The serpentine procession fell out of sight as it reached the end of the street, and the sound of subdued chanting faded, as if the line of people had been engulfed into a black sea that was slowly submerging them all.

To Teresa it seemed a fitting metaphor for the hidden dynamics of this case. It was like the village had for many years been infected by a dark, tainted humor that had slipped beneath its surface and festered there, out of sight.

She studied the map on the wall again. The small patch of green before her was in reality a wide expanse that covered an area stretching from the valley itself all the way to the impregnable peaks that marked the Austrian border. It was a vast and in parts impenetrable surface, dotted with insidious crevasses. And there were cracks in the earth that led to underground alcoves, concealed beneath thick layers of vegetation.

Teresa stood up, suddenly animated.

An impenetrable surface. We’re only searching the surface, and that’s why it looks as if he’s disappeared.

“We need to change our strategy,” she said, interrupting the prosecutor. Ambrosini looked startled.

“What we’re doing now isn’t working,” Teresa went on, “and we can’t afford to waste any more time.”

“We’re doing all we can,” said the district judge.

Teresa turned to look at him.

“But we’re going about it the wrong way.” She pointed at the map. “This is his world, not ours. We’re kidding ourselves into thinking we can beat him on his own turf, but really we can’t take two steps without tripping.”

“I think you’re being unfair, Superintendent. The men are more than prepared for this.”

“But that’s exactly it: they’re only men.”

The judge looked bemused.

“Isn’t he a man, too?”

Teresa shook her head.

“Not in his own mind. We have to start thinking like he does, alter our perspective on things, or else we’ll never find him in time.”

“You’re making it sound like we’re hunting an animal,” said Ambrosini.

“He has very sharp instincts, and yes, there is an animalistic side to him that determines his actions,” Teresa replied. “That’s how he’s survived.”

“So what would you suggest we do, Superintendent?” asked the district judge.

Teresa studied the map.

“He won’t go back to the shelter. We breached its borders so he no longer considers it safe. But he won’t stray too far.” She gestured at the area they had surrounded. “This is his territory.”

“Don’t you think we should start looking elsewhere?”

“No! He’s still here. He would never abandon the thing he values most.”

“You mean those bones?”

“I’m referring to his friend, Judge. The only companion he’s ever had. Hoffman’s plan is for the baby to take its place, but it’s still too early. The transition isn’t yet complete.”