The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Act Three - The Angel’s Game — Chapter 20
Overview
David Martín tracks Irene Sabino to a grim boarding house but arrives as she dies by poison, leaving cryptic hints about Ricardo Salvador and uttering “Jaco.”
David recovers Sempere’s inscribed book, then narrowly escapes a police raid, causing Castelo’s death and maiming Marcos, escalating the peril and closing off legal avenues.
Summary
David Martín searches the Raval, learns María Antonia Sanahuja (Irene Sabino) works at a foul laundry, and traces her to Pensión Santa Lucía. Forcing entry to her locked room, he finds Irene dying from poison. Between spasms, Irene insists Marlasca no longer needed her, calls Martín “damned,” denies Ricardo Salvador is in Marlasca’s grave, mouths “Jaco,” and warns Salvador can see Martín and will come for him. She dies, taking Marlasca’s secret with her.
David searches the cell-like room, discovering the copy of The Steps of Heaven dedicated to Sempere, marked with blood symbols, along with the razor used on David. His pity turns to fury at Sempere’s death, yet he pockets the book as a vital clue.
Police sergeants Marcos and Castelo arrive. Trapped, David flees through a window into the building’s inner shaft, injuring himself. When Castelo climbs down after him, David smashes the frame against Castelo’s fingers, and Castelo falls to his death down the shaft.
David reaches the third-floor dressmaking rooms. Marcos blasts the door and stalks him among mannequins, taunting that Grandes has Marlasca’s confession and Isabella in custody. In a brutal struggle, David head-butts Marcos and, when Marcos lunges with textile scissors, David shoots, blowing off Marcos’s hand. He leaves Marcos bleeding and escapes, now a fugitive implicated in violent clashes with the police.
Who Appears
- David MartínProtagonist; tracks Irene, retrieves Sempere’s marked book, escapes a police trap, causes Castelo’s death, and maims Marcos.
- Irene Sabino (María Antonia Sanahuja)Dying informant; commits suicide by poison, denies Salvador is in Marlasca’s grave, utters “Jaco,” and hints Salvador watches Martín.
- Sergeant MarcosPursuing policeman; lies and taunts, attacks with scissors, is shot in the hand and left bleeding.
- Sergeant CasteloMarcos’s partner; pursues Martín down a shaft, has fingers crushed, falls to his death.
- Tall thin residentBoarding-house tenant; opens the door, observes events, warns of approaching police.
- Laundry matronGreedy employer who confirms Irene’s workplace and lodging for a bribe.