Free Black Run by Antonio Manzini Page A

in a good mood.
    â€œAll right, listen up. As Deruta was saying, I have a very important job for you.”
    Deruta gulped with excitement.
    â€œIt’s going to be a time-consuming, nerve-jangling, challenging task. But it’s a job that only two smart, bold, and completely discreet officers can complete.”
    â€œGo ahead, Dottore,” Deruta broke in, his chest swelling with pride and eagerness.
    â€œD’Intino. Deruta. Now I want the two of you to make the rounds of all the carabinieri barracks, hotels, pensiones, and rentals in”—and here the deputy police chief shot a glance at the map—“Champoluc, Brusson, Antagnod . . . In other words, let’s include all the townships close to Champoluc in a range of thirty miles or so.”
    â€œThat’ll take forever!” said Deruta through clenched teeth.
    â€œYes,” said Rocco, “but that’s exactly why I chose the two of you.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” said D’Intino.
    â€œThat’s nothing new. So what am I asking you to do? I want the identity details of all the people who registered in any of these places. And I want first and last names of everyone who rented a house, a room, a stable, or a grotto in the past week.”
    â€œWho are we looking for?” asked Officer Deruta.
    â€œIf I knew that, I’d give you their first and last name and tax number, no? All right, then, D’Intino! Deruta! The two of you get going. And remember: Inspector Rispoli is in charge, from headquarters. Is that clear?”

    â€œYes sir,” replied Rispoli.
    Deruta and D’Intino exchanged angry glances. Inspector Rispoli had enlisted only a year ago, and already she was in charge.
    â€œSo, Rispoli,” the deputy police chief continued, “I want you to man the phone, the fax, and the computer and take down all the information that comes in from our officers. You’re in charge of the whole operation.”
    â€œVery good.”
    Rocco looked at the two male cops. “Something wrong? You look like you have questions.”
    Finally Deruta screwed up his nerve. “No, it’s just that, well, I was wondering if—”
    â€œYou’re not being paid to wonder. You’re being paid to do what I tell you. Now, here’s one important thing.” Rocco picked up the map and tried to fold it. Unsuccessfully. In the end he crumpled it into a ball and tossed it onto the floor. “How the fuck are you supposed to fold up these piece-of-shit maps! So—I was telling you something important! You can skip families with children and excursions and field trips or any groups that have to do with the church. Everyone else, get me the names as quickly as you can. Go in peace.”
    Deruta and D’Intino rushed to the door and vanished. Caterina Rispoli followed them. Rocco called her back. “Keep an eye on Laurel and Hardy.”
    Caterina smiled. “All right. Don’t worry.”

    For four months, as far as Deputy Police Chief Schiavone was concerned, Caterina Rispoli had been just a uniform with short hair. But when he saw her smile for the first time after 120 days, he understood that, under the collar badges and regulation shoes, there was a woman. Twenty-four years old, with big eyes and somewhat droopy eyelids, her cheeks sprinkled with freckles and her mouth, small and sensuous. On her nose, a tiny hump, a slight imperfection that suited her. Her body, bundled into its uniform, was an exotic land awaiting discovery. But the deputy police chief’s gaze, more penetrating than an X-ray, was capable of guessing that there, too, Inspector Rispoli acquitted herself with distinction.
    Her tits must tilt up , Rocco decided.
    There was only one detail left to examine. “Very well, Inspector. You can go.”
    Caterina Rispoli turned around, and Rocco’s appraising eye immediately shot, like a hawk pouncing on a mouse, to the firm and shapely