Chapters 3-4 Summary

In Chapter 3, Brunetti learns that the director, Franco Santore, has gone to the Hotel Fenice, next door to the theater. Brunetti goes to interview the impatient but famous soprano, Flavia Petrelli, who is in her dressing room with her expensively dressed secretary and friend, Brett Lynch. Brett, an American, embarrasses Brunetti by speaking the local dialect as well as he does. Flavia tells Brunetti that she only saw the conductor to say hello to, aside from seeing him conduct. However, the two women exchange looks, suspiciously. Brett Lynch says she remained in the dressing room, reading a book in Chinese. Flavia tells the commissario that she is staying at Brett's apartment in Venice.

After the interview, Brunetti learns from one of his men that Flavia and the director were both observed by a stagehand talking to the conductor. The director went...