Hammett, Dashiell - Soimul Maltez

5/26/2018 Hammett, Dashiell - Soimul Maltez

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Dashiell Hammett

oimul maltez(The Maltese Falcon, 1944)

ISPADE I ARCHER

Falca li Samel S!a"e e#a !#eln$% &i osoas%, ia# '%#'ia n !#oeminent s'*l mai mo'il al $#ii+ %#ile c#'ate -o#ma n alt mai mic+ .chii $al'en*cen&iie#a o#i/ontali+ *l, t#%s%t#a ca#acte#istic% a -e0ei, se #e$%sea &i n s!#2ncenele $#oase cese n%l0a "in "o% cte $emene "e "eas!#a nasli co#oiat3 !%#l castani*"esehis i at2#na

!e t2m!lele nalte &i !late, a"n2n"*se !e -#nte+ Sem%na c n me-isto 'lon" &i sim!atic+ Ce*i, scm!o5 o nt#e'% el !e E--ie Pe#ine+E--ie e#a o -at% '#on/at% &i "e&i#at%, !e ca#e #ochia c#em "e l2n% s'0i#e se li!ea "e

!a#c% a# -i -ost "%+ A6ea ochi c%!#i, 6ioi !e -a0a lminoas% &i '%ie0oas%+ 7nchise n cele "in#m% &a, se s!#i8ini "e ea &i /ise A6enit o -at% ca#e 6#ea s% te 6a"%+ . cheam% :on"e#l;+ . client%5 A&a c#e"+ Me#it% s*o 6e/i, n o#ice ca/+ E nimicitoa#e+ In6it*o s% int#e, scm!o, #%s!nse S!a"e+ In6it*o s% int#e+E--ie Pe#ine "eschise "in no &a, int#% n cel%lalt 'i#o &i, -%#% s% #i"ice m2na "e !e

clan0%, s!se #e0i s% int#a0i, "omni&oa#% :on"e#l;5 Ml0mesc, #%s!nse o 6oce, "a# at2t "e stins nc2t n se a/i "ec2t "ato#it%

!#onn0iei -oa#te lim!e/i, &i o t2n%#% -emeie t#ec !#a$l+ 7naint% lent, c !a&i !#"en0i,

it2n"*se la S!a"e c ochii ei "e co'alt, timi/i &i ce#cet%to#i+ E#a nalt%, s'0i#e &iml%"ioas%, -%#% nici o an$lo/itate+ A6ea t#!l "#e!t, s2nii -e#mi, $am'ele ln$i, m2inile &i!icioa#ele n$ste+ Taio#l, n "o% nan0e "e al'ast#, i se aso#ta inten0ionat c ochii+ Des' !%l%#ia al'ast#% ie&ea n !%# on"lat, #o&*nchis3 '/ele !line e#a "e n #o& a!#ins+Din0ii al'i lcea n semilna ni /2m'et timi"+

S!a"e se #i"ic%, se nclin% &i i a#%t% c o m2n% 62n8oas% -otolil "e ste8a# "e lin$%'i#o+ S!a"e a6ea n met# o!t/eci+ Din ca/a me#ilo# c%/0i &i c#'a0i, t#!l i !%#eaa!#oa!e conic n t#! !e c2t "e lat !e at2t "e n"esat , ia# haina cen&ie, !#oas!%tc%lcat%, n*i 6enea !#ea 'ine+

% ml0mesc, m#m#% ncet "omni&oa#a :on"e#l; &i se a&e/% !e ma#$inea "elemn a -otolili+

S!a"e se c-n"% n scanl s% #otati6, l ntoa#se cam n s-e#t s!#e ea &i i /2m'i!oliticos+ #%m%8oa#e st#2m'e "e sc#mcen&i, c%/t "e la 0i$%#i, /%cea !e -a0a $al'en% a 'i#oli, !e s$ati6a 6e#"e &i !e h2#tiile#%s!2n"ite+ . -e#east#% c !e#"ea c#em, "eschis% 6#eo "o%/eci sa "o%/eci &i cinci "e cen*timet#i, l%sa s% !%t#n"% "in c#te n c#ent a"c2n" n 6a$ mi#os "e amoniac+ Sc#ml "e

!e 'i#o t#em#% &i alnec% ncet+Domni&oa#a :on"e#l; #m%#i $#%m%8oa#ele cen&ii ca#e t#em#a &i alneca+ A6ea o

!#i6i#e nelini&tit%+ St%tea !e ma#$inea -otolili+ 7&i s!#i8inea !icioa#ele "e !o"ea, ca &i cma# -i -ost $ata s% se #i"ice+ M2inile, nm%n&ate n ne$#, i se ncle&tase#% n !oal% "e o

!o&et% nea$#% &i t#tit%+ S!a"e se l%s% !e s!ate n scanl s% &i o nt#e'% Ei, ce !ot -ace !ent# "mnea6oast#%, "omni&oa#% :on"e#l;5Fata l !#i6i &i &i 0in #%s-la#ea+ 7n$hi0i n sec &i s!se $#%'it


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A0i !tea+++5 M*am $2n"it+++ M*am+++ Cm s% 6% s!n++++7&i m&c% '/a in-e#ioa#% c "in0ii ei st#%lcito#i &i t%c+ Doa# ochii ntneca0i mai

6o#'ea, im!lo#2n"*l+S!a"e /2m'i, "%" "in ca! ca &i cm a# -i n0eles*o, "a# ama'il, "e !a#c% n*a# -i -ost

ce6a se#ios la mi8loc+ Ce*a# -i s%*mi !o6esti0i totl "e la nce!t, !e #m% 6e"em noi ce*i "e -%ct+ E mai

'ine s*o la0i "e la nce!tl nce!tli+ S*a nt2m!lat la e? @o#+++

Da+ &ti n"e l*a nt2lnit+ #ea s% s!n c% n &ti n ce loc anme l*a nt2lnit la e?@o#+ E c cinci ani mai mic% "ec2t mine+++ a#e "oa# &a!tes!#e/ece ani+++ &i -#ec6entam altece#c#i+ c#e" c*am -ost 6#eo"at% -oa#te a!#o!iate, a&a cm a# t#e'i s% -ie s#o#ile+ Tata&i mama snt n E#o!a+ estea a#e s%*i "ist#$%+ T#e'ie s*o a"c acas%, nainte "e#entoa#ce#ea lo#+

Da, s!se S!a"e+ Se #ento#c n !#ima /i a lnii 6iitoa#e+.chii li S!a"e se lmina#%+ Atnci a6em "o% s%!t%m2ni la "is!o/i0ie+ *am &tit ce*a -%ct !2n% ce n*am !#imit sc#isoa#ea ei+ Am -ost "is!e#at%+ B/ele i

t#em#a#%+ M2inile -#%m2nta !o&eta nea$#% "in !oal%+ De -#ic% s% n -i -%ct 6#eo!#ostie, am e/itat s% ann0 !oli0ia, "a# la #m%, tem2n"*m% s% n i se -i nt2m!lat ce6a,mi*am /is c% e ca/l s*o ann0+ *am a6t ci s% ce# n s-at+ *am &tit ce s% -ac+ Ce

!team s% -ac5 imic, -i#e&te, #%s!nse S!a"e, "a# a!oi a sosit sc#isoa#ea ei+ Da, &i i*am tele$#a-iat, ce#2n"*i s% se ntoa#c% acas%+ Am tele$#a-iat aici, la !ost

#estant E#a sin$#a a"#es% !e ca#e mi*o "%"se+ Am a&te!tat o s%!t%m2n%, "a# n*am !#imitnici n #%s!ns, nici n c62nt "e la ea+ Ia# "ata la ca#e #mea/% s% se ntoa#c% tata &i mamase a!#o!ie tot mai mlt+ A&a c*am 6enit la San F#ancisco s*o cat+ I*am sc#is c% 6in+ *a# -it#e'it s%*i sc#i, n*i a&a5

Poate c% n+ *i ntot"eana &o# s% &tii ce*i "e -%ct+ A0i $%sit*o5 + *am $%sit*o+ I*am sc#is c*am s% t#a$ la hotell St+ Ma# &i*am #$at*o s% 6in%

s% st%m "e 6o#'%, chia# "ac% n a#e che- s% se ntoa#c% acas% c mine+ Da# n*a 6enit+ Ama&te!tat*o t#ei /ile, "a# "e$ea'a, n mi*a t#imis nici m%ca# n #2n"+

S!a"e &i cl%tin% ca!l "e me-isto 'lon", se nc#nt% !lin "e n0ele$e#e &i &i st#2nse'/ele+

A -ost o#i'il, s!se "omni&oa#a :on"e#l;, st#%"in"*se s% /2m'easc%+ *am mai!tt #%'"a s% sta a&a, s*o a&te!t, -%#% s% &ti ce i se nt2m!lase, ce i s*a# -i !tt nt2m!la+Renn0% la tentati6a "e a /2m'i+ . t#ec n -io#+ Sin$#a a"#es% !e ca#e mi*a "at*o a -ostla !ost #estant+ I*am sc#is o alt% sc#isoa#e &i ie#i "!%*amia/% m*am "s la o-icil !o&tal+ Ama&te!tat acolo !2n% ce s*a ntnecat, "a# n*am "at ochii c ea+ M*am "s "in no

a/i*"iminea0%, "a# tot n*am 6%/t*o !e Co#inne+ *am 6%/t, n schim', !e Flo;" Th#s';+S!a"e "%" "in no "in ca!+ 7nc#nt%t#a "is!%#+ 7n locl ei a!%# o e!#esie "eaten0ie nco#"at%+

*a 6#t s%*mi s!n% n"e se a-l% Co#inne, contin% ea "is!e#at%+ *a 6#t s%*mis!n% "ec2t c% so#a mea e#a 'ine &i ml0mit%+ Cm s%*l c#e"5 A# -i t#e'it s% m% a&te!t lan asemenea #%s!ns "in !a#tea li, n5

Desi$#, con-i#m% S!a"e+ S*a# !tea s% -ie ns% a"e6%#at+ S!e# s% -ie a"e6%#at+ S!e# "in tot s-letl eclam% ea+ Da# n m% !ot ntoa#ce acas%,

-%#% ca m%ca# s*o -i 6%/t, -%#% ca m%ca# s%*i -i 6o#'it la tele-on+ Flo;" n*a 6#t s% m% "c%la ea, A !#etins c% so#a mea n 6#ea s% m% 6a"%+ *mi 6ine s% c#e"+ Mi*a !#omis c*a#e s%*is!n% c% m*a 6%/t &i o s*o a"c% "ac% ea 6a acce!ta ast% sea#%, la hotel+ A mai s!s

c% e#a si$# c% n*a6ea s% 6in%+ A !#omis, !e "e alt% !a#te, c*a#e s% 6in% el "ac% ea n*a#e s%6#ea+ Flo;"+++Se nt#e#!se &i &i "se '#sc m2na la $#% n cli!a c2n" se "eschise &a+B%#'atl ca#e o "eschisese -%c n !as n%nt# &i s!se ., ie#ta0i*m%


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7&i scoase $#%'it !%l%#ia ca-enie &i "%" s% se #et#a$%+ Po0i s% #%m2i, Miles, i s!se S!a"e+ Int#%+ Domni&oa#a :on"e#l;, 6i*l !#e/int !e

asociatl me, "omnl A#che#+Miles A#che# int#% "in no n 'i#o, nchise &a, o salt% !e "omni&oa#a :on"e#l; c o

nclina#e a ca!li &i i /2m'i nso0in"*&i $est#ile c o mi&ca#e 6a$ !oliticoas% c !%l%#ia+A#che# e#a "e o n%l0ime mi8locie, 'ine cl%"it, lat n me#i, c cea-a $#oas%3 -a0a*i #o&ie &i

8o6ial%, c -%lci masi6e, e#a ncnnat% "e n !%# t%iat sc#t &i nc%#n0it+ A#%ta "e !este!at#/eci "e ani, c /ece ani mai n 62#st% ca S!a"e+

So#a "omni&oa#ei :on"e#l; a -$it "e la e? @o# c n oa#eca#e Flo;" Th#s';,s!se S!a"e+ Pe#echea se a-l% aici, n o#a&+ Domni&oa#a :on"e#l; l*a 6%/t !e Th#s'; &ia#e nt2lni#e c el ast%*sea#%+ Flo;" !oate c*a#e s*o a"c% c el !e so#a "omni&oa#ei:on"e#l;+ P#o'a'il c% n*a#e s*o -ac%+ Domni&oa#a :on"e#l; 6#ea s%*i $%sim so#a, s*o l%m"e la Flo;" &i s*o a"cem acas%+ Se it% la "omni&oa#a :on"e#l;+ *i a&a5

Da, #osti ea con-/+ena ei, ca#e se to!ise t#e!tat n #ma /2m'etelo#, a asentimentelo# &i asi$#%#ilo#

'ine6oitoa#e ale li S!a"e, #e6eni m'8o#2n"*i -a0a+ Se it% la !o&eta "in !oal% &i o ci!ine#6os c "e$etele nm%n&ate+

S!a"e -%c asociatli s% n semn c ochil+ Miles A#che# naint% &i #%mase n!icioa#e l2n$% col0l 'i#oli+ 7n tim! ce -ata se ita la !o&et%, o m%s#% "in !#i6i#i+ .chii

li mici &i c%!#i alneca#% a"mi#ati6 &i n"#%/ne0 "e la chi!l ei !lecat, s!#e !icioa#e, a!oi"in no s!#e chi!+ Se it% la S!a"e &i siml% n -lie#at "e a"mi#a0ie+

S!a"e s%lt% "o% "e$ete "e !e '#a0l scanli, nt#*n $est sc#t "e !#e6eni#e &i s!se *o s% a6em nici o ne!l%ce#e c a-ace#ea asta . s% t#imitem !# &i sim!l !e cine6a

ast%*sea#% la hotel s%*l #m%#easc% !e Flo;" la !leca#e &i s% se 0in% scai "e el !2n% necon"ce la so#a "mnea6oast#%+ Dac% 6ine nso0it "e ea, &i o con6in$e0i s% se ntoa#c% acas%m!#en% c "mnea6oast#%, c at2t mai 'ine+ Dac% n "ac% n*o s% 6#ea s%*l lase nici"!% ce*a 6%/t c*am "esco!e#it*o ei 'ine, atnci $%sim noi o cale s% #e/ol6%m sita0ia+

M"a, /ise A#che#+ A6ea o 6oce as!#%, $#oas%+Domni&oa#a :on"e#l; #i"ic% #e!e"e !#i6i#ea s!#e S!a"e &i &i nc#e0i -#ntea nt#e

s!#2ncene+ .h, "a# s% -i0i !#"en0i ocea i t#em#a &o#, ia# '/ele a#ticla ne#6os c6intele

Mi*e o -#ic% "e moa#te "e Th#s';, e n sta#e "e o#ice+ Co#inne e at2t "e t2n%#%, ia# -a!tlc*a a"s*o aici "e la e? @o# mi se !a#e n $est at2t "e $#a6+++ E n sta#e+++ E n sta#e++++s%*i -ac% ce6a

S!a"e /2m'i &i lo6i ncet '#a0ele scanli+ %sa0i asta !e seama noast#%+ tim noi cm s% ne !#t%m c el+ Da# l c#e"e0i n sta#e5 insist% ea+ Eist% ntot"eana o ast-el "e !osi'ilitate, #%s!nse S!a"e c n ton 8"icios+ Da#

!te0i a6ea toat% nc#e"e#ea c*o s% ne oc!%m+ % #o$ s% m% c#e"e0i c% am toat% nc#e"e"e#ea n "mnea6oast#%, #%s!nse ea $#a6,

"a# 6#ea s% 6% !#e6in c% e n om !#ime8"ios+ % s!n since# c%*i n sta#e "e o#ice+ c#e"c*a# e/ita s*o+++ s*o omoa#e !e Co#inne, "ac% &i nchi!ie c% n acest chi! se sal6ea/%+ 7lc#e"e0i n sta#e5

S!e# c% n l*a0i amenin0at5 I*am s!s "oa# at2t, c% n 6#ea "ec2t s*o ia acas% !e Co#inne nainte s% se ntoa#c%

!%#in0ii &i s% a-le "e -$a ei+ I*am !#omis c% n*am s% le s-l o 6o#'% "es!#e ce s*ant2m!lat, c con"i0ia ns% "e*a m% a8ta, &i c% "ac% n*a#e s% m% a8te, o s% ai'% tata,"esi$#, $#i8% ca Flo;" s%*&i !#imeasc% !e"ea!sa+ +++ n c#e" c% mi*a "at !#ea ma#ec#e/a#e+

Poate m!ie"ica scan"all "ac% se c%s%to#e&te c ea5 nt#e'% A#che#+Fata #o&i &i #%s!nse 8enat%

Flo;" a#e ne6ast% &i t#ei co!ii n An$lia+ Co#inne mi*a sc#is, ca s%*mi e!lice "e ce*a-$it c el+ In"i6i/ii "e tea!a li a ntot"eana ne6ast% &i co!ii, /ise S!a"e, "e&i n ntot"eana

n An$lia+ Se a!lec%, l% n c#eion &i n 'loc "e h2#tie+ Cm a#at% Flo;"5 .h, a#e 6#eo t#ei/eci &i cinci "e ani, e nalt ca "mnea6oast#% &i '#net "e la nat#%,


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sa -oa#te '#on/at+ A#e !%# ne$# &i s!#2ncene "ese+ o#'e&te cam ta#e, chia# st#i"ent &i e o-i#e i#ita'il% &i ne#6oas%+ as% im!#esia c%*i+++ n sta#e "e acte 6iolente+

S!a"e, ca#e nota !e 'locl "e h2#tie, o nt#e'% -%#% s% #i"ice ca!l Ce ochi a#e5 Al'a&t#i*cen&ii, a!o&i, "a# asta n*i semn "e sl%'icine+ i+++ a, "a, mai a#e o $#o!i0%

a"2nc% n '%#'ie+ E s'0i#el, "e talie o'i&nit% sa -oa#te 6oinic5 Atletic+ E lat n me#i, me#$e "#e!t &i a#e, cm se /ice, o al#% hot%#2t milita#%+ C2n"

l*am 6%/t a/i*"iminea0% !#ta n costm $#i*"eschis &i !%l%#ie $#i+ C ce se oc!%5 nt#e'% S!a"e &i l%s% c#eionl 8os+ &ti+ *am nici cea mai 6a$% i"ee+ a ce o#% 6ine s% 6% 6a"%5 D!% o#a o!t+ Foa#te 'ine, "omni&oa#% :on"e#l;, o s% -ie cine6a acolo+ e*a# a8ta "ac%+++ Domnle S!a"e, n*a0i !tea 6eni chia# "mnea6oast#% sa "omnl A#che#5 7ntinse

m2inile nt#*n $est "e im!lo#a#e+ *a0i !tea s% 6% oc!a0i chia# nl "in"mnea6oast#%5 6#ea s% s!n c% cel !e ca#e l*a0i t#imite n*a# -i ca!a'il, "a# 6aimi*e -oa#te team% "e ce i s*a# !tea nt2m!la Co#innei+ Mi*e team% &i "e Flo;"+ #e0i s% 6%oc!a0i "mnea6oast#%5 ti+++ &ti c% a#e s% coste mai mlt, -i#e&te+ Deschise c $est#i

ne#6oase !o&eta &i !se !e 'i#ol li S!a"e "o% 'ancnote "e o st% "e "ola#i+ A8n$e5 Da, #%s!nse A#che#+ Am s% m% oc! chia# e+Domni&oa#a :on"e#l; se #i"ic% &i i ntinse im!lsi6 m2na+ % ml0mesc % ml0mesc eclam% ea+ A!oi "%" m2na &i c S!a"e &i #e!et%

% ml0mesc *a6e0i !ent# ce, i #%s!nse S!a"e+ C !l%ce#e+ e*a0i 6eni oa#ecm n a8to#, "ac%

6*a0i nt2lni c Th#s'; la !a#te#, sa 6*a0i l%sa 6%/t% n to6%#%&ia li n hol, la n moment"at+

Am s*o -ac, le !#omise ea &i ml0mi "in no celo# "oi asocia0i+ i n 6% ita0i "!% mine, o !#e6eni A#che#+ Fi0i -%#% $#i8%, am s% 6% /%#esc+S!a"e o nto6%#%&i !e "omni&oa#a :on"e#l; !2n% la &a "e la co#i"o#+ C2n" se ntoa#se

n 'i#o, A#che# "%" satis-%ct "in ca! s!#e 'ancnotele "e o st% "e "ola#i &i m2#2inc2ntat

Ca" 'ine, s!se el+ % na, o m!%t#i &i o 62# n '/na#l 6estei+ Mai a6eas#o#i n !o&et%+

S!a"e '%$% &i el n '/na# cealalt% 'ancnot%, a!oi se a&e/%+ *o /%!%ci !#ea #%, /ise el+ Ce !%#e#e ai "es!#e ea5 ostim% i*mi s!i s% n*o /%!%cesc A#che# chicoti, "a# e#a o chicoteal% t#ist%+

Poate c*ai 6%/t*o t, !#iml, Sam, "a# e am 6o#'it cel "int2i c ea+ 2# m2inile n'/na#ele !antalonilo# &i se sci !e c%lc2ie+

Ai s% "ai "e "#ac c -ata asta, asclt%*m% !e mine+ S!a"e /2m'i c#", "e/6elin"*&i

"in0ii !2n% n -n"l $#ii+ E&ti "e&te!t, n57nce! s%*&i #%sceasc% o 0i$a#%+

IIM.ARTEA 7 CEAG

Tele-onl sn% n ntne#ic+ D!% ce sn% "e t#ei o#i, a#c#ile !atli sc2#02i#%, "e$etemo&moni#% !e no!tie#%, n o'iect mic &i ta#e c%/ c /$omot n-n"at !e co6o#, a#c#ilesc2#02i#% "in no &i o 6oce '%#'%teasc% s!se

Alo+++ Da, e snt la tele-on+++ Mo#t5+++ Da+++ 7nt#*n s-e#t "e o#%+ Ml0mesc+

=n nt#e#!%to# !%c%ni &i o lst#% al'%, at2#nat% "e t#ei lan0#i a#ite n mi8loclta6anli inn"% c lmin% nc%!e#ea+ 7n !icioa#ele $oale &i m'#%cat nt#*o !i8ama cca#o#i 6e#/i &i al'e, S!a"e se a&e/% !e ma#$inea !atli+ Se st#2m'% la tele-onl "e !eno!tie#% &i l% "e al%t#i n !achet "e -oi0e ca-enii &i o !n$% c ttn Bll D#ham+ =nc#ent "e ae# #ece &i ce0os s-l% !#in cele "o% -e#est#e "eschise, a"c2n" "e &ase o#i !e


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mint $eam%tl s#" al si#enei "e la nchisoa#ea Alcat#a/+ =n "e&te!t%to# st#i"ent coco0atnesi$# !e n col0 al 6olmli Cazuri criminale celebre din America, "e De, !s cco!e#ta n 8os !e no!tie#% a#%ta o#a "o% &i cinci minte+

De$etele $#oase ale li S!a"e #%sci#% c aten0ie o 0i$a#%, ce#n#% n st#at s'0i#e "e-i#e ca-enii n -oi0a n"oit%, l nete/i#% !ent# a -i ni-o#m la ca!ete &i l%sa#% o mic%sco'it#% la mi8loc3 a!oi, "e$etele ma#i #%sci#% ma#$inile -oi0ei n ss &i n 8os &i le a!%sa#%c a#%t%toa#ele3 "!% ca#e, at2t "e$etele ma#i c2t &i celelalte alneca#% s!#e ca!etelecilin"#li "e -oi0% !ent# a*l 0ine "#e!t3 !e #m%, S!a"e linse ma#$inea -oi0ei3 st#2nse c

"e$etl ma#e &i c a#%t%to#l "e la m2na st2n$% ca!l 0i$%#ii, n tim! ce "e$etl ma#e &ia#%t%to#l "e la m2na "#ea!t% nete/ea li!it#a me"%3 a!oi "e$etl ma#e &i a#%t%to#l "e lam2na "#ea!t% #%sci#% la #2n"l lo# 62#-l 0i$%#ii &i o #i"ica#% c cel%lalt ca!%t s!#e '/eleli S!a"e+ Detecti6l l% '#icheta "e nichel m'#%cat% n !iele "e !o#c, ca#e c%/se 8os, oa!#inse &i se #i"ic% "in !at c 0i$a#a a#/2n" n col0l $#ii+ 7&i scoase !i8amaa+ B#a0ele,

!icioa#ele, t#!l toate nete"e &i soli"e me#ii !te#nici, #otn8i0i &i c%/0i -%cea cat#!l s%*i semene c al ni #s+ C t#!l ni #s '%#'ie#it+ S!a"e n*a6ea !%# !e !ie!t, ia#

!ielea i e#a moale &i t#an"a-i#ie ca a ni co!il+Se sc%#!in% la cea-% &i nce! s% se m'#ace+ 7&i !se n t#ico*chilot al', s'0i#e,

cio#a!i $#i, 8a#tie#e ne$#e &i !anto-i ma#on*nchis+ D!% ce*&i nno"% &i#et#ile, #i"ic%#ece!to#l, chem% >la"stone 4JJ &i coman"% n tai+ 7m'#%c% o c%ma&% al'% c "n$i

6e#/i, &i !se n $le# al', moale, o c#a6at% 6e#"e, costml $#i !#tat n aceea&i /i, n!a#"esi la#$ "e t?ee" &i o !%l%#ie $#i*nchis+ Sone#ia "e la st#a"% sn% n tim! ce &i 62#a n'/na# ttnl, cheile &i 'anii+

7n !nctl n"e Bsh St#eet "omin% Stocton St#eet, nainte "e a nce!e s% co'oa#ec%t#e Chinato?n, S!a"e !l%ti c#sa &i se "%" 8os "in tai+ Cea0a s'0i#e, li!icioas% &i

!%t#n/%toa#e a no!0ilo# "in San F#ancisco estom!a st#a"a+ a c20i6a met#i "e locl n"eS!a"e co'o#2se "in ma&in%, n $#! mic "e oameni se ita !e o alee+ Do% -emei &i n

'%#'at !#i6ea &i ei !e alee "e !e cel%lalt t#ota#+ a -e#est#e se 6e"ea chi!#i+S!a"e t#a6e#s% st#a"a, t#ec !#int#e !o#0ile c $#ila8e ce se "eschi"ea s!#e ni&te sc%#i

#2te &i !stii, se a!#o!ie "e !a#a!et, &i l%s% m2inile !e ma#$inea li me"% &i se it% n 8os,!e Stocton St#eet+ Din tnell "e "e"es't 02&ni n atomo'il h#in" as#/ito#, ca t#as "in!&c%, &i "is!%#+ "e!a#te "e $#a tnelli, n -a0a ni !ano c #eclame "e -ilme &i "e'en/in%, !este "#m "e n int#2n" "int#e "o% ma$a/ine, st%tea !e 6ine n '%#'at+ 7&ia!lecase ca!l !2n% a!#oa!e "e t#ota# ca s% se !oat% ita !e s' !ano+ Se s!#i8inea c om2n% !e !a6a8, ia# cealalt% o ncle&tase "e #ama 6e#"e a !anoli nt#*o !o/i0ie ca#a$hioas%+Al0i "oi '%#'a0i st%tea st2n8eni0i la cel%lalt ca!%t al !anoli &i t#%$ea c ochil !#int#e ceic20i6a centimet#i "int#e !ano &i cl%"i#ea al%t#a0%+ Cl%"i#ea "in cealalt% !a#te a !anolia6ea n calcan al'*cen&i &i "%"ea !e te#enl "in "osil !anoli+ Pe calcan cli!ea lmini&i !#int#e el se mi&ca m'#e "e oameni+

S!a"e se n"e!%#t% "e !a#a!et &i o l% !e Bsh St#eet !2n% la aleea n"e se a-la $#!l"e '%#'a0i+ =n !oli0ist n ni-o#m% mesteca $m% a&e/at s' o !lac% emailat% !e ca#e e#a

sc#isBuritt Street c lite#e al'e !e -on" al'ast#*nchis+ Ri"ic% '#a0l &i nt#e'% Ce ca0i aici5 Snt Sam S!a"e+ Mi*a tele-onat Tom Polhas+ A, "a+ Poli0istl co'o# '#a0l+ te*am #ecnosct la nce!t+ Ei 'ine, ite*l

colo+++ A#%t% c "e$etl ma#e !este m%#+ =#2t% a-ace#e+ Destl "e #2t%, #ecnosc S!a"e &i o l% !e alee+Pe la 8m%tatea ei, n "e!a#te "e int#a#e, se a-la o am'lan0% ntnecat%+ 7n s!atele

am'lan0ei, la st2n$a, aleea e#a 'locat% "e n $a#" nalt !2n% la !ie!t, -%ct "in stin$hii$#osolane, '%tt o#i/ontal+ Dincolo "e $a#", soll ntnecat co'o#a a'#!t, !2n% la !anol "e

8os, "e !e Stocton St#eet+ . !o#0ine "e 6#eo t#ei met#i "in $a#" -sese #!t% la n ca! &iat2#na '%l%'%nin"*se+ a cinci met#i n 8osl !antei ie&ea "in !%m2nt n 'olo6an t#tit+

7nt#*o sco'it#% "int#e 'olo6an &i !ant% /%cea !e s!ate Miles A#che#+ Doi oameni e#aa!leca0i as!#a li+ =nl 0inea n"#e!tat% s!#e mo#t o lante#n%+ Al0i oameni c lante#ne #ca&i co'o#a !anta+

=nl "int#e '%#'a0i l salt% !e S!a"e Salt, Sam &i se #ni n ss, s!#e alee, n tim! ce m'#a l !#ece"a !e !ant%+ E#a n


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ti! nalt, '#tos, c ochi mici &i "e&te!0i, c '/e $#oase &i at2t "e !#ost '%#'ie#it nc2to'#a8ii !%#ea ntneca0i+ Panto-ii, $ennchii, m2inile &i '%#'ia i e#a !line "e no#oica-eni+ Mi*am nchi!it c% 6#ei s%*l 6e/i nainte "e*al la "e aici, s!se el &i t#ec !este$a#"+

70i ml0mesc, Tom, /ise S!a"e+ Ce s*a nt2m!lat5S!a"e &i s!#i8ini n cot "e st2l!l $a#"li &i se it% la oamenii "e "e"es't,

#%s!n/2n" c o nclina#e a ca!li celo# ca#e l salta+Tom Polhas se '%t !e !a#tea st2n$% a !ie!tli c n "e$et m#"a#+

*a 0intit "#e!t n inim%+++ c %sta+ Scoase n #e6ol6e# $#os "in '/na#l hainei &i lntinse li S!a"e+ 7n c#est%t#ile "e !e -a0a #e6ol6e#li se in-ilt#ase no#oi+ =n :e'le;+ .a#m% en$le/easc%, n5

S!a"e &i l% cotl "e !e st2l!l $a#"li, se a!lec% s% !#i6easc% a#ma, "a# n*o atinse+ Da+ =n #e6ol6e# atomat :e'le;*Fes'e#;+ Eact+ Cali'#l KL, t#a$e o!t $loan0e+

se mai -a'#ic% ti!l %sta+ C2te s*a t#as5 . sin$#% !ill%+ Tom se '%t "in no !e !ie!t+ T#e'ie s% -i -ost mo#t c2n" a

c%/t !este $a#" &i l*a #!t+ Ri"ic% a#ma !lin% "e no#oi+ Cno&ti #e6ol6e#l5 Am mai 6%/t a#me :e'le;*Fos'e#;, #ecnosc S!a"e, -%#% s% mani-este 6#en

inte#es "eose'it, a!oi 6o#'i #e!e"e A -ost m!&cat aici ss, n5 7n tim! ce st%tea n"e stait, c s!atele la $a#"+ Cel ca#e l*a m!&cat st%tea aici+ 7l ocoli !e Tom !2n% a8nse n -a0a

li, a!oi #i"ic% '#a0l c "e$etl a#%t%to# n"#e!tat s!#e !ie!tl !oli0istli+ l m!&c%,Miles ca"e !e s!ate, se lo6e&te "e $a#", t#ece !#in el &i se #osto$ole&te !2n% l o!#e&te

'olo6anl+ Eact, #%s!nse Tom ncet, st#2n$2n"*&i s!#2ncenele+ Flac%#a a#mei i*a !2#lit haina+ Cine l*a $%sit5 Shillin$, !oli0istl ca#e &i -%cea #on"l+ Co'o#a !e Bsh St#eet &i tocmai c2n" a

a8ns aici, a nto#s o ma&in%, -a##ile a lminat !2n% ss &i Shillin$ a 6%/t 62#-l #!t al$a#"li+ Atnci s*a sit s% se ite &i l*a $%sit+

Ce*i c ma&ina ca#e nto#cea5 ici cea mai mic% in-o#ma0ie n !#i6in0a ei, Sam, Shillin$ n i*a "at aten0ie, ne&tiin"

c%*i ce6a n ne#e$l%+ S!ne c% n*a ie&it nimeni "e aici n tim! ce #ca "e !e Po?ell St#eet,c%ci a# -i 6%/t+ A# mai -i o ie&i#e, sin$#a, !e s' !ano, !#in Stocton St#eet+ imeni n*aie&it nici !e acolo+ Cea0a a nmiat !%m2ntl &i n se 6%" "ec2t #mele l%sate "e Miles c2n"a alnecat !e !ant% &i cele ale #e6ol6e#li ca#e s*a #osto$olit+

A a/it cine6a m!&c%t#a5 Pent# nmele li Dmne/e, Sam, "e*a'ia am 6enit+ T#e'ie s*o -i a/it cine6a,

#%m2ne ns% s%*l $%sim+ Se ntoa#se &i &i t#ec n !icio# !este $a#"+ ii 8os s%*l 6e/i !2n%n*l ia5

, #%s!nse S!a"e+Tom se o!#i c%la#e !e $a#" &i se it% n"%#%t ia S!a"e c ochi mici &i mi#a0i+ *ai 6%/t, s!se S!a"e+ Ai 6%/t tot ce*a& -i !tt s% 6%" &i e+

Tom, c !#i6i#ea a0intit% as!#a li S!a"e, "%" sce!tic "in ca! &i t#ec !este $a#"+ A6ea #e6ol6e#l la &ol", s!se el+ *a t#as c el+ Pa#"esil e#a ncheiat+ 7n '/na#eam $%sit !este o st% &ai/eci "e "ola#i+ A6ea o misine, Sam5

D!% o cli!% "e e/ita#e, Sam #ecnosc+ Ce misine5 A6ea ns%#cina#ea s% #m%#easc% n ti! nmit Flo;" Th#s';, /ise S!a"e, &i l

"esc#ise !e Th#s'; a&a cm i*l /$#%6ise "omni&oa#a :on"e#l;+ De ce*l #m%#ea5S!a"e '%$% m2inile n '/na#ele !a#"esili &i cli!i a!atic s!#e Tom+ Tom #e!et%

ne#%'"%to# De ce*l #m%#ea5

Poate -iin"c% e#a en$le/+ &ti ce n62#tea eact+ Am nce#cat s% "esco!e#im n"elocie&te+ S!a"e #2n8i 6a$, scoase o m2n% "in '/na# &i l '%t !e Tom !e m%#+ *mice#e !#ea mlte+ 2# "in no m2na n '/na#+ Am s*o ann0 e !e so0ia li Miles+ Sentoa#se &i !lec%+

Tom se st#2m'%, "eschise $#a, o nchise -%#% s% 6o#'easc%, &i "#ese $lasl, #enn0% s%


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mai se st#2m'e &i s!se c 6oce 'l2n"% &i #%$&it% >#oa/nic, s% te#mine a&a+ Miles a6ea !%catele li, ca noi to0i, "a# a6ea, "esi$#, &i

mlte calit%0i+ A&a e, #ecnosc S!a"e c 6oce ine!#esi6% &i &i contin% "#ml !e alee+S!a"e "%" n tele-on "int#*n drugstore "eschis toat% noa!tea, la col0l li Bsh

St#eet c Ta;lo# St#eet+ Scm!o, s!se el "!% ce comnic% tele-onistei nm%#l ce#t, Miles a -ost

m!&cat+++ Da, e mo#t+++ te ene#6a+++ Da+++ a t#e'i s%*i comnici I6ei+++ + S% m% ia

"#ac "ac*am s*o -ac e+ . las !e seama ta+++ Fii a&a "e "#%$0%+++ i s!ne*i s% n 6in% !e la'i#o+ S!ne*i c*am s*o 6%"+++ Hm+++ n c#2n"+++ Da, "a# n m% an$a8a c nimic+++ B#a6o 0ie+E&ti n n$e#+ a #e6e"e#e

De&te!t%to#l st#i"ent al li S!a"e a#%ta o#a !at# -%#% "o%/eci c2n" a!#inse lst#a+A#nc% !%l%#ia &i !a#"esil !e !at, int#% n 'c%t%#ie, a!oi se ntoa#se n "o#mito# c n

!aha# "e 6in &i o sticl% ma#e "e #om Baca#"i+ 7&i t#n% n !aha# &i*l '% n !icioa#e+ Psesticla &i !aha#l !e mas%, se a&e/% !e ma#$inea !atli n -a0a lo# &i &i #%sci o 0i$a#%+

B%se al t#eilea !aha# "e Baca#"i &i tocmai &i a!#in"ea a cincea 0i$a#% c2n" #%sn%sone#ia "e la st#a"%+ A#%t%toa#ele "e&te!t%to#li e#a la !at# &i 8m%tate+ S!a"e ss!in%, se

scl% "e !e !at &i se n"#e!t% s!#e a!a#atl tele-onic "e l2n$% &a came#ei "e 'aie+ A!%s%'tonl ca#e "eschi"ea &a "e la st#a"%+ Mo#m%i a "#ac R%mase n !icioa#e, sest#2m'% la ctia nea$#% a tele-onli, #es!i#2n" ne#e$lat, n tim! ce o #o&ea0% #2t% i sentin"ea !e o'#a8i+

A/i h2#2itl &i /"#%n$%nitl &ii li-tli, a!oi cm se "eschi"e &i se nchi"e !e co#i"o#+S!a"e ss!in% "in no &i se n"#e!t% s!#e &a ca#e "a !e co#i"o#+ Pa&i $#ei, c%lc2n" n-n"at#%sna#% !e !o"eaa aco!e#it% "e co6o#, !a&ii a "oi '%#'a0i+ Sam se lmin% la -a0%+ Deschise#e!e"e &a+

Salt, Tom, s!se el "etecti6li nalt &i '#tos, c ca#e "isctase !e B##itt St#eet3a!oi Salt, locotenente , celi "e l2n$% Tom+ Int#a0i+

Cei "oi l salta#% "in ca!, -%#% s% 6o#'easc% &i int#a#%+ S!a"e nchise &a &i i con"sen "o#mito#+ Tom se a&e/% la ca!%tl so-alei, l2n$% -e#est#e+ ocotenentl se a&e/% !e nscan l2n$% mas%+ ocotenentl e#a n ti! 6oinic, c ca! #otn", c !%# c%#nt, t%iat sc#t &ic -a0a !%t#at%, c msta0% c%#nt%, t%iat% &i ea sc#t+ A6ea n-i!t% n c#a6at% o mone"% "ea# "e cinci "ola#i, ia# la #e6e# o em'lem% mic% &i com!licat%, '%tt% c "iamante, insi$neleanmito# societ%0i sec#ete+

S!a"e a"se "o% !aha#e "e 6in "in 'c%t%#ie, le m!l c Baca#"i, le m!%#0i celo# "oi&i se a&e/% !e ma#$inea !atli+ Pe -a0a li !laci"% n se citea c#io/itate+ Ri"ic% !aha#l &is!se

Scces la c#ime A!oi l $oli !2n% la -n"+Tom $oli &i el !aha#l, l !se !e !o"ea, l2n$% !icio# &i se &te#se la $#% c "e$etl

a#%t%to#, !lin "e no#oi+ Se it% ln$ la !icio#l !atli, nce#c2n" !a#c% s%*&i aminteasc% ce*is$e#a 6e"e#ea li+ ocotenentl &i !#i6i !aha#l 6#eo /ece secn"e, so#'i, a!oi se it% laTom c ochi "#i &i aten0i+ Tom se -oi 8enat !e so-a &i, -%#% s% #i"ice !#i6i#ea, nt#e'%

Ai ann0at*o !e so0ia li Miles, Sam5 M"a, #%s!nse S!a"e+ Cm a !#imit 6estea5 &ti cm #eac0ionea/% -emeile, s!se S!a"e &i cl%tin% "in ca!+ a"#ac, n &tii #%s!nse ncet Tom+ocotenentl &i l%s% m2inile !e $ennchi &i se a!lec%+ .chii li 6e#/i l !i#oni#% !e

Sam c o e!#esie ci"at "e #i$i"%, ca &i cm -oca#l lo# a# -i -ost o !#o'lem% "e mecanic%,!t2n" -i mo"i-icat "oa# !#in a!%sa#ea nei !2#$hii sa a ni 'ton+

Ce -el "e a#m% ai la tine5 nt#e'% el+ *am a#m%+ *mi !lac !#ea mlt a#mele+ Fi#e&te, am c2te6a la 'i#o+ A& 6#ea s% 6%" na, s!se locotenentl+ *ai "in nt2m!la#e 6#ena !e aici5 + E&ti si$#5


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Cat%+ S!a"e /2m'i &i -lt#% !aha#l $el+ R%scole&te toat% ha#"$hia, "ac% 6#ei+*am s% !#oteste/+++ "ac% ai o#"in "e !e#che/i0ie+

.h, ce "#ac, Sam !#otest% Tom+S!a"e &i !se !aha#l !e mas% &i se #i"ic%, n-#nt2n"*l !e locotenent+ Ce !o-te&ti, Dn";5 nt#e'% el c o 6oce la -el "e as!#% &i "e #ece ca &i ochii li+ocotenentl Dn"; &i "e!las% !#i6i#ea !ent# a*l men0ine !e Sam n -oca#l ei+ Doa#

!#i6i#ea i se mi&c% ns%+ Tom &i mt% ia# $#etatea !e so-a, #%s-l% a"2nc !e n%#i &i sesmio#c%i+

6#em s%*0i -acem neca/#i, Sam+S!a"e, i$no#2n"*l !e Tom, se a"#es% li Dn"; Ei, ce !o-te&ti5 S!ne !e -a0%+ Cine "#ac te c#e/i, int#2n" aici &i nce#c2n" s% m%

t#a$i "e lim'%5 7n #e$l%, s!se Dn"; n-n"at, stai 8os &i asclt%+ Am s% sta 8os sa n !icioa#e, cm "#ac mi*o !l%cea /ise S!a"e -%#% s% se

clinteasc%+ Pent# Dmne/e, -ii "e n0eles, l #$% Tom+ Ce sens a#e s% ne ce#t%m5 Dac% 6#ei s%

&tii "e ce n*am 6o#'it !e -a0%, e -iin"c% atnci c2n" te*am nt#e'at cine e Th#s'; %la, m*ai#e!e/it &i mi*ai s!s c% n m% !#i6e&te+ te !o0i !#ta a&a c noi, Sam+ *ai "#e!tl &i nicin*ai ce c2&ti$a+ T#e'ie s% anchet%m+

ocotenentl Dn"; s%#i n !icioa#e, se a!#o!ie "e "etecti6 &i &i n%l0% -a0a !%t#at% s!#ecea a li Sam+

Te*am !#e6enit c% nt#*o 'n% /i ai s% calci !e*al%t#i, /ise el+S!a"e /2m'i "is!#e0ito# &i #i"ic% "in s!#2ncene+ Fieca#e calc% neo#i !e al%t#i, #%s!nse el c 'l2n"e0e 'at8oco#itoa#e+ Gi*a 6enit #2n"l+S!a"e s#2se &i cl%tin% "in ca!+ + Mie mi me#$e "e minne, ml0mesc+ 7ncet% s% mai s#2"%+ B/a s!e#ioa#% i

t#es%#i n !a#tea st2n$%+ .chii i se n$sta#% &i "e6eni#% !osaci+ ocea i #%sn% la -el "en-n"at ca a locotenentli+ *mi !lace t#ea'a asta+ Ce c%ta0i aici5 .#i mi s!ne0i,o#i ie&i0i a-a#% &i m% l%sa0i s% m% clc+

Cine*i Th#s';5 nt#e'% locotenentl+ I*am s!s li Tom tot ce &tiam "es!#e el+ I*ai s!s li Tom al "#acli "e !0in+ Fiin"c% &ti al "#acli "e !0in+ De ce*l #m%#eai5 *l #m%#eam e, ci Miles+ Pent# sim!ll moti6 c% ne*a ce#t n client, ca#e ne*a

!l%tit c 'ani 'ni, ame#icani, s%*l #m%#im+ Cine*i clientl5ocea &i chi!l li S!a"e "e6eni#% "in no !laci"e+


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P#"en0a "in !#i6i#ea li S!a"e se to!i+ .chii i se !osomo#2#% "e !lictiseal%+ Se ntoa#ses!#e Tom &i*l nt#e'% c ne!%sa#e e6i"ent%

Ce*l #oa"e !e amicl t%5Dn"; s%#i n ss &i l '%t !e S!a"e n !ie!t c "o% "e$ete+ Asta m% #oa"e, s!se el, st#%"in"*se s% a#ticle/e c2t mai lim!e"e -ieca#e c62nt

&i s'liniin"*le im!o#tan0a cioc%nin" n !ie!tl li S!a"e c 62#-l "e$etelo#+ Th#s'; a-ost m!&cat n -a0a hotelli s% la t#ei/eci &i cinci "e minte "!% ce*ai !%#%sit B##ittSt#eet+

S!a"e i #%s!nse, st#%"in"*se &i el s% -ie la -el "e lim!e"e Ia*0i la'ele 'lestemate "e !e mineDn"; &i #et#ase "e$etele c ca#e cioc%nea, -%#% s% se simt% ns% 6#eo schim'a#e n

$lasl s% Tom s!ne c% e#ai a&a "e $#%'it, nc2t nici m%ca# n te*ai o!#it s*a#nci o !#i6i#e

asociatli t%+Tom 'om'%ni "#e!t sc/% Ce "#ac, Sam, ai &te#s*o n ma#e $#a'%+ i nici n te*ai "s acas% la A#che# s*o ann0i !e so0ia li, s!se locotenentl+ Am

tele-onat, &i*am nime#it !este -ata "e la 'i#ol t% ca#e ne*a s!s c*ai t#imis*o !e ea+S!a"e #ecnosc !#int#*o mi&ca#e a ca!li+ Fa0a i e#a at2t "e calm%, nc2t !%#ea

st!i"%+ocotenentl Dn"; #i"ic% s!#e S!a"e cele "o% "e$ete n"oite, le co'o# #e!e"e &i

/ise 7n /ece minte ai a6t tim! s-icient s% "ai n tele-on &i s% 6o#'e&ti c -ata+ 7n alte

/ece minte te*ai "s acas% la Th#s'; st% !e >ea#; St#eet, a!#oa!e "e ea6en?o#th,a6eai 6#eme "estl%, n*0i t#e'ia mai mlt "e n s-e#t "e o#%+ 7nseamn% "eci c% ai "is!s "e/ece sa cincis!#e/ece minte !2n% s% a!a#%+

De n"e &tiam e n"e st%5 nt#e'% S!a"e+ i cm !team s% &ti c% s*a "s "i#ectacas% "!% ce l*a omo#2t !e Miles5

tiai ce &tiai, #e!lic% Dn"; nc%!%02nat+ a ce o#% ai a8ns acas%5 a !at# -%#% "o%/eci+ M*am mai !lim'at, #e-lect2n" la sita0ie+ocotenentl &i cl%tin% ca!l #otn"+ tim c% n e#ai acas% la o#a t#ei &i 8m%tate+ Am nce#cat s% te $%sim la tele-on+ Pe

n"e te*ai !lim'at5 P2n% "incolo "e Bsh St#eet &i n"%#%t+ Te*a 6%/t cine6a c2n" te+++ , n*am nici n ma#to#, s!se S!a"e &i #2se nc2ntat+ Stai 8os, Dn";+ 0i*ai '%t

nc% !aha#l+ D%*mi*l !e*al t%, Tom+ , ml0mesc, Sam, s!se Tom+Dn"; se a&e/%, -%#% s% "ea aten0ie !aha#li c #om+S!a"e &i*l m!l !e*al li, l '%, !se !e mas% !aha#l $ol &i &i #el% locl !e

ma#$inea !atli+ 7mi "a seama n ce sita0ie m% a-l, s!se el !#i6in" !#ietenos "e la n !oli0ai lacel%lalt+ 7mi !a#e #% c% m*am ene#6at, "a# a0i "at '/na !este mine, a0i nce#cat s%*misml$e0i o "ecla#a0ie &i m*a0i scos "in s%#ite+ Moa#tea li Miles m*a a-ectat, ia# 6oi,"e&te!0ilo#, mai -ace0i &i !e ne'nii+ E n #e$l%, &ti cm sta lc##ile+

as% asta, /ise Tom+ocotenentl n 6o#'i+ Th#s'; a m#it5 nt#e'% S!a"e+7n 6#eme ce locotenentl e/ita, Tom s!se Da+ i*ai !tea s% &tii la -el "e 'ine !#es!n2n" c% n &tii c% nainte "e*a m#i n*a

a!cat s% s!n% nimic, /ise Dn";+S!a"e &i #%sci o 0i$a#%+ 7nt#e'% -%#% s% #i"ice ochii Ce 6#ei s% s!i5 C#e/i c% am &tit5 #ea s% s!n eact ce*am s!s, i #e!lic% Dn"; '#tal+S!a"e #i"ic% !#i6i#ea s!#e el &i i /2m'i, c 0i$a#a #%scit% nt#*o m2n% &i c '#icheta n


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cealalt%+ e&ti nc% $ata s% m% a#este/i, Dn";5 nt#e'% el+ Dn"; se it% la el c ochi "#i

&i 6e#/i, "a# n*i #%s!nse+ Atnci, /ise S!a"e, n*am nici n moti6 s!ecial ca s%*mi !ese"e !%#e#ea ta+ *i a&a, Dn";5

a "#ac, -ii om n0ele$%to#, Sam, /ise Tom+S!a"e "se 0i$a#a la '/e, o a!#inse, !-%i &i #2se+ Bine, am s% -i om n0ele$%to#, Tom, i !#omise el+ Cm l*am omo#2t !e acest

Th#s';5 Am itat+

Tom 'om'%ni "e/$stat+ ocotenentl Dn"; /ise A -ost m!&cat n s!ate "e !at# o#i, c o a#m% "e cali'#l 44 sa 4, "e !e t#ota#l"e 6i/a6i, c2n" se !#e$%tea s% int#e n hotel+ imeni n*a 6%/t, "a# a&a se '%nie&te+

i !#ta n $e# nt#*o teac% la s'soa#%, a"%$% Tom+ s*a t#as c el+ Ce &ti cei "e la hotel "es!#e Th#s';5 l nt#e'% S!a"e+ Doa# c*a stat acolo o s%!t%m2n%+ Sin$#5 Sin$#+ i ce*a0i $%sit as!#a li5 Sa la el n came#%5Dn"; &i s!se '/ele &i nt#e'% Ce c#e/i c% !team $%si5

S!a"e "esc#ise n ce#c ne!%s%to# c 0i$a#a li moale+ Ce6a ca#e s% 6% s!n% cine e#a, ce n62#tea+ A0i $%sit5 Am c#e/t c% ne !o0i s!ne t+S!a"e se it% la locotenent3 ochii li $al'en*cen&ii t#%"a o can"oa#e a!#oa!e

ea$e#at%+ l*am 6%/t n 6ia0a mea !e Th#s';, nici 6i, nici mo#t+ocotenentl Dn"; se #i"ic%, 6%"it neml0mit+ Tom se #i"ic% &i el c%sc2n" &i

ntin/2n"*se+ Am nt#e'at ce*a6eam "e nt#e'at, /ise Dn";, nc#nt2n"*se+ A6ea ochi "#i, ca

ni&te !iet#icele 6e#/i "e #2+ 7&i ntinse '/a c msta0%, a#ticl2n" c6intele c '/ain-e#ioa#%+ Gi*am s!s mai mlte "ec2t ne*ai s!s t+ E "estl "e co#ect+ M% cno&ti,S!a"e+ Fie c% l*ai cis sa n, am s% m% !o#t co#ect c tine, &i*am s% te a8t+ c#e" c%te*a& n6ini !#ea mlt !ent#+++ "a# asta n*o s% m% m!ie"ice s% te "a !e m2na 8sti0iei+

Destl "e co#ect "in !a#tea ta, #%s!nse calm S!a"e+ Da# m*a& 'c#a, "ac% 0i*ai 'ea!aha#l+

ocotenentl Dn"; se ntoa#se la mas%, #i"ic% !aha#l &i l $oli ncet+ A!oi s!se oa!te 'n%, &i i ntinse m2na+i*o st#2nse#% ce#emonios+ Tom &i S!a"e &i*o st#2nse#% &i ei ce#emonios+ S!a"e i

con"se !2n% la &%+ A!oi se "e/'#%c%, stinse lmina &i se clc%+

IIITREI FEMEI

C2n" S!a"e a8nse la a$en0ie a "oa /i "iminea0a la o#a /ece, E--ie Pe#ine st%tea la'i#ol ei &i "eschi"ea co#es!on"en0a+ De&i '#on/at%, -a0a ei '%ie0oas% e#a !ali"%+ %s% 8osteancl "e !lic#i &i c0itl "e t%iat h2#tia &i s!se

E acolo+ o#'i ncet &i !#e6enito#+ Te*am #$at s% n 6in% !e aici, i #e!#o&% S!a"e+ o#'i &i el c $las sc%/t+E--ie Pe#ine "eschise la#$ ochii ei c%!#i &i i #%s!nse la #2n"l ei i#itat% Da, "a# n mi*ai s!s cm s*o -ac+ 7&i st#2nse !0in $enele &i me#ii i c%/#%+ -i

nes-e#it, Sam, s!se ea o'osit%+ Am stat c ea toat% noa!tea+

S!a"e se a!#o!ie &i o m2n$2ie !e !%#, nete/in"*i*l "e la c%#a#ea "e !e c#e&tet n 8os+ Ia#t%*m%, n$e#a&le+ *am+++Se nt#e#!se c%ci &a "e le$%t#% "int#e came#e se "eschise+ Bn%, I6a, s!se el -emeii ca#e o "eschisese+ .h, Sam eclam% ea+


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E#a o 'lon"% !0in t#ect% "e t#ei/eci "e ani+ C cinci ani n #m% -#mse0ea chi!liei -sese "es%62#&it%+ T#!l, "e&i $#eoi, e#a 'ine mo"elat &i !l%ct la n-%0i&a#e+ E#am'#%cat% "in ca! &i !2n% n !icioa#e n ne$#+ At2t !anto-ii c2t &i !%l%#ia l%sa im!#esiani "oli im!#o6i/at+ o#'i, a!oi se t#ase "in !#a$ &i #%mase n a&te!ta#ea li S!a"e+

Detecti6l &i #i"ic% m2na "e !e !%#l li E--ie Pe#ine &i int#% n cel%lalt 'i#o,nchi/2n" &a n #m%+ I6a se a!#o!ie c !a&i #e!e/i &i &i n%l0% -a0a t#ist% !ent# a -is%#tat%+ 7l m'#%0i&% mai nainte ca el s% schi0e/e n $est+ D!% ce se s%#ta#%, S!a"ence#c% s% se sml$% "in '#a0ele ei, "a# I6a &i n$#o!% -a0a la !ie!tl li &i nce! s% !l2n$%+

S!a"e i m2n$2ie me#ii #otn/i &i i s!se Biata "e tine+ o#'ea tan"#+ Se it% !ie/i& &i -#ios la 'i#ol li Miles a&e/at -a0% n-a0% c al s%+ 7&i ntinse '/ele nt#*n #2n8et "e ne#%'"a#e &i ntoa#se '%#'ia ca s% e6itecontactl c 62#-l !%l%#iei ei+ *ai ann0at !e -#atele li5

Da, a sosit a/i*"iminea0%+ C6intele #%sna n-n"at "in ca/a hohotelo# &i a haineili S!a"e li!it% "e '/ele I6ei+

S!a"e se st#2m'% "in no &i &i sci ca!l ca s% se ite !e -#i& la ceasl "e m2n%+ .0inea c '#a0l st2n$, st#2n$2n"*i m%#l st2n$+ Man&eta se t#%sese "estl ca s% se 6a"%ceasl+ E#a /ece &i /ece+

Femeia se -oi n '#a0ele li &i &i #i"ic% ia# chi!l+ .chii ei al'a&t#i e#a me/i, #otn/i&i c cea#c%ne al'e+ >#a i e#a me"%+

.h, Sam, $em ea+ T l*ai omo#2t5S!a"e o !#i6i c ochi ma#i+ B%#'ia osoas% i se l%s% n 8os+ 7i "%" "#ml I6ei &i se

smlse "in '#a0ele ei+ Se st#2m'% la ea &i &i "#ese $lasl+ I6a #%m%sese c '#a0ele #i"icate,cm o l%sase S!a"e+ D#e#ea i m!%ien8eni !#i6i#ea3 -%c ochii mici s' s!#2ncenele#i"icate+

S!a"e #2se as!# &i monosila'ic Ha &i se n"#e!t% s!#e -e#east#a c !e#"eaa c#em+R%mase neclintit, c s!atele la I6a, !#i6in" !#in !e#"ea n c#te, !2n% c2n" -emeia sea!#o!ie "e el+ Atnci se ntoa#se '#sc &i se "se la 'i#o+ Se a&e/%, &i !se coatele !e

'i#o, &i !#inse '%#'ia nt#e !mni &i se it% la I6a+ .chii li $%l'i st#%lcea nt#e!leoa!ele st#2nse+

Cine 0i*a 62#2t n ca! i"eea asta $#o/a6%5 o nt#e'% el c o 6oce #ece+ M*am $2n"it+++ I6a "se o m2n% la $#% &i i/'cni "in no n !l2ns+ Se a!#o!ie "e

'i#o, c%lc2n" si$#, &o# &i $#a0ios n !anto-ii ei ne$#i mici, "a# c toc#i -oa#te nalte+ Fii 'n c mine, Sam, i s!se ea mil+

S!a"e #2se "e ea, c ochii nc% sc2ntein"+ Mi*ai cis so0l, Sam, -ii 'n c mine5 7&i st#2nse !mnii &i s!se S-inte

Dmne/eleI6a nce! s% !l2n$% ta#e, c -a0a n-n"at% nt#*o 'atist% al'%+ S!a"e se #i"ic% &i se

a!#o!ie "e ea !e la s!ate+ . l% n '#a0e+ . s%#t% !e cea-%, nt#e #eche &i $le#l!altonli+

Asclt%, I6a, n mai !l2n$e+ Fi$#a li S!a"e n t#%"a nici n sentiment+ C2n" I6a

ncet%, S!a"e &i li!i $#a "e #echea ei &i i &o!ti *a# -i t#e'it s% 6ii ast%/i aici, i'ito+*a -ost n $est n0ele!t+ !o0i s% #%m2i+ A# t#e'i s% -ii acas%+I6a se ntoa#se n '#a0ele li, c -a0a s!#e el &i l nt#e'% ii ast%*sea#%5 , #%s!nse S!a"e &i cl%tin% ncet "in ca!+ Ai s% 6ii n c#2n"5 Da+ C2t "e c#2n"5 De n"at% ce*am s% !ot+. s%#t% !e $#%, o con"se la &%, "eschise &a &i i s!se a #e6e"e#e, I6a, o

m!inse a-a#%, nchise &a &i se ntoa#se la 'i#o+ Scoase "in '/na#l 6estei ttn &i

!achetl "e -oi0e, "a# n*&i #%sci nici o 0i$a#%+ R%mase c -oi0ele nt#*o m2n%, c ttnl ncealalt%, !#i6in" melancolic s!#e 'i#ol asociatli mo#t+E--ie Pe#ine "eschise &a &i int#%+ .chii ei c%!#i e#a nelini&ti0i+ 7l nt#e'% ne!%s%toa#e Ce s*a nt2m!lat5 S!a"e n*i #%s!nse+ P#i6i#ea li melancolic% n se "e/li!i "e

'i#ol li Miles+ Fata se nc#nt%, ocoli 'i#ol &i se a!#o!ie "e S!a"e+ Ce s*a nt2m!lat5


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nt#e'% ea mai ta#e+ Cm te*ai n0eles c 6%"6a5 7&i nchi!ie c% e l*am cis !e Miles, /ise el mi&c2n" "oa# '/ele+ Ca s% te !o0i c%s%to#i c ea5S!a"e n*i #%s!nse+ E--ie i l% !%l%#ia "e !e ca! &i o !se !e 'i#o+ A!oi se a!lec% &i*i

l% !n$a c ttn &i -oi0ele "in m2inile ine#te+ Poli0ia c#e"e c% e l*am m!&cat !e Th#s';, /ise el+ Cine*i Th#s';5 nt#e'% E--ie "es-%c2n" o -oi0% "in !achet &i m!l2n"*o c ttn+ Pe cine c#e/i c% l*am m!&cat5 Cm E--ie i i$no#% nt#e'a#ea, S!a"e contin%

Th#s'; e ti!l !e ca#e t#e'ia s%*l #m%#easc% Miles, la ce#e#ea "omni&oa#ei :on"e#l;+De$etele ei s'0i#i te#mina#% "e #%scit 0i$a#a+ . li!i, o nete/i, e sci la ca!ete &i o 62#nt#e '/ele li S!a"e+

Ml0mesc, "#a$a mea, /ise el &i o c!#inse "e talia ml%"ioas%, o"ihnin"*&i o'osito'#a/l !e &ol"l ei3 a!oi nchise ochii+

Ai "e $2n" s% te c%s%to#e&ti c I6a5 l nt#e'% E--ie, it2n"*se la !%#l li&aten*"eschis+

-i ca#a$hioas%, m2#2i el+ Gi$a#a nea!#ins% se mi&c% "e 8os n ss, e "at% c'/ele+

I6a n c#e"e c%*i ca#a$hios+ De ce s% c#ea"%+++ "!% -ell cm te*ai nc#cat c ea5 A& 6#ea s% n*o -i cnosct nicio"at%, /ise el &i ss!in%+

Ai 6#ea acm+ . not% "e #%tate se st#ec#% n 6ocea -etei+ Da# !e 6#em#i 0i*a!l%ct+

&ti cm s% m% !o#t c -emeile &i nici ce s% le s!n, 'om'%ni "etecti6l+ i !e#m%, n*mi !l%cea Miles+

Min0i, Sam, /ise -ata+ tii c% &i e o consi"e# o t2#-%, "a# c n t#! ca al ei a& a8n$e&i e t2#-%+

S!a"e &i -#ec% ne#%'"%to# -a0a "e &ol"l ei &i n #%s!nse+ E--ie &i m&c% '/a, nc#e0i-#ntea, se a!lec% s%*l 6a"% mai 'ine, &i /ise

. c#e/i n sta#e s%*l omoa#e5S!a"e se n"#e!t%, &i l% m2na "e !e &ol"l ei, &i i /2m'i+


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i chia# &i nchi!ie c% t l*ai omo#2t5 insist% ea+ Dmne/e &tie+ 7&i !i#oni ochii !e 0i$a#a !e ca#e o #%scea+ i*a -o#mat o ast-el

"e !%#e#e+ &ti cm am s% #e&esc s%*i con6in$ s% #enn0e la ea+ =it%*te la mine, Sam+ S!a"e se it% la ea &i #2se, a&a c% o cli!% !e -a0a ei se

amesteca#% 6eselia &i nelini&tea+ M% n$#i8o#e/i, s!se ea, ia# chi!l i "e6eni ia# se#ios ntim! ce 6o#'ea+ 70i nchi!i ntot"eana c% &tii ce -aci, "a# "e&te!t%cinea a#e s%*0i 8oaceo -est% &i, nt#*o 'n% /i, ai s%*0i "ai sin$# seama+

S!a"e ss!in% i#onic &i &i -#ec% o'#a/l "e '#a0l ei

Asta s!ne &i Dn";3 scm!o, 0ine*o !e I6a la "istan0% &i #e&esc e s% ies sin$# "incelelalte nc#c%t#i+ Se scl% n !icioa#e &i &i !se !%l%#ia, te#$e "e !e &% ann0l cS!a"e &i A#che# &i !ne la loc nl c Samel S!a"e+ M% nto#c nt#*o o#%, sa am s%*0itele-one/+

S!a"e t#ec !#in holl ln$, /$#%6it n !#!#i al hotelli St+ Ma# &i nt#e'% !e n"an"; c !%# #o&cat "ac% "omni&oa#a :on"e#l; e#a n came#a ei+ Dan";*l #o&co6an !lec%,a!oi se #entoa#se &i s!se, cl%tin2n" "in ca!

A !lecat "e-initi6 a/i*"e*"iminea0%, "omnle S!a"e+ Ml0mesc+

S!a"e t#ec "e 'i#ol "e !#imi#e &i se n"#e!t% s!#e o ni&% "in hol n"e, la n 'i#o cca!ac "e mahon, &e"ea n t2n%# $#%s0, m'#%cat n haine nchise+ a ma#$inea 'i#oli"ins!#e hol se a-la o !#ism% t#in$hila#% "e mahon &i "e a#am% c insc#i!0iaDomnul

Freed.

T2n%#l $#%s0 se scl%, ocoli 'i#ol &i 6eni c m2na ntins% 7mi !a#e et#em "e #%, S!a"e, "e ce*am a/it c*a !%0it A#che#, s!se el c o 6oce

o'i&nit% s%*&i mani-este sim!atia ime"iat &i -%#% ostenta0ie+ Tocmai am citit n /ia#l Call.A -ost aici asea#%, &tii5

Ml0mesc F#ee"+ Ai 6o#'it c el5 + St%tea n hol c2n" am sosit asea#%, "e6#eme+ m*am o!#it+ M*am $2n"it c%

e#a n ee#ci0il -nc0inii &i &ti c% 6o% 6% !lace s% -i0i l%sa0i n !ace c2n" a6e0i t#ea'%+i/ita li "e aici a a6t cm6a 6#eo le$%t#% c+++5

c#e", n &ti nc%+ .#icm, n*o s% amestec%m hotell n !o6estea asta, "ac% e c!tin0%+

70i ml0mesc+ *ai !ent# ce+ Po0i s%*mi "ai ni&te in-o#ma0ii as!#a nei -oste cliente, &i a!oi s%

i0i c% te*am nt#e'at5 Desi$#+ . anme "omni&oa#% :on"e#l; a !lecat "e la 6oi "e-initi6 a/i*"iminea0%+ A& 6#ea s%

cnosc nele am%nnte+ Hai s% 6e"em ce !tem a-la, /ise F#ee"+

S!a"e n se clinti &i "%" "in ca!+ 6#ea s% se 6a"% c% m% inte#ese/+F#ee" consim0i &i ie&i "in ni&%+ A8ns n hol, se o!#i '#sc &i se ntoa#se la S!a"e+ Asea#% a -ost "e se#6ici Ha##iman, ca "etecti6 al hotelli+ *a 6%/t c si$#an0%

!e A#che#+ S%*l !#e6in s% n 6o#'easc%5S!a"e l !#i6i !e F#ee" "in col0l ochili+ Mai 'ine n+ a#e nici o im!o#tan0% at2t tim! c2t n se sta'ile&te o le$%t#% nt#e

!#e/en0a li aici &i aceast% "omni&oa#% :on"e#l;+ *am nimic m!ot#i6a li Ha##iman, "a# i!lace s% t#%nc%neasc%, &i n*a& 6#ea s% c#ea"% c% e ce6a la mi8loc ca#e t#e'ie 0int sec#et+

F#ee" i "%" "#e!tate &i !lec%+ Se ntoa#se !este n s-e#t "e o#%+ A sosit ma#0ea t#ect%, "ecla#2n" c% 6ine "e la e? @o#+ a6ea c-%#, ci "oa#

6ali/e+ a#e t#ecte n nota "e !lat% a!el#i tele-onice &i nici n !a#e s% -i !#imit sc#iso#i,asta !#es!n2n" -i#e&te, c% a !#imit oa#eca#e co#es!on"en0%+ Din c2te &i aminte&te cine6a,sin$#a !e#soan% 6%/t% n to6%#%&ia ei a -ost n '%#'at nalt &i '#net, "e 6#eo t#ei/eci &i&ase "e ani+ Clienta a !lecat la no% &i 8m%tate a/i*"iminea0%, s*a nto#s !este o o#%, aachitat nota &i a ce#t s% i se "c% 6ali/ele la ma&in%+ B%iatl ca#e i le*a "s s!ne c% e#a o


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ma&in% "e t#ism ma#ca ash, !#o'a'il nchi#iat%+ A l%sat o a"#es% n"e s% i se t#imit%sc#iso#ile hotel Am'asa"o#, la os An$eles+

70i ml0mesc, F#ee", /ise S!a"e &i ie&i "in hotell St+ Ma#+C2n" S!a"e se ntoa#se la 'i#o, E--ie Pe#ine se o!#i "in '%ttl sc#iso#ii la ma&in% &i i

s!se A 6enit !#ietenl t%, Dn";+ oia s% se ite la a#mele tale+ i5 I*am s!s s% #e6in% c2n" ai s% -ii aici+

B#a6o 0ie+ Dac% se ntoa#ce, las%*l s% se ite la ele+ A tele-onat &i "omni&oa#a :on"e#l;+ E#a &i tim!l+ Ce*a s!s5 C% 6#ea s% te 6a"%+ Fata #i"ic% o 'cat% "e h2#tie "e !e 'i#o &i citi nota sc#is% c

c#eionl+ St% n 'locl Co#onet, !e Cali-o#nia St#eet, a!a#tamentl 1JJ1+ A /is s% nt#e'i "e

"omni&oa#a e'lanc+ D%*o ncoa, /ise S!a"e &i ntinse m2na+D!% ce E--ie i "%" h2#tia, S!a"e scoase '#icheta, o a!#inse, o a!#o!ie "e -oaie, &i o

0in "e n col0 !2n% c2n" a#se toat%, a-a#% "e col0l ca#e se chi#ci, se nne$#i &i se -%csc#m3 a!oi i "%" "#ml !e linolem &i o st#i6i s' c%lc2i+ E--ie l #m%#ea c o !#i6i#e

!lin% "e "e/a!#o'a#e+ S!a"e #2n8i &i*i s!se A&a sta lc##ile, "#a$%, &i !lec% "in no+

IPASREA EA>R

Domni&oa#a :on"e#l;, m'#%cat% nt#*o #ochie "e m%tase 6e#"e, c co#"on, i "eschise&a a!a#tamentli 1JJ1 "in 'locl Co#onet+ E#a m'8o#at%+ P%#l ei #o&*nchis, c c%#a#ela st2n$a &i l%sat !e t2m!la "#ea!t% n 6al#i ne#e$late, e#a ne!ie!t%nat+ S!a"e &i scoase

!%l%#ia &i i s!se Bn% "iminea0a+


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/2m'i+ De!in"e, /ise el+ eno#oci#ea, "omni&oa#%++++ % cheam% :on"e#l; o#i e'lanc5Fata #o&i &i m#m#% De -a!t, nmele me e .Sha$hness;+ B#i$i" .Sha$hness;+ eno#oci#ea, "omni&oa#% .Sha$hness;, e c% mai mlte c#ime -ata cli!i ca#e

a loc n acela&i tim! !n n mi&ca#e !e toat% lmea, i -ac !e !oli0i&ti s% c#ea"% c%*&i !otn$%"i o#ice &i toat% lmea "e6ine $#e "e t#atat &i scm! "e !l%tit+ *i+++

Se o!#i, -iin"c% ea n*l mai asclta, a&te!t2n"*l s% te#mine+

Domnle S!a"e, s!ne0i*mi a"e6%#l+ ocea i t#em#a, $ata s% "e6in% iste#ic%+ase o e!#esie ns!%im2ntat%, ia# n ochi i se citea "is!e#a#ea+ E snt "e 6in%+++ !ent#tot ce s*a nt2m!lat asea#%5

, a-a#% "e ca/l c% snt nele lc##i "es!#e ca#e n &ti, s!se el ci%tin2n" "inca!+ e*a0i !#e6enit c% Th#s'; e !#ime8"ios+ Fi#e&te, ne*a0i min0it n !#i6in0a so#ei"mnea6oast#% ca &i n alte !#i6in0e, "a# n contea/%+ 6*am c#e/t+ 7n%l0% "in me#iic#'a0i+ *a& s!ne c%*i 6ina "mnea6oast#%+

% ml0mesc, /ise ea -oa#te ncet, &i "%" "in ca!+ Da# am s% m% simt ntot"eana6ino6at%+ Dse o m2n% la $2t+ Domnl A#che# e#a at2t "e !lin "e 6ia0% ie#i, at2t "eene#$ic, "e inimos &i+++

7nceta0i i o#"on% S!a"e+ tia ce -ace+ Snt #isc#ile mese#iei+

E#a+++ c%s%to#it5 Da, se asi$#ase !ent# /ece mii "e "ola#i, n a6ea co!ii, ia# no6ast%*sa n 0inea la

el+ .h, 6% #o$, &o!ti ea+S!a"e #i"ic% "in no "in me#i+ A&a sta lc##ile+ Se it% la ceas, se scl% "in -otoli &i se a&e/% al%t#i "e ea !e

so-a+ *a6em tim! "e !ie#"t c asta acm+ o#'ea !#ietenos, "a# -e#m+ =n c2#" "e!oli0ai, "e a8to#i "e !#oc#o#i "ist#ictali &i "e /ia#i&ti se 62nt#% "e colo*colo, c%t2n"#me+ Ce a6e0i "e $2n"5

#ea s% m% scti0i "e+++ "e toate astea, i #%s!nse ea c o 6oce s'0i#e &it#em#%toa#e+ 7l a!c% timi" "e m2nec%+ Domnle S!a"e, a a-lat "e mine5

nc%+ Am 6oit s% 6% 6%" mai nt2i+ Ce*a s% c#ea"% "ac% a-l% "es!#e 6i/ita mea la "mnea6oast#%+++ "es!#e mincinile

acelea5 A s% "e6in% '%nito#i+ D*asta i*am am2nat !2n% ce*am !tt s% 6% 6%"+ M*am

$2n"it c% !oate n*i ca/l s% le s!nem totl+ a t#e'i s% in6ent%m o !o6este ca#e s% lea"oa#m% '%nielile, "ac% 6a -i necesa#+

S!e# c% n 6% nchi!i0i c% am ce6a "e*a -ace c+++ c c#imele, n5S!a"e i /2m'i &i s!se Am itat s% 6% nt#e'+ A6e0i nt#*a"e6%# "e*a -ace c ele5 +

Atnci e 'ine+ i acm, ce s!nem !oli0iei5Fata se $hemi !e ca!%tl so-alei &i ochii i t#em#a#% nt#e $enele $#ele, ca &i cm a# -ince#cat &i n*a# -i #e&it s%*&i eli'e#e/e !#i6i#ea "e !#i6i#ea li+ P%#ea mai mic%, -oa#te t2n%#%&i o#o!sit%+

T#e'ie nea!%#at s% a-le "e mine5 Mai "e$#a'% mo#, "ec2t s% n"# a&a ce6a,"omnle S!a"e+ !ot s% 6% e!lic acm, "a# n 6#e0i s% m% a!%#a0i "e ei, s% n -i silit% s%le #%s!n" la nt#e'%#i5 c#e" c*a& -i n sta#e s% #e/ist ni inte#o$ato#i+ Mai "e$#a'% a&m#i+ #e0i, "omnle S!a"e5

Poate, /ise el, "a# 6a t#e'i s% &ti "es!#e ce e 6o#'a+Fata n$ennchie n -a0a li+ 7&i #i"ic% -#ntea s!#e el+ E#a $al'en% la -a0%, nco#"at% &i

tem%toa#e, &i*&i 0inea m2inile st#2ns ncle&tate+

*am "s o 6ia0% cinstit% st#i$% ea+ Am -ost o st#icat%, mai st#icat% "ec2t 6% !te0inchi!i, "a# n snt com!let st#icat%+ =ita0i*6% la mine, "omnle S!a"e+ % "a0i seama c%n snt com!let st#icat%, n*i a&a5 Se 6e"e, n5 Atnci, a6e0i, 6% #o$, !0in% nc#e"e#e nmine .h, snt at2t "e sin$#%, "e n$#o/it%, &i n*am !e nimeni ca#e s% m% a8te, "ac% n m%a8ta0i "mnea6oast#%+ ti c% n*am nici n "#e!t s% 6% ce# s*a6e0i nc#e"e#e n mine, c2n"


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e n*am nc#e"e#e n "mnea6oast#%+ % asi$# ns% c% am nc#e"e#e, "a# n 6% !ot s!nenimic+ acm+ Mai t2#/i am s% !ot+ M% tem, "omnle S!a"e+ M% tem s% m% nc#e" n"mnea6oast#%+ 6#ea s% s!n asta+ % asi$# c% am nc#e"e#e am a6t nc#e"e#e &i nFlo;" n mai am !e nimeni, !e nimeni, "omnle S!a"e+ M% !te0i a8ta+ A0i s!s c% m%

!te0i a8ta+ Dac% n*a& c#e"e c% m% !te0i a8ta, a& -i -$it chia# a/i, n loc s% 6% chem+Dac*a& c#e"e c% m*a# !tea sal6a altcine6a, a& sta ast-el n $ennchi, ca acm5 ti c% n*ico#ect "in !a#tea mea+ Fi0i $ene#os, ns%, "omnle S!a"e, n*mi ce#e0i s% -i &i e co#ect%+Snte0i !te#nic, !lin "e #es#se, c#a8os+ 7mi !te0i m!#mta &i mie ce6a "in acea !te#e,

"in acele #es#se &i "in acel c#a8, snt si$#%+ A8ta0i*m%, "omnle S!a"e+ A8ta0i*m%,-iin"c% am ma#e ne6oie "e a8to#3 ia# "ac% n m% 6e0i a8ta "mnea6oast#%, n"e $%sesc e!e altcine6a "is!s s*o -ac%5 A8ta0i*m% *am nici n "#e!t s% 6% ce# s% m*a8ta0i o#'e&te,"a# o -ac+ Fi0i $ene#os, "omnle S!a"e+ M% !te0i a8ta+ A8ta0i*m%

S!a"e, ca#e &i 0inse #%s-la#ea n tot tim!l acesti "isc#s, #%s-l% a"2nc, scoase nln$ ss!in !#int#e '/ele st#2nse &i i s!se

*a6e0i ne6oie "e a8to#l nim%ni+ Snte0i o a#tist%+ . a#tist% ecelent%+ C#e" c% se6e"e mai ales n ochi, ca &i n acel t#em# "in 6oce c2n" s!ne0i Fi0i $ene#os, "omnleS!a"e+

Fata s%#i n !icioa#e+ Ro&i !eni'il, "a# &i 0in ca!l "#e!t &i l !#i6i !e S!a"e "#e!t nochi+

. me#it, /ise ea+ . me#it, "a#, 6ai am a&a ma#e ne6oie "e a8to#l"mnea6oast#% % 8# c% am -oa#te ma#e ne6oie+ Ia# mincina a constat n -ell cm am6o#'it, &i n n ce*a6eam "e s!s+ Se n"e!%#t%, #enn02n" s% se mai 0in% "#ea!t%+ Enmai 6ina mea c% acm n*o s% m% mai c#e"e0i+

S!a"e #o&i, se it% n 8os la !o"ea &i m#m#% A0i "e6enit !#ime8"ioas%+B#i$i" .Sha$hness; se "se la mas% &i i l% !%l%#ia+ Se ntoa#se &i #%mase naintea

li, c !%l%#ia n m2n%, -%#% s% i*o o-e#e, "a# 0in2n"*o ast-el, nc2t "etecti6l s*o !oat% la"ac% "o#ea+ Fa0a i se -%cse al'% &i i se aln$ise+ S!a"e se it% la !%l%#ie &i nt#e'%

Ce s*a nt2m!lat asea#%5 Flo;" a 6enit la hotel la o#a no% &i am !lecat am2n"oi s% ne !lim'%m+ Am !#o!s

asta ca s%*l !oat% 6e"ea "omnl A#che#+ e*am o!#it la n #esta#ant !e >ea#; St#eet, c#e",ca s% cin%m &i s% "ans%m &i ne*am nto#s la hotel !e la "o%s!#e/ece 8m%tate+ Flo;" m*acon"s !2n% la &% &i a !lecat, ia# e am #%mas n%nt# &i l*am !2n"it !e "omnl A#che#cm l #m%#e&te !e st#a"%, "e !e cel%lalt t#ota#+

7ncot#o s*a n"#e!tat5 S!#e Ma#et St#eet5 Da+ ti0i cm6a ce -%cea n a!#o!ie#e "e Bsh St#eet &i Stocton St#eet, n"e a -ost

m!&cat A#che#5 *i n 6ecin%tatea locli n"e locia Flo;"5 + A# -i nsemnat s% se a'at% 6#eo /ece st#%/i "in "#ml li, "ac% s*a# -i n"#e!tat

"e la hotell "mnea6oast#% c%t#e al li+ i ce*a0i -%ct "!% !leca#ea lo#5 M*am "s la clca#e+ Ia# a/i*"iminea0%, c2n" am ie&it s%*mi ia micl*"e8n, am6%/t titl#ile n /ia#e &i*am citit "es!#e+++ &ti0i "es!#e ce+ M*am "s a!oi la =nion SNa#e,n"e am 6%/t atomo'ile "e nchi#iat, am nchi#iat nl &i am !lecat c el la hotel s%*miia 'a$a8ele+ D!% ce*am "esco!e#it c% s*a #%scolit ie#i n came#%, mi*am "at seama c%t#e'ie s% m% mt, &i*am $%sit 'locl %sta ie#i "!%*amia/%+ A&a c*am 6enit aici &i 6*amtele-onat la 'i#o+

A #%scolit cine6a !#in came#a "mnea6oast#% "e la hotell St+ Ma#5 Da, n tim! ce m% a-lam la 'i#ol "mnea6oast#%, &i m&c% '/a+ *am 6#t s%

6% s!n+ Asta nseamn% c% n*am 6oie s% !n nt#e'%#i5

B#i$i" "%" timi" "in ca!+ S!a"e se nc#nt%+ Fata mi&c% ni0el !%l%#ia n m2n%+Detecti6l #2se ne#%'"%to# &i s!se *mi mai 62nt#a0i !%l%#ia n -a0%+ m*am o-e#it s% 6% a8t !e c2t se !oate5B#i$i" /2m'i c#is!at, !se la loc !%l%#ia !e mas% &i se a&e/% ia#%&i al%t#i "e el !e so-a+ *am nimic m!ot#i6% s% m% nc#e" o#'e&te n "mnea6oast#%, at2t "oa# c% n*am s%


17/101

6% !ot -i "e nici n -olos "ac% n*am i"ee "es!#e ce e 6o#'a+ De !il"%, t#e'ie s% a-l c ce seoc!a acest Flo;" Th#s'; al "mnea6oast#%+

O *am nt2lnit n .#ient+ o#'ea ia# &i se ita la n "e$et ntins, c ca6e "esena o!t#int#e ei !e so-a+ Am 6enit aici "e la Hon$ on$ s%!t%m2na t#ect%+ El+++ el mi*a !#omisc% m% a8t%+ A !#o-itat "e sl%'icinea mea &i "e -a!tl c% "e!in"eam "e el ca s% m% n&ele+

Cm s% 6% n&ele5 B#i$i" cl%tin% ca!l &i n #%s!nse+ S!a"e se nc#nt% ne#%'"%to#&i nt#e'% De ce*a0i 6#t s% -ie #m%#it5

oiam s% a-l c2t "e mlt ntinsese coa#"a+ *a 6oit nici m%ca# s%*mi s!n% n"e

st%+ Do#eam s% "esco!%# c ce se oc!%, c cine se nt2lne&te, cam ast-el "e lc##i+ El l*a cis !e A#che#5B#i$i" l !#i6i s#!#ins%+ Da, "esi$#+ Flo;" a6ea n $e# la s'soa#%+ A#che# n*a -ost m!&cat c n $e#+ A6ea &i n '/na#l !a#"esili n #e6ol6e#+ I*a0i 6%/t a#ma5 Da+ I*am 6%/t*o "eseo#i+ tiam c% 0ine ntot"eana n #e6ol6e# n '/na#+ *am

6%/t*o asea#%, "a# &ti c% a6ea !e#manent n #e6ol6e# n !a#"esi+ De ce at2tea a#me5 7&i c2&ti$a eisten0a c a8to#l lo#+ a Hon$ on$ ci#cla /6onl c% 6enise acolo, n

.#ient, ca a$ent nso0ito# al ni 8c%to# "e c%#0i silit s% !%#%seasc% Statele =nite, &i c%lte#io# 8c%to#l "e c%#0i "is!%#se+ Se s!nea c% Flo;" &tia ce6a n le$%t#% c "is!a#i0iali+ E ha'a# n*am+ &ti "ec2t c% e#a ntot"eana na#mat !2n% n "in0i &i c% n se clcanicio"at% -%#% s% ntin"% mai nainte !e co6o#, n 8#l !atli, /ia#e mototolite, ca nimeni s%n !oat% int#a, !e t%cte, n came#a li+

*a0i ales n !a#tene# sim!atic+ Sin$#l $en "e om ca#e m*a# -i !tt a8ta, /ise ea sim!l, "ac% a# -i -ost loial+ Dac%, nt#*a"e6%#+ S!a"e &i !#inse '/a in-e#ioa#% nt#e "e$etl ma#e &i cel a#%t%to#

&i o !#i6i moho#2t+ iniile 6e#ticale "e "eas!#a nasli i se a"2nci#%, a"n2n"*is!#2ncenele+ C2t "e $#a6% e nc#c%t#a n ca#e a0i int#at5

Et#em "e $#a6%+ E 6o#'a "e o !#ime8"ie -i/ic%5 snt e#oin%+ c#e" c% eist% ce6a mai #% ca moa#tea+ Snte0i si$#%5 a -el "e si$#% cm snt si$#% c% st%m aici, s!se ea ct#em#2n"*se3 m% a-l

nt#*o !#ime8"ie "e moa#te, "ac% n m% a8ta0i+S!a"e &i l% "e$etele "e la $#% &i le !lim'% !#in !%#+ Cine 6% nchi!i0i c% snt e5 /ise el ene#6at+ !ot -ace minni "in nimic+ Se it%

la ceas /ia se te#min% &i n*mi "a0i nici o in-o#ma0ie -olositoa#e+ Cine l*a omo#2t !eTh#s';5

B#i$i" "se o 'atist% mototolit% la $#% &i 6o#'i !#in ea

&ti+ D&manii "mnea6oast#% sa ai li5 &ti+ Ai li, s!e#, "a# mi*e team%+++ n &ti+ Cm 6% nchi!ia0i c% a6ea s% 6% a8te5 De ce l*a0i a"s aici "e la Hon$ on$5Fata se it% la el c o !#i6i#e n$#o/it% &i cl%tin% "in ca! n t%ce#e+ Pe -a0a t#as% i se

nti!%#ise o e!#esie !eni'il "e nc%!%02nat%+ S!a"e se #i"ic%, 62# m2inile n '/na#elehainei &i se st#2m'% "e ss la ea+

E intil, /ise el 6iolent+ !ot s% 6% -i c nimic "e a8to#+ ici n &ti ce 6#e0i "ela mine+ ici m%ca# n*mi "a seama "ac% &ti0i ce 6#e0i "e la mine+

B#i$i" l%s% ca!l n 8os &i nce! s% !l2n$%+ Detecti6l scoase n m2#2it animalic "in-n"l $2tle8li &i se n"#e!t% s!#e mas% s%*&i ia !%l%#ia+

*o s% 6% "ce0i la !oli0ie5 l im!lo#% ea c 6oce sc%/t% &i #%$&it%, -%#% s% #i"ice!#i6i#ea+ S% m% "c la !oli0ie eclam% el -#ios+ M% chestionea/% '#tal "e la !at#

"iminea0a+ Dmne/e &tie c2te nc#c%t#i mi*am !#icinit sin$#, #e-/2n" s% le #%s!n"+i "e ce5 Dint#*o i"ee i"ioat% c% 6% !ot a8ta+ 6% !ot a8ta+ *am s% nce#c+ 7&i !se


18/101

!%l%#ia !e ca! &i o n"es% 'ine+ S% m% "c la !oli0ie t#e'ie "ec2t s% sta -#mosacas%, c% "a ei '/na !este mine+ Ei 'ine, am s% le s!n ce &ti, &i 6a t#e'i s% 6% asma0i#isc#ile+

B#i$i" se scl% "e !e so-a &i #%mase "#ea!t% n -a0a li, "e&i $ennchii i t#em#a3 &in%l0% chi!l c!#ins "e !anic%3 n #e&ea s%*&i mai st%!2neasc% t#em#l m&chilo# $#ii &iai '%#'iei+

A0i a6t #%'"a#e+ A0i nce#cat s% m% a8ta0i+ C#e" c% n*am nici o &ans% &i e "e !#isos+7i ntinse m2na "#ea!t%+ % ml0mesc !ent# ce*a0i -%ct+ a t#e'i s%*mi asm

#isc#ile+S!a"e scoase ia# "in $2tle8 n m2#2it animalic &i se a&e/% la loc !e so-a+ C20i 'ani a6e0i57nt#e'a#ea o s#!#inse+ A!oi &i m&c% '/a in-e#ioa#% &i #%s!nse -o#0at Mi*a #%mas a!#oa!e cinci ste "e "ola#i+ Da0i*mi*i+B#i$i" e/it%, !#i6in"*l timi"+ S!a"e -%c n $est "e -#ie c $#a, c s!#2ncenele, c

m2inile &i c me#ii+ Fata int#% n "o#mito# &i #e6eni ime"iat c n teanc "e 'ancnote+ S!a"ele l%, le nm%#% &i /ise

Snt nmai !at# ste+ A t#e'it s% !%st#e/ o st%, ca s% am "in ce t#%i, i e!lic% ea s-ioas%, "c2n" o m2n%

la !ie!t+ mai !te0i -ace #ost "e al0ii5 + T#e'ie s% a6e0i ce6a "in ca#e s% scoate0i 'ani, insist% el+ Am c2te6a inele &i ni&te 'i8te#ii+ a t#e'i s% le amaneta0i, /ise el &i ntinse m2na+ Casa "e amanet Reme"ial e cea

mai 'n%, !e Mission St#eet &i Fi-th St#eet+B#i$i" l im!lo#% "in !#i6i#i+ .chii li $al'en*cen&ii e#a "#i &i nemilo&i+ Fata 62#

ncet m2na n "ecolte &i scoase n sl s'0i#e "e 'ancnote, !e ca#e l l%s% n m2na lintins%+ S!a"e le nete/i &i le nm%#% !at# "e "o%/eci "e "ola#i, !at# "e /ece &i na "ecinci+ 7i na!oie "o% "e /ece &i cea "e cinci+ Restl le '%$% n '/na#+ A!oi se #i"ic% &is!se

Am s% !lec s% 6%" ce !ot -ace !ent# "mnea6oast#%+ Am s% m% nto#c "e n"at% ceam 6e&ti 'ne+ Am s% sn "e !at# o#i ln$, sc#t, ln$, sc#t ca s% &ti0i cine sn%+ t#e'ie s% m% nto6%#%&i0i !2n% la &%+ Am s% ies sin$#+

. l%s% n !icioa#e n mi8locl came#ei, it2n"*se "!% el c ochii al'a&t#i, li0i+

S!a"e int#% n came#a "e !#imi#e, !e a c%#ei &% e#a sc#is Wise, Merican & Wise.Ro&cata "e la ta'lol "e coman"% al tele-oanelo# s!se

., salt, "omnle S!a"e+

Salt, scm!o, i #%s!nse el+ Si" e n%nt#5R%mase l2n$% ea c o m2n% !e m%#*i "olo-an &i n tim! ce 62#a o -i&% n ta'lo, -atas!se

Domnle :ise, a 6enit "omnl S!a"e+ 7n%l0% ochii s!#e S!a"e Int#a0i+. st#2nse "e m%# n chi! c% a n0eles, t#a6e#s% came#a "e !#imi#e, a8nse nt#*n

co#i"o# sla' lminat, l !a#c#se !2n% la ca!%t, n"e se a-la o &% c $eam mat+ Deschise&a c $eam mat &i int#% nt#*n 'i#o, n"e n '%#'at scn", c !iele m%slinie, c -a0ao6al% &i o'osit%, c !%# #a# &i ne$#, m'2csit "e m%t#ea0%, st%tea la n 'i#o #ia& aco!e#itc mal"%#e "e h2#tie+ P#ichin"ell 62nt#% s!#e S!a"e chi&tocl nei 0i$%#i "e -oi stinse &is!se

T#a$e*0i n scan+ A&a"a#, Miles s*a c#%0at asea#%5

ici -a0a li o'osit% &i nici 6ocea cam st#i"ent% n t#%"a 6#eo emo0ie+ M"a, "*asta am 6enit+ S!a"e se nc#nt% &i &i "#ese $lasl+ C#e" c% 6a t#e'i s%*l"a "#acli !e 8"ec%to#, Si"+ Pot s% m% ascn" ca n !#eot sa n a6ocat n "oslsec#etelo# &i i"entit%0ii sac#osancte ale clien0ilo# mei, sa n5

Si" :ise n%l0% "in me#i &i*&i l%s% n 8os 62#-l '/elo#+


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De ce n5 . anchet% n e o 8"ecat%+ Po0i o#icm s% nce#ci+ Ai sc%!at "e alte 'elelemai #2te+

ti, "a# Dn"; "e6ine tot mai o'#a/nic, &i !oate c% "e "ata asta sita0ia e camnc2lcit%+ Ia*0i !%l%#ia, Si", me#$em s% 6e"em !e cine t#e'ie+ #ea s% -i n si$#an0%+

Si" :ise se it% la h2#tiile a"nate !e 'i#o &i 'om'%ni, "a# se scl% "e !e scan &i sen"#e!t% s!#e "la!l "in !e#ete, "e l2n$% -e#east#%+

E&ti n tic%los, Samm;, s!se el &i &i l% !%l%#ia "in cie#+

S!a"e se ntoa#se la a$en0ie la cinci &i /ece n acea "!%*amia/%+ E--ie Pe#ine st%tea la'i#ol li &i citea #e6ista Time. S!a"e se a&e/% !e 'i#o &i o nt#e'%

Ce6a no !e aici5 imic+ A#%0i "e !a#c% ai -i n$hi0it o msc%+S!a"e #2n8i ml0mit+ C#e" c% ne a&tea!t% n ma#e 6iito#+ Am -ost ntot"eana "e !%#e#e c% "ac% Miles se

ca#% &i moa#e, o s% ne mea#$% mai 'ine+ ita s% t#imi0i -lo#i "in !a#tea mea Am t#imis+ E&ti n n$e# "e ne!#e0it+ Ce*0i s!ne inti0ia ta -eminin% ast%/i5 De ce5

Ce im!#esie ai "e :on"e#l;5 7mi !lace, #e!lic% ea -%#% s% e/ite+ A#e !#ea mlte nme, #e-lect% S!a"e+ :on"e#l;, e'lanc, ia# acm s!ne c% cel

a"e6%#at e .Sha$hness;+ mi*a# !%sa nici "e*a# a6ea toate nmele "in ca#tea "e tele-on+ Fata e cinstit%, &tii

'ine+ M% n"oiesc+ S!a"e i cli!i a!atic li E--ie Pe#ine+ .#icm, a #enn0at la &a!te

ste "e "ola#i n "o% /ile, &i asta e !e#-ect+E--ie Pe#ine se n"#e!t% !e scan &i s!se Sam, "ac% -ata asta a int#at n nc#c%t#i &i t o la&i 'alt%, sa !#o-i0i ca s*o sto#ci "e

'ani, n*am s% te ie#t nicio"at%, n*am s% mai am nici n -el "e #es!ect !ent# tine, c2t 6oi t#%i+S!a"e /2m'i ne-i#esc+ A!oi se nc#nt%+ 7nc#nt%t#a e#a &i ea ne-i#easc%+ Deschise $#a

s% 6o#'easc%, "a# /$omotl &ii "e la co#i"o# l o!#i+ E--ie Pe#ine se #i"ic% &i t#ec n cel%lalt'i#o+ S!a"e &i scoase !%l%#ia &i se a&e/% !e scanl li+ Fata se ntoa#se c o ca#te "e 6i/it%$#a6at% c nmeleMr. Joel Cairo.

Ti!l e st#ani, /ise ea+ F%*i 62nt atnci n%nt#, scm!o, s!se S!a"e+Domnl oel Cai#o e#a n om '#net, c oase mici &i "e n%l0ime mi8locie+ A6ea !%#

ne$#, nete", -oa#te lcios &i t#%s%t#i "e le6antin+ =n #'in !%t#at, c cele !at# ma#$ininca"#ate n "iamante ln$i, st#%lcea !e 6e#"ele nchis al c#a6atei+ Haina nea$#%, c#oit%st#2ns !e me#ii st#2m0i, st%tea !0in ntins% !e &ol"#ile #oto-eie+ Pantalonii se li!ea "e

!icioa#ele $#oase mai st#2ns "ec2t e#a mo"a c#ent%+ P#ta $het#e ca-enii+ Ginea n m2nanm%n&at% c antilo!% o !%l%#ie nea$#%, ta#e3 naint% s!#e S!a"e c !a&i mici, a-ecta0i &is%lt%#e0i+ =n 6al "e !a#-m Ch;!#e l nto6%#%&ea+

S!a"e &i salt% "in ca! 6i/itato#l, i a#%t% n scan &i i s!se a0i loc, "omnle Cai#o+Cai#o se nclin% ce#emonios !este !%l%#ie+ % ml0mesc, /ise el c o 6oce asc0it% &i s'0i#e, a!oi se a&e/%+ Se a&e/% c n ae#

$#a6+ 7&i nc#ci&% $le/nele, !se !%l%#ia !e $ennchi &i nce! s%*&i t#a$% m%n&ile $al'ene+S!a"e se 'alans% !e scan &i*l nt#e'% Ei, ce !ot s% -ac !ent# "mnea6oast#%, "omnle Cai#o5Ama'ilitatea ne$li8ent% a tonli, ca &i mi&ca#ea !e scan e#a #e!lica eact% a

aceleia&i ama'ilit%0i &i mi&c%#i ca#e nto6%#%&ise#% nt#e'a#ea !s% c o /i nainte li B#i$i".Sha$hness;+Cai#o &i ntoa#se !%l%#ia, "%" "#ml m%n&ilo# n%nt# &i o a&e/% c -n"l n ss

!e ma#$inea 'i#oli, l2n$% el+ Pe cel "e*al "oilea &i al !at#lea "e$et al m2inii st2n$iscli!ea "iamante, ia# la m2na "#ea!t% !#ta n #'in ca#e se aso#ta c cel "in c#a6at% &i c


20/101

"iamantele ncon8#%toa#e+ A6ea m2ini moi &i 'ine n$#i8ite+ De&i n e#a ma#i, as!ectl lo#t#tit &i -lasc le -%cea s% !a#% $#eoaie+ 7&i -#ec% !almele &i 6o#'i !este /$omotl &o#

!#o6ocat "e aceast% mi&ca#e 7n$%"i0i ni st#%in s% 6% o-e#e con"olean0e !ent# moa#tea ne-e#icit% a asociatli

"mnea6oast#%+ % ml0mesc+ A& !tea s% 6% nt#e', "omnle S!a"e, "ac% eist%, a&a cm a s$e#at /ia#ele, o

oa#eca#e hm le$%t#% nt#e ne-e#icita nt2m!la#e &i moa#tea li Th#s';, s#6enit%

!0in mai t2#/i5S!a"e n #%s!nse3 !%st#% o atit"ine im!enet#a'il% &i hot%#2t%+Cai#o se #i"ic% &i se nclin% % ce# sc/e+ Se a&e/% la loc &i &i !se m2inile na l2n$% alta !e col0l 'i#oli, c

!almele n 8os+ Am nt#e'at n at2t "in !#% c#io/itate, "omnle S!a"e+ 7nce#c s%#eca!%t n hm o !ies% o#namental% ca#e s% s!nem s*a #%t%cit+ Am c#e/t &i ams!e#at c% m% 6e0i a8ta+

S!a"e "%" "in ca! &i n%l0% "in s!#2ncene ca s%*i a#ate c%*i atent+ Piesa o#namental% e o statet%, contin% Cai#o, ale$2n" &i !#onn02n" c $#i8%

c6intele, &i #e!#e/int% sileta nea$#% a nei !%s%#i+S!a"e "%" "in ca!, c inte#es &i !olite0e+

Snt $ata s% !l%tesc, n contl !#o!#ieta#li le$al al statetei, sma "e cinci mii "e"ola#i !ent# #ec%!%ta#ea ei+ Cai#o #i"ic% o m2n% "e !e col0l 'i#oli &i m!nse n ae# cn a#%t%to# #2t &i c n$hia !%t#at%+ Snt $ata s% !#omit ca#e e -o#mla#ea5 c% nse 6a !ne nici o nt#e'a#e+ 7&i l%s% la loc m2na !e 'i#o, al%t#i "e cealalt% &i /2m'i 'l2n"

!e "eas!#a lo# "etecti6li !a#ticla#+ Cinci mii "e "ola#i snt o $#oa/% "e 'ani, coment% S!a"e it2n"*se $2n"ito# la

Cai#o+ Dac%+++Se a/i#% cioc%nit#i &oa#e n &%+ C2n" S!a"e st#i$% Int#%, &a se "eschise "estl

ca s% nca!% !#in ea ca!l &i me#ii li E--ie Pe#ine+ Sec#eta#a &i !sese !%l%#ia "e -et#,mic% &i nea$#%, ca &i !altonl c $le# "e 'lan% $#i+

Mai ai t#ea'% c mine5 nt#e'% ea+ + oa!te 'n%+ 7ncie &a c2n" !leci, te #o$+ oa!te 'n%, s!se ea &i "is!%# n "osl &ii ca#e se nchi"ea+S!a"e se ntoa#se "in no n scan c -a0a s!#e Cai#o &i s!se E o sm% inte#esant%+ 7i a8nse la #echi /$omotl &ii "e !e co#i"o#, ca#e se

nchi"ea n #ma li E--ie Pe#ine+Cai#o /2m'i &i scoase "in '/na#l "e la !ie!t n #e6ol6e# t#tit, masi6 &i ne$#+ #e0i s% -i0i ama'il, s!se el, s% 6% m!#ena0i m2inile la cea-%5

EATI=S!a"e n se it% la !istol+ 7&i #i"ic% m2inile, se a!lec% !e s!ate n scan &i &i m!#en%

"e$etele la cea-%+ .chii li, -%#% o e!#esie "eose'it%, #%m%sese#% a0inti0i as!#a -e0eintnecate a li Cai#o+ Cai#o t&i "isc#et, n semn "e sc/% &i /2m'i ne#6os c '/e ca#e &i

!ie#"se#% #o&ea0a+ .chii li ne$#i e#a me/i, timi/i &i -oa#te se#io&i+ Inten0ione/ s% 6% !e#che/i0ione/ 'i#o#ile, "omnle S!a"e+ % !#e6in c% "ac%

nce#ca0i s% m% m!ie"ica0i, am s% 6% m!&c+ *ai "ec2t s% !e#che/i0ione/i, s!se S!a"e c o 6oce la -el "e ine!#esi6% ca &i -a0a+ #e0i, 6% #o$, s% 6% #i"ica0i5 i o#"on% oml c !istoll, n"#e!t2n" a#ma s!#e !ie!tl

lat al li S!a"e+ T#e'ie s% m% asi$# c% n snte0i na#mat+

S!a"e se scl% &i m!inse scanl na!oi c $le/nele n tim! ce*&i n"#e!ta !icioa#ele+Cai#o t#ec n s!atele li+ Schim'% a#ma "in m2na "#ea!t% n cea st2n$a+ Ri"ic% !l!anahainei li S!a"e &i se it% "e"es't+ C !istoll li!it "e s!atele li S!a"e, n"oi m2na"#ea!t% !este !ie!tl li S!a"e &i l !i!%i+ Fa0a le6antinli se $%sea la cincis!#e/ececentimet#i n s!atele &i s' cotl "#e$t al li S!a"e+


21/101

Detecti6l &i l%s% '#sc cotl &i se ntoa#se -l$e#%to# s!#e "#ea!ta+ Cai#o &i -e#i -a0a,"a# n "estl "e #e!e"e+ Tocl "#e!t al !anto-li li S!a"e st#i6i "e$etele !icioa#elo# liCai#o, nc%l0ate n !anto-i "e lac, men0in2n"*l n "i#ec0ia lo6it#ii c cotl+ Cotl l !ocnin osl o'#a/li, ame0in"*l at2t "e #%, nc2t a# -i c%/t c si$#an0% "ac% n l*a# -i #e0int

!icio#l li S!a"e+ Cotl li S!a"e t#ec "e -a0a '#net% &i imit%, se "estinse &i "etecti6l llo6i !este !istol+ Cai#o sc%!% a#ma n cli!a n ca#e l atinse#% "e$etele li S!a"e+ 7n m2na"etecti6li, a#ma !%#ea mic%+ S!a"e &i l% !icio#l "e !e cel al li Cai#o, ca s% se !oat%ntoa#ce com!let+ 7l st#2nse c m2na st2n$% "e #e6e#e c#a6ata 6e#"e, c ac "e #'in, i

ie&i !este ncheiet#ile "e$etelo# ia# c "#ea!ta 62# a#ma ca!t#at% n '/na#l haineisale+ .chii $al'en*cen&ii ai li S!a"e se ntnecase#%+ Pe -i$#a sa im!enet#a'il% mi8i n/2m'et !lictisit+

Cai#o se st#2m'% "e "#e#e &i "e -#ie+ 7n ochii ne$#i i a!%##% lac#imi+ Pielea li a6eatet#a !lm'li lst#it, a-a#% "e o'#a/l n#o&it "e cotl li S!a"e+ Gin2n"*l 'ine "e#e6e#e, S!a"e l ntoa#se ncet &i l m!inse !2n% a8nse c el n -a0a scanli !e ca#est%tse mai nainte+ =liala nloci "#e#ea !e -a0a !lm'#ie+ S!a"e /2m'i+ =n /2m'etama'il, chia# 6is%to#+ Ri"ic% m%#l st2n$ c c20i6a centimet#i+ B#a0l n"oit #m% mi&ca#eam%#li+ Pmnl, ncheiet#a, ante'#a0l, cotl &i m%#l !%#ea o sin$#% !ies% #i$i"%,ac0ionat% "oa# "e m%#l -lei'il+ Pmnl lo6i -a0a li Cai#o, aco!e#in"*i o cli!% o !a#te a

'%#'iei, col0l $#ii &i o'#a/l nt#e osl !ome0ilo# &i al -%lcii+ Cai#o nchise ochii &i c%/ n

nesim0i#e+S!a"e ntinse co#!l ine#t !e scan, c m2inile &i c !icioa#ele moi, c ca!l

'%l%'%nin"*se !e s!%ta#, &i c $#a "eschis%+ S!a"e i $oli !e #2n" '/na#ele, lc#2n"meto"ic, mi&c2n" t#!l ine#t c2n" e#a ne6oie &i a"n2n" $#%ma"% !e 'i#o con0intl

'/na#elo#+ D!% ce i ntoa#se !e "os &i ltiml '/na#, S!a"e #e6eni la scanl li, sele$%n% &i a!#inse o 0i$a#%, ia# a!oi nce! s% ce#cete/e !#a"a+ . ce#cet% c o min0ie $#a6% &incet+

Mai nt2i n !o#t6i/it ma#e, "in !iele moale &i nea$#%+ Po#t6i/itl con0inea t#ei ste&ai/eci &i cinci "e "ola#i n 'ancnote ame#icane "e "i-e#ite m%#imi3 t#ei 'ancnote "e cincili#e3 n !a&a!o#t $#ecesc, !lin "e 6i/e, !#t2n" nmele li Cai#o &i -oto$#a-ia li, cinci -oi "eh2#tie #o/, et#em "e -ine, aco!e#ite c n sc#is ce !%#ea a#a'3 o 'cat% "e /ia#, #!t%ne#e$lat, c #e!o#ta8l "es!#e "esco!e#i#ea ca"a6#elo# li A#chec &i Th#s';3 -oto$#a-ia, ti!ca#te !o&tal% a nei -emei '#nete &i "#%$%stoase, c ochi n"#%/ne0i, c#/i &i c '/e l%sate3o 'atist% ma#e "e m%tase, n$%l'enit% "e 6#eme &i cam t%iat% !e la cte3 n teanc s'0i#e "ec%#0i "e 6i/it%, c nmele "omnli oel Cai#o &i n 'ilet, la stal, !ent# acea sea#% laTeat#l >ea#;+ 7n a-a#a !o#t6i/itli &i a con0intli s%, mai e#a t#ei 'atiste "e m%tase,colo#ate 6i &i mi#osin" a Ch;!#e3 n ceas on$ines "e !latin% c lan0 "e a# #o&, !#insla n ca!%t "e n '#eloc n -o#m% "e !a#%, "int#*n metal al'3 n !mn "e moneteame#icane, en$le/e, -#ance/e &i chine/e3 n inel c 6#eo &ase chei3 n stilo "in a#$int &ioni3 o !il% "e n$hii nt#*o aco!e#itoa#e3 n !ie!tene "e metal nt#*o teac% "e !iele3 n mic$hi" al st#%/ilo# "in San F#ancisco3 o chitan0% "e 'a$a8e "e la $a#a Sothe#n Paci-ic3 o

cti0% !lin% !e 8m%tate c !astile 6iolete3 ca#tea "e 6i/it% a ni a$ent "e asi$#%#i "inShan$ai3 !at# -oi "e sc#is, c nmele hotelli Bel6e"e#e !e na "in ele e#a sc#ise, clite#e mici &i !#ecise, a"#esele 'i#oli &i a!a#tamentli li Samel S!a"e+

D!% ce eamin% c aten0ie aceste a#ticole "eschise !2n% &i ca!acl ceasli, s%6a"% "ac% n cm6a e ascns ce6a n%nt# S!a"e se a!lec% &i a!c% nt#e "e$etl ma#e&i a#%t%to# ncheiet#a li Cai#o, !ent# a*i !i!%i !lsl+ D%" "#ml m2inii, se l%s% la loc

!e scan, &i #%sci &i &i a!#inse o no% 0i$a#%+ 7n tim! ce -ma, -a0a li, c ece!0ia no#mi&c%#i nt2m!l%toa#e, &oa#e &i -%#% sens ale '/ei in-e#ioa#e, #%mase at2t "e calm% &i "e$2n"itoa#e, nc2t !%#ea st!i"%3 c2n", n c#2n", Cai#o $em &i '%t "in !leoa!e, chi!l liS!a"e se m'l2n/i, ia# n ochi &i !e '/e i ncol0i n /2m'et !#ietenesc+

oel Cai#o se t#e/i ncet+ Deschise la nce!t ochii, "a# t#ec n mint !2n% s%*&i -ie/e

!#i6i#ea nt#*n !nct "in ta6an+ A!oi nchise $#a, n$hi0i n sec &i e!i#% a"2nc !e nas+ 7&ist#2nse n !icio# &i &i !i!%i &ol"l+ A!oi &i n%l0% ca!l "e !e s!%ta#l scanli, se it%/%!%cit !#in 'i#o, l 6%/ !e S!a"e &i &i n"#e!t% t#!l+ Deschise $#a s% 6o#'easc%, !o#nis% s!n% ce6a &i &i "se m2na la -a0%, n"e l !ocnise !mnl li S!a"e &i n"e se n%l0aacm n cci 6ine0i+ Cai#o 6o#'i !#int#e "in0i, c "#e#e+


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A& -i !tt s% 6% m!&c, "omnle S!a"e+ Ai -i !tt s% nce#ci, #ecnosc S!a"e+ *am nce#cat+ ti+ Atnci "e ce m*a0i lo6it "!% ce m*a0i "e/a#mat5 7mi !a#e #%, /ise S!a"e &i /2m'i 6iclean, "e/6elin"*&i "in0ii, "a# nchi!i0i*6%

imi#ea mea c2n" am a-lat c% o-e#ta "e cinci mii "e "ola#i e#a o ai#eal%+ % n&ela0i, "omnle S!a"e+ .-e#ta e#a &i #%m2ne n !icioa#e+

Cm "#ac5 mi#a#ea li S!a"e e#a atentic%+ Snt $ata s% 6% !l%tesc cinci mii "e "ola#i !ent# a #ec%!%ta stateta+ Cai#o &i #et#asem2na "e !e -a0a n6ine0it% &i se #i"ic% $#a6 &i "in no $ata s% "iscte a-ace#i+ . a6e0i5

+ Dac% n*i aici Cai#o e#a sce!tic, "a# nt#*n chi! -oa#te !oliticos "e ce*a0i

#iscat s% 6% #%nesc $#a6, m!ie"ic2n"*m% s*o cat5 C#e/i c% snt $ata s% las !e o#icine s% int#e &i s% m% amenin0e5 S!a"e a#%t% c

"e$etl o'iectele li Cai#o, a"nate !e 'i#o+ Ai a"#esa a!a#tamentli me "e acas%+ Ai-ost cm6a acolo5

Da, "omnle S!a"e+ Snt $ata s% 6% achit cinci mii "e "ola#i "ac% mi na!oia0istateta, "a#, "esi$#, c#e" c% e "estl "e -i#esc s% nce#c mai nt2i s%*l sctesc !e !#o!#ieta#,

"ac% e c !tin0%, s% !l%teasc% o asemenea sm%+ Cine*i !#o!#ieta#l5Cai#o cl%tin% "in ca! &i /2m'i+ a t#e'i s% m% ie#ta0i c% n 6% #%s!n" la aceast% nt#e'a#e+

O Se#ios5 S!a"e se a!lec% &i i /2m'i c '/ele st#inse+ E&ti la che#eml me,Cai#o+ Ai int#at aici &i te*ai com!#omis "estl ca !oli0ia s% -ie nc2ntat% s%*0i !n% tn c2#c%c#imele "e asea#%+ Acm o#i 8oci cm 0i c2nt e, o#i "e n+++

Cai#o /2m'i #e/e#6at, "a# "e loc ala#mat+ Am nt#e!#ins nele ce#cet%#i "estl "e etinse as!#a "mnea6oast#% nainte "e a

ini0ia 6#eo ac0ine, s!se el, &i mi s*a "at asi$#%#i c% snte0i mlt !#ea #e/ona'il ca s%n$%"i0i alto# consi"e#ente s% se inte#-e#e/e c #ela0iile "e a-ace#i !#o-ita'ile+

S!a"e "%" ne!%s%to# "in me#i+ =n"e snt 'anii5 nt#e'% S!a"e+ *am o-e#it cinci mii "e "ola#i ca s%+++S!a"e !lesni c "osl "e$etelo# !o#t6i/itl li Cai#o &i /ise *i nimic n%nt# ca#e s% semene c cinci mii "e "ola#i+ P#omi0i 'ani !e ca#e n*i

ai+ Ai !tea s% 6ii s% s!i c%*mi !l%te&ti n milion !ent# n ele-ant !#!#i, ce "#ac % n0ele$, 6% n0ele$, s!se Cai#o $2n"ito#, -%c2n" ochii mici+ Do#i0i o $a#an0ie a

since#it%0ii mele5 7&i !i!%i '/a in-e#ioa#% n6ine0it%+ =n a6ans 6*a# con6eni5 S*a# !tea+Cai#o &i "se m2na s!#e !o#t6i/it, e/it%, o #et#ase &i s!se

P#imi0i, s% s!nem, o st% "e "ola#i5S!a"e l% !o#t6i/itl &i scoase "in%nt# o st% "e "ola#i+ A!oi se nc#nt% &i /ise Mai 'ine "o% &i mai scoase o st%+ Cai#o n s!se nimic+ P#ima "mitale

!#es!ne#e a -ost c% am !as%#ea, contin% S!a"e c 6oce -e#m%, "!% ce 62# n '/na#cele "o% ste "e "ola#i &i !se "in no !e 'i#o !o#t6i/itl+ E ne-n"at%+ Ca#e*i cea "e*a"oa !#o!ne#e5

C% &ti0i n"e se a-l%, ia# "ac% n &ti0i, "is!ne0i "e mi8loace !ent# a o o'0ine+S!a"e nici n ne$%, nici n*i "%" "#e!tate+ P%#ea a!#oa!e c% n*a a/it+ Ce "o6e/i mi o-e#i c% oml "mitale e a"e6%#atl !#o!#ieta#5 Foa#te !0ine, "in !%cate+ Eist% tot&i na nimeni n 6% !oate o-e#i o "o6a"%

atentic% a !#o!#iet%0ii ei+ i "ac% snte0i la c#ent at2t c2t !#es!n e c aceast% a-ace#e

c%ci altminte#i n m*a& a-la aici 6% "a0i seama c% mi8loacele -olosite !ent# a i se#estiti stateta "o6e"esc c% "#e!tl !#o!#ieta#li as!#a ei e mai 8sti-icat ca al o#ici &i n o#ice ca/ mai 8sti-icat ca al li Th#s';+

Ce*i c -iica li5 nt#e'% S!a"e+Cai#o "eschise ochii &i $#a "e imi#e, #o&i &i 0i!% asc0it


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el e!#o!#ieta#l A, "a5 /ise S!a"e moale &i am'i$+ E cm6a aici, la San F#ancisco5 nt#e'% Cai#o c o 6oce mai !0in st#i"ent%, "a#

tot&i ne#6oas%+S!a"e cli!i lene& &i i !#o!se A# -i mai 'ine "ac% am 8ca c c%#0ile !e mas%+Cai#o t#es%#i &i &i #ec%!%t% se#io/itatea+ c#e" c*a# -i mai 'ine+ >lasl i "e6enise sa6+ Dac% &ti0i mai mlte ca mine,

am s% !#o-it "e in-o#ma0iile "mnea6oast#%, ca &i "mnea6oast#%, "e alt-el, "e cei cinci mii"e "ola#i+ Dac% n &ti0i nimic, atnci am -%ct o $#e&eal% 6enin" la "mnea6oast#%+ Dac% a&!#oce"a cm !#o!ne0i, a# nsemna !# &i sim!l s% -ac o $#e&eal% &i mai ma#e+

S!a"e "%" in"i-e#ent "in ca! &i -lt#% m2na !este o'iectele "e !e 'i#o+ Snt lc##ile "mitale+ A!oi, n tim! ce Cai#o le 62#a la loc n '/na#e, i s!se

Am c%/t "eci "e aco#" c%*mi 6ei !l%ti cheltielile necesa#e !ent# a*0i #e"a aceast% !as%#enea$#% &i cinci mii "e "ola#i c2n" o 6oi $%si5

Da, "omnle S!a"e+ C alte c6inte, cinci mii "e "ola#i, mai !0in 'anii ca#e 6*a-ost a6ansa0i n total cinci mii+

7n #e$l%+ E o !#o!ne#e cinstit%+ Fa0a li S!a"e e#a solemn%, c ece!0ia c2to#6acte n col0l ochilo#+ m% an$a8e/ s% omo# !e nimeni &i nici s% comit s!a#$e#i, ci "oa#

ca s% 0i*o #estiti, "ac% e c !tin0% !#in mi8loace cinstite &i le$ale+ Dac% e c !tin0%, #ecnosc Cai#o+ i -a0a li e#a la -el "e solemn%, c ece!0ia

ochilo#+ i, n o#ice ca/, c "isc#e0ie+ Se #i"ic% &i &i l% !%l%#ia+ Dac% "o#i0i s% la0ile$%t#a c mine, sta la hotel Bel6e"e#e, came#a QK+ A&te!t c nc#e"e#e ca "inn0ele$e#ea noast#% s% t#a$em am2n"oi !#o-it#i -#moase, "omnle S!a"e+ E/it% !ots%*mi ia !istoll5

Desi$#+ Am itat "e el+ S!a"e scoase !istoll "in '/na#l hainei &i i*l nm2n% liCai#o+

Cai#o n"#e!t% !istoll s!#e !ie!tl li S!a"e+ % #o$ s% !ne0i m2inile !e 'i#o, /ise Cai#o c se#io/itate+ Am inten0ia s% 6%

!e#che/i0ione/ 'i#o#ile+ S% m% ia "#ac, /ise S!a"e+ A!oi #2se n-n"at &i s!se Foa#te 'ine+

Pe#che/i0ionea/%*le+ *ai "ec2t+

I=MBRA SC=D

. 8m%tate "e o#% "!% !leca#ea li Cai#o, S!a"e #%mase sin$#, t%ct &i nc#ntat la'i#ol s%+ A!oi s!se ta#e, c tonl ci6a ca#e nl%t#a o !#o'lem%

Ei, ce "#ac, "oa# m% !l%tesc !ent# asta+

Scoase "int#*n se#ta# o sticl% c cocteil Manhattan &i n !aha# "e ca#ton+ =m!l!aha#l !e t#ei s-e#t#i, '%, 62# sticla la loc n se#ta#, a#nc% !aha#l n co&l "e h2#tii, &i!se !%l%#ia &i !a#"esil, stinse lmina &i o a!c% !e st#a"a ilminat%+ =n t2n%# scn", "e6#eo "o%/eci, "o%/eci &i n "e ani, c &a!c% $#i &i !a#"esi ele$ant st%tea in"olent lacol0, l2n$% cl%"i#ea n"e se a-la 'i#ol li S!a"e+

S!a"e o l% !e Stte# St#eet s!#e ea#n; St#eet, int#% nt#*o ttn$e#ie &i cm!%#% "o%!achete "e ttn Bll D#ham+ C2n" ie&i, t2n%#l e#a na "in cele !at# !e#soane ca#ea&te!ta t#am6ail n col0l "e 6i/a6i+ S!a"e &i l% masa la #esta#antl He#'e#t, !e Po?ellSt#eet+ a ie&i#ea "in #esta#ant, la o!t -%#% n s-e#t, t2n%#l se ita la 6it#ina ni ma$a/inc len8e#ie, "in a!#o!ie#e+ S!a"e se "se la hotell Bel6e"e#e &i nt#e'% la 'i#ol "e !#imi#e"e "omnl Cai#o+ I se s!se c% "omnl Cai#o n se a-la la hotel+ S!a"e !lec% la Teat#l

>ea#;, n*l /%#i !e Cai#o n -oaie# &i se !ost% !e t#ota# n -a0a teat#li+ T2n%#l se -202iam!#en% c al0ii !e l2n$% #esta#antl Ma#Na#", mai ncolo, !e st#a"%+a o!t &i /ece a!%# oel Cai#o, me#$2n" !e >ea#; St#eet c !a&ii li mici, s%lt%#e0i &i

a-ecta0i+ P%# c% n*l 6e"e !e S!a"e "ec2t c2n" "etecti6l l '%t !e m%#+ a#%t% !#eas#!#ins &i s!se


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A, "a, -i#e&te, a0i 6%/t 'iletl+ M"a+ #ea s%*0i mai a#%t ce6a+ S!a"e l ntoa#se !e Cai#o s!#e t#ota#, "e!%#t2n"*l

ni0el "e ceilal0i ca#e a&te!ta s% int#e la teat#+ B%iatl c &a!c%, "e l2n$% #esta#antlMa#Na#"+

Am s% m% it, m#m#% Cai#o &i &i conslt% ceasl+ Ri"ic% ochii s!#e >ea#; St#eet+P#i6i #eclama ni teat# "e 6i/a6i, ca#e l !#e/enta !e >eo#$e A#liss, costmat ca Sh;loc,a!oi ochii li ne$#i alneca#% !2n% a8nse#% s%*l !#i6easc% !e '%iatl c &a!c%, c chi! !ali"&i #ece &i c s!#2ncenele on"late, s' ca#e se ascn"ea ochii co'o#20i+

Cine*i5 nt#e'% S!a"e+Cai#o i /2m'i li S!a"e+ *l cnosc+ M*a #m%#it !#in o#a&+Cai#o &i me/i '/a in-e#ioa#% &i nt#e'% C#e"e0i c*a# -i n0ele!t atnci s%*l l%s%m s% ne 6a"% m!#en%5 De n"e s% &ti e5 #e!lic% S!a"e+ .#icm ne*a 6%/t+Cai#o &i scoase !%l%#ia &i &i nete/i !%#l c o m2n% nm%n&at%+ 7&i !se c aten0ie

!%l%#ia !e ca! &i s!se c o can"oa#e a!a#ent% % "a c62ntl me c% n*l cnosc, "omnle S!a"e+ % "a c62ntl me c% n*am

nimic "e*a -ace c el+ *am solicitat a8to#l nim%ni, c ece!0ia "mnea6oast#%, !e

c62ntl me "e onoa#e+ Atnci e nl "in ceilal0i5 S*a# !tea+ Am 6oit "oa# s% &ti, -iin"c% "ac% a8n$e s% m% ene#6e/e, s*a# !tea s% -i ne6oit

s%*l !ocnesc #% "e tot+ P#oce"a0i cm c#e"e0i c% e mai 'ine+ e !#ieten c mine+ Pe#-ect+ Se #i"ic% "eci co#tina+ oa!te 'n%, /ise S!a"e &i t#a6e#s% st#a"a, ca s% ia n

t#am6ai s!#e !a#tea a!sean% a o#a&li+ T2n%#l c &a!c% l% acela&i t#am6ai+S!a"e se "%" 8os "in t#am6ai la H;"e St#eet &i se n"#e!t% s!#e casa li+ Came#ele n

e#a !#ea #% "e#an8ate, "a# t#%"a cla# c*a -ost !e#che/i0ionate+ S!a"e se s!%l%, &i !se oc%ma&% c#at%, n $le# !#oas!%t, ie&i "in no, o a!c% !e Stte# St#eet &i l% alt t#am6ai, tots!#e !a#tea a!sean%, T2n%#l l l% &i el+ a 6#eo &ase st#%/i "e 'locl Co#onet, S!a"eco'o# &i int#% n 6esti'll nei cl%"i#i nalte &i ca-enii, c a!a#tamente+ A!%s% n acela&itim! !e t#ei 'toane "e sone#ie+ B#oasca &ii "e la st#a"% '2/2i+ Int#%, t#ec "e li-t &i "esc%#i, o a!c% !e n co#i"o# ln$ c !e#e0ii $al'eni, s!#e "osl cl%"i#ii, $%si o &% "in s!atenciat% c o '#oasc% @ale &i ie&i nt#*o c#ticic% st#2mt%+ C#ticica "%"ea nt#*o st#a"%"osnic% &i ntnecat%, !e ca#e S!a"e nainta 6#eo "o% 'loc#i+ A!oi t#a6e#s% Cali-o#niaSt#eet &i se n"#e!t% s!#e 'locl Co#onet+ t#ecse "e no% &i 8m%tate+

e#%'"a#ea c ca#e l nt2m!in% B#i$i" .Sha$hness; i l%s% im!#esia c% n -sesecom!let si$#% "e 6eni#ea li+ B#i$i" m'#%case o #ochie "e m%tase, nt#*o nan0% "eal'ast#, cnosct% !e atnci s' nmele "e ardoise, c '#etele "e cloa#ea calce"oniei &i

c cio#a!i &i !anto-i "e sea#% "e asemenea ardoise. Salonl #o& &i c#em -sese a#an8at &in6io#at c -lo#i, !se n 6ase "e ce#amic% !%t#ate ne$#e*a#$intii+ 7n c%min a#"ea t#ei'&teni mici c scoa#0% as!#%+ S!a"e i #m%#i cm a#", n 6#eme ce B#i$i" i !nea 'ine!%l%#ia &i !a#"esil+

Mi*a0i a"s &ti#i 'ne5 l nt#e'% ea c2n" se ntoa#se n o"aie+ elini&tea #%/'%tea!#in /2m'etl ei, &i &i 0in #es!i#a0ia+

6a t#e'i s% ann0%m nimic ca#e n*a -ost ann0at !'lic nt#e tim!+ Poli0ia n 6a a-la "e mine5 +Ss!in% -e#icit% &i se a&e/% !e so-aa "e nc+ Se "estinse la -a0% &i &i "estinse &i t#!l+

7i /2m'i c ochi !lini "e a"mi#a0ie+

Cm a0i #e&it5 nt#e'% ea mai mlt c mi#a#e "ec2t c#io/itate+ a San F#ancisco !o0i cm!%#a sa o'0ine a!#oa!e o#ice+ i n*o s% a6e0i ne!l%ce#i5 % #o$, sta0i 8os+ 7i -%c loc !e so-a+ m% "e#an8ea/% anme ne!l%ce#i, s!se el -%#% s%*&i "ea !#ea ma#e im!o#tan0%+S!a"e se n"#e!t% &i #%mase n !icioa#e l2n$% c%min, "e n"e o st"ie, o c2nt%#i &i o


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8"ec% -%#% s% se !#e-ac% c% n*o st"ia/%, c% n*o c2nt%#e&te sa c% n*o 8"ec%+ B#i$i" #o&i&o# la -ell li since# "e*a o eamina, "a# !%# mai si$#% "e ea ca nainte, "e&i o timi"itateca#e o !#in"ea n*i "is!%#se nc% "in !#i6i#i+ S!a"e #%mase n !icioa#e !2n% c2n" "e6enilim!e"e c% inten0iona s% i$no#e in6ita0ia ei "e a la loc al%t#i3 a!oi se n"#e!t% s!#e so-a+

snte0i eact $enl "e !e#soan% cm !#etin"e0i, n*i a&a5 o nt#e'% el n tim! cese a&e/a+

snt si$#% c% n0ele$ ce 6#e0i s% s!ne0i, /ise B#i$i" c 6oce stins% &i !#i6in"*lne"me#it%+

. !#ta#e "e &col%#i0%, i e!lic% el, 6% '2l'2i0i, #o&i0i &i a&a mai "e!a#te+B#i$i" #o&i &i i #%s!nse $#%'it%, -%#% s% se ite la el *am s!s a/i "!%*amia/% c*am "s o 6ia0% imo#al%, mai #ea "ec2t 6% !te0i

nchi!i+ a asta m% #e-e#eam, /ise el+ Mi*a0i s!s acela&i lc#, !e acela&i ton a/i

"!%*amia/%+ E n "isc#s n6%0at !e "ina-a#%+. cli!%, B#i$i" !%# nc#cat%, $ata s% i/'cneasc% n lac#imi, a!oi #2se &i s!se Foa#te 'ine, atnci, "omnle S!a"e+ snt "e loc $enl "e !e#soan% cm !#etin"+

Am o!t/eci "e ani, snt inc#e"i'il "e #%t%cioas% &i snt -o#8atoa#e "e !#o-esie+ Dac% e o!o/% nseamn% c% a e6olat o "at% c mine, a&a c% n 6% a&te!ta0i s% #enn0 com!let la ea,n5

.h, e n #e$l%, o asi$#% el+ At2t "oa#, c% n*a# mai -i n #e$l%, "ac% snte0i ca"e6%#at ne6ino6at%+ *a8n$em nic%ie#i+

*am s% -i ne6ino6at%, i !#omise ea c o m2n% !e inim%+ *am 6%/t !e oel Cai#o ast%*sea#%, i s!se S!a"e !e n ton "e !a#c% a# -i -%ct o

con6e#sa0ie !oliticoas%+eselia se &te#se "e !e chi!l ei+ .chii, a0inti0i !e !#o-ill li, "e6eni#% tem%to#i, a!oi

!#eca0i+ S!a"e &i ntinsese !icioa#ele &i se ita la la'ele nc#ci&ate+ Fi$#a li n t#%"a c%se $2n"e&te la ce6a+ Se a&te#n o !a/% ln$% nainte ca B#i$i" s%*l nt#e'e nelini&tit%

7l+++ l cnoa&te0i5 *am 6%/t ast%*sea#%+S!a"e n #i"ic% !#i6i#ea &i contin% !e tonl nei con6e#sa0ii &oa#e+ Se "cea s%*l 6a"% !e >eo#$e A#liss+ #e0i s% s!ne0i c*a0i 6o#'it c el5 Doa# n mint sa "o%, !2n% a snat "e #i"ica#ea co#tinei+B#i$i" se scl% "e !e so-a &i se a!#o!ie "e c%min ca s% nte0easc% -ocl+ Schim'% !0in

!o/i0ia ni o#nament "e !e consol%, t#a6e#s% came#a ca s% ia o ctie "e 0i$%#i "e !e o mas%"int#*n col0, n"#e!t% o !e#"ea &i se ntoa#se la locl ei++ Fa0a i e#a acm "estins% &i calm%+S!a"e i /2m'i !ie/i& &i i s!se

Snte0i o 'n% act#i0%+ Ecelent%+Fi$#a ei n se schim'%+ 7l nt#e'% calm Ce*a s!s5

7n ce !#i6in0%5B#i$i" e/it% Des!#e mine5 imic+S!a"e se ntoa#se ca s%*i a!#in"% 0i$a#a c '#icheta+ .chii i st#%lcea !e chi!l

im!enet#a'il "e "ia6ol+ Ei 'ine, ce*a s!s5 l nt#e'% ea, a!#oa!e n $lm%+ Mi*a o-e#it cinci mii "e "ola#i !ent# !as%#ea nea$#%+B#i$i" l !#i6i -i, #!se c "in0ii 62#-l 0i$%#ii &i, "!% ce*i a#nc% li S!a"e o !#i6i#e

ala#mat% &i #a!i"%, se it% n alt% !a#te+ S!e# c% n*o s*o !o#ni0i "in no !#in came#%, ca s% a020a0i -ocl &i s% a#an8a0i lc#%#ile,

n5 o nt#e'% el lene&+Fata i/'cni nt#*n #2s lim!e"e &i 6esel, "%" "#ml 0i$%#ii mo#-olite nt#*o sc#mie#%&i se it% la el c ochi lim!e/i &i 6eseli+

*am s*o -ac, i !#omise ea+ i ce i*a0i s!s5 C% cinci mii "e "ola#i snt o $#oa/% "e 'ani+


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B#i$i" /2m'i, "a# c2n" "etecti6l o !#i6i $#a6, n loc s% mai /2m'easc%, /2m'etl ei"e6eni 6a$, con-/ &i n c#2n" "is!%#+ 7n locl li a!%# o e!#esie "e ne"me#i#e &i 8en%+

Desi$# c% n a0i lat n consi"e#a0ie o-e#ta, s!se ea+ De ce n5 Cinci mii "e "ola#i snt o $#oa/% "e 'ani+ Da#, "omnle S!a"e, mi*a0i !#omis c% m% 6e0i a8ta+ 7l a!c% "e '#a0+ Am a6t

nc#e"e#e n "mnea6oast#%+ !te0i+++ Se nt#e#!se, &i l% m2inile "e !e m2neca li &i lest#2nse con6lsi6+

S!a"e /2m'i !#ietenos ochilo# ei tl'#a0i+

Hai s% n nce#c%m s% 6e"em c2t "e mlt a0i a6t nc#e"e#e n mine, s!se el+ *am!#omis s% 6% a8t, "a# n*a0i !omenit nimic "e*o !as%#e nea$#%+ Da# a# -i t#e'it s% -i &tit c%ci altminte#i n mi*a0i -i !omenit "e ea+ Acm &ti0i+

+++ n !te0i+++ s% 6% !#ta0i a&a c mine+ .chii ei "e n al'ast# "e co'alt "e6eni#%#$%to#i+

Cinci mii "e "ola#i, s!se el !ent# a t#eia oa#%, snt o $#oa/% "e 'ani+B#i$i" &i n%l0% me#ii, a!oi m2inile &i le l%s% s% ca"% c n $est "e #esemna#e+ E a"e6%#at, #ecnosc ea c $las !osomo#2t &i stins+ E mlt mai mlt "ec2t 6*a&

!tea o-e#i e 6#eo"at%, "a# t#e'ie s% 6% im!lo# s% -i0i loial c mine+S!a"e #2se+ =n #2s sc#t &i "estl "e ama#+ Asta*i 'n%, s!se el, mai ales c2n" 6ine "e la "mnea6oast#%+ Ce mi*a0i o-e#it n

a-a#% "e 'ani5 Mi*a0i "est%init ce6a5 Ce6a "in a"e6%#5 #en in"ici ca s% 6% !ot a8ta5A0i nce#cat s%*mi cm!%#a0i loialitatea "oa# c 'ani+ Ei 'ine, "ac%*i !e tocmeal%, "e ce s%n m% a"#ese/ celi ca#e mi o-e#% mai mlt5

*am "at to0i 'anii !e ca#e i am+ 7n ochii ei nce#c%na0i c al' a!%##% lac#imi+ocea i "e6eni #%$&it% &i 6i'#ant%+ M*am "at !e m2na "mnea6oast#%, 6*am s!s c%-%#% a8to#l "mnea6oast#% snt com!let !ie#"t%+ Ce s% 6% mai o-e#5 Se a!#o!ie "eo"at%"e el !e so-a &i st#i$% m2nioas% Pot s% 6% cm!%# c t#!l me5

Fe0ele le e#a la c20i6a centimet#i "e!%#ta#e+ S!a"e i l% -a0a n m2ini &i o s%#t% !e'/e '#tal &i "is!#e0ito#+ A!oi se t#ase na!oi &i s!se

Am s% #e-lecte/+E#a nco

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