'Ice-cream is a very unstable substance/ Gesualdo observed solemnly. 'If it's not handled properly, the results can be disastrous. Remember what happened to Ernesto's workshop, just down the street here? The blaze was so intense they never did figure out how many Moroccans he had cooped up in there. Luckily for us, his insurance had just lapsed.'
He turned to his companion.
'Oh, Sabati! Still feeding your face? We've got calls to make. Let's go!'
The men walked out into the crowded street, leaving the old man and his wife alone. They went about their work silently, avoiding each other's eyes.
VI
Senza amor, non senza amanti'Stop here.'
The driver turned.
'You're not planning to have her in the cab, are you?
That'll cost you plenty.'
Aurelio Zen eyed him coldly.
'I'll pay what's on the meter when we get back.'
'Eh no, dottorel What am I supposed to do while you're going at it? Stand around in the street and catch my death of cold? To say nothing of the fear of getting mugged. This is a dangerous area, you know.'
A thought struck him.
'Unless you want me to stay. Is that it, duttd? You want me to watch while you…'
Zen got out of the taxi, leaving the door open, and walked over to the open fire of broken-up fruit crates blazing at the street corner. One of the two prostitutes stationed there, a brunette with long slender legs, was feeding the flames from a pile of wood stacked nearby. The other, a busty blonde, watched Zen approach with a keen appraising look.
'Good evening, ladies/ he said.
The brunette straightened up and looked at him with an expression of amusement.
'What exquisite manners!' she enthused. 'And a very good evening to you, cummendatb.'