To say he was astonished wouldn’t have been accurate. If anything, he felt a sort of small satisfaction for having been right on target; indeed, he’d been certain the girl would turn up sooner or later to explain the whole affair to him. One thing, however, did indeed astonish him no end: that Catarella, for the first time in his life, had neither mangled nor mistaken her name.
For a second, upon seeing her, he thought that the young woman standing before him was not the same one he’d met. And that the whole business was even murkier than he’d imagined. How many Vanna Digiulios were there, anyway?
This one was blonde, without glasses, and had beautiful blue eyes. More importantly, she didn’t have that beaten-dog look that had made him feel so sorry for her. On the contrary, to judge by the way she walked, she seemed like a decisive, self-assured person.
She smiled at Montalbano as she held out her hand. Montalbano, standing erect, returned the greeting.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.
“I knew you would be,” she said.
So they were even. The girl knew how to fence. Montalbano gestured towards the chair in front of his desk, and she sat down, setting the large purse she carried slung across her shoulder onto the floor.
She began speaking before the inspector had even asked her anything.
“My name is Roberta Rollo. We have the same rank, but for the past three years I’ve been in the direct employ of the U.N.”
So this must be a really big deal. And while she might be of equal rank to him, she certainly was far more important than a simple chief inspector of police. He wanted confirmation.
“Was it you who forced the commissioner to give the case back to me?”
“Not personally, no. But I pulled a few strings,” she said, smiling.
“Could I ask you a few questions?”
“I’m indebted to you. Go right ahead.”
“Was Shaikiri your informer on the Vanna?”
“Yes.”
“And were you the person Shaikiri met with at the carabinieri station?”
“Yes.”
“The lieutenant told me it had something to do with terrorism, but I didn’t believe it.”
“That’s not a question but an affirmation. But I’ll answer anyway. You were right not to believe it.”
“Because in fact it involved the illegal diamond trade.”
The woman opened her eyes wide, and they became two little sky-blue lakes.
“How did you find that out so quickly? I was told you were a good policeman, but I had no idea you-”
“You’re not too bad yourself, I must say. You got me to swallow whole your story about being the neglected niece of a rich yacht owner… Did you know that? You even managed to make me feel sorry for you. But then why, at the same time, did you indirectly provide me with a number of clues that would lead me to realize that you were a completely different person from the one you pretended to be?”
“I have no problem telling you the whole story. The morning we met, when you rescued me from an unexpected predicament, you introduced yourself as Inspector Montalbano, the very person I’d been told to contact, to enlist your cooperation on an operation that was to be launched shortly thereafter.”
“And what was that?”
“We’d learned that Émile Lannec…”
Montalbano shook his head.
“What’s wrong?”
“His name wasn’t Lannec, but Jean-Pierre David.”
The girl was astonished.
“So Lannec was David!”
“Did you know him?”
“I certainly did. But we didn’t know they were the same person. How did you figure that out?”
“I’ll tell you later. Go on.”
“At any rate, we’d learned that Lannec had left Paris to come here. And so-”
“What was Lannec’s role?”
“Wait. He seemed to us to be a sort of troubleshooter. He would turn up whenever there were problems.”
“And what was his role when he was David?”
“He was one of the leaders of the organization. A very important man. Then I got a message from Shaikiri saying that due to the bad weather, the Vanna was heading for Vigàta. As you’ve probably already surmised, the Vanna and the Ace of Hearts both belong to the same organization, though they have different responsibilities.”
“And what are they?”
“The Vanna picks up the diamonds, and the Ace of Hearts sorts them out. Having them both at the same port, and knowing that Lannec was here too, presented us with a unique opportunity. Imagine if we’d known that Lannec was actually David! That was why I rushed to the scene. My intention was to see how things stood and then, if necessary, have you organize a roundup. But there was one hitch. A big one. Those people know who I am, and they know I’ve been after them for some time… And as you’ve seen, they’re people who won’t hesitate to kill. So I planted a few doubts in your mind, in case something happened to me.”
“I’d figured as much. Then why did you disappear?”
“Because they suddenly found Lannec’s body in the dinghy. I realized there would be a lot of commotion, and that it wouldn’t work in my favor. And Lannec’s murder, which must certainly have taken place aboard the Ace of Hearts, changed the whole picture. I needed to think things over.”
“I’m sorry, but what interest did the Vanna have in bringing Lannec’s body back to shore? If he was killed by their very own accomplices on the Ace of Hearts…”
“They didn’t recognize him! They couldn’t! They made a grave mistake by bringing him back to shore! And, in fact, Shaikiri told me about a furious quarrel that had taken place between Giovannini and Sperlì on the one hand, and Zigami and Petit on the other… Do you know who they are?”
“Yes. The supposed owner of the Ace of Hearts and his secretary.”
“And they were arguing precisely because the Vanna had dragged the body back to port.”
“Are all crew members on both ships implicated?”
“On the Ace of Hearts, yes; on the Vanna, only Alvarez knows what’s going on.”
And that was why La Giovannini made certain that Shaikiri wasn’t killed aboard her yacht.
“Why only Alvarez?”
“Alvarez is Angolan, not Spanish, as everyone thinks. Apparently it was he who originally got the late Mr. Giovannini interested in the diamond trade.”
“I see. And who was Shaikiri?”
“An agent of ours who’d succeeded in infiltrating their group. Their suspicions were likely aroused when he got himself arrested twice in barely twenty-four hours. Do you know how they killed him?”
“Yes. First they stuck his head into a bucket full of saltwater to make it look like he’d drowned at sea, and then-”
“No,” she interrupted. “It’s true they did it to make it look like he’d drowned, but the main reason was to torture him. But it looks like he broke down and talked.”
“I’m sorry, but could you explain to me exactly what the U.N. has to do with all this?”
“Have you ever heard of the Kimberley Process?”
“Yes, but I still haven’t had time to-”
“I’ll sum it up for you in a few words. It’s an international organization that was set up in 2002 to oversee the exportation and importation of diamonds. The governments of sixty-nine different countries have so far agreed to comply with it. But, as you probably can imagine, some three or four percent of all diamonds extracted are still done clandestinely.”
“I see. But where does the U.N. come in?”
“The U.N.’s role is to make sure the diamonds on the illegal circuit don’t become war diamonds.”
War diamonds? What on earth could that mean? The young woman noticed his puzzlement.
“By that I mean diamonds that come illicitly from areas controlled by forces opposed to legitmate governments-guerrilla forces, rebels, tribal or political factions, adversaries of any kind… With the proceeds they can buy all the weapons they like.”
“And what sort of situation are we dealing with here and now, in your opinion?”
“Well, I think we’ve been presented with an incredible, perhaps unique opportunity.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The Ace of Hearts, which must certainly have a cargo of diamonds aboard, has been stuck in your port with engine trouble. I am sure they summoned Lannec to pass him the diamonds, probably so he could take them back to Paris. But then Lannec got killed.”
“Why, in your opinion?”
“I think Zigami will tell us that after we’ve arrested him.”
“Any hypotheses?”
“I think Zigami has only been following orders. After the murder, I requested some more information from people who know more than I do. Apparently other elements at the top of the organization no longer had much confidence in him. Or it might have been some sort of internal struggle, I don’t know. So the present situation is the following: The diamonds are still aboard the Ace of Hearts. Not only, but there must also be some aboard the Vanna, since the cruiser was unable to meet them out on the open sea to effect a transfer. I think they’re desperately looking for someone to get them out of this fix.”
Montalbano suddenly got an idea so outlandish that he gave a start in his chair.
“What’s wrong?” asked Roberta Rollo.
“I think they’ve already found their man.”
“Who?”
“His name is Mimì Augello. He’s my second-in-command.”
The young woman seemed completely bewildered.
“He managed to infiltrate their group? How did he do that?”
“He has… let’s just say he’s endowed with… well, he has some extraordinary qualities.”
“In what sense?”
Montalbano preferred to change the subject.
“First explain to me what you want to do.”
“Fine, but then you must bring me up to date on your investigation.”
“All right.”
“What I want to do is rather simple: I’ve already managed to get search warrants for both boats. I’ve already spoken to the local commander of the Customs Police, and if they find diamonds, they’ll arrest them all, with your help. And this has to be done by this evening. Otherwise we risk having them leave the port tonight or early tomorrow morning.”
“There is one problem,” said Montalbano. “What if the people on the Ace of Hearts notice too much activity on the wharf, get suspicious, and head out to sea? That boat’s got some powerful engines, and it’s unlikely one of our boats could keep up with it.”
“You’re right. What do you suggest?”
“That we make it impossible for them to leave the port.”
“How?”
“We put two of the Harbor Office’s motor patrols at the mouth of the port. They’re armed and wouldn’t have any problem blocking the cruiser’s path.”
“Will you see to that, or should I?”
“I think it’s better for you to go and make the arrangements with the Harbor Office. You have more authority.”
“All right. Now tell me about your second-in-command.”
“He succeeded in infiltrating the Vanna with the help of someone from the Harbor Office, Lieutenant Belladonna, who introduced him to the Vanna as a representative of the wholesaler that furnishes the fuel.”
Roberta Rollo screwed up her face.
“Sounds a little flimsy to me.”
“Wait. The excuse was that the fuel they’d bought to restock was defective and contained sediment that could damage the engines. And so my man took samples from their tanks for examination. And in the meantime he’s made friends with La Giovannini.”
“What kind of friends?”
“Intimate. And he’s led her to believe that he’s the kind of person who’s willing to do anything to make money. Giovannini has asked him to work for her.”
“Where?”
“First in South Africa, and then in Sierra Leone.”
“Sierra Leone has been and continues to be a nerve center of the illegal diamond trade. And what did your man do?”
“He accepted.”
“And is he going to leave with them?!” the young woman asked, alarmed.
“He wouldn’t dream of it! This afternoon, at five, he has one last meeting with Giovannini and Sperlì, during which he’s going to try to extract as much information as possible.”
The girl sat silent for a moment, then said:
“Maybe it’s better to wait and hear what he has to say, before taking action.”
“I agree.”
“And how’s your man going to get out of there?”
“He’s going to get arrested. By me. The way Shaikiri did for you.”
Roberta Rollo started laughing.
“Sounds like a good idea.”
She stood up.
“All right, then we’ll meet back up here around four,” she continued. “I’m going to go first to the Harbor Office and talk with the commander, and then back to the Customs Police to work out a few details.”
Montalbano envied her eyes, which would get to see Laura.
Once she had left, he called Fazio.
“Have a seat.”
Then he noticed that Fazio was wearing a face fit for the Day of the Dead.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“When you said we might have to arrest Inspector Augello, were you joking?”
“No.”
“Why, then? What’s he done? Look, it’s not as if Augello and I are all that fond of each other, but I don’t think he’s the kind of person who-”
“We have to arrest him for his own good.”
Fazio threw up his hands, resigned.
“Where?”
“At the port. And you have to make as much noise as possible.”
“But can’t you arrest him yourself? Here at the station? Without creating a sensation? Whatever he may have done, the man doesn’t deserve-”
“If you would just let me speak, I’ll tell you why and how we have to arrest him.”
Mimì Augello came back out onto the deck of the Vanna just after six o’clock, accompanied by Captain Sperlì. Mimì descended the gangway; the captain remained on board.
The moment he set foot on the wharf, Mimì pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose. Then he started walking towards his car.
He’d taken barely three steps when a police car, siren blaring, cut off his path with tires screeching loudly. In a flash he sprang forward, circled round the car, and started running madly towards the northern entrance of the port.
Meanwhile Fazio and Gallo got out of the car, pistols in hand, and started giving chase.
“Stop! Police!” Fazio cried at a certain point.
And since Mimì kept on running without paying any notice, Fazio fired a shot in the air. Mimì continued running.
At this point, as soon as Mimì came within range, the Customs policeman standing guard at the northern entrance pointed his carbine at him.
“Stop or I’ll shoot!” the man shouted.
Augello got scared.
For all he knew, the guy might very well shoot in earnest, unaware that the whole thing was staged. Mimì suddenly stopped and put up his hands.
“Couldn’t you have run a little less fast, Inspector?” a panting Fazio asked as he slapped the handcuffs on him.
Flanked by Fazio and Gallo, Augello retraced his steps back to the police car. The entire crew of the Ace of Hearts, having heard the shot and the shouting, were now out on the deck, watching him walk past. On the Vanna, there were instead only two spectators: Giovannini and Sperlì. But they were enough.
“Matre santa!” Mimì said, out of breath, to Montalbano, who had stayed in the car. “That Customs cop scared the life out of me!”
Back at the office, Inspector Rollo was already waiting for them. Montalbano introduced her to Augello and Fazio and explained who she was.
Mimì then turned to Montalbano.
“But, earlier today, did you come aboard the Vanna?”
“Yes. I wanted to make them a little nervous, so that when you arrived around five, they-”
“Well, you certainly succeeded! Talk about nervous! Livia…”
It had slipped out. He stopped in midsentence, blushed, and looked at Roberta Rollo, who smiled amicably.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Montalbano.
“At a certain point, La Giovannini told Sperlì she was positive you’d figured everything out and that they mustn’t allow you any time to act. But what did you say to him?”
“I didn’t say anything. I just let him notice, as if by chance, that I had some printouts on the Kimberley Process, which you’d mentioned to me, in my pocket. And so it must have looked to them as if I knew more about it than I actually do… But tell me what happened.”
“Well, as soon as I got there, La Giovannini was already very upset and told me she had changed her mind.”
“They’d decided not to take you on?”
“No, they’d changed my function, but only temporarily.”
“In what sense?”
“I was to carry a suitcase to Paris, taking an itinerary that they were going to explain to me tonight, shortly before they left. They plan to set sail at dawn. Then, after turning over the suitcase, I was to take a flight to Sierra Leone.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said okay.”
“What excuse did you use for leaving the ship?”
“I said I had to go to the police station to get my passport before the office closed at six.”
“Did they specify whether the suitcase was actually a suitcase and not an overnight bag?” Roberta Rollo asked.
“Yes. It was a rather large and heavy suitcase whose contents I was supposed to transfer later to two smaller suitcases.”
Inspector Rollo whistled through clenched teeth.
“Apparently they put all the diamonds that were on both boats into a single suitcase. And they were going to have Inspector Augello do what Lannec was supposed to have done. That much is clear. However… They were entrusting him with a cargo of immense value… a suitcase full of uncut diamonds… with no guarantee. Seems strange to me.”
“Just a minute,” said Mimì. “Giovannini told me I was going to leave for Paris late tomorrow morning. A car would come and pick me up, with another person besides the driver.”
“So you were going to go all the way to Paris by car?”
“Yes.”
“So, to conclude,” said Inspector Rollo, “we know for certain that the diamonds are still on board. We must take immediate action.”
She looked at her watch. It was quarter to seven.
“Now let me tell you what we’re going to do.”