Hi Stefano.
Hi Marco, said the inspector, greeting back to him.
Hows going on?, asked the agent, Did you take up work again after the case youve handled with Atropos Association?
Pretty much, answered Zamagni, I meant that I got plenty of rest since the completion of that case, and now Im still trying to gather some data available in order to find out the connection between Santopietro, the voice of that man over the phone and the letter Ive received, but didnt find any clue for the moment. Probably my reference view is not the right one.
Yes, it could be so, nodded the agent, Lets get together and review all the details. Perhaps we can find out something helpful for our further inquiry.
All right.
If you can wait me for a moment, Ill go and take a drink just for refreshment.
Of course, said Zamagni, May I offer it to you?
Ah, no... I already owe a pizza to you, next time I have to pay it out, therefore dont even think to offer me anything to eat, otherwise well never be equal, returned Marco Finocchi.
Nevermind.
Well, how did you spend those few days of vacation?, then asked the inspector.
Nothing special. Just relaxed. What about you, any interesting thing youve done?
Either me, nothing special, except for an evening party out with my friends, drinking with them.
Zamagni nodded.
Shall we leave?, suggested the agent throwing away the can into the trash bin.
Yeah, lets go.
As soon as arrived at Zamagnis working desk, both met with captain Luzzi who was waiting for them right there.
Thats the way how you should work?, said the superior in a serious tone of voice.
Im sorry captain, but I needed to have a fresh and cold drink, and afterwards Finocchi showed up and took also something for himself. Maybe weve wasted time, but now promise that were gonna set to work really hard. Unfortunately, I didnt find anything that would help us to make the connection between the facts and the people in the inquiry process, but I guess everything will become easier as were already two persons instead of one.
I was kidding if you understood me right, the captain said to them, Among other things and the documentations on your working desk, I noticed the letter that was sent to you before. But I forgot to tell you something important. The expert that examined the text carefully, wasnt able to decode those words written over there, however he found that the letters are in Greek.
Ah.. therefore, I confirmed the impression I had when reading the text for the first time, admitted Zamagni, I never have learnt Greek, hence didnt know what to say, but now we are sure about it.
Yeah. The point is that unfortunately, this expert lacking a full proficiency of Greek language, has failed to provide us with the text decoding. We need to have the decoding from somebody else.
Sounds good, meanwhile me and Marco will take care of the rest.
I think youd have no time for now, said Giorgio Luzzi.
Im not clear at all, said the inspector, Whats up? Is something else so urgent that wed rather leave this at a later time?
We still dont know for sure, but I guess were gonna get to know very soon.
May we have a little bit more of information?, asked Zamagni kidding.
Youre right. Now Im gonna explain it better to you, returned the captain.
Were listening very carefully, said Finocchi.
Do you remember a hemiplegic boy?, the captain began to speak, turning to the inspector.
...Marco?, asked Zamagni, after a moment of hesitation.
The agent Finocchi turned around, with a hugely surprised face.
Ah, sorry, I didnt think it was about him, said immediately Zamagni.
I dont really understand what youre talking about, returned Marco Finocchi to them.
Do you mean Marco Mezzogori?, Zamagni asked the captain, who in return nodded as a sign of approval.
Yeah, Ive known him, if its correct to say so, then continued the inspector, Im informed that he was found dead yesterday in late afternoon.
Could you extend some explanation to me as well?, asked Finocchi.
I will tell you everything after a while, Zamagni cut it short, before turning to the captain once more.
How come you already know that?
Ive been informed about the results of autopsy. Its been a murder.
The inspector still remained speechless and after some moments, the captain began to speak.
From the results of autopsy, it comes out that a fight has been occurred between the hemiplegic boy and the murderer. Nobody knows the real cause of the fight, but we should keep inquiring further on.
Why did you approach to me personally, captain?, asked Zamagni, Ive got acquainted with the boy by chance, at the time he was found dead, and additionally, we need to take care of the verification of these documents. Isnt anybody else who could be in charge of this case?
Perhaps would be, returned the captain, but there is one other detail I havent yet mentioned to you.
What is it about?
The boys aunt has called the police, probably after the family has been informed on the results of autopsy, and has explicitly demanded you to deal with the investigation of this case.
The inspector remained silent for a couple of seconds, and then nodded.
Ok, as you wish.
Have you become famous now?, the agent Finocchi asked Zamagni.
I dont think so, but I know personally the boys aunt. It was just to do her a favor as shes my acquaintance by chance.
The agent nodded.
Well, what are you waiting for?, the captain said to them, as if he was feeling around the pressure that needed to be taken away.
Lets go right now, said Zamagni, and Marco followed him while both of them went down the street.
Now, it would be the right moment to talk to me and tell me some more things.
Im gonna tell it to you on the way to San Lazzaro of Savena.
But what are we supposed to do right there? Do you need to pass by your house at first?
No. Thats the place where the murder did occur.
IV
Could you let me know on what Im supposed to do right there?, asked the agent Finocchi, sat down on the passenger seat while coming close to San Lazzaro of Savena.
All happened just by chance, began to speak the inspector Zamagni, driving the car in the attempt to escape from the heavy traffic on the road, I know shortly Carla Mezzogori, the aunt of hemiplegic boy who remained dead from the murder. She asked me a favor to go and see the apartment where her sister-in-law actually lives. It was very obvious that the boy, given his physical disability, was living together with the mother.
Marco Finocchi nodded, and then let the inspector to go on with the whole story.
His mother declared that she went out for a while in the evening of the same day the boy was found dead. She still says of going out to buy some stuff as always, and once back home, she found her son laid down on the floor, with no sign of being still alive.