“About what?” Ingrid asked. “For being a man?”
“Turn on the cold water, it’s for the best,” said the inspector.
Then came the torment of being dried off. When he put on his briefs, he sighed in satisfaction, as if to signal that the danger was past. Before wrapping him back up, Ingrid got dressed. That way everything, for the inspector, could proceed more calmly. Before going out, they drank another cup of coffee. Ingrid climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Now, I want you to drop me off at the station, and you can continue on to Montelusa in my car,” said Montalbano.
“No,” said Ingrid. “I’ll drive you to the station and take a taxi from there. It’s easier than having to bring the car back to you later.”
For half of the drive they sat in silence. One thought kept stewing in the inspector’s brain, however, and at a certain point he mustered up the courage and asked:
What happened between us last night?“
Ingrid laughed.
“Don’t you remember?”
“No.”
“Is it important for you to remember?”
“I’d say so.”
“All right. You know what happened? Nothing, if that’s what your scruples want.”
“And what if I didn’t have any scruples?”
“Then everything happened. Whatever works best for you.
There was silence.
“Do you think that our relationship has changed since last night?” Ingrid asked.
“Absolutely not,” the inspector replied frankly.
“Then why all the questions?”
Her reasoning made sense. And Montalbano asked no more questions. As she pulled up in front of the station, she asked:
“Do you want Vanya’s telephone number?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll call you later this morning.”
As Ingrid, after opening the door, was helping Montalbano out of the car, Mimi Augello appeared in the police station’s doorway and came to a sudden stop, keenly interested in the scene. Ingrid dashed off after kissing the inspector lightly on the mouth. Mimi kept looking at her from behind until she was out of his sight. With great effort, the inspector hoisted himself up onto the sidewalk.
“I’m one big ache,” he said, walking past Augello.
“See what happens when you get out of shape?” said Mimi, smirking.
The inspector would have bashed in his teeth but was afraid he might seriously injure his arm.
16
“All right, Mimi, listen carefully to what I say, but don’t let it distract you from your driving. I’ve got a bum shoulder and can’t afford any more damage. And, most important, don’t interrupt me with questions, or I’ll lose my train of thought. Save them all for the end, after I’ve finished. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“And don’t ask me how I found these things out.”
“Okay.”
“And no useless details, okay?”
“Okay. Before you begin, can I ask you one question?”
“Just one.”
“In addition to your arm, did you also hurt your head?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re busting my balls with all this asking if things are okay! Are you obsessed or something? I’ll just say okay to everything you ask, even about things I don’t know. Okay? You can begin.”
“Margherita Griffo had a brother and a sister, Giuliana, a schoolteacher, who lived in Trapani.”
“Is she dead?”
“You see? You see?” the inspector burst out. “You even promised! And still you come out with some dumb-ass
