The Broken Frame

By Claudio Ruggeri

A man is found dead inside his art gallery. Vincent Germano will be expected to wade through thousands of possible hypotheses in order to solve the crime. In the course of his investigation, the Commissioner will have to deal with a case shadowed by melancholy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Dec 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781507130445

Claudio Ruggeri

Claudio Ruggeri, 30岁。出生于Grottaferrata (罗马)。现为从业人员，前裁判员。他遍游各地，在美国呆了很久，2007年回到意大利。写作是一直以来他的最大爱好。

Book preview

AUTHOR’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction.

Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Contents

––––––––

Thanks

Monday, November 12

Hello.

Good evening, is this the police station?

This is agent Venditti, how may I help you?

My name is Elio Rossetti. I’m the owner of the coffee shop at Grottaferrata’s downtown. The one on the corner of the main street. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, it’s just that...

Stay calm, Mr. Rossetti. Tell me what the problem is.

There’s an art gallery next to my bar and it’s still open. Well, the lights are still on, and it seems like there’s nobody inside. Normally they close before eight in the evening, but tonight it’s past ten, and the roller shutter is still open.

Do me a favor, get out of the bar and go and take a look inside the gallery. After that, call me again. Wait a moment, I’ll give you the direct phone number of the station.

I’ve already been in there, a moment ago.

You did? Did you notice anything out of place?

Honestly, I just opened the door and walked a couple of steps inside. I didn’t see anybody, this is so weird.

Do you think you could take four more steps inside the gallery? So we make sure that everything is alright?

Actually...

Oh, I get it. Mr. Rossetti, do you know the name of the owner of the art gallery?

His name is Riva, Carlo Riva

I see. Let’s do it like this. As soon as we can, we’ll send a patrol. In the meantime, if there is any news, give us another call. Is that okay?

That’s fine.

Goodnight then.

Goodnight, agent.

Marco Venditti ripped off the piece of paper he’d used to write down the name and walked to the computer. With any luck he’d find Carlo Riva’s mobile number and try to contact him. He could check that everything was okay, and there’d be no need to take any further action. After a few minutes he managed to find the number. It was already in the database because of an old complaint by Carlo Riva about a stolen car. The agent lifted the phone and dialed the number.

He tried for more than five minutes, but there was no reply. The phone on the other end rang, but nobody answered. At this point, the cop ended the call. He was about to dial the number for reception when the telephone in his office interrupted him.

Hello

Good evening, my name is Elio Rossetti. I called a few minutes ago. I can’t remember the name of the agent but...

You talked to me, Mr. Rossetti. Tell me, did you find out anything else?

Yes, I heard a phone ringing. I believe it came from the art gallery. The thing is, Agent, we share the same wall. So I went into the gallery. The sound was coming from inside, but I wasn’t able to find the mobile.

Did you stand by the door or did you walk inside the gallery?

I stayed by the door this time as well. However, I thought I should call you back and tell you about it. Perhaps it’s important.

It may be. Listen, for now, thank you. You can stay inside your bar while we send a car. Do not enter the gallery again, and if possible, do not allow anybody else to go in there until we arrive. Okay?

I understand.

We’ll be there soon.

Carlo Riva’s body was lying on the floor in the back of the store. He was found by the police patrol, aided by Inspector Parisi, who attended after Agent Venditti called him.

The forensics officers were also there, and Inspector Di Girolamo. After a quick look at the scene, he started to exchange opinions with Angelo Parisi.

What do you think? Suicide?

It’s possible, Giulio. The letter opener appears to have been used to stab him is still on the floor. We’ll know more after the forensic tests. Did you call Germano?

"I haven’t found him yet, his mobile is out of range, and nobody answered at his home. He’ll call