The Dark Angel

by Elly Griffiths

  ‘But you are now?’

  There’s another silence. Nelson leans on the balustrade, looking away from her. He seems to be choosing his words very carefully. ‘She’s my wife, Ruth. I can’t leave her when she’s pregnant. Maybe after the baby is born . . .’

  Ruth wonders what Nelson would say if she repeated the conversation she had with Tim, that day at her cottage. Does Nelson ever suspect that Michelle’s baby might be Tim’s? Well, he will know soon enough if it is. But she has got to stop him before he goes any further. It was the same yesterday in the sea. If he says that he wants to be with her, she doesn’t think she will be able to stand it.

  ‘You can’t say that,’ she says. ‘I don’t want you to. You’ve chosen to stay with Michelle and I accept that.’

  ‘In June,’ says Nelson, ‘after we slept together that time, I was going to leave her for you. But then she said she was pregnant.’

  ‘I know,’ says Ruth. ‘Everything changed.’ The day she had slept with Nelson was the day that her mother had died. Sometimes it feels as if her whole world has been reshaped.

  ‘Yes,’ says Nelson. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s not your fault.’

  They are silent for a moment longer and then, as if by mutual agreement, they walk on, through the arched passageway ahead of them. At the door of the church, Ruth’s phone rings. It’s Angelo. She answers, risking stares of disapproval from a passing flock of nuns.

  ‘Ruth,’ says Angelo, ‘Valenti says that Samir’s DNA was found on Don Tomaso’s fingertips They found his fingerprints on a candle in the church too. They’re charging him with murder.’

  Ruth is touched that Angelo is so incensed on Samir’s behalf. She remembers him speaking to Samir at the cultural association dinner, offering him food. Angelo may not have seen eye to eye with Don Tomaso, but it seems that they shared some of the same values. She remembers what Angelo said about being an outsider in his own town. Maybe this is why he identifies so strongly with the refugee. But she really doesn’t see what she can do.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she says.

  ‘He didn’t do it,’ says Angelo. ‘You need to tell Valenti. Or get your policeman friend to talk to him. He won’t listen to me.’

  ‘He won’t listen to us either,’ says Ruth. ‘And if he’s got DNA evidence . . .’

  Angelo rings off. Ruth turns to Nelson. ‘Samir’s DNA was found on Don Tomaso’s fingertips,’ she says. ‘That sounds as if he tried to fight him off, doesn’t it?’

  Nelson is silent. He’s looking into the church, where Mass appears to be starting. There’s a chanted prayer, either in Latin or Italian – Ruth’s not sure which – a call and response that probably hasn’t changed since St Benedict built his first abbey.

  Nelson turns to Ruth. ‘Was Samir a Catholic?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ says Ruth. ‘Why?’

  ‘He could have gone to Don Tomaso for communion,’ says Nelson. ‘If he was an old-style Catholic he would have taken the host in his mouth. That would account for his saliva being on the priest’s fingers.’

  ‘We’d better tell Angelo,’ says Ruth.

  Chapter 22

  Angelo insists on them going to see Commissario Valenti. He meets them outside the police station in Arpino.

  ‘I’ve told Valenti that an important British policeman is here,’ he tells them.

  ‘I bet he loved that,’ says Nelson.

  ‘It’s professional courtesy,’ says Angelo. ‘I’d want to know if a famous archaeologist, like Ruth, was in the area.’

  Ruth senses Nelson looking at her quizzically. He says, ‘I’m not exactly Sherlock Holmes, you know.’

  ‘But you are well known,’ says Angelo. ‘I’ve googled you. The Lucy Downey case, those murders at Walsingham. Besides, Sherlock Holmes wasn’t a policeman.’

  Ruth is impressed by Angelo’s literary knowledge, though she guesses it will have less of an effect on Nelson. But he doesn’t raise any more objections and they enter the building, to be told that Commissario Valenti will see them in a few minutes.

  The same woman police officer shows them into Valenti’s office and asks them if they want coffee.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ says Nelson. ‘Judy would have me up in court if I asked her to make tea.’

  ‘Quite right, too,’ says Ruth.

  Valenti rises to meet them. He greets Angelo by name and the two men shake hands. There’s a distinct restraint between them though. Ruth remembers that Angelo had described the police chief as a fascist and Valenti certainly seemed less than enthusiastic about Angelo yesterday.

  ‘DCI Nelson has a theory on the case,’ Angelo begins.

  ‘Yes?’ says Valenti, politely but not exactly encouragingly.

  Angelo launches into Italian and Ruth recognises the words ‘comunione’ and ‘testimone’. Valenti surveys them narrowly, tapping his fingers together. He says something to Angelo and Ruth notices that his Italian is rougher and more guttural. Perhaps Valenti has a regional accent and Angelo speaks with a posh Roman voice.

  Angelo turns to them. ‘This fits with Samir’s story. He says that he came to the church at five o’clock. He goes every day, apparently. He’s a devout Catholic but he doesn’t like attending the public Masses. He says he entered the church at five o’clock, said his confession, took communion, lit a candle by the statue of the Virgin Mary and then left by half past. Federica from the café saw him leave. Marta too.’

  ‘Marta?’ says Ruth.

  ‘Yes, she was in the square with her mother, waiting for the church to open.’

  ‘I saw them there at six,’ says Ruth. ‘But they must have got there pretty early to be in the square at half five.’

  ‘Marta is rather religious,’ says Angelo. ‘Strange, because she’s very intelligent in other ways. She probably wanted to get to church early to pray.’ He says this like it is an outlandish and esoteric activity. Which perhaps it is, thinks Ruth.

  ‘So does this mean that Samir has an alibi?’ says Ruth.

  ‘Flavio – Commissario Valenti – is going to interview him again. The interpreter is here now. This could mean that he gets out on bail, at least.’

  Valenti has been watching them intently. Now he says something to Angelo. It sounds like an order.

  Angelo turns to Nelson. ‘The Commissario wants to speak to you in private. We’ll wait outside.’

  *

  Nelson has formed rather a good impression of Flavio Valenti. He seems a no-nonsense policeman. His desk is ordered and Nelson is almost sure that he spots a to-do list with items neatly crossed out. From the attitude of the woman police officer who showed them in, Nelson can tell that Valenti has the respect of his team, coffee-making requests aside. All the same, he isn’t sure how they can have a conversation when Valenti doesn’t appear to speak any English.

  So he is surprised in more ways than one when Valenti leans forward and says, ‘I want to talk to you police officer to police officer.’

  ‘You speak English,’ says Nelson.

  ‘I speak a little,’ says Valenti. ‘Not good enough for witness statements but good enough for this chat. Yes?’

  ‘Yes,’ says Nelson, although he has no idea what’s coming next.

  ‘When Morelli tells me your name, I google you. You come from King’s Lynn?’

  ‘Yes, it’s a town in Norfolk, a county on the east of England. It’s very . . .’

  His voice dies away. He’s never sure how to describe Norfolk, and he’s still not sure how he ended up there, washed up on the very edge of the country.

  ‘Much crime in Norfolk?’ Valenti gives it two distinct syllables. Nor–Folk.

  ‘Yes,’ says Nelson. ‘You’d be surprised.’

  ‘There is not much crime here. This, the death of a priest, is a very serious crime. The worst. There is . . . how do you say? Weight on me to solve it.’

  ‘Pressure,’ says Nelson. ‘Pressure on you to solve it. I can understand that.’

  ‘Have
you many refugees in Norfolk?’

  ‘Yes,’ says Nelson, ‘as a matter of fact we have. Lots of refugees and asylum seekers. Immigrants workers, too, mainly in agriculture.’

  ‘So do we in Italy. And when there is a crime, there is always . . . pressure to blame the refugee.’

  ‘It’s the same in England,’ says Nelson. ‘With some people.’

  ‘But I do not blame Samir for this reason. He was seen in church and there was DNA evidence. Is enough reason to hold him, yes?’

  ‘Yes,’ says Nelson. ‘I would have done the same.’

  ‘But I will interview him with interpreter. If he is innocent, I will let him go. But then, I have a problem. Who killed this good old priest?’

  ‘Was anyone else seen leaving the church?’

  ‘No, the church is closed because of earthquake. Only way in is through back entrance. That is good. Much mud, many trees and bushes.’

  ‘Plenty of places to get evidence,’ says Nelson, understanding immediately. It’s the only thing he likes about plants: clothes can get caught on them, people can get scratched by thorns and leave their footprints in the mud. A well-placed bramble bush can be a treasure trove of evidence.

  ‘Yes. Witnesses see Samir leave church at half past five. The doctors say Don Tomaso killed between four and six.’

  ‘But other people could have come in and out unnoticed.’

  ‘Yes. Café was closed and only a few people in the square. Federica, who work at café, was clearing up after the earthquake. Some chairs and tables damaged. Marta Bianchi and her mother are waiting for the church to open. They see Samir. He is very visible because he is wearing Juventus top.’

  ‘Black and white stripes,’ says Nelson. ‘Like Newcastle.’

  ‘Di preciso.’

  ‘Did this Samir look to be in a hurry?’ asks Nelson. ‘Furtive?’

  ‘No, he is walking slowly but people do behave . . . strange . . . sometimes after a murder.’

  Nelson knows this is true. Sometimes killers carry on completely as normal, as if convincing themselves that the crime never happened.

  ‘What did Samir say when you arrested him?’

  ‘He says he does not do it. He loves Don Tomaso, who has been good to him. He calls on the Virgin Mary and the saints.’

  Valenti smiles thinly. Nelson guesses that he is not a religious man.

  ‘Commissario Nelson,’ says Valenti. Nelson rather likes the sound of this. ‘How well do you know Angelo Morelli?’

  ‘Hardly at all,’ says Nelson. ‘I’m a friend of Doctor Galloway’s.’ He’s aware how weak this description is, but how could he begin to describe their true relationship? Ruth had introduced him as her friend earlier, and that will have to do.

  ‘Dottore Morelli,’ says Valenti, ‘believes someone is trying to kill him.’

  ‘He does?’

  ‘Yes, he believes someone is jealous of his work. Recently there was graffiti outside his house and an animal’s skull left on his doorstep.’

  Nelson is alarmed. Ruth and Katie could be in danger.

  ‘What are you doing about it?’ he says, aware that he sounds accusing.

  ‘I do nothing,’ says Valenti. ‘I just wait.’

  Nelson does not think that this sounds like a satisfactory plan of action.

  ‘I wait,’ says Valenti, ‘because I do not think it is true. I think it is a story, like the story he tells about his grandfather, the hero.’

  ‘I’ve never heard the story about his grandfather.’

  ‘Apparently he was a hero in the resistance. These days, everyone’s grandfather was in the resistance. But me, I’m proud to say that my father was a fascist.’

  ‘You are?’ Nelson is not sure that he’s heard this right. And Valenti’s father? Surely he’s too young to have had a father who was alive in the war?

  ‘He was chief of police during the war and an admirer of Mussolini. I grew up with Il Duce’s picture on my wall. I don’t share his views, you understand. I am social democrat. But I understand them.’

  ‘They were different times, I suppose.’ This is the best that Nelson can manage.

  ‘Di preciso,’ says Valenti, as if Nelson has said something very profound. ‘Don Tomaso, he understood too. He often tells me that my father was a fine man and did his best. But Pompeo, Angelo’s grandfather, he live in that house like a recluse. He tells its secrets to no one. Are you a father, Commissario Nelson?’

  ‘Yes, I have three daughters.’

  ‘You are a lucky man. I have one son. He’s studying medicine at the university. But, when he’s graduated, I’m sure he’ll go to live in Rome.’

  He says this like he will lose his son to the other side of the world, but Rome is only an hour away. Still, Nelson understands the sentiment.

  ‘My two oldest daughters moved away from home,’ he says, ‘but one has just come back. She’s training to be a teacher.’

  ‘A fine profession,’ says Valenti. ‘So you see, we have this beautiful town but it is full of old people. The young have left us. Castello degli Angeli is dying.’

  We’re all dying. That’s what Nelson had said earlier. But he has the sense that his fellow policeman is saying something else entirely. That he’s trying to give him some sort of hint.

  *

  ‘When’s Dad coming back?’ says Laura, who is busy concocting her breakfast smoothie. The smell of overripe berries is making Michelle feel nauseous.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she says. ‘I think he just got a one-way ticket because it was such a rush. He says he’ll try to get back for the scan on Thursday.’

  When she had spoken to Nelson last night he’d sounded rather sheepish. Yes, he had seen Ruth and Katie. Their town wasn’t badly affected by the earthquake. He was staying with some friends of Cathbad’s, very nice people. He would be back in a couple of days. Michelle had responded in kind. Inwardly, she was thinking she would ring Tim and see if he could come over. Tim has taken some leave and is staying at a B&B in King’s Lynn for a few days. Michelle refuses to let herself feel guilty. That will come later, she knows.

  ‘What time are you working today?’ she says to her daughter’s back.

  ‘Twelve until two,’ says Laura, ‘but I might meet Chad afterwards.’

  ‘Why not?’ says Michelle. ‘It looks like it’ll be a nice day.’

  Laura sits down at the table with her witchily purple drink. ‘Will you be OK on your own? I could come back if you like. We could watch a film together. Or old episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.’

  Tears come into Michelle’s eyes. ‘No, you go out with Chad. I’ll be fine. I’m feeling much better these days.’

  ‘If Dad’s not back by Thursday, I’ll come to the scan with you,’ says Laura. ‘I’d like to. I’ll be the first to see the baby. Apart from you and Dad, of course. That way it’ll like me better than Rebecca.’

  ‘The baby will love both of you,’ says Michelle. ‘It’s lucky to have such lovely big sisters.’

  ‘Are you going to find out the sex?’ says Laura. ‘It feels odd saying “it”.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ says Michelle. ‘We didn’t want to know with you two. Just having a healthy baby was enough.’

  ‘If it’s a boy, Dad will want to call it Jimmy after that football player he likes.’

  ‘Over my dead body,’ says Michelle.

  *

  Angelo has to go back to the university. ‘But I will come round to the apartment later, if I may?’ Ruth can hardly refuse, even though Nelson is looking at her rather oddly.

  Ruth and Nelson have lunch in Arpino, in the beautiful square with the statue of Cicero looking down on them. Ruth thinks of the morning that she spent in Elsa’s apartment. Some of the windows overlooking the piazza must be hers. She wishes she’d thought to ask after Elsa. She must still be in shock, Ruth thinks. Hadn’t Elsa said that Don Tomaso was like a brother to her?

  It’s all very odd. She came to Italy to escape, and here she is talking murder w
ith Nelson. But, all the same, there is something magical about spending this time with him, like tourists, like a couple. They eat spaghetti with clams and drink cold red wine, slightly fizzy. They talk about the case, about Italy, about Monte Cassino, about Cathbad’s proficiency in Italian, about Kate and Louis, about whether Shona is having an affair with Graziano. Things they do not discuss: Michelle, pregnancy, when Nelson is going home.

  Kate is due back from the swimming pool at three, so Nelson drives Ruth back to Castello degli Angeli, where she walks up to the apartment alone. She’s getting used to the heat, she thinks, she can climb the hill in one go without stopping for breath. When she gets to the green door, she is surprised to see Marta letting herself in with a key.

  ‘My mother lives upstairs,’ Marta explains. ‘I’m staying with her.’

  Ruth had known that there were other apartments in the castle, it’s just rather a surprise to think that Angelo’s student is living a few feet away from them. She recalls that it was Marta who saw Samir leaving the church yesterday. She mentions this as they climb the stairs. Marta looks troubled.

  ‘I felt terrible when I heard that they’d arrested Samir. I’m sure he didn’t do it. Samir revered Don Tomaso. God rest his soul.’ She nods her head piously.

  ‘You didn’t see anyone else leaving the church?’ Ruth realises that the murder must have been committed in the brief time between Samir’s departure and her own arrival.

  ‘The police asked me this,’ says Marta. ‘I didn’t see anyone leaving, but I wasn’t really looking. People started arriving for the service and we were all chatting on the steps . . .’ She looks embarrassed, as though this behaviour was unseemly in some way.

  Ruth decides to change the subject. ‘Angelo was telling me about the bones that were uncovered in the graveyard.’

  ‘Yes,’ says Marta. ‘Did he tell you that I think they are the remains of my great-grandfather?’

  ‘He did say that, yes.’

  ‘It is a great relief,’ says Marta. ‘We will be able to give him a proper burial at last. My mother is very happy.’

  This reminds Ruth of something. ‘Do you know anything about Don Tomaso’s funeral?’ she says. She thinks that she should probably go.