Read CB19 A Question of Belief (2010) for Free Online Page B

him understand, but all he said was that his wife had her own money and could do whatever she wanted with it. Or with his. I suppose he thinks it’s some sort of proof of his masculinity that his wife can spend a lot of money: shows what a good provider he is.’
    ‘Even if he isn’t working any more?’
    ‘Probably more important, now that he isn’t and now that he can’t do the things he used to do.’
    ‘God, it’s complicated, isn’t it?’ Brunetti said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. ‘Do any of them know what she’s doing with it?’
    Vianello shook his head. ‘Nothing they’re certain of. But if she says it’s for a good cause, then she’s probably giving it to someone.’ This time Vianello slapped the surface of the table, making no attempt to disguise his anger. ‘The trouble is,’ the Inspector continued, ‘I agree with her. Well, partly. She does have the right to do whatever she wants to do with her money. When the business was new, she worked like a dog for years, and she never got a lira for it. Even after things got better, she stayed on in the office and ran it. And never got paid for it.’
    Brunetti nodded.
    ‘So she’s entitled to as much money as she wants. Both legally and . . . and morally, if that’s the right word.’
    Brunetti suspected it was.
    ‘But . . .’ the Inspector began but failed to finish the sentence.
    Brunetti suggested a way to do so. ‘But her family has the right to know what she’s doing with it?’
    ‘I think so, yes. I don’t like saying it, but I think that’s the case. And it’s not because it’s their money. It’s not. It’s hers. But surely the fact that she refuses to tell them means she suspects she shouldn’t be doing whatever it is she’s doing with it.’
    ‘What are your cousins going to do?’ Brunetti asked.
    Vianello looked at the table. ‘Follow her,’ he said.
    ‘I beg your pardon.’
    Vianello looked up and, entirely without humour said, ‘I think they’ve watched too much television or something. They’ve spoken to the manager of the bank. He’s known the family for thirty years. He’s done all their banking for them.’
    Vianello stared at his hands, as if one of his fingers were the director of the bank and he wanted to see what he was going to do.
    ‘What did they tell him?’
    ‘About the withdrawals and how she won’t tell them what she’s doing with it.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘And he said he’d call Loredano the next time she made a withdrawal and then start talking to her and keep her in the bank for as long as he could.’
    ‘Until someone from the family got there to see where she went?’ Brunetti asked, failing to disguise his astonishment. ‘Cops and robbers?’
    Vianello shook his head, eyes still on his fingers. ‘I wish it were that easy.’
    ‘It’s not easy,’ Brunetti said. ‘It’s crazy.’
    ‘I thought so, too,’ Vianello said. ‘That’s what I told them.’
    ‘So?’
    ‘So they want me to do it.’
    Brunetti found no words. He looked across at his friend,who continued to study his hands. Finally Brunetti said, ‘That’s crazier.’
    ‘That’s what I told them, too.’
    ‘Lorenzo,’ Brunetti said, ‘I don’t want to have to sit here and prise this out of you. What are you going to do?’
    ‘I thought about this while I was listening to her – some way to see what she’s doing – but the only idea I could come up with involves you. Sort of.’
    ‘Involves me how?’
    ‘I need you to let me do it.’
    ‘Do what?’
    ‘Ask some of the guys if they’ll help me.’
    ‘Help you follow your aunt?’
    ‘Yes. I thought Pucetti would be willing to do it if I asked him.’ Vianello looked across at Brunetti, face tense. ‘If they did it in their free time, when they’re not working, then there wouldn’t be anything illegal about it, not really.’
    ‘They’d just be taking a walk through the city, minding their own business,’ Brunetti snapped.