Resolved Via Confession
“Davide D’Amico,” Torriani greeted. He didn’t bother looking up from the report, already knowing his inspector would be standing there in jeans and a wrinkled shirt instead of regulation blues. His voice carried the weight of a man whose patience had expired back when phones still had rotary dials. “A psychic vampire painting. That’s what your report says.”
“The nephew confessed, sir. Called it a ‘sympathy piece.’ Claims it fed on her life force.” Davide didn’t bother masking his sarcasm. “He believes this garbage. Me? I just know she’s dead.”
“And how exactly do I explain this to a judge?” Torriani’s face reddened. “The murder weapon was a nineteenth-century oil painting with attachment issues?” He paused, rubbing his temples. “Listen, D’Amico, I’ve been getting calls from Rome and Milan. Something about unusual botanical evidence turning up in homicides. Keep your radar up.”
The file hit the desk with unnecessary force. “Your ninety-three percent clearance rate on these freak shows is the only reason you’re not directing traffic in Livorno. Finish the paperwork and go home. You look like death warmed over.”
“Appreciate the pep talk, Capo.”
Torriani left, muttering what sounded suspiciously like “vampire paintings” and “early pension.”
Twenty minutes later, Davide stared at the completed forms. Case closed: one dead grandmother, one cursed artwork, one greedy nephew now enjoying state accommodations. He’d scrawled “Resolved Via Confession” in the resolution box and buried the supernatural details in the sealed appendix that maybe three people in the department bothered reading.
His phone buzzed. Text from his mother: “Don’t forget, Sunday lunch. Alberto’s bringing his new girlfriend.”
Another ping. Alberto: “SOS. She’s vegan and won’t shut up about her chakras and mom hates her.”
Davide closed his eyes. Between haunted artwork and his brother’s romantic disasters, he needed a drink. Several drinks.
Time for Negronis at Santo Spirito. Maybe four.
Wednesday definitely called for medicinal alcohol.