These Dark Things by Jan Weiss

walked right past them. I waited, and they went in together. As far as I know, only clergy have the key when the chapel is closed, as it usually is on Tuesdays. But obviously I am wrong about that. When the door didn’t close fully, I thought of following them in, but the chapel is small and it would have been more than obvious.
    “I was curious, though, so I waited. I wondered if she’d taken up with one of my colleagues. But she came out alone. I was going to try to speak with her, but she rushed away. I knew she was interested in Sansevero. In fact, I was going to take her there myself, but she broke it off. Frankly, I was surprised she was interested. The Sanmartino Christ, of course, magnificent. But the ghoulish reproductions of the blood vessels in the anatomical models—and that two servants may have been murdered to create them. Barbaric! I thought she was more sophisticated. She was raised Catholic but didn’t go to church. I guess that made her even more curious. You know how that goes.
    “After her mother died, she said she hated God. As if God was a magical creature who could grant our wishes. She was a child in some ways. A gorgeous, lost child. You wanted to protect her from something. It was as if she wouldn’t recognize evil or danger, even if it came up to her face.”
    “And you weren’t that danger?”
    “Hardly.”
    “Could you identify him—the man she was with?”
    “I was too far away to get a really good look, but he seemed about my height and build. I’d say he was close to my age.”
    “How convenient for you.”
    “I’d take a lie detector test on it.”
    “Until the case is solved, you are under suspicion.”
    “This is such a waste. I am due at the University. I have a lecture this evening.”
    Pino stood up. “We’re going to need your passport, Dr. Lattanza.”
    “You’re joking.”
    “Under the circumstances, you’re lucky that’s all that is required.”
    “You are young, Officer Loriano, and perhaps you don’t yet realize how things work in Naples.”
    “Are you threatening me?”
    “How could I threaten you —a carabiniere, an officer of the law? I am, after all, a lowly university professor.”
    “You can drop it off downstairs with the officer on desk duty any time within the next three hours.”
    Natalia watched him read the transcript and the report, and then sign both.
    “Thank you for coming in,” Pino said. “We’ll be in touch.”
    As Lattanza’s footsteps faded down the linoleum corridor, Pino came to Natalia in the observation area. “You okay?”
    “Do you believe him? About the other man?”
    “Maybe he’s telling the truth.”
    “That liar?” Natalia said. “But if it’s true, which I doubt—only someone with seniority would have a key to the chapel. A city official, or a priest. Not that I believe Lattanza’s story for an instant.”
    “Unless someone lent him their key.”
    “Unlikely. San Severo has been moved up to the top of the list of treasures the mayor made up last year to deflect attention from her poor ratings. I remember, because the Fire Department had to get an injunction to obtain access. That brouhaha didn’t do anything for her popularity. What was she thinking?” She nodded. “I hope he did it, the son of a bitch.”

    Natalia waited at the front door of Professor Lattanza’s apartment. She could swear that the woman who opened the door to her had recently cried, but her makeup was fresh and she attempted a social smile.
    “Yes?”
    Even though she was in uniform, Natalia flipped open her identification wallet.
    “My husband is not here.”
    Natalia nodded, knowing he was on the way to the University to teach a four-hour graduate course.
    “I am Captain Monte. May I speak to you then, if you don’t mind?”
    “Sure. Come in.”
    Natalia was sweating from the walk up the hill. Her uniform trousers were held at the waist with a safety pin under her jacket. She felt less than elegant. Then again, next to