Theories TestedI phoned Mario the next morning, as early as I dare, and asked as politely and indifferently as I was able what caused him not to turn up at the property the other night. I thought we had agreed, I said. He sounded apologetic as he launched into a tedious explanation involving a prior engagement he had forgotten about, and how he had to rush out the door almost the moment he arrived home and left his phone on the kitchen bench by mistake. The scenario he painted sounded plausible but I did not believe one iota of it. Frustrated and a little let down, I cut in, swiftly changing the course of the conversation with, 'Have the workmen finished plastering those two rooms?'
There was a moment of silence in which he processed my question and answered in the affirmative.
'Good, be
