‘No. I tell you, I felt ill. Somebody was calling for Roberto and Agostino. Was that you?’
‘Yeah. That was me. Where exactly have you been? When I heard you were here I went up to your room to say Hullo, but you weren’t there. Where were you?’
‘I tell you, I felt ill. I was in the lavatory.’
‘ In the lavatory?’ He suddenly laughed. I think he was convinced then that I wasn’t suspicious.’ Well, what do you think of the local firework display?’ he asked. ‘Quite a sight, isn’t it? There’s tourists rubber-necking on the road between here and Avin.’
‘It’s incredible,’ I murmured. ‘Do you think it will get serious?’
‘Can’t say. Never seen anything like this in the two years I’ve had this place. The mountain’s always been quiet as a mouse.’
‘Are you the owner of this villa?” I asked him.
‘Yeah. Didn’t Zina tell you?’
‘No.’ And then I added, ‘I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.’
‘Maybe that’s why Zina didn’t tell you. Zina’s an old friend of mine. If she wanted to bring you out here, that’s okay by me.’