Cosi Fan Tutti - 5 by Michael Dibdin Page B

the axe to fall.
    ‘Rosa’s doing the best she can/ he remarked in a maudlin tone, ‘but at times she just goes to pieces completely.
    It’s the effect this is going to have on the children we worry about most. To be honest, if it hadn’t been for your mother giving us a break from time to time, I don’t think we’d have been able to make it. She’s a real treasure!’
    ‘Certainly/ said Zen neutrally.
    Nieddu produced a grey plastic cassette from his pocket and passed it across the table.
    ‘Well?’asked Zen.
    Nieddu rolled his eyes up to the ceiling.
    ‘After all that, it turned out to be just a video game! One of those cartridges you buy and plug into a machine hooked up to your TV. Come to think of it, you wouldn’t know. You don’t have kids.’
    Zen reached out idly and picked up the cigarette packet lying on the table.
    ‘That’s all? Just a game?’
    ‘What were you expecting?’ asked Nieddu.
    His friend shrugged.
    “I don’t know.’
    ‘Why are you so interested in it?’
    Zen gestured evasively.
    ‘It’s a long story/
    He opened the open pack of cigarettes and took one.
    ‘May I?’
    Nieddu, who had no idea that Zen had supposedly given up smoking, waved freely.
    ‘So tell me about this game/ Zen said, pushing his failed pizza aside.
    ‘What is there to say? It’s like any other. The scenery and cast may change, but the object is always the same.
    You’re trying to beat the system, access higher levels and rack up as many points and lives as possible.’
    Zen smoked in silence, nodding soporifically.
    ‘Sounds like the story of my life/ he murmured.
    ‘In this case you’re a rogue cop trying to clean up a city which has been taken over by the mob. You also have to protect these beautiful women that the bad guys are out to get, and of course watch your own back. At least, that’s the opening scenario. I didn’t have time to find out what happens once you get past the first level.’
    ‘Ah, I don’t expect either of us will ever do that/ Zen commented enigmatically.
    ‘You still haven’t told me why you’re so interested in it/ Nieddu reminded him.
    Zen sighed.
    ‘Someone got in a knife fight in the port. We don’t know who he is or what he was doing there. I hoped this might supply some of the answers/ Nieddu seemed surprisingly interested in this inconsequential story.
    ‘The game cassette was in his possession?’
    ‘That’s right.’
    ‘Was he entering or leaving the port at the time?’
    ‘Leaving.’
    ‘Were there any foreign ships at the time? Especially Japanese or American?’
    Zen frowned.
    ‘What are you getting at, Gilberto?’
    Nieddu suddenly relaxed and gave one of his huge infectious laughs.
    ‘You’re right! No reason I should do your job for you.
    I’ve got enough problems of my own as it is.’
    Zen held up the grey plastic cassette.
    ‘You think this was being smuggled in? Why would they bother to do that if you can buy it over the counter?’
    Nieddu stood up.
     
     
    ‘Ah, well, that’s the question. Anyway, I must be going.
    I promised Rosa I wouldn’t be late.’
    He got out his wallet and made a show of offering to pay the bill, but Zen snatched it away.
    ‘This is the least I can do in return for your help, Gilberto. I only wish I could do something about your real problems. Perhaps I’ll get one of my Neapolitan contacts to ask San Gennaro to intercede for you. I’m told he’s very effective/
    Gilberto Nieddu laughed once again.
    ‘Actually, I think that a miracle may already have occurred/
    Zen looked at him curiously.
     
     
    ‘What do you mean?’
    Nieddu shrugged.
    ‘Oh, I don’t know. I just have a feeling that my luck is about to change.’
    The two men exchanged an opaque glance. Zen started towards the door, then turned back.
    ‘Let me have another cigarette, will you?’
    Nieddu handed him the pack.
    ‘Can I have a light too?’ Zen added. “I seem to have left mine at home.’
    Nieddu laughed yet again, this time