The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Act Two - Lux Aeterna — Chapter 20
Overview
David visits lawyer Sebastián Valera to investigate the tower house’s past. Valera reveals Diego Marlasca’s history: a brilliant but melancholic ex-lawyer who bought the house, separated amid rumors about actress Irene Sabino, and later drowned.
Hints of earlier owners—Massot and a troubled Jesuit—deepen the house’s mystery, and David secures Alicia Marlasca’s address to continue the inquiry.
Summary
David Martín visits the lavish Diagonal offices of lawyer Sebastián Valera to inquire about the tower house’s ownership and its former resident, Diego Marlasca. After a long wait, Valera, son of the firm’s founder, receives David and immediately recognizes his name as an author.
Valera explains that Diego Marlasca had been his father’s partner: a brilliant lawyer prone to melancholy who left the profession to write, sparking rumors after befriending actress Irene Sabino. Marlasca’s marriage collapsed; he bought the tower house and, a year later, drowned. Gossip framed it as suicide over an affair, which Valera neither confirms nor denies.
Pressed about the property’s history, Valera notes his father burned Marlasca’s files to protect his friend’s memory. He adds that the previous owner, Bernabé Massot, kept the house empty and sold it cheaply, while an earlier Jesuit resident had disciplinary troubles and ties to Father Cinto Verdaguer, feeding rumors of exorcisms.
Though Valera refuses to divulge family details, David learns enough to connect the house to scandal and tragedy. As he departs, David slyly confirms from the secretary, Margarita, the address of Marlasca’s widow: Carretera de Vallvidrera, 13, preparing his next step.
Who Appears
- David MartínProtagonist; visits Valera to investigate the tower house and Marlasca; secures Alicia Marlasca’s address.
- Sebastián ValeraLawyer and son of Don Soponcio; recounts Diego Marlasca’s past, death, and prior owners of the house.
- MargaritaValera’s secretary; initially wary, ultimately supplies Alicia Marlasca’s address.
- Diego MarlascaDeceased ex-lawyer turned writer; bought the tower house, separated from wife, later drowned amid scandal.
- Irene SabinoPopular actress linked by rumor to Marlasca; catalyst for gossip and marital breakdown.
- Doña Alicia MarlascaDiego’s estranged wife and widow; potential source of answers; address obtained by David.
- Bernabé MassotPrevious owner who kept the house empty for years and sold it cheaply.
- Unidentified Jesuit priestEarlier resident with disciplinary issues; rumored connections to exorcism circles.
- Don Soponcio Valera y MenachoFounding partner and Valera’s father; burned Marlasca’s files to protect his memory.
- Father Cinto VerdaguerPriest associated with the Jesuit resident’s troubles; mentioned as gossip context.