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They found themselves in the bedroom. The woman embraced him, pressing her lips against his. He hugged her tightly, returning the passionate kiss, and it was precisely at that moment that they froze, looking at each other with wide eyes. Had they really heard the sound of a key turning in the lock for the first time? A fraction of a second later, they had no doubts. Someone was opening the door. Mimi, with a lightning-fast move, headed towards the balcony. He stepped outside, and the woman quickly closed the door behind him. He heard the woman asking, "Martino, is that you?" and a male voice that was already inside the house replied, "Yes," and she said, "but why?" "I asked to be replaced because I'm not feeling very well." Mimi heard nothing more. He had no time to lose. He was trapped. He couldn't spend the night on the balcony, and he had to think of a way to get out of this uncomfortable and dangerous situation. He leaned over to look below. He climbed over the railing and reached the second-floor balcony. It was done. Yes, he leaned against the wall, breathing heavily while feeling the sweat already sticking to his skin. Before making the final jump to get to the street, he took a step back to gain momentum and bumped into the shutters of the balcony, half-open.
The curiosity of the policeman took over. Maybe it was better to enter the apartment and go out through the door rather than risking getting hurt by continuing to jump from one balcony to another like a common thief. He entered the room completely in darkness, and as much as he strained his ears holding his breath, he heard only absolute silence. His eyes were adjusting to the dark. On the bed, he seemed to see a large black shape. Looking more closely, it was a human form. Was it possible that this man had such a heavy sleep that he hadn't heard the noise he made entering the room?
He approached, touching the black figure with his hand. He encountered a pair of shoes and then the hem of the trousers.
Why had the man laid down fully dressed? He took a step to the side of the bed, extending his arm and started to feel the outline of the man with his hands. He went over the perfectly buttoned coat and lowered his hands towards the face to feel the breath. Nothing. Gathering courage, he placed his hand on the forehead. He withdrew it quickly. He had felt the cold of death.
That's how the last novel of Camilleri and his classic character commissioner Montalbano begins. A phone call in the middle of the night from Mimì Augello confessing the discovery of a corpse. The story continues with the investigation of the death of the usurer in the town of Vigata.
An engaging, entertaining, and captivating novel.
Long live our Camilleri.
The more I read, the more I am amazed by the always original ideas. By the subtle irony and unexpected humor.
For those who have never read anything, I invite you to take on the challenge. Probably arduous until the fortieth page, then a mad descent into Sicilian grammar.
Trust a "little fifty-year-old" from Piedmont with a bit of Friulian blood.
Tag a place: Bennet of Chivasso
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