by PJ Skinner
‘It’s been a long-time, Gloria,’ said Heidi.
‘Yes, it has. Where does the time go?’
‘You look wonderful.’
‘Thank you. I try. You girls both look exactly the way you did at school, down to your beautiful blonde hair.’
Sam thought that she detected a slight stiffening of the woman’s back at this pointed complement. An uncomfortable silence.
‘Don’t tease her, Gloria, you know about our hair already. It got to be such a habit. I can’t imagine going back to being brunette again. Well, the truth is I started so young that I don’t remember ever having brown hair. It’s our trademark.’
Her sister nodded in assent, mollified.
‘Of course, I remember now. Your father wanted you to have blond hair. Where is he, by the way? I haven’t seen him for years.’
The two sisters glanced at each other. Sam had the distinct impression that they were making a decision on which story to tell. Heidi replied.
‘He went to live in Argentina years ago. We don’t know where he is now.’
‘I thought that he was still around. I wanted to ask him if he could help me look for Sam’s relatives.’
‘Why come to us? Isn’t Sam English?’
‘Yes, but her great aunt was German.’
‘What was her surname?’
‘Becker,’ said Sam. ‘She left Germany after the war and there are rumours that she travelled to Sierramar.’
‘Becker?’ said Liesel.
‘Yes, she may have travelled with her brother. He was a doctor, I believe.’
Liesel’s cup slid off her lap and crashed to the floor. The thin rug cushioned the fall but coffee flooded across it. She bent down to the floor, bright red in the face trying to pick up the crockery and wipe at the coffee with a paper napkin at the same time. Her sister glared at her.
‘Talking of fathers, how is yours, Gloria?’ said Heidi. ‘I was sorry to hear that your mother died. That must have been hard for him.’
Smooth. Sam was impressed by the apparent transparency of the question. She was sure that Heidi intended to change the subject without appearing to do so, thus avoiding answering the question. The conversation changed to that of old school friends trying to remember tyrannical teachers and the name of that dishy boy in upper sixth but Gloria’s question remained unanswered. Liesel was still a funny colour and despite going out to the kitchen for fresh coffee, still looked shaken. Dropping a cup couldn’t have affected her that much.
Sam decided to take a risk.
‘Um, can I use your bathroom, please?’
‘Sure. It’s straight up the stairs in the corridor. First door on the left.’
Sam headed up the steps and tried a couple of doors. One opened into a bedroom with the smell of hospital. An old woman was sleeping slumped in a wheelchair by the window. Sam glanced around the room. Spotting some photographs on a chest of drawers, she crept over to look at them. One was of a slim older man who resembled Liesel. He was dressed in tweed. In another he stood with several other Germanic looking men outside a pub or hotel called Lago Verde. They were doing a Nazi salute. She felt her blood run cold. The old woman sighed. Sam jumped and she backed out of the room bumping into Heidi who was coming in.
‘What are you doing in here?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I heard moaning and I wanted to see if I could help.’
‘There is nothing you can do here. Please leave.’
‘Yes, of course. I should mind my own business. Sorry.’
She slid along the passage to the bathroom where she threw water on her face. That was close! Had Heidi seen her looking at the photograph? She composed herself and came back down the stairs finding the three women in the hall.
‘Are you ready? We’re going now,’ said Gloria.
‘Yes, I’m ready. Thank you for the coffee, ladies.’
‘Liesel will see you out. Goodbye.’
As they were getting into the car, Gloria pulled Liesel aside.
‘I can tell that you are hiding something,’ she hissed. ‘My fiancé, Alfredo, is missing and I think your father may be involved. I am worried about him. Please, Liesel, if you think of anything that might help, can you let us know?’
Before she could answer, there was a shout from the house.
‘Do hurry up, Liesel, our mother needs her lunch.’ Heidi’s voice had a nasty edge.
Liesel ran back to the house without answering.
‘Let’s go, for God’s sake,’ Sam muttered as she got into the car.
‘I hear you. Put some nice music on. I need some rock and roll to drive to after that little meeting. Aren’t they sinister?’
‘I felt as if I were talking to Barbie and Cindy. I don’t think they told us the whole truth about their father though.’
‘Definitely not. What were you doing upstairs?’
‘I saw a photo of their father in his wife’s room. It was shocking. He was doing a Nazi salute with his friends.’
‘Jesus, Sam, you could’ve got caught.’
‘I sort of was. Heidi came in as I was leaving the room. I made up some excuse about hearing a moan.’
‘Did she believe you? That was pretty risky.’
‘Yes, I know, but I want to help Alfredo and I’m sure they hold the key.’
‘Well, it’s too late now, anyway. Was it an old photograph?’
‘No, I don’t think so. They had grey hair. I’d say they were in their late sixties.’
‘So recent? Huh. But where was the photograph taken?’
‘They were standing outside the Hotel Lago Verde.’
‘I know where Lago Verde is. There is a German tourist village up there, San Blas, where they make cheese and beer. I think they must have been on a day trip. I can’t imagine they are plotting a coup with Hansel and Gretel. I don’t think that helps us much.’
‘Let’s go home.’
***
‘What are we going to do? How did Gloria know about our father? He’s been gone so long, I thought people had forgotten about him,’ said Liesel.
‘He’s safe where he is. No one has any idea that he’s still in the county. It’s a coincidence,’ said Heidi.
‘What if they find him?’
‘There are people protecting him. Don’t worry. Go and tell the maid to make some lunch.’
‘I do wish he and his friends would forget about Hitler and the wonderful Third Reich.’
‘Don’t you dare say that! Don’t you ever say that again. You have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘You’re the one who’s delusional. I want to live in 1990 not 1940. The war is over. I don’t want to live like Hansel and Gretel anymore.’
‘I know it’s hard for you, but you will be glad we did when the next Reich comes. Run along now. I’ve got a call to make.’
Liesel stomped off to the kitchen, slamming the door behind her, but she stayed there with her ear against it.
Heidi picked up the receiver in the hallway and dialled a number in Calderon. The phone was answered on the first ring.
‘Hello, Holger Ponce here.’
‘Minister, it’s me, Heidi Klein.’
‘Well, hello there, Heidi. How’s the prettiest woman in Calderon?’
‘Well, thank you. And you?’
‘Oh, can’t grumble. What can I do for you?’
‘I think we have a problem. Hernan Sanchez’ daughter Gloria has been here today asking questions about our father. It turns out that she has been going out with Dr Vargas and has noticed his disappearance. Her friend was nosing around upstairs and I think she may have seen a photograph of Papa with his friends that was taken in Lago Verde.’
‘Oh, that’s unfortunate. I’d hate for something to happen to Miss Sanchez. Hernan would not be impressed.’
‘Will you speak to him? She needs to be dissuaded from looking for Dr Vargas at all costs.’
‘Yes, I’ll speak to him. Don’t worry. He’s old school. It’s not in
his interest to lose good contacts over a slight inconvenience.’
‘Okay, I’ll leave it with you. It’s vital that Gloria gives up the search for Dr Vargas. The timing is critical. We are so close.’
‘I fear that we must do something about him, and our Jewish friend, too. I was hoping that we could release them later but they are a liability.’
‘Make it look like an accident.’
‘I’ll let you know when it’s done.’
‘Thank you, Minister. I’ll leave it in your hands.’
She replaced the receiver and opened the door into the kitchen. Liesel was standing on the other side looking in a cupboard.
‘You shouldn’t listen to other people’s conversations,’ she said and stalked past her sister into the kitchen.
***
Sam and Gloria were eating a supper of leftovers in the kitchen when the phone started to ring. Gloria picked it up chewing hard so that she could swallow her mouthful of cold chicken. ‘Can we meet?’ said a voice. Gloria stopped chewing.
‘Yes, of course.’
‘I’ll be at the German market in the valley tomorrow with my sister. Can you be at the Austrian Café at midday?’
‘What about your sister?’
‘Oh, she’s meeting a boyfriend. I’ve an hour or so before she comes to find me.’
‘Okay, we’ll be there.’
The phone went dead.
‘Wrong number?’ asked Sam when Gloria reappeared.
‘I wouldn’t say that,’ said Gloria, ‘It was Liesel Klein.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She wants to meet us tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow? What about her sister?’
‘She will be alone at midday. We are going to meet her at the German market.’
‘Isn’t that a bit risky?’
‘We won’t stay long. It can’t be safe for her either.’
***
The next morning, they drove down the winding roads to the same valley that Ramon had lived in.
‘Remind me to pass by the local police station on our way back. I want to ask Inspector Torres about the fire at Ramon’s house. As far as I know, they still haven’t issued a report on the identification of the bodies and the cause of the fire.’
‘Will do,’ said Sam.
The fair was packed with the foreign population of Calderon who liked to shop for European style cold cuts and cheeses made by the immigrants. One of the most popular places was the Austrian coffee shop which sold huge slices of Black Forest Gateau topped with fresh whipped cream. There was no stopping Sam once she had seen it in the window. She had to have some. It reminded her of the time she went to Munich with Simon and they had some in their hotel room. The whipped cream did not stay on the cake long. She sighed. Gloria was happy with a double espresso. They settled into a window seat and watched the world go by as they waited for their order. The waitress, who was dressed like a French maid in a porn movie, plonked the tray down on their table splashing some of Sam’s tea into her saucer. Gloria glared at her with an intensity that almost melted her frilly top.
‘Sorry, madam,’ she said.
‘I should think so, too,’ muttered Gloria.
Sam was about to dig into her enormous piece of cake when she spotted Liesel Klein coming into the café. She readied herself to greet her when she realised that she was being shadowed by her sister Heidi. The two women swept up to the counter and ordered. Sam kicked Gloria’s leg under the table and pursed her lips in their direction.
‘Why are you kicking me?’
‘Heidi Klein at twelve o clock.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s Liesel who is coming.’
‘No, Heidi, behind you. At the counter.’
Sam tried to hide behind her cake as the Klein sisters turned around to look for a table. They had been spotted. An expression of fury flashed across Heidi’s face to be replaced by a big public smile of recognition.
‘Gloria! Sam! What are you doing here?’
‘Oh, Sam was desperate to try the Black Forest Gateau. She loves cherries.’
‘I can see that. Can we join you? I am meeting someone in about fifteen minutes.’
‘That’d be lovely.’
There followed the usual pantomime of moving seats from other tables over the heads of other patrons of the café and much shuffling of chairs. At last, they were seated. Heidi seemed convinced by Sam’s noisy enjoyment of the gateau which was not faked. She refused to taste it on the grounds that she might have to have a slice if she did. Liesel was sitting on the edge of her seat looking out through the window to prevent her having to speak. Gloria took it in her stride, smoking with an intensity that suggested it was her first of the day but Sam could testify that it was not. After what seemed an age, Heidi rose to her feet and set off to see her friend with Liesel in tow.
‘Bye, see you soon.’
‘Bye,’ Sam said, waving. ‘God, I thought we were rumbled there.’
‘Just a coincidence. Calm down.’
‘What about Liesel? Will she come back?’
‘I don’t know. We should wait about half an hour but after that it looks suspicious.’
They stayed twenty minutes and then felt too uncomfortable blocking the table when other clients were waiting for it. They came outside into the bleaching sun and squinted into the crowd. Liesel Klein appeared, pink faced, running towards them. She shoved a piece of paper into Sam’s hand and turned to run back the way she had come.
‘What does it say?’ asked Gloria.
‘San Blas del Lago Verde.’
***
‘Maybe she felt guilty.’
‘At least it confirms what you saw in the photograph. San Blas is a hotbed of intrigue.’
‘What should we do next?’
‘The police station. We need to find out about the fire.’
‘Well done, at least one of us has a few memory cells working. Let’s go.’
They drove up to the station when it was opening for the afternoon shift. Gloria parked in a random officer’s parking space and strode into the office in her cowboy boots.
‘Hello. My name is Gloria Sanchez. I’ve come for information about the fire last week.’
Gloria in full flow was pretty formidable and the policeman behind the desk was not in the mood, after his large lunch, to get into a fight that might spoil his siesta.
‘Yes, madam, please follow me.’
They were directed into the shabby den of the station chief, Inspector Torres, who jumped to his feet as they entered.
‘Inspector Torres, what a pleasure to see you again.’
‘And you, Miss Sanchez. How can I help you?’
‘I was wondering if you had any further information about the fire and who started it?’
‘It was definitely arson but we don’t have a motive and there were no clues that we could follow. Mr Vega did not appear to have any obvious enemies and although we are investigating a lead, we are not at liberty to give you any information right now.’
‘I understand. Can you confirm that the body was that of Ramon Vega?’
The policeman shifted in his seat and looked uncomfortable.
‘I’m afraid we can’t. There has been a complication. It’s a bit delicate.’
To Gloria, it was obvious that he had found clues which led him to someone important. Cases like these almost always got covered up or the policemen investigating could disappear too. She didn’t push it. Sam started squirming but Gloria shook her head and mouthed ‘No’.
‘I understand, Inspector.’
The man relaxed. Gloria could feel Sam bristle with fury beside her.
‘Well, you’ve got my number. Please ring me if you’ve any further information about this case.’
‘Thank you, madam. I’m at your service.’
‘Okay, let’s go. Now.’
She had to get Sam out of there before she stuck her large gringa feet into the problem.
Once outs
ide, Sam spat out a question.
‘What the hell was that about? Anyone could see he was lying.’
‘Yes, and if you had a government minister threatening you with violence or worse, you’d probably lie, too.’
‘Oh. I see. Sorry.’
‘Don’t worry. I know you don’t understand how we do things around here. Trust me. If he can, he will tell me.’
‘Okay, so where’s San Blas del Lago?’
‘It’s a couple of day’s drive from Calderon, up in the mountains. We need a map.’
‘A map would be good but there is something even better. Do they sell aerial photographs here? If the Nazis are hiding up there, they must have a concealed compound or something similar. We might be able to spot it on an aerial photograph.’
‘Aerial photographs? I don’t know. I think Mike bought some when we were looking for good alluvial deposits from the air, but there was a lot of red tape and we don’t have that sort of time. I suggest a visit to see our friend the Colonel in the Geographical Institute. We need short skirts and lots of sauce.’
‘Sauce?’
‘Honestly, Sam, anyone would think you hadn’t hit puberty yet. S.A.U.C.E. Hot sauce.’
‘Oh, that sort of sauce.’
‘Come on, we need to buy you a tight dress.’
CHAPTER 12
August 1988
By the time that Alfredo got back to his house, Saul had packed his bag and was raring to go. Alfredo threw some things in a rucksack including his trusty explorer’s hat and ancient walking boots. He searched for his SLR camera until he removed his coat from the stand in the hall and found it hanging underneath tangled up with a pair of battered binoculars which he also put in his bag. There were several unused films in the fridge keeping fresh behind the jar of ancient olives. He put one of them straight into the back of the camera and stuffed the others in the front pocket of the rucksack. At the last minute, he dashed into the toilet and removed a new packet of toilet paper from the cupboard.