In fact, none of them had ever seen the father of hemiplegic boy, however such information did mean nothing, and as far as appeared, even the family didnt have any dispute or claims against them, besides the disability problem of Marco Mezzogori and the economic hardships. The poor economic situation was a normal conclusion drawn by Zamagni and Finocchi who explained this with the fact that both mother and her son used to live in a building owned by the Municipality of San Lazzaro of Savena, at an estimated low price.
During the time spent there, both policemen had been able to talk to the majority of neighbors, besides those ones living at the same floor with Marisa Lavezzoli, but, in all cases theyd have enough time to go back there considering the long time the investigation would take.
Once getting in the car, the inspector Zamagni informed the captain about the confirmation enabled by some neighbors in the building as well as the interviews to be made as soon as possible with the rest of them, and then informed him about the intention to go and meet the nurse who used to take care of the hemiplegic boy, and lastly, theyd get back to work after completion of all the above tasks.
All right, agreed Giorgio Luzzi, Meanwhile, Im letting you know that the father is not trackable yet.
Since the day the tragedy has been happened, Miss Daniela Rossi waited for the police to come and see her in person over the following days, because, other than his close relatives, she was probably the person who perfectly knew Marco Mezzogori.
The lady welcomed Stefano Zamagni dhe Marco Finocchi at her own apartment situated in the street Carlo Sigonio in Bologna and accommodated them in the dining room.
Would you like to drink something?, she asked, Even simply a glass of water or a cup of coffee.
Ill have a cup of water with pleasure, if you dont mind, said the inspector, and the agent Finocchi also demanded the same.
Nodding, Miss Rossi left for a while and came back with two bottles of ice water, one natural and one sparkling, and with two glasses, served in a tray. I have also water at normal temperature, if you dont prefer it cold.
We dont intend to disturb you more, said Zamagni also thanking her.
As you like, said the woman lastly, and then asked them about the reason of their visit. Though she was able to guess it.
Were following up the case of Marco Mezzogori, began to speak Zamagni pouring some natural water in the glass. Its about a hemiplegic boy whom you knew very well.
Daniela Rossi nodded.
As youd probably learned, the boy has been found dead on the floor of his apartment and the autopsy results have shown that its a murder.
I am pretty aware, confirmed the lady, The boys mother have told me.
Ok, fine, said Zamagni, Now wed like to make some other questions regarding the boy.
What youd like to know?
Anything that could be useful to our inquiries, explained the inspector, unfortunately, were groping around in the dark. Please tell us what comes to your mind for the moment.
Ok, the lady began to speak, Ive recognized Marco Mezzogori since he was a child. His family learned very soon about the problems he had with motor development. He was able to move only the right part of the body. After some diagnostical examinations, it was found out that the boy was suffering from hemiplegia, one of the cerebral paralysis symptoms. It could be the case of a person who appears to be a tetraplegic, or not able to move either the upper limbs or the lower limbs... have you ever read the books in which Lincoln Rhyme is the protagonist?
Zamagni nodded, while the agent Finocchi got very surprised.
I will explain it later on, said the inspector, and then turned to the nurse. Go on, madam.
Yes, of course, I really apologize for jumping out of the main topic of our discussion. I was saying... due to a cerebral paralysis, or inability to move two limbs out of four ... usually its the lower limb that hes not able to move ... or, just like the case of Marco Mezzogori, the disabled person may result with hemiplegia, when the paralysis partly affect the body, only a section of it. This boy wasnt able to move the right part of the body. For your information, there exist some other forms of paralysis such as the monoplegy and triplegy.
Hence, the boy for example needed to learn to carry out a lot of jobs and make movements with the left hand, agent Finocchi dared to say.
The nurse nodded.
Have you anything else to tell us?, asked Zamagni, For example, how were the relationships in the family? And out of the family, as far as you may know?
Yeah, responded the lady, The mother was very attached to her son, this was very obvious every time I used to go to their apartment. The son was the most important to her. Regarding his father, I dont really know what to say to you. Ive recognized him, yeah its true, but he wasnt present most of the time Ive spent there, because of engagements with his job or probably with shopping or something like that. I simply know that he used to go to the bar caffe in the street Repubblica in San Lazzaro of Savena, that is, the one in the very center of the city, not the bar caffe located in the intersection with...whats the name of that street?
Street Jussi?, suggested the inspector, Is this the name of street you mean?
Yeah, exactly. He frequented that bar caffé, and once back home, he often went there after work. Her wife has told me.
Ok, thats clear, nodded Zamagni.
Hence, as I was saying to you, Ive seen the father very rarely. Although, as far as I know, one day he disappeared. Yeah, one day.
The same was told to us as well, admitted the inspector. Have you ever recognized any other relatives or friends of the boy, who probably may have some kind of reason to hurt him?
I already recognize Mrs. Carla, the sister of boys father, who always seemed a very calm person. I saw her very often as she used to come and see her nephew two or three times a week after work. As for the rest... dont know what to say. I think he didnt have any friend or acquaintance in particular.
Many thanks for your information. I think its enough for now, said the inspector, Anyway, we kindly advise you to remain available if necessary.
Sure, no problem for me, agreed the lady.
Wed be pleased to talk to the chief of medical team that followed up the health condition of the hemiplegic boy, added Zamagni, giving a business card to the nurse.
Of course. I think hes not able to help you more than I did, however, here is the telephone number of professor Salvemini. The medical team is at the hospital Sant'Orsola of Bologna, Daniela Rossi concluded her statement and then gave to the inspector a plasticized card with all the useful contact information to get in touch with the medical team.
Both policemen thanked the nurse for taking her time and left away.
VI
Once left the apartment of Daniela Rossi, the inspector Zamagni contacted captain Luzzi on the phone to make an update on the latest interviews of the day, then informed him of their decision to go back to San Lazzaro of Savena and obtain a photo of the husband from the boys mother, then go to that bar caffé and show the photo off, hoping to get some more information on the husband, and given the chance, they would go and have a talk with professor Mario Salvemini before returning to the Police Station.
Once the policemen made such request to Marisa Lavezzoli, she didnt find it difficult to get a photo of her husband, and then Zamagni dhe Finocchi saluted her and went to meet with the owner of bar caffé.
The bar caffé was actually managed by some Chinese people who initially failed to know the man from the photo the inspector showed, nevertheless they pointed out the fact of having the ownership of bar caffé in the recent years, while before them, the bar caffé had been owned by an Italian couple who, in turn, had decided to shut off the activity and enjoy in serenity the rest of their life.
When the inspector Zamagni asked them of the residence place of the past owners, one of Chinese gave to them a piece of paper with the names, address and the phone numbers.
Unless theyve changed their own address, this is what youve asked for, explained the man behind the counter, Ive received these data from the sale contract.
Despite his Chinese nationality, it was obvious that the person whom theyre talking to, used to live in Italy for some years as he was fluent in Italian, differently from his friends in the bar caffé.
Zamagni and Finocchi expressed their thanks to him and then went out the caffé heading towards the place indicated in the paper.
It is nearby, the inspector explained to agent Finocchi, We can reach it easily on foot within a few minutes.
Aldo Marini and her spouse Giovanna Carletti lived in street Parma, within the same city, San Lazzaro of Savena, a short street parallel to street Repubblica, which was located behind the café owned by them before selling it to some Chinese people.
May we talk to you for a little bit?, asked Zamagni after showing the police identification card to the man who showed up in the door.
Please, the elderly man let them in, Whats up?
Were inquiring a case and need to show a photo to you and your wife. Its about a person, who as far as it seems, used to visit your bar café.
Whats going on, Aldo?, asked a lady, in a voice coming from the other room of the apartment.
Please come here, Giovanna, the police need to talk to us, was the answer of the man, and then turning to the two policemen, he said at a lower voice: Its my wife speaking. She used to work with me in the café.
Hello, whats going on here?, asked the lady.
Were looking for this person, replied Zamagni, showing the photo that Marisa Lavezzoli gave to them a short while ago, Do you know this man?
Both spouses stared for a moment at the person in the photo, then made a gesture of approval and the husband confirmed it.
I remember him coming quite often to our café. He used to drink something and often played cards with other clients as well.
What do you know about him?, the agent Finocchi asked.
He didnt talk much to us. Only used to speak when ordering drinks.
And what did he drink usually?, Zamagni wanted to know. Alcohol or something else?
I remember that he didnt drink alcohol, responded Aldo Marini, Sometimes coffee, or merely water or soft drinks.
Did he look like a calm person or probably occurred that youve seen him angry sometimes?
A calm person, Id say, returned the wife, But, it comes to my mind now, that one day I didnt see him again, I recall this fact.
Were in search for him because it seems that he disappeared years ago, the agent Finocchi underlined.
His family thinks that something bad has happened to him and thats the reason of asking help from the Police?, asked Mr.Marini.
We have no idea what has happened. In every case, this is an ongoing inquiry, therefore we cant speak out about that, Zamagni explained to him, However, you also confirm that one day you havent seen him again, right?
Both spouses nodded.
To be exact, since when you dont run the bar café in street Repubblica?, asked the inspector.
Ive not a fresh memory, returned the man, but Id say eight or maybe ten years, at least, replied the husband.
Zamagni dhe Finocchi saluted them, expressing thanks for the time spent, then went out into the street and set off on their way to the hospital Sant'Orsola to keep talking to professor Salvemini.
Well, who is Lincoln Rhyme?, asked Marco Finocchi while driving the car from San Lazzaro of Savena to the hospital Sant'Orsola.
Oh, yeah, youre right, began to speak the inspector, I promised you to explain it. Are you sure youve never heard of him? Havent you ever watched The Bone Collector? Its a movie from several years ago.
I remember the movie title, but never watched it, responded the agent.
Lincoln Rhyme is a character born from the imagination of Jeffery Deaver, a writer of thriller novels who became widely known through publishing of his adventures, I believe so. Hes an expert in forensic science and solves the cases from the place in which he currently lives.
Thats weird, Marco Finocchi made a comment, He doesnt go to see the crime scene at all?
It would be so hard: he suffers from tetraplegia. Fortunately, hed managed to set up some technology systems by means of which hes able practically to do everything simply sitting on a wheel chair. Moreover, he has established a small laboratory in the house with many examination tools that serve to resolve the cases hes in charge.
But how does he get the objects that he needs to examine, if he cant go to the crime scene?
He does that through an assistant. Her name is Amelia Sachs. She goes onsite to the crime scene and its pretty the same as if Rhyme sees it himself.
Thats pretty interesting. And how does she do that?
She goes to the crime scene and examines it along with Rhyme. She describes all remotely through the radio transmittent, cell phone or any other appliance similar to these.
Thats great!, exclaimed Finocchi.
You could read the books of Jeffery Deaver with Lincoln Rhyme in the role of protagonist, advised Zamagni.
I would consider it.
Its time to get off the car, said the inspector at last, We just arrived at the hospital.
Following the directions indicated in the business card the nurse had given to them, both policemen reached the second floor of the hospital building, in which they asked for some guidance to find professor Salvemini.
A lady on a white sleeve said to them that the person whom theyre looking for, was momentally busy with medical check-ups, but she advised them to wait at the clinic and then get in touch as soon as he frees from the workload.
Zamagni thanked her for the politeness and along with the agent Finocchi went to sit down at one of the chairs close to the front door of clinic.
Once one patient came out, and before the doctor was about to call the other patient to enter, the inspector peeped inside from the door and, while showing the police identification card, asked if they could have a conversation together.
Unfortunately, I have some medical check-ups already pre-scheduled and its not possible to cancel or postpone, Mario Salvemini explained to them, but I promise to get back to you right away, once Im done. Its a matter of only one hour. You can wait in the hallway or come back again after a while. Its up to you. In all cases, I wont be leaving from here.