Death Brings Gold. Nicola Rocca

some brilliant advice. He had done it several times during previous investigations, when Walker had been in difficulty.

      And there was nothing to say that he couldn’t have also solved this complicated problem.

      He would see him that same afternoon, but right now he had another meeting. He had decided to have Merli followed from that very night. Before that, however, he was going to ask him some questions. If he could catch him straight away, there would be no need to have him followed.

      When Walker arrived at Headquarters, he was surprised to see that detective Paolo Caslini, – his most loyal man – had already come back to work.

      â€œWeren’t you supposed to come back next week?” he asked , with a sidelong glance.

      â€œLet’s not go there , Chief. I thought this time she was the real thing, but I had to dump her too.”

      â€œEven this brunette left hair in the toilet?” Walker said ironically.

      This was not the first time Caslini left a current flame while on holiday and took off in haste. He was intolerant of people, but if you asked him, it was they who were full of faults.

      â€œIf that had been all, Chief” answered Caslini, disconsolate.

      â€œYou’ll tell me later, Paolo. Now I’ve got some urgent work to do. Actually, you could come along.” he said to him. That wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order.

      When they entered the office, Merli – who was the only suspect, though unaware of the fact - was already there waiting for them. Once again Bassani had done a great job. He had got him there in record time.

      The guy seemed anxious. Was it guilt or fear?

      Walker stood behind Merli, who had neither seen nor heard him come in. Walker could sense Merli’s anxiety even by standing behind him. So he decided to surprise him.

      â€œGood morning, Mr Merli.”

      Merli turned, almost scared, his mouth open.

      â€œI’m Inspector Walker,” he continued. “And this is detective Caslini.”

      At last Merli spoke as well.

      â€œGood morning,” he answered in a soft, but firm, voice.

      David went past him, looking at him. He took a seat at the other end of the desk, along with Caslini. Lining themselves up in that way, they wanted to make Merli understand that there were two of them, while he was on his own. They were putting mental pressure on the suspect, something that in the majority of cases brought results.

      Walker’s steady eyes locked on Merli’s disorientated eyes. He deliberately remained silent, in order to increase the man’s anxiety.

      Merli started looking around, as if he was wondering if they were still waiting for somebody else. He was also wondering if one of these two men was going to tell him why he was in that room with Homicide police, instead of being in his small garage. When his anxiety was about to become painful, he made up his mind.

      â€œMay I know why you’ve called me?” His tone of voice was trying to show a confidence that he didn’t have. He was scared, clearly.