Lina

by Diane Baumer

  There was a moment of frank, devious, and –once– straight glances. Wisdom advised Doctor Ledesma to leave. He would be overseas for several months, she was coming out of convalescence... I’d better wait.

  He approached her, intending to kiss her cheek. However, sanity became lost somewhere between the two of them – Álvaro Ledesma ended up kissing Lina Maldonado’s mouth and did not stop doing so until they eventually lay on the bed closest to them.

  “I think I’ll need a larger suitcase to fit the great pleasure I get from being with you like this.”

  Lina babbled something unintelligible as she succumbed to passion. Was sex with him like this since he, being an orthopedic surgeon, was familiar with all the nerve endings of the human body?

  Wow, that was awesome! What a shame he is going far away just when he shows me he is highly skilled in bed.

  Álvaro held her closer to him as they finished making love.

  “Should I consider this to be a prelude? Shall we retake it when I come back?”

  “Of course!”

  That time Lina had spoken to Belén in the past about how François was as a lover, the latter had made a great fuss in funny horror.

  “You have a pig in your life and a gentleman in your bed – right the opposite of what you need!” she said laughing.

  She had been so right, Lina said to herself smilingly.

  51. The decision

  Curled up on the floor, Brother Lucas disregarded the pleas for him opening his cell door as he continued to hum the earworm55 which had been keeping him company in his confinement for the third day in a row.

  The cell was dark. The closet and the bed blocked the access to the window and the door. When the friars on the other side began to read the Bible, the Mexican covered his ears. A little more anger would cause his head to burst. The voice of Brother Pedro had not shaken as he had informed Brother Lucas that he would not be traveling to Mexico with him.

  “Maybe next time. This is for your own safety,” he had said.

  Well, I’m not going to open the door for my own safety.

  He was completely certain that the custodian had been part of the plot from the beginning. That’s why he asked me for patience and judgment, he wanted me to wait... I listened to him naïvely. How could I believe there was a hidden divine sense among all this nonsense!?

  The custodian returned to the attack with his manipulation attempt.

  “You came here wondering why God had sent you to a place like this. At that time, I didn’t have the answer. Now I do and can provide you with it. I need to go to Mexico and finish off what you started. You will most likely get killed as soon as you set foot in your motherland. I am however a stranger and rely on the blessing of Rome. I have a chance to find out who ordered the death of Brother Simón and the students. I know how you feel, but if you think things through, you will understand it is meant to be this way.”

  Brother Lucas moved his head in circles to the rhythm of his inner music.

  I can’t buy that story anymore. He’s been lying to me all this time. So have the rest of them. Some with better intentions than others, but always resorting to fabrications. Brother Simón knew who my parents were, yet he did not tell me. The Church set me apart from it as soon as I found out about its corruption, and Brother Pedro has been holding me here to prevent me from taking the matter to the next level. If they assigned him as a custodian, that is because they are sure he will be covering up for them. Diego was right – I am entangled in a nest of vipers. He wanted me to open my eyes even at the risk of exposure to his father’s anger. I’ve been so naïve… Everyone warned I was too impulsive and idealistic... How was I supposed to be if the only things I know are the ones they taught me in the monastery? “God punishes the wicked, the right path leads to salvation...” Well, I’ve been a decent man, yet they got rid of me like I’m an outcast.

  He had to hum to avoid hearing the voice of lies.

  “We aren’t going to starve you to death. If you haven’t opened the door by tomorrow, we will call the police so they will knock the door down.”

  Brother Lucas swung his head as he smiled defiantly.

  I need to get going. I need to escape before dawn.

  Brother Lucas listened to the increasingly distant steps. At last he’s gone. The scope of the siege is commensurate with his guilty conscience.

  He slightly moved the closet so he would have an opening ready to escape as soon as everyone had fallen asleep.

  Due to either a sanitation shortage or a reaction to the connotations linked to a habit, the fabric in his own became unbearably itchy.

  He pulled off his clothes until he was completely naked. This is the way I came into the world, and this is also the way I’m going back into it. After a while, he heard some distant footsteps moving away. He could not really tell whether these belonged to the person who had abandoned him at the monastery in Mexico or to Brother Pedro.

  “C, e, d, d, c, c, b...”

  I can’t even see where I am. Where is Bartók's music coming from? Why am I naked? I’m no longer a friar! No, only a common human being. My name is Lucas, and I am in search of paradise.

  “Over here,” a warm voice said.

  He was led into an orchard in which tasty fruits were hanging from the trees. Being so hungry, he rushed to eat them. Suddenly, the place started to look familiar. As he turned around, he saw the monastery.

  What’s going on? Did I stay inside all the time?

  “Hello? What sort of trap is this?”

  In horror, he realized that the fruit he was holding was a rotten apple.

  Now my soul is also corrupt.

  “Hello? How can I get out of here?”

  Nobody answered. The walls reached to the sky and there was no door to escape through.

  “Can anybody hear me? You have no right to lock me up! I want to be free!”

  Brother Lucas awoke with a start and a sudden urge to flee that place.

  He waited until the monastery was completely silent to leave the building. He was in plain clothes. The carefully folded habit was on his bed next to a farewell note.

  Cinnamon was shaking his paws involuntarily, due to a dream in which he desperately ran in search of his Mexican friend, when he heard a slight noise. The dog raised one of its ears. He hurried to see Brother Lucas as he approached the door with his bicycle. The young man was attempting to leave without him – again! The animal caught up with the friar by the skin of his teeth.

  “Don’t bark. You need to stay here.”

  Guessing the friar’s intentions of leaving him inside, Cinnamon rushed through the road to wait for him further down.

  What am I supposed to do about him if I don’t even know what to do about myself?

  Shortly before dawn, a car stopped at the lookout. The hitman took out his binoculars to gaze at the monastery.

  Today, we’ll see if the gossipy monk leaves by himself – once and for all.

  It was early morning when Lina heard the barking. What a surprise! Why are they here so early? From the sight of Cinnamon without Brother Lucas, she inferred that the dog had taken the lead, as usual. After waiting for a while, the Mexican did not show up. This is weird…

  “Did you come by yourself?”

  They went to search for Brother Lucas. However, they could not find him anywhere.

  Lucas rode his bicycle all day. Sundown had begun when he saw a detour sign for a 24/7 gas station. Still, he had to go for another mile and a half before taking the exit. The Mexican yawned. I need to use the restroom. The best choice will be to stay here for the night. Tomorrow I will get to the city and, once I’m over there, I will decide on my next moves.

  A car passed him at great speed. The hired killer at the wheel was in a bad mood after wasting another day. The hitman left the main road to go to the restroom and
freshen up.

  52. Diego

  Brother Pedro knew that he would easily adapt to Mexican hospitality as soon as he got off the plane. How sweet and lovely these people are! Just like Brother Lucas... Maybe he is already here. If he managed to gather the money for the trip, he might be around.

  In the monastery, Brother Pedro was received with open arms and a great deal of questions regarding the young friar. They really missed him.

  “Since his departure and Brother Simón’s tragic death the sun still gives off light, yet it isn’t shining anymore,” one of them said.

  Brother Pedro got down to business as soon as he settled into his room. He requested permission to visit Diego in prison. As expected, his wish was denied. The son of the drug dealer was not allowed to have visitors.

  He found the priest in charge of confessions at the penitentiary and asked him for a favor.

  “Please allow me to replace you for just one morning. I need to talk to Alfonso Robledo. It is important enough for me to be asking for a favor like this.”

  “I can’t do that. Besides, that guy always refuses to make his confession or take communion.”

  “I need to try anyway. One of the brothers in my monastery disappeared. I need to find out if he has managed to contact him. I’m sorry I can’t actually expand on the reasons – it’s a confessional secret. The matter is pretty sensitive. I’m better off by doing this instead of reporting it all and unleashing a public outrage. I’m sure you understand... Alfonso Robledo is not a good choice to have around in the first place. It is better for the Church to handle certain matters discreetly.”

  Days later, Brother Pedro entered the top-security cell where Diego was kept. The young man scrutinized him with his eyes, in surprise. What was a Franciscan friar doing there? Surely, that was not just a coincidence.

  “Where is the priest?” he asked, trying to clarify his own thoughts.

  “I am substituting for him today.”

  “You’re a Spaniard, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you come all the way from Spain just to hear my confession?”

  “I came to talk about Brother Lucas.”

  Diego’s face lit up.

  “How is he? I hope he is safe.”

  Brother Pedro shrugged his shoulders worriedly. He was hoping that the young friar would have contacted his old friend. However, by now, he even doubted Brother Lucas’ return to Mexico. The custodian wondered how far he could go in his speech without putting himself at risk. I’ll see if I can find a way to handle this.

  “Brother Lucas just vanished into thin air. I was confident you would be able to help me. He told me you two were friends.”

  The drug dealer’s son looked resentful and restless, and remained lost in his own thoughts. Poor old Lucas – I got him in too much trouble.

  “It was my fault – I...”

  …curse be the day I gave him those documents.

  As Brother Pedro realized Diego’s anguish, he somehow managed to put his mind at rest – Diego was not a heartless monster.

  “My son... He was fond of you. He asked me to talk to you should anything happen.”

  Lord, forgive me for lying, the friar prayed before resuming.

  “Don’t ever fear the truth.”

  “The truth can be more destructive than ignorance,” Diego replied, looking troubled.

  “It is always better to raze a ruined building and rebuild than to live in agony fearing it might collapse any minute,” the friar said with as much certainty as possible.

  Diego was not sure whether Brother Lucas would be able to lay the foundations on rotten ground. That story had not started on the day he had delivered the damn papers, but much earlier. Years ago...

  He was not able to talk. Brother Pedro understood how hard it was for a son to sue his father, regardless of the latter being a criminal.

  “Do you want to speak in confession?”

  Diego shook his head. The custodian assumed that such refusal meant the end of the conversation, but then Diego allowed him to use the information he was about to reveal only if that would help Lucas.

  “Only in that case,” Diego stressed.

  “I give you my word,” the custodian said.

  “As I guess you already know, I’m the son of Aurora Robledo and Chulo Torres, the drug dealer. As a kid, I used to believe that my father was some sort of king. I virtually worshiped him. At home, I was treated like a prince and indulged in every single whim of mine. At the time, the only thing clouding my life was hearing my parents argue. They divorced when I was seven. My father got my custody. I was his greatest pride. We adored each other. I... I used to regard him as some sort of philanthropist – this is why people respected him so much. Everything changed the day I saw his picture on the front page of a newspaper. I started to read the news. From then on, I became ashamed of myself for sharing the same blood. I hated him. I still hate him. I hate myself, too...”

  Diego paused with a blank stare.

  “I will never have any children – I wouldn’t like them to have the genes of a murderer.”

  Brother Pedro put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. He felt truly sorry for him. Brother Lucas was right – Diego was a good person, while Alfonso Robledo was just a lost soul.

  “Don’t worry... I can feel your pain.”

  “My rejection is the price my father paid to sell his soul to the devil.”

  He breathed deeply. Diego needed some oxygen before he could air a story which he had kept locked away in the nauseating dungeons of shame.

  “Years later, I learned the reason for my parents’ divorce. Not caring about his marriage, he fell madly in love with a small-town young girl. Her name was Jacinta. I guess he became obsessed after his feelings for her hadn’t seemed to be reciprocated. Chulo Torres was not used to taking no for an answer. Every now and then, furious at his unsuccessful attempts to win her over, he would get drunk to drown his sorrows. She was his whim. One day, tired of begging the girl, he kidnapped her. Rumor has it that, after shackling her to a bed, he would come in at night to satisfy his deepest desires. One day, when he returned from one of his trips, he found out that Jacinta wasn’t there. The two women that had been looking after her, he shot them dead. One was a cousin of the overseer and had hidden the girl, who was two months pregnant, at some relatives’ house. Jacinta died just days after she had given birth. She was a deeply religious person, although, considering the life that poor lost soul had, God had probably been napping every time she had prayed to Him. Her final wish was giving up the baby for adoption in a monastery, safe from horror and Chulo Torres. Lucas is my brother. The overseer, who hated my father, told me before he died.”

  “Does your father know about him?”

  “No – otherwise, he would have looked for him,” he smiled noddingly and added, “Plus, he would have been disappointed again. It’s so ironic… He has two sons, and both are respectable people. I didn’t want to tell Lucas about his background. It is agonizing to know you are the son of a real devil. It may have been our shared blood, or probably our personalities, the thing is we promptly became friends. I was very sad when I learned he had become a friar.”

  Diego interrupted the story. He was not sure whether Brother Pedro was aware of the issue regarding the documents. I don’t want to involve more people in this. If there is another death, I’ll go out of my mind.

  The friar asked him to speak without fear. Diego stood up.

  “We’d better drop it at this point.”

  “I know everything about the bishop. Brother Lucas told me.”

  “Do you have any thoughts on that?”

  “Trimming a diseased branch is essential for the tree to grow healthy.”

  “Well, you’re actually going to need to do some in-depth trimming – pedophiles, money launder
ing...”

  Brother Pedro nodded.

  “I won’t get cold feet. Continue, please.”

  “The overseer, who hated my father, handed me a copy of many documents, among which there were some about the Bishopric. They’ve been laundering money through donations for years. Anyway, in fact, no stratum in society is safe. That includes politicians, judges, the military, the police, bankers... I shouldn’t have provided my brother with the evidence. I just wanted him to open his eyes to reality so he was aware of the organization he was involved in. However, as he gave the documents to Brother Simón, the whole machinery went off.”

  “So, who could have ordered the murders to cover up some donations? Was that Chulo Torres, the bishop, both…?”

  “Neither of them.”

  One could see perplexity in Brother Pedro’s face.

  “The judge?”

  Diego shook his head.

  “No, it was the agent. The man who works for my father hired himself a bunch of murderers who are usually at Chulo’s command. He had been secretly appropriating a share of the donations for years. As he learned that the documents showing the real amounts had been put into circulation, he got scared and killed my colleagues – this way, he intended to give me a warning so I would forget about the matter. Of course, he didn’t dare to approach me.”

  “What will become of you? Will you be acquitted?”

  “I don’t know.”

  An officer informed Brother Pedro that he should be finishing.

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “Please don’t give up on my brother’s search. And be extremely careful. Don’t trust anyone.”

  53. Explosion