Читать книгу Death Brings Gold - Nicola Rocca - Страница 19

CHAPTER 12

Raffaele Ghezzi’s death was a mess, the Chief Inspector thought. There were those damn traces of glue under the victim’s tongue. And the murder weapon was still a mystery.

David Walker read the autopsy report for the umpteenth time, paying special attention to the parts that he had highlighted. When he reached the end, he remained there engrossed in his own thoughts.

Making an angry grunt, he lifted the office phone receiver and dialled Dr Visconti’s number.

The phone rang three times, then the Medical Examiner answered.

“Hi Umberto, it’s Walker.”

“Inspector, good to hear from you. I bet you need something.”

“Correct,” admitted David.

“Shoot,” Visconti encouraged him.

“I’ve just finished reading the appraisal regarding Ghezzi.”

“Good.”

“Actually, I dare say that I devoured it more than read it.”

On the other end he heard an amused snicker.

“So, the victim died by strangulation.”

“Without a shadow of a doubt.”

“But the murder weapon still remains a mystery.”

An eternal moment of silence.

“Well, I made my observations, David.”

“And now I’ll give you mine,” replied Walker. “Couldn’t the killer have used the necktie that was found on the victim’s body? That is, I mean, could it be consistent with the marks that you’ve found on the victim’s neck?”

The doctor thought about it for a moment.

“It could be. Yes, I wouldn’t exclude it.”

“Excellent,” replied Walker. “Besides, I read about some marks with little squares stamped on the neck …”

“Yes,” Visconti interrupted him. “Those squares are the pattern on the surface of the ligature strip or, as you have assumed, of the necktie used for the strangulation.”

“It’s exactly with reference to this matter that I wanted some clarification.”

“That’s why I’m here, David.”

“I spoke with Carobbio, from Forensics. He confirmed that the necktie found on Ghezzi’s body had some small squares tone-on-tone. The surface of the fabric, I mean.”

“Well, then I’d say there’s no doubt, David. It must be the murder weapon. If you want, we could confirm that, by comparing the pattern of that necktie with the marks on the victim’s neck.”

Walker waited for a few seconds before expressing his thoughts.

“Let’s do it, Umberto. Although… I was also convinced that it was that necktie …”

“But?” the medical examiner asked.

“But Carobbio excluded it. Categorically.”

“Sorry, but why?”

“He said the necktie was too neat, too clean and ironed to be the one used to strangle a man. In his words: it looked like it came from a drycleaner’s.”

“So he discouraged you.”

“Absolutely.”

After an embarrassing silence, it was Visconti who came forward.

“As for the rest of the picture, is it clear to you?”

“To tell the truth, I wanted to ask you something else.”

“I’m all ears.”

“What can you tell me about his wrists? I couldn’t find anything in my report.”

“The wrists?” asked Visconti, worried.

“Yes. As soon as I arrived at the scene, I noticed some reddish bruises around the victim’s wrists.”

“Ah, those,” said the doctor. “Yes, I saw them. I didn’t attach any importance to them because certainly they didn’t cause his death. It’s very likely that the victim had been tied with something metallic before he was killed. Chains? Handcuffs?”

Walker remained silent.

“David, are you still there?” Visconti prompted him.

“Yes, I’m here,” he answered, shaking off his lethargy. “It’s exactly what I’d thought.”

“Well, then why did you ask?” joked the doctor.

“I wanted you to confirm it.”

“Well, I did.”

“Good. Thanks a lot, Umberto,” said Walker, letting his friend know that their phone conversation was over.

“Don’t mention it, David. It’s my job.”

“Ah,” Walker drew Visconti’s attention again, “I’ll show you the necktie, to compare it with the impressions on Ghezzi’s neck.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Walker slowly returned the receiver to its hook. It was the first time that Visconti had submitted an incomplete report. Poor Umberto, he must still be under stress from his mother’s death. He would give the document back to him and ask for the amendments. He didn’t wish to cause him any trouble.