Free A Fine Line by Gianrico Carofiglio

the result of influence peddling on the part of some crooked colleague of yours.
    â€œSo he says that Judge So-and-So is corrupt because his cellmate or his lawyer told him. The prosecutor nods – it’s just what he wanted to hear – and the criminal realizes he’s on the right track. When he’s questioned again and asked to go further into the subject, which his interrogators – the investigators on whom his future depends – obviously consider important, he tries to remember more, embellishes it, and adds a few speculations of his own, passing them off as actual knowledge. They end up with a flimsy but credible accusation, which they have to investigate in order to find corroborating evidence. Investigating and finding corroborating evidence takes time. I’ll be caught up in this business for God knows how long and with my reputation soiled forever. Because even when the case is closed – with either a dismissal or an acquittal – everyone will remember that I was the judge accused of releasing prisoners in return for money.
    â€œAmong other things, the position of president of the court falls vacant in the next few months. As you can imagine, I stand a good chance of getting it. Or maybe I should say: I would have stood a good chance . With this thing pending, unless we deal with it very soon, my chances are close to zero.”
    Again that uncontrolled grimace of disgust.
    It was my turn to pour myself some more wine, after refilling his glass.
    â€œWhat would you do?” he asked as he drank.
    â€œWe could present a motion in accordance with article 335 and see what they reply. Just a try, obviously.”
    According to article 335 of the code of criminal procedure, anyone who supposes he is being investigated can present a motion to the prosecutor asking if his name appears on the register of those under investigation. The prosecutor is obliged to divulge the information unless the investigation is in any way confidential, in which case he can take advantage of this confidentiality for three months.
    Larocca shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. I think if we present a motion, all we’ll do is put them on the alert. They’re bound to claim confidentiality, and for at least three months I’ll be sat here stewing, wondering what nasty surprise they might have in store for me. It’d drive me mad.”
    â€œAn alternative would be to take it as read that the process is under way – we don’t have to indicate any source – and ask for you to be examined.”
    I had barely finished speaking before he had already started shaking his head again.
    â€œYou’re not convinced by that either.”
    He didn’t reply immediately. He pushed back his smooth, thin brown hair, which was falling over his forehead, breathed in greedily, almost violently, as if suddenly hungry for air, then put his hands together. “I heard about that remarkable cross-examination of yours in the second division court, when you demonstrated that the charge was a slander. My colleague Basile says you must have carried out a very thorough investigation. He doesn’t see how you could have gathered certain information without help from the police.”
    â€œOh yes, it was a trial for sexual assault. A case that should never have come to court. The investigation was a good one, I agree.”
    â€œI don’t want to ask you anything that will interfere with professional confidentiality, but I imagine you must haveused a private detective.” He let a few seconds go by before continuing: “Or else you have some… useful contacts?”
    â€œI know a very good private detective. She’s the only one I trust. And I think she has… useful contacts, as you put it. Including among the police.”
    â€œIs she an ex-policewoman?”
    â€œNo. She’s not your average detective. She used to be a journalist. You may remember