Emanuele Stefanori & Michela Guida, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 4 – The Crime is Served!
“And did you see the murderer?” enquires Benvenga.
“No, Inspector, but I noticed something suspicious straightaway.”
“Ok, but can you first describe the victim?”
“More or less. I didn’t see much of his face as it was in the plate… but I would say that he was about 50, thin and with grey hair. He was wearing a blue suit and a yellow tie.”
“Was he alone at the table or in company?”
“No, he was alone.”
“Interesting…..” mused the inspector.
“But what is more interesting is what followed. The whole room fell silent, everyone stopped eating. Some people were talking quietly, others looked around, puzzled. I noticed that two people were actually smiling….”
“Smiling? Are you sure?”
“Well , yes…..and nobody did anything, Inspector! Even the waiters didn’t move!”
“And what did you do?”
“I got up and announced that I am a doctor. I started towards the victim’s table, though my wife didn’t want me to….”
Benvenga looks at Signora Malinesi, seeking confirmation.
“Inspector, the fact is that my husband….” she begins.
“I know, dear, sometimes I do things you can’t understand,” continued her husband, “but I am not a hero, Inspector, I’m just a doctor. It was my professional duty to intervene and….”
“Yes, of course,” interrupted Benvenga again, still looking at the woman.