“She apparently fell and broke her neck,” said Dr.
Pasquano, who’d been summoned by Tortorella. “But I’ll be able to tell you more after the autopsy. Although to send an old lady like this flying, you’d only need to blow on her.” “And where’s Galluzzo?” Montalbano asked Tortorella.
“He went to Montelusa to talk to a Tunisian woman the deceased was staying with. He wanted to ask her why the old lady came back here, to find out if anybody had called her.” As the ambulance was leaving, the inspector went inside Aisha’s house, lifted a stone next to the fireplace, took out the bank book, blew the dust off, and put it in his pocket.
“Chief !”
It was Galluzzo. No, nobody had called Aisha. She’d simply decided to go home. She woke up one morning, took the bus, and did not miss her appointment with death.
o o o
Back in Vigata, before going to headquarters, he stopped in at the office of a notary named Cosentino, whom he liked.
“What can I do for you, Inspector?”
Montalbano pulled out the bank book and handed it to the notary, who opened it, glanced at it, and asked:
“So?”
The inspector launched into an extremely complicated explanation; he wanted him to know only half the story.
“What I think you’re saying,” the notary summarized,
“is that this money belongs to a woman you presume to be dead, and that her son, a minor, is her only heir.”
“Right.”
“And you’d like for this money to be tied up in some way, so that the child could only enter into possession when he comes of age.”
“Right.”
“But why don’t you simply hold on to the booklet yourself, and when the time comes, turn it over to him?”
“What makes you think I’ll still be alive in fifteen years?”
“I see,” said the notary. He continued: “Let’s do this: you take the book back with you, I’ll give the matter some thought, and let’s talk again in a week. It might be a good idea to invest that money.” “It’s up to you,” said Montalbano, standing up.
“Take the book back.”
“You keep it. I might lose it.”
“Then wait and I’ll give you a receipt.”
“If you’d be so kind.”
“One more thing.”
“Tell me.”
“You must be absolutely certain, you know, that the mother is dead.”
o o o
From headquarters, he phoned home. Livia was about to leave. She gave him a rather chilly good-bye, or so it seemed to him. He didn’t know what to do about it.
“Is Mimi there yet?”
“Of course. He’s waiting in the car.”
“Have a good trip. I’ll call you tonight.” He had to move on, not let Livia tie him up.
“Fazio!”
“At your command.”
“Go to the church where Lapecora’s funeral is being held. It must’ve already started by now. Bring Gallo along.
When people are expressing their condolences to the widow, I want you to approach her and, with the darkest look you can muster up, say: ‘Signora, please come with us to police headquarters.’ If she starts to make a scene, starts screaming and shouting, don’t hesitate to use force to put her in the squad car. And one more thing: Lapecora’s son is sure to be there in the cemetery. If he tries to defend his mother, hand-cuff him.”
o o o
ministry of transportation and automobile
registration:
concerning the extremely sensitive investigation of homicide of two women names karima and aisha absolutely must know personal particulars and address of owner of automobile license plate am 237 gw stop please reply promptly stop signed salvo montalbano vigata police montelusa province.
At the Automobile Registration office, before passing the fax on to the person in charge, they were sure to have a laugh at his expense and think him some kind of idiot for the way he formulated his request. But the person
