by Beate Boeker
A killed prostitute.
A nightclub, known for drug trafficking.
A girl with a cellar and a romantic tale.
Lucio, pushed into the position of a scapegoat. He stopped himself at that thought, appalled at himself. He'd accepted Lucio's innocence without even thinking about it. That was a bad sign. Even though Lucio was family, he had to keep an open mind. He corrected his thought. Third strand, Lucio, found drunk and with his fingerprints on the weapon.
Emma, wild with jealousy, on the spot.
Guinea pigs galore. He couldn't bring himself to really suspect Uncle Teo and Aunt Violetta. Yes, they were crazy as bats, those two. But murder? He shook his head.
Just then, the telephone rang. He groaned. Why could he never finish a thought in peace? With reluctance, he picked it up.
“Commissario Garini? This is Amerigo Rossi. I don't think we've worked together before, but I'm in the IT auditing department, and I'm investigating the company Capomastro BB Top at your request.”
Garini sat up straighter. “Right.” The IT specialist sounded clipped and energetic. Had he found something that would help to clear Lucio?
“I've started to look into the files, expecting to need at least a week to discover any discrepancies. But as luck would have it, I happen to know a bit about the steel industry because my father is an architect, and I often helped him with construction plans when I was a teenager … so that made it comparatively easy. It's a bit of bad luck for Capomastro, because without that knowledge, I wouldn't have tumbled across it so quickly.”
Garini bent forward. “I'm all ears.”
“Well, the first thing I noticed was the steady steel import from Brazil.”
“Why is that unusual?”
“The biggest steel suppliers are China and India. Of course, Brazil also supplies steel, but in a company the size of Capomastro BB Top, I'd have expected to see a mix of suppliers from different countries, to get the best buying price.”
“But it's all from Brazil?”
“Yeah. It's all from Brazil, and all from one supplier only. That's not good business practice. You're too dependent on one supplier.”
Garini frowned in thought. “And Brazil also happens to be a supplier of cocaine and heroin.”
“True.” Amerigo Rossi seemed satisfied with Garini's quick reaction. “So I dug a bit deeper and found something else I couldn't understand.”
“Yes?”
“I'm not sure how familiar you are with steel girders.”
“I know nothing about them.”
“Steel girders are used to give the basic structure and stability to a building. In normal buildings, they don't show, but no doubt you've seen them being used in all kinds of industrial buildings and high-rise car parks. Steel is expensive, so trying to get the thinnest possible steel without endangering the structure of the building is imperative. That's why most steel girders are shaped like a U or a T, with an added horizontal T-slash at the bottom. That shape gives them extra strength and prevents them from bending easily, and it costs less than doing a completely closed girder.”
“Got it. And Capomastro doesn't use them?”
“You're quick.” Amerigo Rossi's voice held a smile. “Exactly. Contrary to normal usage, Capomastro mainly imports square hollow section and circular hollow section girders, meaning these are completely closed girders. Those are more expensive because of the added material, hence rarer, and usually only used for columns, not for beams.” Amerigo Rossi took a deep breath. “And with the projects Capomastro builds, that doesn't make any sense at all.”
“It sounds as if we have to check the inside of those girders.” Garini frowned. “But I don't understand how they could organize this on a big scale without it becoming a subject of discussion. I mean, every worker on the construction site would notice and remark on that, wouldn't they?”
“Indeed they would. And when I asked one of the clerks here, casual like, he said it was for added security.”
“But if it's a lot more expensive, people would shy away from it, wouldn't they?”
“I haven't yet checked the pricing because I'm not up to date on the current steel prices. That's something I wanted to do later, after having informed you.”
“Perfect, please let me know about your results. This is a very important step forward. I'm not sure if you've been able to link the imports to any particular person? Who validates the purchase orders, for example?”
Amerigo Rossi laughed. “It's one person only, so I guess that'll make our job easy this time. Besides, I've heard he's already in prison. His name is Lucio Casanuova.”
Chapter 10
Stefano felt as if someone had hit him square in the stomach. “Lucio Casanuova?”
“Yes. I have to say I'm quite happy with this. Usually, the results are much more ambiguous.”
“Do you think they’re fake?”
“Fake?” The smile fell out of Amerigo Rossi's voice. “No. Why should they be fake? He started in the company a few weeks ago, and ever since, he's validated all the purchase orders.”
“He's a construction engineer. He never told me he validated purchase orders.”
“Well, of course a construction engineer has to validate them. Others would hardly know what's needed.”
That made sense. Darn. He'd have to talk to Lucio again. Garini shook his head. It felt as if a dark cloud had suddenly come closer and settled above him. “But Lucio Casanuova has only been with the company for a few weeks. This must have been going on for a longer time.”
“Yeah. It was someone else before him, but that guy died in an accident.”
The hair on the back of Garini’s neck rose up. “Excuse me?” Lucio never mentioned a predecessor.
“One day, he went to see the marmi, you know, the marble mines in Carrara. They are less than an hour from here. Carrara marble is world-famous for being so very white and beautiful.”
Does he think I'm a tourist? “I grew up in Tuscany, so of course I know the marble works in Carrara.” Garini's voice was dry.
“Sorry. I sometimes get carried away because I like Carrara marble so very much. I've wondered if I should order a statue of my dog, but –”
“We were talking about the accident.”
“Oh. Yes. Well, apparently, this predecessor of Lucio Casanuova slipped in an unlucky way when he was visiting one of the caves, hit his head upon a block of marble, and broke his neck.”
“How come you know all this?”
“There's a secretary here who enjoys making coffee for good-looking auditors. I often take the time to stop and chat, and it's amazing how much you can learn in the hallways.”
A sudden dislike for the auditor broke like a wave over Garini. I really have to get a grip on myself! So far, I thought him super-efficient, and now, just because he's started to unearth new dirt on Lucio, I start to have doubts. This is highly unprofessional conduct. His shoulders slumped. He had hoped to find proof that Lucio couldn't be involved. Instead, he'd found the opposite. He made a conscious effort to continue as usual. He had to go through with it. “Look, can you find out when the next shipment is coming in, and arrange for your team to welcome them at the port? The vessel will have left South America five or four weeks ago, so even if the audit has alerted them, we might have a chance to get at the steel girders before they do so. It fact, it might be best to impound the container right away, before it has even been unloaded. It seems this might be the clue you've been waiting for to crack this case open.”
“I already thought the same thing. I'll inform the right people, and we'll pull a few strings. I'll keep you informed.”
“Thank you. Oh, and it might be a good strategy to put someone onto Bianco Brillo's tail. He's the owner of Capomastro, and if anyone profits from this whole set-up, it'll be him.”
“Will do.”
“Great.” Garini ended the call and got up, grimly determined to have it out with Lucio. In record time, he drove through the spring
day, hardly sparing a glance at the robin’s egg blue sky with white clouds chased by the wind.
With big strides, he raced up the hospital stairs and turned into the corridor where Lucio's room was located, only to be greeted by Chiara Agnelli, the blond iceberg doctor. “Commissario Garini.” She glared at him. “You're quick.”
“Excuse me?” He wasn't in the mood to be treated in an unfriendly way. “I've come to see Lucio Casanuova.”
“So you don't know yet.”
“Don't know what?”
“He's gone.” She narrowed her eyes.
“You mean he's been transferred to prison already? I forgot. It was scheduled for today, wasn't it?”
She cocked her head to the side and eyed him. “You're pretty convincing.”
He stared at her. “What?”
“Lucio Casanuova escaped about twenty minutes ago.”
Garini's jaw dropped. “Porca miseria! How did this happen?”
“Well, he was escorted as usual by two officers to the car that would bring him to his destination. As you hadn't indicated any special flight risk, we didn't put him in handcuffs. When he came to the street, just before entering the car, a woman with a baby came up from one side. She tripped over something and fell against the side of one officer. He had to grip her to make sure she didn't crash down. Simultaneously, an elderly man pushed a wheelchair with a very senior lady into the ankles of the other officer.”
Garini closed his eyes.
“They managed to distract the officers so much that Lucio Casanuova had the time to run around the car. On the other side of the street was a Vespa. He jumped onto it, and they roared off.”
Garini had trouble finding his voice. “Did you notice anything special about the Vespa driver?” Like did she have a helmet with a leopard print? Was it possible that Carlina had really helped with the escape?
The doctor shrugged. “Not that I know of. You can talk to the guards yourself to make sure.”
“Do you know if they got the names of the woman with the baby and the two seniors?”
The doctor hissed in her breath. “They didn't. The two officers first ran after the Vespa and tried to stop it. When they gave up and turned around, the seniors and the mother had disappeared.”
Thank God.
She gave him a straight look. “Well, how much do you know about it?”
He returned her look. “I know nothing at all about it, and I would appreciate if you kept your insinuations to yourself.”
“But he's family, isn't he?”
“My wife's family. And that still doesn't make me a criminal. Ever heard of being sued for libel?” He made sure to keep his voice low, though it was glacial.
She lifted both hands. “My, my, what a temper. Interesting. Usually, people only get touchy if they feel guilty.”
“That's not quite right, dotoressa. They also get touchy if they are wrongly accused without any evidence whatsoever.”
“Really?” She stretched her lips into a thin smile. “But then, you would be in a better situation to know than I, wouldn't you?”
He turned on his heels and left the hospital. This is unbearable. First, I have to take the case though I try everything to get out of it, then, I have to listen to insults. He balled both fists. If only Carlina had come without strings attached. He yanked out his phone and called Carlina. “Where are you?”
“Hi, my love.” She sounded serene and happy. “I'm at Temptation. What's happened? You sound upset.”
Would she seem so untroubled if she'd just helped with Lucio's escape? “Where did you spend the morning?”
“The morning? Here, at Temptation, of course. Stefano, what's wrong?”
“Did you take the Vespa to work?”
“Yes, of course.”
He started to feel a little bit lighter. “Who else has a Vespa in your family?”
“Stefano, if you don't tell me what's the matter, I'll start to scream.”
“I'll explain everything presently. Could you do me a favor and come to the family house? Right now?”
“Right now?” She sounded flabbergasted “But I –“
“It's really urgent.”
“I'm having a déjà vu moment here. The last time you did this, you wanted me present when you arrested mamma.”
He swallowed.
“Oh, Madonna. Is it something with Lucio? I'm already on my way.” She broke the connection.
He blinked and stared at the receiver, feeling a bit lighter. He knew his wife. She would have acted differently if she'd been involved. Surely. He jumped onto his motor bike and raced to the Mantoni family home.
He already heard the noise when he stood at the front step. Loud calls, laughter, excited screams. What on earth …? He entered the door with the key the Mantonis had pressed onto him and followed the noise upstairs, straight into Benedetta's kitchen. The whole family was there, all intent on the kitchen table, but he couldn't see what had grabbed their attention because their backs blocked his view.
“Don't tickle him,” Ernesto shouted. “He'll fall over in delight and won't go anywhere. Try this instead.”
“What is it?” Emma's face was flushed.
“It's cheese.”
“I've never heard of a guinea pig eating cheese.”
“Kabuki eats anything.”
Garini drew closer. Now he could see that Benedetta's dinner table had fresh crayon lines on them, showing two long rows, and in each row, a guinea pig sat, one sleek and caramel colored, the other fluffy-haired and black with a white face. They were kept in their places by a cardboard structure.
“Where's Gracy?” Stefano couldn't help but ask.
Benedetta gave him a reproachful look. “She's on maternity leave, of course.”
“Silly question.” Fabbiola said with a dismissive wave. “What did you think? It won't take long, and they'll organize their proper guinea pig union.”
Uncle Teo's face turned red. “They don't need a union! They are treated in a perfectly fair way, with everything they want. What should they need a union for?”
“Quiet now!” Aunt Violetta's voice boomed through the kitchen. “The race is about to start.” With great show, she lifted her arm and banged a gong. “Go!” She lifted the cardboard structure.
The Mantonis fell silent and stared at the two guinea pigs.
Kabuki was eying the cheese that Ernesto held enticingly at the far end of the row, but he didn't move.
Gustavo II seemed intent on something at his belly, sat back and started to scratch himself.
Fabbiola pursed her mouth. “That's not much of a race, if you ask me.”
“We're still in the training phase.” Aunt Violetta spoke with dignity. “They haven't yet learned that they'll get a reward if they run to the end.”
“But how long will it take them to learn?” Fabbiola frowned.
Stefano felt a move behind him, then he smelled Carlina's perfume.
“I'm here,” she breathed into his ear. “What's the matter?”
He put his arm around her shoulders, then he looked at each Mantoni in turn, scrutinizing their faces. They all seemed intent on the game, not even looking at him. None of them had asked why he had appeared out of the blue, in the middle of the day. None of them had asked why Carlina had come. If he'd needed any proof, he had it right here.
“Where is Lucio?” he asked. He could feel Carlina's astonished jerk at his side, and was glad about it.
Emma's head shot up. “Lucio? What do you mean?”
He held her astonished gaze. “Emma, don't play any games with me. I've just learned that Lucio escaped today with the help of two elderly people, one in a wheelchair.” His scathing glance swept over Aunt Violetta and Uncle Teo. “And a young woman with a baby, plus someone on a Vespa. Quite a family party.” He looked at Benedetta. “But the license tag was recognized.”
“That's impossible,” Fabbiola blurted out. “We –“
Aunt Violetta gripped her arm.
Uncle Teo managed to look shocked. “I say.” He scratched his head. “He might be anywhere by now. As far as Africa.”
“Not quite.” Garini checked his watch. “It happened less than an hour ago, as you very well know. Africa isn't that close.” He wished they weren't so translucent. If they talked about Africa, chances were high Lucio was in the immediate vicinity. Like in the empty apartment on the ground floor, next to Uncle Teo. He didn't want to know. “Look, I know you think you were particularly clever, but you're not helping him at all. He looks absolutely guilty now.”
Emma pressed her lips together. “He looked absolutely guilty before. He was set up.”
“That may be,” Garini said, “but have you thought about the future? How long do you want to hide him? For the next ten years? Forever? Do you want to emigrate to Africa or South America, Emma, with little Zoe, living in the underground, constantly on the run?”
Benedetta picked up little Zoe from the bed where she'd been sleeping and pressed her against her chest. “Of course not!”
Uncle Teo swallowed. “We're counting on you to solve this case, Stefano.”
“Yeah.” He felt bitter. “And while counting on me, you're doing everything to make my job more difficult. What do you think is going to happen now? People will look at me askance, convinced that I'm involved in that flight.”
Carlina hissed in her breath. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. And I don't blame them. It's even possible they'll take the case away from me.”
Now they all looked concerned.
“But they can't do that,” Fabbiola said. “The others all have the measles!”
Garini looked at the Mantonis, one after the other. “Why didn't you trust me?”
“It really looks bad for Lucio.” Emma sounded desperate.
“Yeah, it does.” Garini's voice was hard. “And thanks to you, it's even worse now.”
Aunt Violetta lifted her chin. “Sometimes, the police make mistakes. And at any later time, we might not have had a chance to get at Lucio. It was sheer coincidence that we learned about the exact time of the transfer.”