“They didn’t say. But they did let me know that it’s going to be a big deal, even though I won’t be involved.”
“So why are you afraid? You’ve got nothing to do with it.”
“Because the person I mentioned, who told me about the arrivals, also told me to call in sick today, so I can be at his disposal.”
“Did he let you know what he wants?”
“Yessir. At ten-thirty tonight, I’m supposed to drive a fast car—which they’re going to leave in front of my house—to a place near Capo Russello, pick up some people, then drop them off where they tell me to.”
“So, for now, you don’t know where you’re supposed to take them.”
“No sir. They’ll tell me after they get in the car.”
“What time was it when you got the call?”
“Very early this morning, before six. I tried to refuse, Inspector, you’ve got to believe me. I explained that as long as it involved the ambulance, okay . . . But he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He repeatedly said that if I didn’t obey, or if something went wrong, he would have me killed.”
He started crying and collapsed into a chair. Montalbano found his tears unbearable, obscene. This man was a piece of shit. A piece of shit quivering like a bowl of jelly. The inspector had to restrain himself from jumping on him and rearranging his face into a bloody mass of skin, flesh, and bones.
“What should I do, Inspector? What should I do?”
Fear had turned his voice into the squawk of a strangled rooster.
“What they told you to do. But the minute they leave the car in front of your place, you have to tell me the model, color, and, if possible, the license plate number. Now get the hell out of here. The more you blubber, the more I feel like kicking your teeth in.”
Never, even if the guy were dying before his eyes, would he forgive him for the shot he had given the little boy in the ambulance. Marzilla sprang to his feet in terror and ran to the door.
“Wait. First tell me exactly where you’re meeting those people.”
Marzilla explained. Montalbano didn’t really understand, but since he remembered that Catarella had once told him he had a brother who lived in that area, he decided to ask him later on. Marzilla then said:
“What do you intend to do?”
“What do
He resolved—while shaving—not to inform anyone at headquarters of what Marzilla had just told him. After all, the investigation into the little boy’s murder was an entirely personal matter, a debt he’d incurred which he was convinced would be very hard, if not impossible, to pay off. Still, he was going to need at least a little help. Among other things, Marzilla had told him they were going to leave a fast car parked in front of his place. Which meant that he, Montalbano, wasn’t up to the task. Given his meagre abilities behind the wheel, he would never manage to keep up with Marzilla, who would certainly be asked to drive fast. He had an idea, which he immediately dismissed. Stubbornly, the idea came back to him, and just as stubbornly, he dismissed it again. The idea resurfaced a third time as he was drinking a last coffee before going out. And this time he gave in.
“Hullo? Who ’peakin?”
“This is Inspector Montalbano. Is Signora Ingrid there?”
“You wett, I go see.”
“Salvo! What is it?”
“I need you again.”
“You’re insatiable! Wasn’t last night enough for you?” said Ingrid, teasing.
“No.”
“Well, if you really can’t hold out any longer, I’ll be right over.”
“No, there’s no need for you to come right now. If you don’t have any other engagements, could you be here around nine tonight?”
“Yes.”
“And, listen, have you got another car?”
“I could take my husband’s. Why?”
“Yours attracts too much attention. Is your husband’s a fast car?”
“Yes.”
“See you tonight, then. Thanks.”
“Wait. In what role?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Yesterday I came to your place as a witness. And tonight?”
“Tonight you’ll be deputy sheriff. I’ll give you a star.”
“Chief, Marzilla din’t call!” said Catarella, jumping to his feet.
“Thanks, Cat. But stay on the alert, I mean it. Could you send in Inspector Augello and Fazio?”
As he’d decided, he would tell them only about the swimming corpse. Mimi was the first to come in.
