CHAPTER 23
Four months were passed from the crime, and he was eagerly expecting the answer from the Hungarian Magistrate, hoping it was positive. There was also the wait for any news from Interpol about the location of Igor Leonov, or whatever information that could have given him proof of him still being alive.
His impatient temper made him believe that something was slowing the investigation to the point of being unable to make any progress.
“I’m wondering whether the communication from the Magistrate arrived directly to Chief Commissioner Angelini and he forgot to mention it to me.” Shaking his head, he knew there was only one way to find out— and that was going to his office.
Cringing at the thought, he armed himself with all the positive thoughts he could gather in his soul and marched toward Angelini’s Office.
He knocked on the door, already regretting his decision, recalling his chattering nature.
“Come in...” The usual busy voice of his supervisor replied.
Pursing his lips, he opened the door and dashed in, closing it behind himself.
“Good morning, sir...” Maurizio commenced.
“Oh, Detective Scala, I was thinking about you,” he cheered, inviting him with a full gesture of his arm to take a seat in front of his desk. “Once you said you have some relatives living in Aosta, haven’t you?”
“Y… yes, my grandmother is still living there— she’s alone though, and...” Maurizio was dumbfounded at that question.
“Maybe we can help each other. You see, my son is going to study at the University of Aosta, and he’s looking for a place to stay, even for a short period until he doesn’t get acquainted with the environment and the services. I was wondering whether your grandmother needs a young man to help her out in exchange for a place to stay,” he explained with a large smile on his face. “Of course, there aren’t any obligations and if she doesn’t feel like she wants to host him, that would be perfectly fine.”
Maurizio thought about it for a moment. Recalling his grandmother, Bruna, he’d feel sorry for Angelini’s son, as she was the perfect antithesis of the image of a kind and weak old lady. Regardless of the venerable age of 82 years, she could still keep an entire army of wild kids at bay, being herself the terror of his neighborhood.
A wide grin flashed on Maurizio’s face at that thought.
“I don’t know….” He glanced back at Angelini. “It’s been some time since I’ve visited her. It’s not like we dislike each other, but the distances, sometimes become overwhelming.”
Angelini pursed his lips, nodding thoughtfully, “I understand, but I would appreciate it if you could ask her.”
The tone of his voice turned insistent, and Maurizio understood he didn’t have to deal anymore with a kind request—rather it was an order.
Narrowing his eyelids, knowing that perhaps he deserved to get his wish granted, Maurizio smiled. “I will call her this evening, and will ask her if she could help your son.”
“That’s fantastic! I appreciate your help. So how did your holiday go?”
“Sir, I would love to entertain myself in a casual chat, but this wasn’t the reason why I came to your office.” Maurizio looked at his wristwatch. “Moreover, I have a meeting with my team soon, and I needed to have some information about the arrest warrant you have forwarded to the Magistrate. Do we have any news coming from them?”
With an almost imperceptible pout, Angelini turned his glance to the computer and scrutinized the content of his mailbox. With a nervous movement, he went through the pile of documents he received by post, wondering whether there was something about it, but it got submerged by other, equally important notifications.
It took several minutes for him to scan through the bulk of the content, but then, with a sigh he addressed Maurizio. “No, nothing yet arrived, but they still have time, say another month or so to evaluate and either accept or reject our request. I believe it wasn’t the only request they need to evade.”
“Yes, of course,” he said standing from his chair ready to leave the room. “Well, if any answer comes from them, let me know. I’m eagerly waiting for it. “
“Of course, Scala. I’ll let you know as there is any news on the case. I would have loved to tell you more about my son, just to give you the right image for your grandmother, but if you’re busy, your job is far more important. Perhaps we might have lunch break together,” he proposed.
Feeling his stomach churning at that thought, he smiled weakly. “Let’s see if I can take a break.”
He exited the room and hurried to arrive at his office and put as much distance as possible between him and chief Commissioner Angelini.
His fast pace was interrupted when from the end of the corridor he spotted something he wasn’t expecting. Officer Giuliani was walking in his direction, guiding a man he thought he knew.
The man kept his gaze lowered and walked like a person who was sentenced to death. With his arms limp along his body, his steps were heavy on the ground. It took a bit to realize who the man was, and when he was close enough, he could finally recognize Aldo, the captain of the Sea Rider.
Far from the sea, he looked deadly pale— ghostly perhaps. “Detective Scala, Mr. Carrisi asked to see you, and I believe it must be important...” She justified the fact of bringing him directly to his office.
“I bet it is,” he replied severely. His gaze turned
