The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Act Three - The Angel’s Game — Chapter 17
Overview
David returns to the tower house to find its locks corroded by acid and uncovers a concealed false wall behind a wardrobe, hinting at Marlasca’s hidden secret. Before he can investigate, Inspector Víctor Grandes arrives with officers and arrests him. The discovery raises the stakes while the arrest halts David’s search.
Summary
At dawn, David Martín returns to the tower house and discovers both the front-door and apartment locks have been corroded by acid, suggesting a recent forced entry. Armed with a revolver, David searches for Ricardo Salvador/Marlasca, calling out into empty rooms and following an odd smell seeping through the walls.
He focuses on a wardrobe at the back room, suspecting a hidden space. After hauling the wardrobe aside, David exposes an ochre-painted wall with a clay-like layer and a hollow echo, indicating a false partition and something concealed beyond it. As he prepares to investigate further, he hears approaching footsteps in the corridor.
Inspector Víctor Grandes appears, coldly composed, implying he has been watching the house. With officers Marcos and Castelo nearby, Grandes announces David’s arrest. David complies, retrieving his coat while hiding the revolver’s presence.
Before leaving, Grandes glances at the newly revealed wall, noting David’s discovery without comment. The officers escort David out without handcuffs at Grandes’s instruction, cutting short his attempt to uncover what Marlasca hid behind the false wall.
Who Appears
- David MartínProtagonist; discovers acid-burned locks and a false wall, then is arrested.
- Inspector Víctor GrandesArrives unannounced, observes the hidden wall, and arrests David.
- MarcosPolice officer assisting Grandes; helps detain David.
- CasteloPolice officer assisting Grandes; attempts to handcuff David.
- Ricardo Salvador (Marlasca)Unseen antagonist; suspected to have hidden something behind a false wall.