Death and the Olive Grove Read Online Free PDF Page B

each year. He made a pitiful sight, drenched in the rain like that.
    â€˜Ciao, Romeo. Are you clean or did they find something on you?’ asked Bordelli, stopping in front of him. The little thief made a sad face.
    â€˜I was playing poker at the Mouse’s place, and I was even losing.’
    â€˜Is that all?’
    Romeo shrugged, embarrassed. A uniformed policeman came up to them.
    â€˜He had these banknotes on him, Inspector. They’re counterfeit,’ he said, handing him a few thousand-lira notes.
    â€˜Well, well …’ said Bordelli, glancing over at a stony-faced Piras. Romeo took a step forward, pulled the inspector aside, and lowered his voice.
    â€˜Don’t let them put me in again, Inspector … I’ve found a wonderful woman.’
    â€˜Are you trying to make me sorry for you?’
    â€˜It’s true, Inspector … Look how pretty she is.’ Romeo took a badly creased photograph out of his inside pocket, looked around to make sure nobody else could see it, then thrust it under Bordelli’s nose. She was a chubby blonde with a pretty smile.
    â€˜Cute, Romeo, very cute. What’s she doing with someone like you?’
    â€˜She’s the most beautiful woman in the world,’ said Romeo. He planted a kiss on the photograph and put it safely away again. Bordelli lit a cigarette and blew the smoke skywards.
    â€˜Get out of here, Romeo, and stay away from the phoney money. The stuff’s not for you; there are some dangerous people in that circuit.’
    â€˜Don’t worry, Inspector,’ said the little thief, tapping Bordelli’s elbow.
    â€˜Now get going.’
    â€˜Eh?’
    â€˜Get out of here …’
    â€˜All right, but … what about my money?’
    Bordelli ran a hand over his eyes and heaved a sigh.
    â€˜By all means, Romeo … Actually, tell you what: I’ll put them about myself, and we can split the proceeds … What do you say?’
    â€˜What was that, Inspector?’
    â€˜Make yourself scarce, Romeo. I’m about to change my mind.’
    â€˜No need to get angry …’ said Romeo, starting to move away. Bordelli stood there and watched him walk hurriedly away on his toothpick legs. He had always felt sorry for Romeo.
    The rain had stopped. The sky was beginning to clear, and a few stars were already coming out. Bordelli wiped his face with both hands and stopped in front of another old acquaintance.
    â€˜Look who we have here,’ he said with a half-smile. The Saint was always well dressed and fragrant with cologne. He pulled everyone’s leg with his claim of noble origins and always tried to speak with refinement, but his brutish face spoke much more clearly.
    â€˜Inspector, what a pleasure …’ he said, giving a slight bow.
    â€˜Get a good look at this guy, Piras. He’s the biggest liar you’ll ever meet.’
    â€˜Why do you say that, Inspector?’ asked the Saint, looking at Piras with an expression of innocence.
    â€˜You still robbing churches?’ asked Bordelli.
    â€˜No, Inspector, I swear it. I deal in second-hand goods now.’
    â€˜You mean stolen property.’
    â€˜Never knowingly, Inspector, never.’
    â€˜Ever heard of unlawful acquisition?’
    â€˜Sounds like robbery, not my sort of thing.’
    â€˜I like you, Santo, but don’t push your luck.’
    â€˜I promise, Inspector,’ said the Saint, right hand on his heart. Whenever he didn’t know what to say, he promised.
    â€˜Get out of here,’ said Bordelli.
    The Saint smiled faintly, nodded his head, and headed off serenely down the street, hands in his pockets, followed by Piras’s amused gaze. It was the first time the youth was taking part in a round-up, and he now understood why Bordelli tried to avert them.
    â€˜I can’t wait to be asleep,’ the inspector said, dropping his cigarette butt into the rivulet of water flowing down