Darkness for the Bastards of Pizzofalcone by Maurizio de Giovanni, Antony Shugaar Read Free Book Online Page B

the media right away, and that would be worse for everyone. For now, they’d rather have us work the case and keep them informed about progress. And let’s hope we make some.”
    â€œI understand. Well then?”
    â€œSo I’m thinking that, when Romano and Aragona get back, I’m going to have them give you all the information and let you take over the case. In fact, I might have you work with Romano, that way we won’t waste time.”
    Lojacono thought it over. “Listen, boss, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    Palma gave him a questioning look. “Why not?”
    â€œAs you know, we’re a very strange group. We all have our flaws. We all feel as if we’re under constant scrutiny, in the crosshairs so to speak. And in a profession like ours, teamwork is fundamental.”
    Palma intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on them.
    Lojacono went on: “If Romano or Aragona, who by the way are both excellent cops, see someone pull the case out from under them, what are they supposed to think? That you, and therefore we, don’t have faith in them. That we consider them unsuited to continue their work merely because this case is high-profile. You’d lose them, in other words. And you’d never get them back.”
    The commissario scratched his head.
    â€œI see what you mean, and you’re right. But I can’t run the risk of entrusting an investigation like this one to a pair like Romano and Aragona: Romano had and may still have serious personal problems, and Aragona’s just playing at being a cop; he’s only made it this far thanks to some serious nepotism. You can see the problem, can’t you?”
    â€œRomano is a good cop, and I’m sure that he’ll be able to keep his personal problems separate from his work; as for Aragona, believe me, he’s much better than he seems.”
    â€œNot that that’s saying much, truth be told.”
    Lojacono thought about Aragona’s fondness for vulgarity and penchant for saying the wrong thing, and in particular the way he drove: “No, not that that’s saying much. But, after all, boss, this whole station house is a little bit crazy, isn’t it? Listen to me, let’s leave things the way they are. If anything, we can all talk things over, and each of us will get the chance to speak his or her own mind. Don’t worry, Romano and Aragona won’t do or see anything any different from what the rest of us would do or see.”
    Palma sat silent for a while, then added: “All right. And after all, maybe the kid is already back home.”

IX
    H
ello?”
    â€œ
It’s me.”
    â€œ
I know. You’re half an hour late.”
    â€œ
I wait for him to sleeping.”
    â€œ
Why, wasn’t she there?”
    â€œ
She came back late from working. She must go, if not, Signora looking for her.”
    â€œ
I get it. Tell her to be careful. To make sure she isn’t seen by . . . by anyone.”
    â€œ
Yes, told her. All good, anyway. No problem, like telling you.”
    â€œ
Yes, I know. I heard.”
    â€œ
I thinking, if place have video camera and get picture of face . . .”
    â€œ
No, don’t worry. There won’t be any trouble. I checked. Tell me how it went.”
    â€œ
I waiting outside in car. She going in, head covered like you saying. Seeing boy from front door, calling him. He coming, he happy. Everything like you say.”
    â€œ
What about him . . . how is he doing, now?”
    â€œ
He fine. In storeroom, I bringing water and food. You not worrying nothing. Instead, when you calling?”
    â€œ
Like we agreed: The first phone call will be tomorrow afternoon. Keep it short, just the information. Then another call, twenty-four hours later. Always you calling, that’s important.”
    â€œ
Yes, I knowing. And if . . . if some problem with boy?”
    â€œ
What kind of