Pearls

by Mills, Lisa

  His glance shifted her way, and he grinned. “Are you looking at something in particular, Isabel?”

  Embarrassed, she averted her gaze. “Your mustache is new.”

  He reached up and smoothed his fingers over his lip. “Yes. Do you like it?”

  “It’s fine,” she murmured, hoping to sound casual despite the sudden rise in her pulse rate. Isabel felt his eyes on her but refused to look his way.

  “Well then, I think I’ll get started on our work.” He stood and carried his plate to the sink. “Delicious meal, Maria. Thank you.” On his way out of the kitchen, he stopped behind Isabel’s chair. “Will you be joining me?”

  “Yes, when I’m finished with breakfast. I intend to work all day too.”

  His fingertips brushed over her shoulder as he left. “I’ll save you a chair.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Manuel scanned the same page three times and still had no clue what he was reading. Giving up, he laid the book aside and allowed his thoughts to drift where they chose. They went to Isabel. He couldn’t help but wonder about the look he’d noticed in her eyes at breakfast. Did he see interest, or even attraction?

  This isn’t the time for a romantic entanglement, especially not with her, he reasoned. The Raúl fiasco was still fresh in her memory. He had no desire to be her rebound guy, nor did he have any use for a relationship. A woman would interfere with his career plans. He still had many years of work ahead of him before his career was established and his achievements recognized. He needed to pay his dues, and a woman would only hinder him. He’d accepted long ago that his career choice required him to live a solitary life.

  His decision to remain a bachelor was based on more than just his own selfish interests. He wouldn’t subject a woman to the unreasonable demands his life would impose on a marriage, either living apart for long periods or roughing it in crude accommodations on a dig site. No woman would enjoy that. And even if he found a wife who would travel with him, children would likely follow. He couldn’t imagine raising kids in that lifestyle. Some of his colleagues had opted for boarding school, or simply left a wife at home and only visited the family on occasion. God never intended families to live that way, and Manuel knew it.

  Occasionally, someone beautiful and intelligent like Isabel came along to capture his interest and test his convictions. Twice he’d started to care for a woman and consider a more permanent relationship, but each time, his career choice created a conflict of interest. Both attempts ended in heartbreak for him and the female involved. After that, he had sworn off women.

  He liked Isabel too much to involve her in a romance destined for failure. Besides, he didn’t need a wife and children. His career would offer him fulfillment. Isabel needed a man who could make her happy.

  Yet, the thought of her with another man curdled the breakfast in his stomach. As if his thoughts had summoned her, she appeared in the doorway. “Hi,” he said, patting the chair beside him. “Saved you a seat.”

  She came and sat beside him, bringing with her the pleasant scent of her perfume. He shifted in his chair, moving closer to enjoy the fragrance.

  “Before we get to work, can we talk?” Isabel’s gaze met his, and her vulnerable expression caused his firm resolve to crumble.

  He wanted to smooth his fingers over her cheek and chase away her troubled look with a kiss. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest to keep from touching her. “Sure, Isabel. What’s on your mind?”

  “I spoke to Raúl yesterday.”

  Manuel’s stomach tightened in reaction to the sadness in her voice. Or was his desperation to retain Raúl’s support causing the indigestion? Not wanting to appear callous, he chose to direct his question toward her welfare and let her bring up the sponsorship when she felt ready. “Did you settle the issues between you?”

  “We talked, but I don’t think we settled anything. I told him I wouldn’t date him anymore. I can’t trust him, and I don’t want to live with doubt and suspicion. His views about marriage and fidelity are very different than mine.”

  “The world is full of men like him. You deserve better.”

  She offered him a wan smile. “If a crop of good men exists, I’ve never been able to find them. I think my radar has faulty wiring. I can’t seem to tell the difference between the good ones and the bad ones. Maybe I’m not meant to marry.”

  “Don’t give up hope just yet. God will send you the right man in His perfect time. You’re a beautiful, caring woman, and you’ll make some lucky guy very happy.”

  A pale blush bloomed on her cheeks, and she studied the floor intently. “I’m not sure why I’m talking to you about this. The sordid details of my love life don’t really pertain to our business arrangement.”

  He gave in to his urge and reached out to cup her cheek in one hand. Her creamy skin felt even smoother than he’d imagined. “I’d like to think we’ve become friends over the last month. You can talk to me about anything, anytime.” He trailed his fingers along her jaw, enjoying the delicate lines and textures he encountered.

  Her eyes widened in surprise, and she searched his face. Embarrassed at having revealed more than he intended, he withdrew his hand and turned to the work spread out on the table. “So what about all of this? Is Raúl still willing to support us financially?”

  “He is.” Isabel scooted her chair closer to the table and picked up a pencil. “He’ll call us next week for a progress report. Hopefully by that time, we’ll have some solid leads.”

  “Not if we don’t get to work,” he said in an unintentionally gruff voice. He didn’t want to sound angry, but he didn’t know any other way to disguise the emotion she stirred in him.

  If Isabel noticed his discomfort, she didn’t show it. “Bet I can translate faster than you can.” She flashed him an impish grin, then pulled a notepad toward her and bent over her work.

  Manuel picked up the reference book he’d been reading before she arrived and tried in vain to concentrate on the pages.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  July 26, 1505

  The slavers prowl the shores of the mainland with regularity. To avoid them, Karwa and I have moved inland and taken shelter in a great cavern. A river flows through our underground city, providing us with water for drinking and bathing. My love for Karwa deepens with each sunrise. The cave lacks the comforts and amenities of a real dwelling, yet Karwa manages to provide the feeling of home wherever we rest our heads. In her tenderness, she has become my home, and so long as she remains by my side, my joy is complete.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Later that afternoon, Manuel flipped through the journal’s pages, jumping several entries ahead of their work. “Look at this, Isabel. The entries are less frequent after they reach the mainland. He wrote only a dozen or so over the course of the next year. Let’s see ….” He scanned several pages, looking for the information he needed. “I’d say they stayed at this cave location for a while. Maybe a year.”

  “You sound excited. Is this significant?”

  “Possibly. People follow a pattern when they hide valuables. They choose a familiar place, study the location for a while, look for a good hiding spot, and make sure no one else is nosing around the area before they finally hide their possessions.”

  Isabel rested her chin on her hand. “That makes sense. I wouldn’t stash something precious just any old place. I’d feel more secure if I took time to evaluate my options and make my decision. A person can’t do that if he’s just passing through.”

  “Exactly. So we want to look closely at the areas where Rodrigo and Karwa lived for longer periods of time. We’ll most likely find our clues there.”

  “This cave they mention, do you think we can find it?”

  “I think I already know which one they’re talking about. Only a few caves in Venezuela contain underground rivers. Maybe the next few entries will give us more clues, but La Cueva de la Quebrada El Toro is nearest the shore. It’s near La Taza, about three hundred kilometers west of here.�
��

  “The Cave of the Bull’s Ravine? I think I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it part of a national park now?”

  “Yes. Grab a fresh sheet of paper and take notes, Isabel. This location is worth some preliminary investigation. When we’ve finished with these next few entries, maybe we can find some information about the known history of the cave on the Internet. The university gave me access to some online archives.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Isabel’s blue eyes twinkled with excitement, and she flashed a smile that sent his heart knocking around his insides.

  Manuel scrambled to gather his thoughts before they completely escaped his control. She definitely had a way of interrupting his concentration.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Isabel studied the skyline of Caracas looming on the horizon as Manuel drove them into the city the following week. Caracas was not unlike New York or other large cities in the United States, except for the palms and tropical vegetation that graced the medians and green areas in the middle of the concrete jungle. The ever-present heat challenged the car’s air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature. She smoothed a hand over her neck where beads of perspiration gathered.

  She was uncomfortable, but more so because of their mission than the weather. They would meet with Raúl later in the afternoon, but first they needed to visit the police station. One of the detectives who had come to talk to her shortly after the fire had called and asked her to come in for more questioning. Apparently, they had stumbled onto some new leads, and they wanted to talk with her about them.

  The police station bustled with activity, telephones and computers providing background noise to the conversations of officers and their charges. With Manuel at her side, Isabel waited her turn at the front desk and asked for directions to Ramirez’s office.

  When she stepped into the area that housed the detectives, Officer Ramirez looked up from his desk and smiled. “Señorita Palmer. Thank you for coming.” After offering Manuel a chair in the waiting room and giving him a cup of coffee, Officer Ramirez led her to a smaller room where they could speak in private.

  He didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “We found an eyewitness who saw this man letting himself into your apartment.” The detective slid a mug shot toward Isabel for her inspection. “Recognize him?”

  Isabel lifted the photo and studied the rugged face. A large man with greasy hair and a cruel sneer on his lips stared back at her. The coldness in his piercing black eyes made Isabel’s skin crawl. What could he possibly want with her or her apartment? Thoughts of the journal flashed through her mind, and she wondered again if there was a connection. But she had only mentioned the book to a handful of people, and she thought each was trustworthy. It couldn’t be that.

  She handed the photo back to the officer. “I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t know the man. I’m sure I’ve never seen him before.”

  The officer nodded. “Unfortunately, we know him well. He’s a member of an organized crime ring we’d love to bust. They deal in drugs, black market goods, stolen valuables—anything illegal and lucrative. Do you have any idea why someone like that would be interested in you, Señorita Palmer?”

  Isabel pressed her fingers to her mouth, fear prickling in her chest. Organized crime? This situation was getting more serious by the minute. “I’m sorry, I don’t. Am I in danger?”

  The officer took a long swig of his coffee. “Until we know why he was in your apartment, we can’t really say. Could have been a coincidence or mistaken identity. Then again, maybe not. You’ll let us know if you think of anything, won’t you?”

  Isabel tugged her purse strap onto her shoulder as she rose to go. “Yes, if you’ll let me know about any developments in the case.”

  The officer followed her to the door, pausing before he opened it. “Just in case this wasn’t coincidence, you’d do well to exercise caution. Keep your eyes and ears open. If you see anything suspicious, call us.”

  “I will.” Her heels clicked against the tile floor as she walked to the waiting area where she’d left Manuel. When she poked her head in the doorway, he rose to greet her.

  With a gentle hand on her elbow, he steered her toward the front doors and the parking lot beyond. “So, how did it go? Any new leads?”

  The officer’s warning rang fresh in her mind, and she wondered if Manuel’s interest stemmed from friendly concern or something more sinister. With fear rolling around inside her, she hurried ahead of him. “We can talk about all that later. Let’s just focus on business right now. Raúl’s probably waiting.”

  Nine

  Manuel couldn’t help but notice the lines of anxiety creasing Isabel’s forehead. The meeting with the detectives had obviously disturbed her, but she seemed reluctant to talk to him. Unable to reassure her with words, he resigned himself to escorting her in silence.

  They parked and walked toward the little coffee house in Sabana Grande where they’d agreed to meet Raúl. As they approached, Isabel stopped and clutched at Manuel’s arm. “You can’t leave me alone with him,” she blurted. He felt her fingernails dig into his flesh through his cotton sleeve and realized how difficult this meeting would be for her.

  He gently pried her fingers loose and moved her hand into his. Entwining his fingers with hers, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I promise, I’ll stay with you the whole time. It’ll be all right, Isabel.”

  For a moment, she followed along like a scared child clinging to a parent for support. Then, as if she realized her lapse of courage, she snatched her hand away from his and crossed her arms defensively over her chest. “I just don’t want to be alone with him. I’m not sure he’s accepted our break up, and he may try to charm me out of my convictions.”

  “Charm is prohibited,” Manuel repeated to let her know he’d heard and understood her concerns.

  “Yes. No touching, either. You’ll run interference for me, won’t you?”

  “Interference at your service, ma’am.” He grinned and offered her a wink.

  Isabel stopped walking and propped her hands on her hips. “This is serious, Manuel. If you’re going to treat it like a game, then I’m leaving.”

  “You can’t leave. I drove you here, remember?”

  Defiance flashed across her features, and she turned on her heel and started away from him. He reached out and grabbed her elbow before she could escape. “Isabel, I didn’t mean to anger you. I was just trying to lighten the mood. You look like you’re on the edge of an anxiety attack.”

  She stared at the pocket on his shirt. “I thought I could handle this, but now I’m not sure.”

  Manuel stood beside her, caressing her arm while she gathered herself. “Raúl can’t hurt you unless you let him. I’ll do what I can to keep the pressure off you. If the meeting becomes too difficult, just excuse yourself and go to the ladies’ room. I can handle Raúl myself.”

  She released a long breath and nodded. “Thanks, Manuel. I owe you one.”

  He placed a finger beneath her chin and urged her to look at him. “We’re friends, Isabel. It’s no problem.”

  The interior of the coffee house boasted modern decor in subtle neutrals, and the low lighting provided a relaxing atmosphere. Polished chrome countertops lined the coffee bar, and tall potted plants added color and warmth to the setting. Raúl waved to them from a booth near the back, and they headed his direction. Manuel sensed Isabel’s tension as they neared the table.

  Raúl stood to greet them, his gaze sweeping over Isabel, taking in the breezy summer dress she wore. “Isabel. How lovely you look.” When he bent and tried to kiss her cheek, she stepped backward, bumping into Manuel’s chest. Manuel reached out to steady her, placing a hand on each shoulder.

  When she didn’t move away from Manuel’s touch, Raúl frowned. “Come, mi amor. Sit by me.”

  Isabel glanced to the booth then turned and rolled her eyes at Manuel. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  As she hastened away, Manuel glanced at his w
atch and chuckled. She lasted all of thirty seconds. That didn’t take long. He sat down, fully aware that Raúl hadn’t bothered to acknowledge him yet.

  Raúl stared after Isabel’s retreating form, wearing a look of frustration. When she disappeared behind the restroom door, he stalked to the coffee bar.

  Manuel sighed, thinking maybe he was crazy. No amount of money was worth the hassle these two were sure to cause him.

  He waited several minutes in solitude until Isabel finally returned.

  “Scoot over,” she hissed, urging him to make room for her beside him. “I don’t want to sit by Raúl.”

  Obliging her, Manuel shifted to make room. As soon as she took her place beside him, Raúl appeared, carrying two steaming mugs of cappuccino. He set one cup in front of Isabel and grazed her cheek with his fingers before taking his seat opposite her. “I bought you a hazelnut—your favorite, Isabel.”

  “Where’s Manuel’s coffee?”

  Raúl shrugged, not even looking Manuel’s direction. “I didn’t know what he liked.”

  Isabel’s gaze turned hard, and she pushed the mug toward Manuel. “I quit drinking coffee, Raúl. Manuel can have mine.”

  Amusement turning his lips, Manuel lifted the mug and tasted the bittersweet brew. “Mmm. Thanks, Raúl. Hazelnut is my favorite too.”

  Raúl made eye contact with Manuel, staring as if he were an apparition that suddenly appeared at the table. Manuel couldn’t resist the urge to wink. His carefree attitude only increased Raúl’s frustration, and for some reason, seeing irritation plastered across Raúl’s face gave Manuel great pleasure.

  As they sat in awkward silence, Manuel couldn’t help but appreciate the comedy of the situation. Raúl had come solely to pursue Isabel. Isabel, in turn, sought protection and support from Manuel, which he gladly provided. Yet Manuel couldn’t bring himself to release her from the painful obligation of dealing with Raúl because they needed the money. Together they formed a ludicrous love triangle.