later turn out to be extremely important.'
Ingrassia took a white handkerchief with a green border out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from his face.
'You had me brought here just to tell me that?'
'No. That would be inconveniencing you for no reason. I would never do a thing like that. I was wondering if you'd heard from the people who, in your opinion, played that joke on you, you know, the phony robbery.'
'Not a word from anyone.'
'That's odd.'
'Why?'
'Because the best part of any practical joke is enjoying it afterward with the person it was played on. Well, if you do hear from anybody, please let me know. Good day.'
'Good day,' muttered Ingrassia, standing up. He was dripping wet, his trousers sticking to his bottom.
Fazio showed up all decked out in a shiny new uniform. 'I'm here,' he said. 'And the pope is in Rome. I know, Inspector, I know: today is not your day.' He started to leave but stopped in the doorway. 'Inspector Augello called, said he had a terrible tooth ache. He says he's not coming unless he has to. Listen, do you have any idea where the wreck of Cavaliere Misuracas Fiat ended up?'
'It's still here, in our garage. If you ask me, it's just envy.'
'What are you talking about?'
'Inspector Augello's toothache.'
'It's just about of envy. Who's he envious of ?'
'You. Because it's your press conference and not his.'
'And he's probably also pissed off because you wouldn't tell him who you'd arrested.'
'Would you do me a favor?'
'All right, all right, I'm going.'
When Fazio had closed the door well, Montalbano dialed a number. The voice of the woman who answered sounded like a parody of an African in a dubbed film.
'Hallo?'
'Who dare?'
'Who you callin dare?'
'Where did the Cardamones find these housekeepers? Is Signora Ingrid there?'
'Ya, but who callin?'
'This is Salvo Montalbano.'
'You wait dare.'
Ingrids voice, on the other hand, was the very same as the voice the Italian dubber had given to Greta Garbo, who was herself Swedish.
'Ciao, Salvo. How are you? Long time no see.'
'I need your help, Ingrid. Are you free tonight?'
'Actually, no. But if it's really important I can drop everything.'
'It's important.'
'Tell me where and when.'
'Nine oclock tonight, at the Marinella Bar.'
...
For Montalbano, the press conference proved, as of course he knew it would, to be a long, painful embarrassment. Anti-Mafia Vice-Commissioner De Dominicis came from Palermo and sat on the Montelusa police commissioners right. Imperious gestures and angry glances prevailed upon Montalbano, who had wanted to remain in the audience, to sit on his superiors left. Behind him, standing, were Fazio, German, Gallo, and Galluzzo. The commissioner spoke first and began by naming the man they had arrested, the number one of the number twos: Gaetano Bennici, known as Tano the Greek, wanted for multiple murders and long a fugitive from justice. It was a literal bombshell. The journalists, who were there in great numbers there were even four TV cameras jumped out of their chairs and started talking to one another, making such a racket that the commissioner had difficulty reestablishing silence. He stated that credit for the arrest went to Inspector Montalbano who, with the assistance of his men, and here, he named and introduced them one by one, had been able to exploit a golden opportunity with skill and courage. Then De Dominicis spoke, explaining Tano the Greeks role within his criminal organization, certainly a prominent one, though not of the utmost prominence. As the Anti-Mafia Vice-Commissioner sat back down, Montalbano realized he was being thrown to the dogs.
The questions came in rapid-fire bursts, worse than a Kalishnikov. Had there been a gunfight? Was Tano alone? Were any law enforcement personnel injured? What did Tano say when they handcuffed him? Had he been sleeping or awake? Was there a woman with him? A dog? Was it true he took drugs? How many murders had he committed? How was he dressed? Was he naked? Was it true he rooted for the Milan soccer team? Did he have a photo of Ornella Muti on his person? Could the inspector explain a little better the golden opportunity the commissioner had alluded to?
Montalbano struggled to answer the questions as best he could, seeming to understand less and less what he was saying.
