Chickens Eat Pasta by Pedrick Clare

Author:Pedrick, Clare
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784629991
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd

Chapter Six

The next morning, I was Tito’s first customer. Dressed smartly as always in his white coat he pulled up the shutters and looked surprised to see me standing on the steps.

“What brings you here so early, Signorina? Is everything all right?

“Yes thanks Tito. Well actually not really. I’ve got to go down to Terni to the police station, and first I need to make an urgent phone call.”

“The police station! You’re not in any trouble are you?” He eyed the computer tucked under my arm. “Oh, it’s one of those phone calls. Come on then, you know where to go. But please Signorina, don’t run my bill up will you? I’m going to need all the money I have to pay for the wedding. Clara’s talking of inviting the whole village. And that includes you of course. Now don’t think I’m prying, but what’s all this about the police? They’re to be avoided at all costs if you ask me. Come to think of it, Clara’s uncle Giovanni works at the Questura in Terni. He’s something quite important. He might be able to help if you get stuck.”

Tito followed me as I made my way to the back of the shop. I stepped into the tiny booth and pulled my computer out of its case. He was watching me intently.

“I think I just heard someone come into the shop Tito.” What a stroke of luck. A shrill voice was calling his name.

“Tito. Where are you? Get a move on. I’ve run out of coffee and Luigi needs his caffelatte.”

The connection was better than usual this morning, and by the time I heard Tito’s brisk footsteps returning in my direction the window on the tiny computer screen told me that the transmission was nearly finished. Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven.

“How’s it going Signorina? Do you need any help? Can’t you get through? I see the metre is still on zero.”

Transmission completed. I wrenched the phone receiver out of the coupler and shoved the computer back into its case.

“No, everything’s fine thanks Tito. I must run, or I’ll be late for the police, and they told me to be there by 8.30 on the dot.”

“Don’t forget to ask for Giovanni if you have any problems. His surname is Bruschi. Colonel Giovanni Bruschi. Tell him I gave you his name.”

*

My little Fiat 500 spun round the corners as we coasted down the country lanes. I had taken to using Ercolino’s trick of switching off the engine on the downhill stretches, putting her into second gear and starting the motor as we rounded the bend before driving into Lavena.

Entire family dies after eating poisoned mushrooms.

The billboard outside the newsagent caught my eye as we sped past. No time to buy a newspaper right now. I had just ten minutes to get to Terni, and I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be wise to turn up late.

The encounter at the police station proved even worse than I had expected.

“Well Signorina, as I’m sure

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.