Return to Umbria David Wagner (english novels for students TXT) 📖

slice of the colorful facade became wider as they neared the piazza, finally bursting into full view when they came to the corner. Fewer people stood in cathedral square than when Rick had driven off with LoGuercio that morning, and now most of them were tourists. The locals had already begun drifting off to restaurants or homes for their midday meal, leaving the streets to the visitors. Once again Betta and Rick stopped to appreciate the work of Maitani and others. It was impossible to pass the facade without doing so.

“I know what you’re thinking, Betta. Yes, we will get inside to see those Signorelli frescoes. Perhaps this afternoon.”

“Unless you have to go with Paolo to interview this professor Tansillo.”

“The inspector can do that without my help.”

“But if he asks you to accompany him you wouldn’t turn him down.”

“How could I? My uncle would never forgive me if I shirked my civic duty.”

They had begun to walk when Betta stopped him, grasping his arm with her hand. “Have you called Piero about this case?”

“Excellent point. He will be so pleased that I’ve gotten involved with a murder investigation that he may not show his disappointment with my lack of success with Fabrizio.” He took out his phone. “I’ll call him now.”

Betta pushed her hands into her jacket pockets and waited while Rick dialed.

“My dear nephew, I trust you have good news.”

“The weather is beautiful, Zio, Orvieto is a jewel, and we had an excellent dinner last night. Betta is right here and sends warm regards.”

“So you were not able to convince your cousin to stop this foolishness.” Rick could not help but notice a disappointment in the man’s voice.

“Not during my first encounter with the lad yesterday, but that was just an initial foray. I didn’t want to come on too heavily until I got a feel for the situation.”

“Which you now have?”

“I’m afraid so. Let’s just say that Fabrizio is getting some good ideas for his future as an author, assuming he writes romance novels.” Betta frowned and shook her head.

“That’s what I was afraid of. Well, do your best.”

“But I was calling about something else, Zio.”

“The murder of the American woman?”

Betta laughed and Rick raised his arms in exasperation before returning the telefonino to his ear. “You know already?”

“It’s the kind of crime that comes across my computer screen, Riccardo. I saw that your man from Volterra is in charge of the investigation. Are you already assisting him?”

Rick sighed. “Yes, Zio, I am.”

“That’s good, since I just recommended to him that he get you involved. Just so you don’t forget what you’re really up there for.”

“Your recommendation will sound like an order.”

“That’s fine. From what I’ve heard about his previous assignment, LoGuercio needs to follow orders.”

“He mentioned something to me about his work in the south not going well.”

“That is an understatement. He could have been dismissed.”

His uncle did not want to go into details, and Rick knew better than to push it. “Betta and I are going to have lunch with him now.”

“Buon appetito. Keep me informed on the case. And of course on Fabrizio.”

Rick didn’t know which had more of Piero’s interest.

***

The restaurant was more elegant than Rick expected, but on further consideration, the policeman would not choose a pizzeria to meet out-of-town visitors. It reminded Rick that he didn’t know LoGuercio well. When their paths had crossed in Volterra, the encounter had been intense and short, and Rick had returned immediately afterward to Rome. He’d liked the man, but there hadn’t been any time to get to know one another. This, their first meal together, would be the opportunity, and Rick looked forward to it. His mother’s skill at getting someone’s life story in a few minutes of conversation had unfortunately not rubbed off on Rick, but Betta was with him, so she would take care of it.

The atmosphere that greeted them was an indication the food would not disappoint. The clientele was mostly businessmen, though not dressed as formally as they would have in Milan or Rome, with a few elegant women mixed in. Tables were separated enough to allow private conversations, and the string quartet music coming from hidden speakers was kept low. Rick told the head waiter that their reservation had been made by Inspector LoGuercio, and they were quickly shown to a round corner table for three where the waiter pulled out the chair for Betta and whisked away the “reserved” card. Rick had barely settled into his place when mineral water appeared, along with three menus. They were beginning to scan the choices when LoGuercio came through the door, spotted them, and strode to the table. His suit seemed even more rumpled than when they’d parted earlier, and his face still had not seen a razor. Rick stood and they shook hands.

“Hope you haven’t been waiting long, I got tied up working on the case.”

“Don’t keep us in suspense, tell us what’s happening,” Betta said with a sweet smile while the two men sat down.

“It was just my luck that the forensics person is in Terni working on a case and couldn’t get here until this evening, so I decided to send the body immediately to Rome for a complete forensics investigation. It may be there in the next couple hours, if there isn’t too much traffic on the autostrada. So we’ll have to wait a bit to get a full report, if we’re fortunate, by the end of the day.”

“What do you hope to find that you don’t already know?” Rick asked.

“There are a number of things that can come out of the complete autopsy, including a more rigorous examination for fingerprints. We did find what seems to be a good print on the belt of the woman, and a more complete examination will show if it is hers or someone else’s. Rome should be able to come up with other details we wouldn’t have spotted at the crime scene, though perhaps we shouldn’t be discussing them just before