Suffer the Little Children

you see an injured person and

you don't think about it: you just react. You remember what, they drilled into you in medical school, and you do it. And I remembered it then,

when I saw him, that the only thing to do is run water over it as soon as you can, and keep the water running.'

'The doctors think it made a difference. The grafts might be easier’

‘I see’

'Dottore, I think I have to explain something to you. You aren't going to believe me. But what I have to tell you is true, no matter how much you don't want to believe it’

'About Franchi?'

'Yes. In a way’

'What way?'

'He didn't call the Carabinieri.' 'How can you say that? How can you know that?'

They got an anonymous call. That's true. But it didn't come from Dottor Franchi.'

‘I don't believe you. The mother didn't want the baby; anyway, she knew where to find me if she wanted more money. She never called me, so there's no reason for her to have called the Carabinieri. Besides, if she had called them, it would only get her into trouble. She knew that. She'd never call them.'

It wasn't the woman.'

'See? I told you.'

'Yes, you did.'

'Well, who was it, then? Who told you?'

'I'm sorry to tell you this, Dottore, but it was your father-in-law. Yes, I know it's a shock, but I know it's true because he told me himself that he did it. I spoke to him some days ago, and he told me. I believe if s true.'

'Giuliano? Oddio, why would he do that? Why would he take our baby away?'

‘Perhaps he didn't think of it as your baby.'

'What do you mean?'

‘Perhaps he found it difficult to think of the baby as yours and your wife's.'

'Commissario, you're not telling me the truth, are you? Or you're not telling me everything you know. If you spoke to him and he told you, then he'd tell you why he did it. He boasts about everything he does, so he'd boast about this, too. Besides, Bianca would never forgive ...'

'I think you've had enough, Dottore.'

'Enough what?'

'Pain.'

'I'm not the only one. Why don't you tell me the last thing, Commissario, so we can end this conversation?'

'Your father-in-law told me that it wasn't his idea.'

'Oh, no. No. You can't expect me to believe that. She loved him. He was her son in everything, everything but his birth. She loved him. She was his mother. He was her baby. She watched him grow ... Well, what do you say, Commissario? Or do you still want me to believe your lie?'

‘I didn't say anything, Dottore: neither lie nor accusation. I didn't suggest it was your wife: you did.'

'Then Franchi didn't.. ‘

'No, Dottore. He may have told your friend's mother, and we know of other cases where he told people about what was in the medical records of people they knew.'

'But did you ask Franchi?'

‘I did, but he didn't answer.'

'Like me, eh?'

'Perhaps a bit. But in his case, I think it's because he can't.' 'Why?'

'The bandages. And they said his mouth was badly burned, as well.'

'My God, my God. What will happen?' 'To whom?' 'To him.'

'They have to wait.' 'And to me?'

'That will depend on your lawyer.' ‘Do I have to have one?' 'It would be best.'

'But do I have to have one?' 'No. You have the right to defend yourself, if you please. But it’s not a wise choice.' 'I haven't made any wise choices, have I?' 'No, you haven't.'

'I think the best thing is to return where I was, then.'

'I don't understand.'

'I couldn't speak when you saw me in the hospital that first time, but then my voice came back. I wasn't pretending, you know, Commissario. It came back, within a few days. But this time I think I don't want to talk because I have nothing more to say.'

I don't understand ... Dottore, I really don't understand. Dottor Pedrolli, are you listening? Dottore, can you hear me? Dottore? All right Vianello, would you open the door, and we'll take the Dottore back to his cell.'