“Armed conflict. You were getting ready to arrest the guy when he opened fire. You reacted and were forced to kill him.”
“Get out of here!”
“Why?”
“First of all, because that kind of reaction is not my style and, second, because nobody’s ever heard of a drug dealer, even a big fish, trying to avoid arrest by shooting his way out.”
“You’re right. So, still in keeping with tradition, you arrest him but don’t immediately turn him over to the judge. You discreetly let everyone know that you’re keeping him here for two days. On the morning of the third day, you have him transferred to prison. Meanwhile the others will have had all the time in the world to get organized, and you’ll only have to sit and wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“For the dealer to get served coffee in prison. Good coffee. Like the coffee they gave Pisciotta and Sindona. That way the accused clearly will no longer be able to supply a list of his clients. And they all lived happily ever after. And that’s the end of my story.”
Mimi, who until that moment had been standing, suddenly sat down.
“Listen, let’s think rationally about this.”
“Not now. Think about it tonight. In any case Salvuccio will be keeping you awake. We’ll talk about it again tomorrow morning, with a fresh mind. It’s better this way. Now bug off, ‘cause I’ve got a phone call to make.”
Augello left, doubtful and dazed.
“Michela? Montalbano here. Would you mind if I dropped by your place for five minutes? No, no news. Just for…All right, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
He buzzed the intercom, went in, and climbed the stairs. Michela was waiting for him in the doorway. She was dressed the same way as the first time Montalbano met her.
“Good evening, Inspector. Didn’t you say you couldn’t come by today?”
“I did. But my meeting with the commissioner was canceled, and so …”
Why didn’t she invite him inside?
“How’s your mother?”
“Better, given the circumstances. Enough that she let my aunt persuade her to go stay with her.”
She couldn’t bring herself to invite him in.
“I wanted to tell you that, knowing I was here alone, a friend of mine came to see me. She’s inside. I could send her away, if you want. But since I have nothing to hide, you can act as though she weren’t there.”
“Are you saying I can speak openly in front of your friend?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, for me it’s not a problem.”
Only then did Michela stand aside to let him in. The first thing the inspector saw as he entered the living room was a great mass of red hair.
Paola the Red!he said to himself. Angelo’s girlfriend before Elena.
Paola Torrisi-Blanco, upon close examination, was forty-ish, but at first glance she could have easily passed for ten years younger. A good-looking woman, no doubt about that. Which proved that Angelo liked them prime quality.
“If I’m in the way …” said Paola, standing up and extending her hand to the inspector.
“Not at all!” Montalbano said ceremoniously. “Among other things, it saves me a trip to Montelusa.”
“Oh, really? Why?”
“I was planning to have a little chat with you.”
They all sat down and exchanged silent, polite smiles. A grand old get-together among friends. After an appropriate pause, the inspector turned to Michela.
“How’d it go with Judge Tommaseo?”
“Don’t remind me! That man is a…He’s got only one thing on his mind … Some of the questions he asks … it’s so embarrassing.”
“What did he ask you?” Paola asked mischievously.
“I’ll tell you later,” said Michela.
Montalbano imagined the scene: Tommaseo lost in Michela’s ocean eyes, red-faced, short of breath, trying to picture the shape of her tits under her penitent’s frock and asking her: “Do you have any idea why your brother’s organ was completely exposed while he was being murdered?”
“Did Tommaseo say when you can hold the funeral?” “Not for another three days. Is there any news?” “In the investigation? For the moment it’s at a standstill. I came to see you to try to get it going again.” “I’m at your disposal.”
“Michela, if you remember, when I asked you how much your brother earned, you said he brought home enough to maintain three people and two apartments fairly well. Is that right?”
