The Snack Thief Read Free

apartment next to mine, and not a day
goes by without her trying to start an argument with my
wife, who, since shes a real lady, wont give her the satisfaction.
And so the woman gets even by making a horrible
racket, especially when Im trying to catch up on my sleep
after my long shift.
    The handle of the knife stuck between Mr. Lapras shoulder
blades was worn. A common kitchen utensil.
    When did they kill him, in your opinion? the inspector
asked Dr. Pasquano.
    To make a rough guess, Id say between seven and eight
oclock this morning. Ill be able to tell you more precisely a
little later.
    Jacomuzzi arrived with his men from the crime lab, and
they began their intricate search.
    Montalbano stepped out of the buildings main door. It
was windy, the sky still overcast. The street was a very short
one, with only two shops, one opposite the other. On the
left-hand side of the street was a greengrocer, behind whose
counter sat a very thin man with thick glasses. One of the
lenses was cracked.
    Hello, Im Inspector Montalbano. This morning, did
you by any chance see Mr. Lapra come in or go out the
front door of his building?
    The thin man chuckled and said nothing.
    Did you hear my question? asked the inspector,
slightly miffed.
    Oh, I heard you all right, the grocer said. But as for
seeing, I cant help you much there. I couldnt even see a
tank if one came through that door.
    On the right-hand side of the street was a fishmongers
shop, with two customers inside. The inspector waited for
them to come out, then entered.
    Hello, Lollo.
    Hello, Inspector. Ive got some really fresh striped
bream today.
    Im not here to buy fish, Lollo.
    Youre here about the death.
    Yeah.
    Howd Lapra die?
    A knife in the back.
    Lollo looked at him openmouthed.
    Lapra was murdered?!
    Why so surprised?
    Who would have wished Mr. Lapra any harm? He
was a good man, Mr. Lapra. Unbelievable!
    Did you see him this morning?
    No.
    What time did you open up?
    Six-thirty. Ah, but I did run into his wife, Antonietta,
on the corner. She was in a rush.
    She was running to catch the bus for Fiacca.
    In all likelihood, Montalbano concluded, Lapra was
killed in the elevator, as he was about to go out. He lived on
the fourth floor.
    Dr. Pasquano took the body to Montelusa for the autopsy.
Meanwhile, Jacomuzzi wasted a little more time filling three
small plastic bags with a cigarette butt, a bit of dust, and a tiny
piece of wood.
    Ill keep you posted.
    Montalbano went into the elevator and signaled to the
security guard, who had not moved an inch all the while, to
come along with him. Cosentino seemed hesitant.
    Whats wrong?
Theres still blood on the floor.
So what? Just be careful not to get it on your shoes.
    Would you rather climb six flights of stairs?
    2
    Come in, come in, said a cheerful Signora Cosentino, an
irresistibly likable balloon with a mustache.
    Montalbano entered a living room with the dining room
attached. The housewife turned to her husband with a look
of concern.
    You werent able to rest, Pep
Duty. And when duty calls, duty calls.
Did you go out this morning, signora?
I never go out before Pepomes home.
Do you know Mrs. Lapra?
Yes. We chat a little, now and then, when were waiting
    for the elevator together.
Did you also chat with the husband?
No, I didnt care much for him. A good man, no doubt
    about that, but I just didnt like him. If youll excuse me a
minute...
She left the room. Montalbano turned to the security
    guard.
Where do you work?
At the salt depot. From eight in the evening to eight in
    the morning.
    It was you who discovered the body, correct?
Yes, sir. It mustve been about ten after eight at the latest.
    The depots just around the corner. I called the elevator
It wasnt on the ground floor?
No, it wasnt. I distinctly remember calling it.
And of course you dont know what floor it was on.
Ive thought about that, Inspector. Based on the