Read Online A Fine Line by Gianrico Carofiglio - Free Book Online

offices: furniture all the same, law books, horrible prints. I like it that there are real books here, and even comics. What do you have there, Tex Willer?”
    â€œA few old issues. Sometimes I reread one to relax when I can’t work.”
    â€œI like that,” he said, indicating the framed poster hanging to the right of my desk. It’s a black-and-white photograph of two Palestinian children sitting on the ground surroundedby bombed-out buildings. At the bottom, there’s a quotation from Brecht: We sat down on the side of wrong because all the other seats were taken.
    â€œI’ve grown fond of it. It’s one of the few things I took with me from the place where I lived with my ex-wife. It followed me to my old office and now to this one.”
    â€œYour ex-wife. That’s right, you’re separated. How many years has it been?”
    â€œI’m divorced now. We separated ten years ago.”
    â€œTen years? Incredible.”
    It wasn’t clear what was so incredible about it. Maybe it was just an expression of his embarrassment. He’d come to me to talk about a delicate, urgent matter and somehow couldn’t get into the rhythm.
    â€œSo, what can I do for you?”
    My question startled him. He abandoned the apparently relaxed position he had kept up until that moment. He straightened and leaned forward in the armchair.
    â€œYou’re right, we’ve got through the pleasantries. I’m here about something that’s been tormenting me for several days. I don’t even know where to start.”
    â€œShall we have a drink?”
    â€œNo, no, don’t worry, calling the bar at this hour—”
    â€œOne of the advantages of having such a large office is that there’s also a kitchen with a fridge. Will you have a glass of chilled wine, or would you prefer something non-alcoholic?”
    â€œChilled wine will be fine.”
    It really was fine. Before starting to tell me what he had to, Larocca knocked back two glasses of Chardonnay as if it were water, ignoring the little tray of pistachios I’d brought in to accompany the bottle.
    â€œAlcohol helps, you can’t deny it. Guido, I’m scared that they’re bringing criminal charges against me in Lecce.”
    According to the code of criminal procedure, when magistrates are subject to criminal proceedings, the case is dealt with in a place different from the one in which they work. A rule intended to avoid any conflict of interest. For magistrates from the Bari area, cases fall within the jurisdiction of the court in Lecce.
    â€œExcuse me, Pierluigi, but is that speculation or have you had formal notification?”
    â€œNeither.”
    â€œI’m afraid I don’t understand.”
    He snorted in frustration. “I was told by a friend, a colleague of yours.”
    I had the impulse to ask him who it was, but restrained myself. If he wanted to tell me, he would; if he didn’t, my question would just embarrass him.
    â€œWhat did this colleague of mine tell you?”
    He filled his glass again and immediately drained it. “Don’t think I always drink like this. It’s just that this story is wearing me out. Your… colleague told me that there have been statements made to the anti-Mafia magistrates in Bari by a Mafioso who’s turned state’s evidence… statements accusing me. This Mafioso supposedly… I’m sorry, I really can’t say it. I feel overcome with shame and anger. The man has apparently stated that I accepted money in return for favourable rulings. To get prisoners released, in fact.”
    I let out a hint of a whistle. There are always unpleasant rumours circulating in the courts about supposed examples of judicial corruption, judges inclined to accept gifts and grant unlawful favours. That happens in Bari too, of course, and there were some names that were bandied about more frequently than others. Some of these