Fear had become a person in flesh and blood, and was standing there, among them, to remind them that in any case they were people, made of blood and nerves. And memories that would torment him in the years to come, from morning until the depths of night, until the day finally came when he’d shut his eyes for the last time, forever and ever, abandoning body, brain, and regrets to the earth, to the worms, to the plants.

By now he had reached the banks of the river Dora. He noticed that the sun was out. He took the Ruger that Furio had given him. He threw it out into the river waters. The pistol disappeared, sucked down by a whirlpool. He switched off his cell phone, put his hands in his pockets, and turned around to head home.

Acknowledgments

I want to thank in particular Laura, Giovanna, Francesco, Marco, and Valentina and everyone at the Sellerio publishing house, who work tirelessly beside me. And Cristina and Monica. A special thank-you to Toni and another to Fabrizio.

What follows is a list of Rocco’s friends. The reason they are here is something that they and only they (and Cristina, it goes without saying) know: Carla Zamper, Antonella Imperiali, Antonella Poce, Vesna Draskovic, Miriam Caputo, Francesca Ghiglione, Monica Malpeli, Monica Dal Fante, Simona Donna Rumma, Danilo Fattorusso, Sonia Cremonese, Laura Corvatta, Barbara Corvatta, Annetta Cinque, Giulia Favero, Valentina Azzarone, Sara De Luca, Enrico Magli, Giuliana Di, Marita Lo Iacono.

—A. M.

About the Author

ANTONIO MANZINI is an actor, screenwriter, director, and author. He studied under Andrea Camilleri at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome. He is the author of five murder mysteries featuring Deputy Police Chief Rocco Schiavone, including Black Run, Adam’s Rib, and Out of Season. Manzini lives in Italy.

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Also by Antonio Manzini

Black Run

Adam’s Rib

Out of Season

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