The Track of Sand Read Online Free PDF Page B

eating alone in the hotel restaurant, she came and sat down at my table. She apologized to me. We chatted awhile and agreed that Walter was an asshole and a coward.We took a liking to each other and became friends. And there you have it.”
    “Has she come in the past to see you in Montelusa?”
    “Yes. And not only for the horse race in Fiacca.”
    “Have you introduced her to many people?”
    “Practically all my friends. And she’s met others on her own. For example, she’s got a circle of friends in Fiacca whom I don’t know.”
    “Has she had any affairs?”
    “Not with any of my friends, no. But I wouldn’t know what she’s been up to in Fiacca.”
    “She doesn’t talk to you about it?”
    “She once made vague mention of a certain Guido.”
    “Does she sleep with him?”
    “I couldn’t say. She describes him as a sort of cavalier servente .”
    “But haven’t any of your male friends tried their luck with her?”
    “Almost all of them, as far as that goes.”
    “And among these ‘almost all,’ was there anyone who tried harder than the rest?”
    “Well, Mario Giacco.”
    “Isn’t it possible that, perhaps, without your knowing—”
    “—that Rachele has been with him? It’s possible, though I don’t—”
    “And couldn’t it be possible that Giacco, to avenge himself for having been rejected by her, arranged for the horse to be killed?”
    Ingrid did not hesitate.
    “I would absolutely rule that out, without any doubt. Mario’s an engineer, and he’s been in Egypt for the past year. He works for an oil company.”
    “It was a stupid conjecture, I know. And what sort of relationship does she have with Lo Duca?”
    “I have no idea what her relations with Lo Duca are.”
    “But if she left her horse in his care, they must be friends. Do you know Lo Duca?”
    “I do, but I find him unbearable.”
    “Has Rachele ever talked to you about him?”
    “A few times. And pretty indifferently, I’d say. I don’t think there’s been anything between them. Unless Rachele wants to keep their relationship a secret from me.”
    “Has she ever done that before?”
    “Well, based on your conjectures . . .”
    “Do you know if Lo Duca is presently in Montelusa?”
    “He arrived today, after hearing about the horse.”
    “Is Esterman her maiden name?”
    “No, it’s Gianfranco’s, her husband’s. Her family name is Anselmi del Bosco. She’s an aristocrat.”
    “She told me her relationship with her husband is only ‘fraternal.’Why doesn’t she divorce him?”
    “Divorce him? Are you kidding? Gianfranco is as Catholic as they come. He goes to Mass, he goes to confession, he’s got some sort of fancy job at the Vatican . . . He would never divorce. I don’t even think they’re officially separated.”
    She laughed again, but it wasn’t a very happy laugh.
    “Basically, she’s in the same situation as me . . . Listen, I’m going to go pee, and while I’m away, you should open that other bottle of whisky.”
    She stood up, lurching first to the left, then to the right. Regaining her balance, she headed off unsteadily. Without noticing, they had drunk a whole bottle.

4
    Things ended the same way as all the other times.
    At a certain hour of the night, when there were scarcely four fingers of whisky remaining in the second bottle, and they had talked about everything except Rachele Esterman, Ingrid said she felt sleepy and had to go immediately to bed.
    “I’ll drive you back to Montelusa.You’re in no condition to drive.”
    “And I suppose you are?”
    Indeed, the inspector’s head was spinning a little.
    “Ingrid, I only need to wash my face and I’m ready.”
    “I, on the other hand, am more inclined to go take a shower and slip into bed.”
    “Into my bed?”
    “What other beds are there? I’ll be quick,” she continued, thick-tongued.
    “Listen, Ingrid, it’s not—”
    “C’mon, Salvo. What’s got into you? It certainly won’t be the first time. And