“Then let Caterina handle it.”

Italo made a face. “Caterina, actually . . .”

“What?”

“We have some problems. In fact, I don’t know if you can give me some advice . . .”

“Oh my God, what a pain in the ass! What is this? Have you all taken me for a marriage counselor?”

“Why?”

“Signora Berguet tells me that her husband is seeing other women, that he has various lovers.”

“Well, is it true?”

“How would I know?”

“Before I forget . . . Judge Baldi wants to know if—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I know. I have to go to Varallo. Call Antonio and Caterina. We need to have a chat.”

Italo snapped to attention and started to leave the office. But the instant he opened the door he froze to the spot. “Rocco . . .”

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you think it might be dangerous?”

“What? Going into the prison?”

“Right . . . What if the guy who broke into your apartment knows someone who’s in prison?”

“That’s just a risk I’m going to have to take. By the way, have there been any calls from Rome for me?”

“No, nothing.”

“Then I’m going to give you an important assignment. I want you to answer all phone calls that might come in to me from Rome. Specifically, from the Cristoforo Colombo police station, in EUR, from Officer Alfredo De Silvestri.”

“Got it.” And Italo finally left the office.

The deputy chief opened the drawer. He saw the Ruger pistol that Furio had given him the night before. He didn’t even touch it. Instead, he picked up an already rolled joint and put it in his pocket. Then he locked the drawer back up.

Antonio Scipioni, Caterina Rispoli, and Italo entered the room. Lupa barked and ran straight toward the deputy inspector. She seemed to remember that this was the woman who had saved her from the snow. Lupa licked Rispoli’s hands while the policewoman took the puppy in her arms.

“Now listen carefully. Italo has already told you that I’m going to have to be away for a while . . .”

The blank looks on Caterina’s and Antonio’s faces clearly said that Italo hadn’t. “Again?”

“Yeah, it’s just that I have to go to the prison to get things straight concerning Cuntrera’s death. What I want you to do while I’m gone is this: stay in touch with Baldi. He’s taking a look at the papers of some guy called Luca Grange, the one who landed the public works contract that the Berguets thought they were going to get. The thing smells, and nobody thinks it adds up. Italo and Caterina, you need to do whatever Baldi tells you.”

“All right . . .” said Rispoli, with her wrist clamped between Lupa’s jaws. “Do you want me to look after your dog?”

“That would be great. I don’t think I can take her with me.”