Death in the Dolomites by David P Wagner Read Free Book Online

of tires. Luca shook the snow off his hair before they entered the shop.
    Only a few customers wandered through the store, and they didn’t appear to be serious buyers, but this was not the busy time of day for Campiglio merchants. On one side of the large room, men’s clothing was stacked on tables or hung on racks: sweaters, ski coats, pants, and even hats. On the other side was the women’s clothing, similarly arranged on tables, and along the rear wall ranged skis, boots, and poles, for both purchase and rental. At a bench, a boy of about ten was trying on a pair of red ski boots, his mother and a saleswoman looking on. The boy stood up and clomped around the carpet, happiness covering his face. Rick and Luca watched him and then turned to a shelf holding various styles of hats. As they looked, a man with thick dark hair and matching goatee approached them. He was dressed in the uniform of Campiglio locals: a light cashmere sweater, elegant slacks, and thick-soled shoes.
    â€œCan I help you find something?” he asked.
    Rick turned and smiled. “ Salve , Bruno. We met a few days ago when I came in with Flavio to rent skis. Riccardo Montoya.”
    Bruno nodded and smiled. “Yes, of course, Riccardo. The skis are serving you well, I trust?”
    â€œThey are, thank you. I’m here with a friend who arrived in Campiglio without a hat. Perhaps he can find one here.”
    Luca turned around to reveal the suit and tie under his coat. He extended his hand and smiled. “Luca Albani . Piacere .”
    Bauer took a moment to react as he reciprocated the policeman’s handshake. “Bruno Bauer , piacere mio . We have some more hats over here if you don’t see what you want on this shelf. Will you, uh, be in Campiglio long?”
    â€œThat depends, that depends.” Luca held up a plaid wool hat that to Rick looked suspiciously like something Sherlock Holmes would wear. “I don’t really ski, so perhaps something other than the knit ones would be what I’ll need.”
    Again Bruno did not answer immediately, looking at Luca with a blank expression. “Take your time, and if you need any help please let me know. Riccardo, nice to see you. If you’ll excuse me…” He strode off toward the back of the store as Luca looked at himself in a mirror on the wall, the deerstalker hat on his head. He didn’t seem to notice that the store owner had left them.
    â€œI kind of like this one, Riccardo, not just because it will keep my head warm, but the herringbone pattern of the cloth is very handsome. And it’s on sale.”
    â€œI can see why it’s on sale. You’re not really considering buying that, are you Luca?”
    â€œAnd why not? Look, the back brim will keep the snow off my neck, and if it gets really cold, the flaps come down over my ears.” He demonstrated; untying the ribbons from the top and letting the sides flop down. “ Ecco . I’ll take it.”
    â€œ Sei pazzo .”
    â€œYou won’t call me crazy when your ears are frozen and mine are like bread from the oven. You’ll wish you’d bought one of these instead of that out-of-fashion hat you’re wearing.”
    â€œThis is a Borsalino.”
    â€œI rest my case. I’ll pay for this and we’ll be off to see Signor Melograno.”
    When they got to the street Rick looked at Luca in his new hat and shook his head in wonder. “Luca, did you even take notice of Bruno Bauer?”
    â€œOf course I did.” He turned to admire himself in the glass of the store window. “He obviously knew who I was, I might just as well have been wearing a sign on my back. And he could not have gotten away from me faster. Very curious.”
    â€œI had the same impression. And after the way Cat spoke about him, I looked him over in a different light than when I was in there with Flavio a few days ago.”
    â€œYour conclusion?”
    â€œThat