The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
David tracks down former superintendent Ricardo Salvador and learns the suppressed truth about Diego Marlasca’s death: he was burned and left to “drown” in a shallow reservoir. Salvador implicates Jaco Corbera, aided by Irene Sabino and Damián Roures, and blames Valera’s cover-up.
Salvador, ruined for pursuing the case, offers David help, warns of lingering danger, and gives him Marlasca’s photograph, deepening David’s investigation and the stakes.
Summary
David goes to Calle de la Lleona to find Ricardo Salvador, former police superintendent. Entering Salvador’s grim rooftop flat, David is met at gunpoint until he explains he is investigating Diego Marlasca. The tension eases, and over coffee David asks about the case that cost Salvador his career.
Salvador confirms he rejected the official story of accidental drowning. He reveals Marlasca was found in the shallow rooftop pond of the Ciudadela Park reservoir, burned with solvent before entering the water, with the autopsy citing heart failure despite water in the lungs. The site’s depth made accidental drowning implausible.
Salvador outlines a con: Jaco Corbera and his associate Damián Roures exploited Marlasca’s grief and belief in seances, using Irene Sabino to manipulate him. On the day of death, nearly 100,000 francs were withdrawn from Marlasca’s account; Salvador believes Jaco took the money and fled, leaving a misleading diary note (“C.”) to frame a meeting.
He adds that Roures later opened a magic shop, Irene slid into poverty, and Jaco likely escaped abroad. According to Salvador, Valera protected the firm and its clientele by pushing an accident narrative through the press, while Salvador’s persistence made him a pariah and ended his police career.
Despite advising David to drop the matter, Salvador shares a neighbor’s phone number for contact, warns that people still want the case buried, and gives David a studio portrait of Marlasca. David promises caution, leaving with new leads and a tangible link to the dead lawyer.
Who Appears
- David MartínNovelist investigator; visits Salvador, hears the true circumstances of Marlasca’s death, receives a warning and a photograph.
- Ricardo SalvadorEx-superintendent; reveals Marlasca was burned and staged to drown, implicates Corbera and a Valera-led cover-up, offers help.
- Diego MarlascaDeceased lawyer; victim found burned and in shallow water; photo given to David.
- Jaco CorberaPrime suspect; alleged conman who stole 100,000 francs and likely fled after Marlasca’s death.
- Irene SabinoCorbera’s accomplice and medium; used to lure Marlasca, later fell into poverty.
- Damián RouresFraudulent spiritualist; part of the con; later opened a magic shop on Calle Princesa.
- ValeraMarlasca’s partner (and his son later); protected the firm by promoting the accident story and ruining Salvador.
- Señora MarlascaWidow; praised Salvador’s integrity and had given him Marlasca’s photograph.