In fact, none of them had ever seen the father of hemiplegic boy, however such information did mean nothing, and as far as appeared, even the family didnt have any dispute or claims against them, besides the disability problem of Marco Mezzogori and the economic hardships. The poor economic situation was a normal conclusion drawn by Zamagni and Finocchi who explained this with the fact that both mother and her son used to live in a building owned by the Municipality of San Lazzaro of Savena, at an estimated low price.
During the time spent there, both policemen had been able to talk to the majority of neighbors, besides those ones living at the same floor with Marisa Lavezzoli, but, in all cases theyd have enough time to go back there considering the long time the investigation would take.
Once getting in the car, the inspector Zamagni informed the captain about the confirmation enabled by some neighbors in the building as well as the interviews to be made as soon as possible with the rest of them, and then informed him about the intention to go and meet the nurse who used to take care of the hemiplegic boy, and lastly, theyd get back to work after completion of all the above tasks.
All right, agreed Giorgio Luzzi, Meanwhile, Im letting you know that the father is not trackable yet.
Since the day the tragedy has been happened, Miss Daniela Rossi waited for the police to come and see her in person over the following days, because, other than his close relatives, she was probably the person who perfectly knew Marco Mezzogori.
The lady welcomed Stefano Zamagni dhe Marco Finocchi at her own apartment situated in the street Carlo Sigonio in Bologna and accommodated them in the dining room.
Would you like to drink something?, she asked, Even simply a glass of water or a cup of coffee.
Ill have a cup of water with pleasure, if you dont mind, said the inspector, and the agent Finocchi also demanded the same.
Nodding, Miss Rossi left for a while and came back with two bottles of ice water, one natural and one sparkling, and with two glasses, served in a tray. I have also water at normal temperature, if you dont prefer it cold.
We dont intend to disturb you more, said Zamagni also thanking her.
As you like, said the woman lastly, and then asked them about the reason of their visit. Though she was able to guess it.
Were following up the case of Marco Mezzogori, began to speak Zamagni pouring some natural water in the glass. Its about a hemiplegic boy whom you knew very well.
Daniela Rossi nodded.
As youd probably learned, the boy has been found dead on the floor of his apartment and the autopsy results have shown that its a murder.
I am pretty aware, confirmed the lady, The boys mother have told me.
Ok, fine, said Zamagni, Now wed like to make some other questions regarding the boy.
What youd like to know?
Anything that could be useful to our inquiries, explained the inspector, unfortunately, were groping around in the dark. Please tell us what comes to your mind for the moment.
Ok, the lady began to speak, Ive recognized Marco Mezzogori since he was a child. His family learned very soon about the problems he had with motor development. He was able to move only the right part of the body. After some diagnostical examinations, it was found out that the boy was suffering from hemiplegia, one of the cerebral paralysis symptoms. It could be the case of a person who appears to be a tetraplegic, or not able to move either the upper limbs or the lower limbs... have you ever read the books in which Lincoln Rhyme is the protagonist?
Zamagni nodded, while the agent Finocchi got very surprised.
I will explain it later on, said the inspector, and then turned to the nurse. Go on, madam.
Yes, of course, I really apologize for jumping out of the main topic of our discussion. I was saying... due to a cerebral paralysis, or inability to move two limbs out of four ... usually its the lower limb that hes not able to move ... or, just like the case of Marco Mezzogori, the disabled person may result with hemiplegia, when the paralysis partly affect the body, only a section of it. This boy wasnt able to move the right part of the body. For your information, there exist some other forms of paralysis such as the monoplegy and triplegy.
Hence, the boy for example needed to learn to carry out a lot of jobs and make movements with the left hand, agent Finocchi dared to say.
The nurse nodded.
Have you anything else to tell us?, asked Zamagni, For example, how were the relationships in the family? And out of the family, as far as you may know?
Yeah, responded the lady, The mother was very attached to her son, this was very obvious every time I used to go to their apartment. The son was the most important to her. Regarding his father, I dont really know what to say to you. Ive recognized him, yeah its true, but he wasnt present most of the time Ive spent there, because of engagements with his job or probably with shopping or something like that. I simply know that he used to go to the bar caffe in the street Repubblica in San Lazzaro of Savena, that is, the one in the very center of the city, not the bar caffe located in the intersection with...whats the name of that street?
Street Jussi?, suggested the inspector, Is this the name of street you mean?
Yeah, exactly. He frequented that bar caffé, and once back home, he often went there after work. Her wife has told me.
Ok, thats clear, nodded Zamagni.
Hence, as I was saying to you, Ive seen the father very rarely. Although, as far as I know, one day he disappeared. Yeah, one day.
The same was told to us as well, admitted the inspector. Have you ever recognized any other relatives or friends of the boy, who probably may have some kind of reason to hurt him?
I already recognize Mrs. Carla, the sister of boys father, who always seemed a very calm person. I saw her very often as she used to come and see her nephew two or three times a week after work. As for the rest... dont know what to say. I think he didnt have any friend or acquaintance in particular.
Many thanks for your information. I think its enough for now, said the inspector, Anyway, we kindly advise you to remain available if necessary.
Sure, no problem for me, agreed the lady.
Wed be pleased to talk to the chief of medical team that followed up the health condition of the hemiplegic boy, added Zamagni, giving a business card to the nurse.
Of course. I think hes not able to help you more than I did, however, here is the telephone number of professor Salvemini. The medical team is at the hospital Sant'Orsola of Bologna, Daniela Rossi concluded her statement and then gave to the inspector a plasticized card with all the useful contact information to get in touch with the medical team.
Both policemen thanked the nurse for taking her time and left away.
VI
Once left the apartment of Daniela Rossi, the inspector Zamagni contacted captain Luzzi on the phone to make an update on the latest interviews of the day, then informed him of their decision to go back to San Lazzaro of Savena and obtain a photo of the husband from the boys mother, then go to that bar caffé and show the photo off, hoping to get some more information on the husband, and given the chance, they would go and have a talk with professor Mario Salvemini before returning to the Police Station.