me, they'd have found a way." "They could have shot me from their boat." "Maybe you're right, but there's something I don't understand." "Why don't you want to report it?" "Think about it." "That dickhead Pippo Ragonese will say on the news that Inspector Montalbano's house was open to all and I'll be in the shit." " Tell the chief of police then." " That'd be even worse." "He'll tell me to follow procedures and we'll be back at square one." "As you prefer." "Are you coming to HQ?" " No." " I'll go then." " Call me if you need anything." " Thanks." "Hello?" " ls that Inspector Montalbano ?" " Who's calling?" "Youknowwhatyou 'vegot todo, bastard !" "Here's a photo of the stolen horse." " Great." " it's on page four." " What horse did Esterman ride?" " Moon Ray." "It's the one on the right." " You look like Sherlock Holmes." " Really?" "And you're Watson?" " Hello ?" " Hello?" "Salvo, I called you earlier but they said you weren't there." "I know, I'm here now though." "I won't keep you, but do you have any news ?" "We're not investigating the case as you didn't report it." "That's right." "You need to call the station in Montelusa." "That's where Lo Duca reported the theft." "Salvo, I was hoping that... I found a magazine with a photo of one of the stolen horses." "Rudy ?" "It looks identical to the horse I found on the beach." "but not identical." "Super had a special marking,  like a star, on his left flank." "Did you see it ?" "No, the horse was lying on its side." "Listen, I need to talk to you." "Ineedto seeyou ..." "Rachele, I'll be straight with you." "I don't have any time to spare right now." "But a man needs to eat." " Yes, but not while I'm talking." " it won't take long." "Ipromise." "How about tonight ?" "I know what, call me at 8:00 and we'll arrange it, okay?" " Okay." " Bye." "It's too late to start having doubts about the Licco case." "And you're not acting according to the regulations." "You're a witness, I need to put your statement on record." " Well, Your Honour..." " Don't get mad." "Come and sit down." " Can we talk theoretically?" " We'll talk as you prefer." "Let's imagine that a certain police Inspector, who worked on a case where a man's accused of shooting a trader." "The Inspector sees there is a flaw in the case." "Okay." "But what if this Inspector is worried that the defendant will produce an alibi during the trial?" "The defendant's alibi is a woman, his lover, whom he was with when someone shot the trader." "If Licco, I mean the defendant... has an alibi, he'll be acquitted at the trial." " He'll be sentenced." " He will?" " Yes." " Why?" "When the defence produces this alibi, the prosecution will prove it's not valid." "The defence doesn't know that the prosecutors have known the name of the woman for 3 months." " What's this woman's name?" " What's she got to do with it?" "That's a question the Inspector in question should be asking." "Now, I really have to go." "See you in court." "Thank you, Your Honour." " Any news on Gurreri?" " Yes." "He was admitted to the Montelusa hospital in 2003." "He said he'd banged his head on an iron bar while he locked up the yard." "They drilled a hole in his skull and he's an invalid now." " What's wrong with him?" " He's got partial amnesia..." "Lo Duca paid for some treatment but it didn't help." "But there's more." "Before Gurreri worked for Lo Duca, he'd been in jail." " Great!" " For robbery and attempted murder." "Now he works for the Guffaros, he replaced Licco." "Gurreri replaced Licco?" " Yes." " But he's an invalid!" "He's been with them for three months." "Three months ?" "Again?" "Three months ago he left home, three months ago they found Licco's lover and alibi..." " He's worked for them for 3 months." " You see what I mean?" "It's always three." "I'd like to speak to the neighbour of Gurreri's wife." " What has she said?" " Not much." "Gurreri's wife, Concetta Siracusa, in the past months..." "Say that again." "Concetta Siracusa, Gurreri's wife..." "Concetta Siracusa is the woman providing Licco with an alibi." " Licco's lover?" " How do you know?" "The judge told me, he slipped me a note." "I think that three months ago the Guffaros visited Gurreri and invited him to join them." "He couldn't believe his luck." "But there was one condition." "Concetta, his wife, had to provide Licco with an alibi." "Gurreri agreed to get back at Lo Duca and the Guffaros helped him." "Right." "The Guffaros stole the horses, not Gurreri." " And we..." " We get screwed." " Any news?" " No." " I'm going home." " Mrs Esterman's on the phone." "Now you tell me." " Hello?" " Hi, it's Rachele." " Hi." " Are you free at last ?" "I'm not finished here, I'll be a couple of hours." " But then it'll be too late." " Don't worry..." "Idon'tmindeatinglate ." " Can you hold on a minute?" " Of course." "What did you say, Fazio?" "You can't find the file?" "Okay, shall we do it tomorrow?" " Okay." " Are you all right?" "Hello ?" "Rachele." "I'm free now, where shall we meet?" " You decide." " Shall I come and pick you up?" " There's no need." " Do you know Marinella?" "I'll see you at the restaurant there, "D'Enzo", at 9:00." " Okay." " See you later, bye." "Bye, Salvo." " But..." " Not a word, Catarella." "Thanks." "Thanks." " Try this, it's great." " Thanks." "Enzo's a great chef..." "Well ?" "Why did you want to see me?" "For two reasons." "The first one is strictly personal." "Go on." "As I don't think we'll see each other again after I've left, I wanted to explain things so you wouldn't have bad memories of me." " You don't need to explain." " I do." "Ingrid knows me well, she should've told you... that when I meet a man l really like," "which doesn't happen to me very often, I can't help... but start from the point most women finish with." " Do you understand what I'm saying?" " Yes." "There are two options: one is that I never see that person again and the other is that I try to remain close to them." "Like a friend or lover." "When I told you I liked you... lngrid told me you were taken aback." "I didn't think about what happened between us but I thought about you... and the way you are." "In other words, about you as a man." "Thanks." "What's the second reason?" "It's about the stolen horses." "I don't know if I should tell you, as you're not working on the case." "You can tell me." "The other day I went to the yard with Sciscì." "The vet was there doing his routine checks." " Mario Anzalone, he's very good." " And?" "He was surprised that they stole Rudy and not Moon Ray." "Why?" "He said if the thieves were smart... they'd have stolen Moon Ray, as it was worth more." "Rudy had problems and he had suggested the horse be put down." " What did Lo Duca say?" " That he was too fond of that horse." " What was wrong with it?" " Viral arteritis." "It causes arterial lesions." " ls it infectious?" " Yes." "On the way back to Montelusa, I had words with Sciscì," ""First you offer to stable my horse then you put him with a sick horse ?"" "I see." " What did Lo Duca say?" " That it was no longer infectious." "But it was dying." " So why steal it?" " That's what I wanted to talk about." "I've reached a conclusion which doesn't fit with what Sciscì said." "Meaning?" "They only wanted to kill my horse." "They didn't know which one it was, so they stole both." "They wanted to ruin things for Sciscì, and they succeeded." "Would you like some dessert, or a coffee?" " No, thanks." " What would you like to do?" "I'd like to go home." "Are you tired?" "I'd like to lie down... and savour my memories of this evening." " Will you leave soon?" " In three days." "I'll call you tomorrow." "Okay?" "Yes." " Hello?" " Inspector, it's Catarella !" "Inspector?" "This is the animal hospital." "Holy Mary, sorry,  Idialledthewrongnumber." " Hello?" " ls that the animal hospital ?" "This is Montalbano speaking!" " I'll give you the hospital number." " Thanks." "I don't need the number." " So why were you calling it?" " I don't know, I'm confused." "Okay, never mind." "What is it?" " A corpse has been found." " A corpse?" " A man or a woman?" " it's a male." " Where?" " In Spinoccia." "In Spinoccia..." "I'm on my way." " Inspector." " Good morning, where is it?" "This way." "Okay." " Did you find it?" " Yes, I passed by with my donkey." "What's your name?" "Giuseppe Contrera, no previous offences." " Did you call us?" " No, my son did." " Where is he?" " At his house in Giardina." "Was he with you when you found the corpse?" "No, he was at home." "He was sleeping, he's an accountant." "I can explain, when he found it, he called his son." " How?" " With this." "Why didn't you call us?" "Because I only know how to call my son with this." "And anyway, I don't know your number!" "Let me explain." "That phone was a present from his son." " Because of his age..." " My son Cosimo, he's a bastard." "He's a bastard, he doesn't worry about his health, just mine." "Do we have his details?" "Okay, you can go." "Thanks." "I'll be off then." "Goodbye." " Thanks for the cheese." " I'll bring you more next time." "Thank you." " What cheese?" " Sheep's milk cheese, it's good." "Really?" "I like sheep milk's cheese." "He makes it himself." "Let's take some measurements." " Good morning, Dr Pasquano." " Good morning, Inspector." " What's the news?" " Well, it's a fine day." "I meant about the corpse." "You're more irritating than flies, what do you want me to say?" "I know what... while you talk, I'll wipe your forehead and kiss it." "No kisses please, I hate them." "He was shot in the back." "But you can see that for yourself." "The bullet was shot from afar and it didn't go through him." "That's pretty obvious too." "He wasn't killed here, and that's obvious because... no one parades around in their underwear, not even in an isolated place like this." "He's been dead... and your great experience would've told you, for at least 24 hours." "So there was absolutely no reason to make me speak... and make me waste my breath when I'm already dying of heat." "I'm being devoured by flies." "You just love to break my balls!" "Okay, I'll go." "I'll get myself a lovely cool beer." "I'll leave you here, in the sun, with the flies, because that's what you want." "You're such an altruist!" "Damn you." "Fucking hell." "Inspector!" "Forensics sent this." "Thanks." "Fazio!" "This is the victim found in Spinoccia." " What did you do yesterday?" " I tried to get news on Gurreri." " Any luck?" " He left home three months ago." "The neighbours heard him calling his wife a slut and a whore." "Did they hear him say he wanted to get back at Lo Duca?" "No, but they can't be sure that he didn't say it." " They told you anything else?" " No." " But Mr Menicuzzo did." " Who's he?" "He's got a grocer's shop opposite Gurreri's house." "He never saw Licco there, so he wasn't her lover." " Did he know Licco well?" " Very well." "He paid protection money to him." "He told me something else that is important." "One night, he heard some noises, so he went down to have a look." "He saw Gurreri coming out, with another guy." " He says it was Ciccio Bellavia." " Ciccio Bellavia?" "He's one of Guffaro's men." " When was this?" " Three months ago." "Our theory makes sense." "Bellavia visited Gurreri and proposed a deal." "If his wife provides Licco with an alibi, saying she's his lover," "Gurreri will be taken on permanently by the Guffaros." "Gurreri accepts and leaves, making his big scene, saying: "I'm going because my wife's cheated on me."" "They planned it well." "Will Menicuzzo stand as witness?" "No." "Good morning!" "Holy cow !" "Do you have to hound me here too?" "Any news?" "I found traces of cotton wool used on the wound." " To stop the bleeding?" " Yes." "So whoever dumped him wasn't the person who shot him." "Right." "Someone shot him... then an accomplice tried to stop the bleeding." " Just one more question?" " You promise?" "I promise." "Had the man we found in Spinoccia had an operation on his head?" "Yes." "Okay." "Thank you." "This is the bullet that killed the man we found in Spinoccia." "It's a calibre 9." " That's what the police use." " Exactly." "That's how I found out who the dead man is." " Who is he?" " Gerlando Gurreri." " And I know who killed him." " Who?" "Officer Galluzzo." "Shit." "He was one of the guys who shot at Galluzzo." "Exactly." "The guys who wanted to set fire to your house?" "Precisely." "How did you find out?" "I had an intuition that Pasquano confirmed." "It wasn't just this bullet." "Tests revealed he'd had an operation on his head." "I put two and two together and worked it out." "So now what do we do?" "About Galluzzo?" "What do you think?" "it was an act of self-defence." " Good morning." " Good morning." " Are you Mrs Concetta Siracusa?" " Yes." " Are you Gerlando Gurreri's wife?" " Yes." "Can I have a word?" "I'm Inspector Montalbano." "I won't be long, ma'am." "Go ahead." "I hear you've been called to testify in Licco's trial." "Yes." "What's this about?" "I've told the police everything." " I'm not here about this." " About what then?" "When did you last see your husband?" "Three months ago." "Three months." "Do you know a man called Ciccio Bellavia?" " Yes." " Has he been here?" "Yes." " How many times?" " Twice." "Always with my husband." "I need you to come with me." " Where are we going?" " To the morgue." "Why?" "For an identification." "I believe Ciccio Bellavia killed your husband." "Damn him!" "Damn him." "He swore he wouldn't do anything." " Come in!" " Good morning, Your Honour!" "I don't have much time." "You really ought to make an appointment to see me." "I've got something important to tell you." " You've got five minutes." " Thanks." "I'll tell you the second part in our story about that Inspector." "Remember the presumed lover who was to provide the defendant with an alibi?" "The Inspector visits her and says her husband was killed by Bellavia..." "I mean, a Mafioso." "The woman breaks down, she wants revenge so she confesses." "Did that take long?" "But the woman confessed to a Inspector that doesn't exist." "But she'll tell the prosecutor too." "That changes everything." " I'll ask for her to be..." " You don't need to." "Come with me." "Follow me." "That woman is Concetta Siracusa." "Listen." "She's brought a suitcase with some belongings." "She knows she can't go home, but I hope you'll protect her." " Don't worry." " Perfect." " Thank you." " Thank you." "Mrs Siracusa." "This is Judge Scognamiglio." " Hello." " Goodbye." "See you, Inspector." "After you." " Adelina, where's my coffee!" " it's ready." "Thanks." "Here you are." " What's this?" " I forgot to give it to you." "I collected your dressing gown from the laundry." "They found it in your pocket." "How on earth could you miss something like that?" " What is it?" " Nothing, Adelina." " Hello ?" " Rachele, hi." "What a nice surprise !" "I was about to call you." "to dinner tonight." "Great, why don't you come here?" "Adelina can prepare something." "Okay." "I need to ask you something about your horse." "Did its shoes have any special features?" " Yes." " I'm not an expert." "Did they have something engraved on them?" " Why are you asking ?" " I'm just curious." "at the top." "Does Lo Duca use the same blacksmith?" " No." " That's a pity!" " See you here round 1 9:00." " Okay, bye." "Bye." "Inspector, what's got into you?" "Nothing, Adelina." "Could you prepare something for tonight?" " There will be three of us." " Okay." "Thank you." " Hello ?" " Catarella, it's Montalbano." "Tell Fazio to come to my house." " Yes, sir." " ls Augello there?" "Yes." " Tell him to come too!" " Right away." "Have a good look at it." "It's an ordinary horse shoe." "That's why they wanted it so badly." "They broke in and tried to set fire to my house, Gurreri was killed..." " For this horse shoe?" " Yes." " And you had it?" " Yes, but I'd forgotten." "But it's an ordinary horse shoe." "That's what makes it so special." "What does this mean?" "That the horse that was killed wasn't Mrs Esterman's." " Have you got that?" " Yes." "I'll send Prestio there at 15:00, 1 5 minutes after Lo Duca." " This is Bellavia's address." " Thanks." "I'll be in the car park at 1 5:00." "Let's hope for the best." "See you later." " Where are you going?" " Me?" "I'm going to take a stroll along the beach." "Mr Prestia is waiting in your office." "He's early!" "I'm counting on you." " Good morning." " Have a seat." "Okay... let's see." "Here it is." "Your wife has made some accusations about you." "My wife?" " We received a long letter." " From my wife?" " What kind of accusations?" " That you've been mistreating her." "Me?" "That's absurd." " Can I see the letter?" " We sent it to the prosecutor." " I advise you to be honest." " There must be a mistake." "Are you Mr Michele Prestia?" " Are you 55?" " No." " 53." " 53?" " Are you sure?" " I'm positive." " Do you live at Via Lincoln 47?" " No." "I live at Via Bademeli 32." "Can I see your ID?" "Thanks." "You see ?" "There's obviously..." "Nothing's obvious." "Excuse me, I'll be right back." "Galluzzo!" " Has Lo Duca arrived?" " Yes, he's in Augello's office." " Fazio's with him." " Come with me." "Mr Prestia." "There's been a mix up of names." "I'm terribly sorry." "Here you are." "This officer will just need you to sign some release forms." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." " What is it?" " Nothing." "Let's go." "This way, please." " Inspector, Mr Lo Duca's here." " Show him in." "Fazio, you come in too." "Have a seat." " What's the urgency?" " I'll explain later." "Would you like to call your lawyer?" "No, why do I need my lawyer?" "I called you in to talk about the theft of two horses." "Go on." "When I met you at the races at Baron Piscopo's house, you thought that the horses had been stolen by Gurreri as a way of getting back at you for what had happened in the past." "I believed you, it seemed to make sense." " So what happened then?" " You know when I realized?" "When you insisted on stabling Mrs Esterman's horse." "It was an act of kindness." "Yes, but I've just spoken to Mr Prestia who told me some interesting things about the theft." "I don't know what he's told you..." "Wait, I have something you've been looking for." " What is it?" " This." "It was next to the dead horse, on the beach." "It's an ordinary horse shoe, with no distinguishing features." "But Mrs Esterman's horse had a W engraved on its shoes." "Who could have known that?" "Gurreri ?" "Prestia ?" "No." "But you did." "You informed your men." "You told them to go back and get this." "This is the proof that it was your horse that was killed and not Mrs Esterman's." "But there's something I don't understand, why did you do it?" "The organizers of the illegal horse races had asked me for some horses." "Because I refused," "they showed me a photo... of me... with a young man." "A young man?" "Yes." "How young?" "1 2." "A young boy!" "Fazio." "We'll be reporting this to the authorities." "But let's go on." "I have another question." "How could you brutally kill your horse with an iron bar?" "I was desperate." "I didn't know what else to do." "Listen." "I'm not on this case, but take my advice." "Cooperate with my colleagues in Montelusa." "Otherwise the Guffaros will find you, use you then dispose of you." "Inspector." "Let's go in now." "Remember, keep a cool head." "Keep calm." "Don't worry." " Leave the room please." " We're working." "You too, come on." " Out." " Who are they?" " Look who it is." " Inspector!" " Yes." " He's here." " I'm Inspector Montalbano." " I know." "But you're new, even though I think I've seen you before." " Are you Francesco Bellavia?" " Yes, sir." " You're under arrest." " I won't say I killed Gurreri." "I won't say you did either." " What did I do?" " You stole two horses." "I stole two horses, I'm trembling with fear." " You have proof?" " Lo Duca and Prestia have confessed." "Right... one of them is a pervert and the other... I know what, put my handcuffs on, let's end this farce." "Welcome." "Come in." " For you." " Thanks." "Make yourselves at home." " We brought you some ." " ?" " It needs to go in the fridge." " Yes, I know." "Thanks, excuse me." "Have a seat." "It's nice here." " Hello?" " Salvo ?" "This is Inspector Montalbano's house, who's calling ?" "Who are you ?" " Who is it?" " I don't know, they hung up." "It was a woman." "I'll get it." "Excuse me." "Hello, Livia." "Fazio, what is it?" "Good work, Fazio." "We did a good job." "Super!" "Did they look after you?" "Hello, my darling." "Now you'll be her hero, you won't get rid of her now." "It wasn't me." "it was Augello." " It's a lovely horse." " it's beautiful." " ls it yours?" " Yes." " How long have you owned him?" " Five years." "Five years!" "I'm no expert, but this looks like a fine horse." "Thanks, where did you find it?" "In a farmhouse in the hills near here." " A name?" " Super." " Not the horse, I meant you." " Rachele Esterman." "Nice to meet you, I'm Mimì Augello." " It's Augello!" " He did a good job." "Yes."