arm held tightly by her husband. Ford had gained weight in the last few months and all but glowed with health and well-being, but she had grown even more angular and stick-like.
Ford kept his eyes on his wife's face as they walked; she kept hers on the ground. The crowd parted in advance of the pallbearers as they made their slow way out into the
Brunetti took this opportunity to approach the woman.
'Signora’ he said as he came up to her.
She looked up, recognized him instantly, but said nothing. Brunetti saw that she had aged more years than months had passed; her cheeks were gaunt hollows on either side of a
withered mouth. It was as though she had become a stranger to sleep.
She looked down and spoke so softly he had to bend to hear what she said, Tell me what you have to tell me before he comes back.' She spoke hurriedly, glancing to the left, where her husband stood talking to the other man.
'Have you read all of the papers in your case, Signora?' he asked.
She nodded.
'Have you read the autopsy report?'
Her eyes widened at this, and then she closed them for an instant. He took that as a yes, but he wanted to hear her say it.
'Have you read it?' 'Yes,' she said.
'Then you know she was a virgin.'
Her mouth opened, and he saw then that she had lost her two bottom front teeth and not bothered to replace them. ‘He told me . . .' she began to say but then stopped, looking anxiously off towards her husband.
'I'm sure he did, Signora’ Brunetti said, and turned away, leaving her to the men in her life
