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into the station at Venice. The train wasn't a local, so Mestre was the only stop between Padua and Venice. It was unlikely that someone getting off the train at Mestre would have drawn any special notice, but it was worth checking at the station. The conductors usually sat in the first compartment, so they would have to be questioned to see what they remembered. Check for the gun, of course; did the bullets match up with those used in any other crime? Guns were closely controlled, so it might be possible to trace the weapon. Why had Trevisan been in Padua? With whom? The wife, check the wife. Then check the neighbours and friends to see if what she said was true. The daughter — a venereal disease at the age of fourteen?
    He leaned forward, pulled the drawer all the way out, and reached down for the telephone directory. He flipped it open and found the Zs. There were two listings for 'Zorzi, Barbara, Medico', o ne for her home and one for her office. He dialled the office number and got a machine, telling him that visiting hours began at four. He dialled the home number and heard the same voice telling him that the Dottoressa was momentania mente assente and asking him to leave name, reason for his call, and the number at which he could be reached. His call would be returned appena possibile.
    'Good morning, dottoressa,' he began after the beep. This is Commissario Guido Brunetti. I'm calling in regard to the death of Avvocato Carlo Trevisan. I've learned that his wife and daughter were...'
    'Buon giorno, commissario,' the doctor's husky voice broke in. 'How may I help you?' Though it had been more than a year since they last met, she used the 'tu' form of address with him, making it clear to both of them by its use that the familiarity established then would be continued.
    'Good morning, dottoressa,' he said. 'Do you always filter your calls?'
    'Commissario, I have a woman who has called me every morning for the last three years, telling me I must make a house call. Each morning, she has different symptoms. Yes, I filter my calls.' Her voice was firm; but there was an undertone of humour.
    ‘I didn't realize there were that many body parts,' Brunetti said.
    'She plays interesting combinations,' Dottoressa Zorzi explained. 'How may I help you, commissario?'
    'As I was explaining, I've learned that Signora Trevisan and her daughter were formerly patients of yours.' He paused there, waiting to see what the doctor would volunteer. Silence. 'You've heard about Avvocato Trevisan? ’
    'Yes.'
    ‘I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to talk to me about them, his wife and daughter.'
    'As people or as patients?' she asked, voice calm.
    'Whichever you'd feel more comfortable in doing, dottoressa,' Brunetti answered.
    'We could start with the first, and men if it seemed necessary, take up the second.'
    'That's very kind of you, dottoressa. Could we do it today?'
    ‘I have some house calls to make this morning, but I should be finished with them by eleven. Where would you like to meet?'
    Since it was she who was doing the favour, Brunetti didn't feel comfortable asking her to come to the Questura.
    'Where will you be at eleven, dottoressa?'
    'One moment, please ’ she said and set the phone down. In an instant, she was back. 'My patient lives near the embarcadero of San Marco,' she answered.
    "Would you like to meet at Florian's, then?' he asked.
    Her answer was not immediate and, remembering what he did of her politics, Brunetti half expected her to remark on the way he was choosing to spend the taxpayer's money.
    'Florian's is fine, commissario,' she finall y said.
    'I look forward to it. And thank you again, dot toressa. ’
    'Eleven, then,' she said, and was gone.
    He tossed the phone book into the drawer and slammed it closed with his foot. When he looked up, Vianello was coming into his office.
    'You wanted to see me, sir?' the sergeant asked.
    'Yes. Sit down. The Vice-Questore's given me Trevisan.'
    Vianello nodded, suggesting