The Burial Hour (Lincoln Rhyme 13)

Rossi answered his mobile and had a conversation. After he disconnected, he said, "That was my colleague with the Postal Police. They have completed the analysis of Maziq's phone card. They have significantly narrowed the area where he made calls within the hour before he was kidnapped at the bus stop. They center on a cellular phone tower about ten kilometers northeast of the town of D'Abruzzo."

Spiro said to Rossi, "I know nothing about the area. Why would the Composer be hunting that far from downtown?

Allora. Can your officers get out there, Massimo? Tomorrow?"

"Possibly. Not, however, until later. Daniela and Giacomo will be canvassing here. Why don't we send Ercole?"

"Him?" Spiro looked his way. "Have you ever canvassed before?"

"I've interviewed suspects and witnesses. Many times."

Rhyme wondered if the prosecutor would make some cruel comment about canvassing wildlife. But the man merely shrugged. "Yes, all right."

"I will do it, si." Ercole paused, glancing to the room where Maziq had been interviewed. "Can you assign an Arabic speaker to come with me? Perhaps the officer who spoke with him earlier?"

Rossi asked, "Arabic, why?"

"Because of what you said, Procuratore."

"Me?"

"Yes, just now. Why would he go all that distance if there was not a Muslim community there? He doesn't speak Italian. I would guess he met with an Arabic speaker."

Spiro considered this. "Perhaps."

But Rossi said, "Our translators, Marco and Federica, are busy solidly." To Rhyme: "Our greatest lack, one of our greatest lacks, is Arabic interpreters, given the refugee flood."

The young officer frowned. To Sachs he said, "You were speaking Arabic."

"Me? Oh, I--"

"You were quite proficient," Ercole said quickly. Then to Rossi, "She was speaking to Maziq." To Sachs he said, "Perhaps you could assist." Then he grew stern. "Only for that purpose. You translate for me, and say nothing else."

Sachs blinked.

Rhyme reflected that there was something faintly comical about the gentle young man trying to sound like a prickly, lecturing father.

Ercole said to the prosecutor, "I recall what you said, Procuratore. She will translate only, and if anyone were to ask, that is what I will tell them. But I think it is important, if you agree, to find this dinner companion of Maziq. Or find evidence the Composer might have left or witnesses who saw him. Perhaps this will lead to establishing the pattern you were speaking of."

"But under no circumstances--"

"Will she utter a word to the press."

"Correct."

Spiro looked from Ercole to Sachs. He said, "On that condition. Complete silence other than to interpret the Forestry officer's words. If there is no need, you will remain in the car."

"Fine."

Spiro walked to the doorway. There he paused and turned back to Sachs. "Hal tatahaddath alearabia?"

She eyed him evenly. "Nem fielaan."

Spiro met her gaze for a moment, then pulled a lighter from his pocket and, clutching it and his cheroot together, continued into the corridor.

Rhyme suspected that with those two exchanges, the prosecutor had used up a good portion of his entire Arabic vocabulary. He knew Sachs's numbered about two dozen words.

He swiveled to see Thom standing in the doorway.