Sachs said, “But the killing: Intentional? Or because the snatch—the kidnapping—went bad? Somebody showed up. Or the victim saw him and fought back. After he was dead he left the noose as a concession to his plan.”

“Or,” Ercole offered, “his psychosis took over and he is becoming more homicidal. He doesn’t want to take the time to make more compositions.”

Beatrice Renza walked into the room, carrying a yellow pad with her notes. “Here, finally, is the things I have. For the board.” She nodded to an easel. “And I have included the report from the notes by one of the present officers.”

Ercole handed her the marker, conceding the handwriting issue without a fight.

She said, “Fammi la traduzione.”

He nodded and he both spoke and spelled some of entries for her in English, correcting her errors as she wrote.

Capodichino Reception Center

• —Victim:
  • —Malek Dadi, 26.
  • —Tunisian national, lived in Libya, economic not political refugee.
  • —Causa di morte: loss of blood due to lacerated jugular vein and carotid artery (see medical officer’s report).
• —No murder weapon recovered.
• —Crime scene trampled, largely destroyed.
• —Individual spotted observing the camp within past day or two, fitting the Composer’s description. No further information.
• —Traces of amobarbital (anti-panic drug) found in soil beside victim, in suspect’s footprint.
• —Miniature noose, made from musical instrument string, no manufacturer determined. Probably cello. 32cm in length.
• —Tire tread: Michelin 205/55R16 91H, same as at other scenes.
• —Footprints: Converse Cons, Size 45, same as at other scenes.
• —Witnesses report suspect drove large black or navy-blue vehicle.
• —Post-it note, yellow.
  • —Unable to determine source.
  • —Address written in blue ink (unable to determine source of ink): Filippo Argelati, 20-32, Milan.
  • —No readable fingerprints.
  • —Located under victim but unclear whether he or Composer or someone else was source.
• —Camp officials presently searching for other witnesses.
• —See FACETTE facial composite rendering.

The Composer’s composite picture revealed a round, bald white man, depicted both with a hat and without. He resembled ten thousand other round white men. Rhyme had worked very few cases in which an artist’s rendering provided leads that resulted in an arrest.

Looking at the chart, Rossi mused, “That Post-it note, Milan…What could it be? Was it Malek Dadi’s? Or does the Composer have a connection there? He might have flown in there, established a base, and then drove to Naples for his mischief.”

“Is it nearby?” Rhyme asked.

“No. Seven hundred kilometers.”

Sachs said, “We have to follow up.”

“Someone from the Milan police,” Ercole suggested. “You must know officers there, Ispettore.”

“Of course I do. But one who can understand the nature of the case quickly? What to look for? I think it would be better for someone here to go. Daniela and Giacomo have other caseloads. Ercole, with respect, you are new to this game. I wonder if—”

Sachs said, “I’ll go.”

“That is what I was going to suggest.”

Rhyme said, “But what about Spiro?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you, Rhyme,” Sachs offered. “I’m on the A list. Some reporter was talking about him getting praised for the insight of flying us here from America.” She lowered her voice. “He came close to smiling.”