Contents
Day 12
Overview
Luca receives a forged suicide note at the hospital and a video showing Telma being abused, proving the manipulator’s proximity. Seeking facts, he confirms official records of his father’s death and learns his uncle wasn’t drunk when he died. The chapter ends with Luca discovering a letter in Telma’s handwriting in his mother’s handbag.
Summary
At the hospital after his mother’s cyanide poisoning, Luca finds a suicide note allegedly from her. He immediately recognizes the handwriting and wording as forged, linking it to the same person who has been sending him daily letters in London. A WhatsApp video arrives showing Telma crying, forced to laugh, and struck, spurring Luca to action.
He discovers a taunting note taped to the bathroom door, further proving the tormentor’s access to the hospital. Seeking certainty, Luca visits the hospital morgue. Records for Sandro Portaluppi confirm his father’s death by heart attack and list him as six foot one, deepening Luca’s doubt that the capped man in the hostel footage was Sandro.
Connecting past and present, Luca visits the local fire station to review the file from his uncle Tonino’s fatal crash ten years earlier. Photos and inquiry results show a 0.0% blood alcohol level and biomarkers inconsistent with heavy drinking, contradicting the family narrative that Tonino was drunk. The likely conclusion was fatigue at 2 a.m.
As evening falls, Luca wanders the city, exchanges brief, supportive messages with Liv, recalls a formative speech about sport and truth, and resists contacting Joe. Returning to the hospital after midnight to complete paperwork, he searches his mother’s handbag and finds an aged envelope containing a letter in Telma’s handwriting, hinting at long-hidden truths.
Who Appears
- LucaProtagonist; rejects a forged suicide note, receives Telma abuse video, investigates records, and finds Telma’s letter.
- TelmaMissing sister; appears in a video crying, forced to laugh, and struck. Letter in her handwriting surfaces.
- Luca’s motherHospitalized after poisoning; a fake suicide note is planted to mimic her words and handwriting.
- Sandro PortaluppiLuca’s father; morgue records confirm death by heart attack and height, challenging claims he’s alive.
- Uncle ToninoDeceased uncle; fire service file shows 0.0% alcohol at crash, contradicting family’s drunk-driving story.
- Morgue clerkGentle, curious official who retrieves Sandro’s file and discusses doubt and grief with Luca.
- FirefighterHelpful responder who provides the accident file and explains inquiry findings about Tonino.
- LivLuca’s London acquaintance; sends supportive messages that briefly comfort him.
- NurseChecks on Luca in the corridor; updates him and urges rest amid the hospital chaos.