by Tony Lavely
Beckie surveyed her new accommodations. Nothing to brag about, she thought, as she tested the door again, then the windows, closed by wooden shutters outside the glass. But the sashes didn’t open, whether because they were painted shut or locked or something else, she couldn’t tell.
There was a sofa and a straight chair, clearly part of a set with the table it sat under. The floor was wood, and covered by a rug to within a couple feet of the walls. It was soft under her feet. She dropped to the sofa and worried about Amy. Damn kid shouldn’t be running off, all save the world! But I’m glad she did! Could be her damaged feelings are healing. At least she speaks better Spanish than I do. Everyone does. At the thought, she giggled. And maybe she’ll remember…
She allowed her head to fall back on the sofa, eyes closed. There was nothing she could do for Amy right now. “Not much I can do for me,” she muttered, but even before she stopped feeling sorry, the door rattled open.
The woman peered in, as if to make sure Beckie wasn’t lurking with a knife or other weapon. “Don’t worry,” she said to her, “with my arm, I’m little threat.”
“I shall return.” She closed the door.
“Hmmf.”
By dead reckoning, it was ten or more minutes before the door rattled again. This time, her keeper, as she now thought of the woman, scuttled through and backed herself against the wall. She held a bottle of water. “Would you like?”
Beckie nodded and rose from her seat. The sofa was low, making the process awkward especially since she could push off with only one arm. Clumsily she managed, and continued the sluggish trip to take the bottle. “Thank you very much.”
“De nada.” Beckie could guess what she meant, and the woman continued in passable English. “Would you like the baño… bathroom?”
“No, I’m okay for now. But, do you have a scarf or towel I could borrow? The Guardia hustled us out so fast I didn’t grab my sling.” She raised her iron arm a few inches and mimed putting a sling around it.
The woman nodded and scurried out the door. Beckie watched the door close before sipping from the bottle. The water tasted good. She thought back to the plane ride to Egypt and the water she’d been offered there. But this bottle had been sealed!
As she sipped, she wondered what Salvadore’s driver, or aide, could possibly be doing, and whether it made sense to admit to this woman she’d seen him before. The cons still outweighed the pros when the woman opened the door again, bringing a bright scarf with her. “Do you need help?”
“No, thanks.” As she worked, she asked, “Why am I here? The Guardia told us fighting had begun, and we’d meet the rest of the team—”
“Where did the other girl go?”
Beckie finished tying the knot to support her arm. “No, I asked first. Why am I here?” She stared at the woman until it was obvious even to her she would not answer. I’ll try a different tack. “How long till I’m freed?”
“Not long, I hope.” The woman left her alone again.
Damn, Beckie thought. Amy has the pain meds.
Becky sat, not bothering to move about the room. Through slits in the window shutters, she could follow the sun’s movement. It was all pretty boring, she reflected.
A rattle at the door took her attention; this time she watched Salvadore enter, closing the door behind him.
“It is time to leave, Miss.” His voice was quiet; Beckie heard no hidden message. Knowing she was leaving was nice, but knowing where she was going, that would be great. And what was going on. Well, nothing ventured…
“That’s nice. Where are we going? To meet Ian, I hope?”
His face tightened. “Your friend’s untimely departure has made that impossible, I fear. However, you will not be injured if you follow directions.”
She decided to glare at him but he focused on her arm; she turned away from him instead.
“I can carry you,” he said, “but with your… splint, I guess, it will be difficult—”
“Never mind.” She hoped the venom in her voice made her feelings clear. “I’ll walk.”
He waved her to stand and used a short piece of line to tie her wrists together. While the cord was tight around the wrists, he left some freedom for her to protect the fixator.
Beckie followed the tall man through the house out to the big car again. When a guard came up behind her, she was both relieved and disappointed. Relieved that she hadn’t broken free simply to run into him; disappointed there now would be even fewer opportunities for escape.
The last was confirmed when Salvadore opened the car’s trunk and the guard wordlessly urged her in its direction.
“I apologize, Miss, but…”
Not for the first time did Beckie regret her diminutive stature. Piero scooped her up and with some direction to the guard, the two men placed her on the floor. The guard pushed a rolled up blanket against her back, between her and the car’s body, and adjusted her arm to keep her iron work from coming in contact with the body or the lid. Beckie watched, hopeful for an opportunity.
Ian had received the information that Beckie had been taken from Eilís O’Bannon, who attributed the particulars to Goldfarb. His lack of previous response to the lawyer rankled in a most grievous fashion; however, correcting the problem would now have to wait, certainly until Beckie and Amy were recovered. His planned retribution would be determined by any damage the two girls had received.
He and the rest of the team had been busy, but since Beckie’s phone had been turned off, they had little to go by. Contact with Mamani had led to the police, both National and Arequipa forces, becoming involved, but they had had little time to effect any results.
With no further ability to affect his own destiny, or Beckie’s, Ian took a seat at the table outside the hotel and said, “Now, Ms Rios, we sit, waiting for the other shoe to fall.” He chose not to respond to her sharp glance, staring instead at the hotel.
Behind him, the sounds of children playing gave an unrealistic sense of normality to the scene. Or perhaps, he thought, theirs is the normal reality.
Three hours after Beckie and Amy had disappeared, Ian was still watching the hotel when several Guardia came out the entryway. Behind them, Mamani hurried across the drive and up to him. She reached to take his hand as she greeted him.
Their brief words of commiseration and welcome done, Ian said, “Have you any news?”
“None. Barbara provided pictures of both women; they will be in police hands in thirty minutes or less. Perhaps someone will see them.”
“There was no reaction to the observation a Guardia vehicle was seen behind the hotel?”
“None out of the ordinary. Piero, Minister Salvadore, has charge of the Guardia; he will investigate why a car was present. He will report when he has information.”
“Minister?”
“Interior Minister. You may recall meeting him.”
As Ian nodded his agreement, he watched a taxi roar up the drive and stop. Both doors on the driver’s side opened and the driver and a woman alighted and turned toward the hotel. The woman’s hair was covered by a scarf, but her carriage appeared familiar. “Excuse me, señora, for a moment. Elena, will you please see who that woman is?” He pointed as the driver disappeared.
She nodded and hurried up the slight hill.
“Who is it?”
“I am unsure, señora, but she appeared familiar.”
“It is not Rebecca?”
“No.”
Elena appeared in the doorway, waving to him.
“Excuse me for another moment, please.”
As he broke into a trot, he heard her, “Certainly.”
Elena had returned to the lobby when Ian pushed through the door. Pleased his breathing felt normal, his heart jumped when Amy stepped from behind the taxi driver. As soon as she saw him, she ran across the space to hug him.
“Mr. Jamse, I am so glad to see you and Elena!” She gripped his shirt. “I need some money, then we have to go find Beckie!”
/> Careful not to break contact, he brushed his lips across her forehead. “Calm, Amy Rose. Relax.”
Elena’s voice intruded on his attempt to sooth the girl. “I have no cash, Mr. Jamse, nor does Amy, and the taxi driver needs to be paid.”
“Of course.” He dug in his pocket, bringing out his wallet and handing it to her. “Take what is necessary. Add a gratuity of 50 soles, and…” He looked at the driver. “… another 50 soles should he be willing to return to the location he found Amy Rose.
“Now,” he said to Amy, hoping to bring a twinkle to her eye, “what brings you out all alone this clear sunny day?”
She gasped and pulled back from her hug to gape at him. In a moment, she must have recognized the humor in his eyes; she pulled herself against his chest again. “I truly get why Beckie loves you!” She reached up to touch his cheek. “No. Beckie’s captured. A couple of cops grabbed us and took us in a police car.
“They said we should go to a safe house, because there was a fight beginning, and we’d meet you guys…” Her eyes flashed from Elena to Mamani to Ian, then returned to Mamani. “Even you, señora.
“They left us in a, house? I think it was. On the fourth floor. Nice view. After we’d been there maybe fifteen, twenty minutes, a man and woman showed up and moved us again. To a place that looked out on tundra, I think, to the west. In the car, Beckie whispered the guy who took us worked for Salvadore, or something like that… I might have gotten it wrong—”
“Excuse me, please!” Mamani pushed Elena and the taxi driver aside to stand staring at Amy. “Did I hear you correctly, Amy? Rebecca said the man worked for Salvadore?”
“Yes, señora. If I got it right.”
“Of course. Please, go on.”
She paused. “When we got to wherever it was, he got a phone call. When he drove off, I ran out the gate.” She paused, her lips pursed for a second. “I think that’s all.”
Ian squeezed Amy. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Can you direct us there? Or close by?”
“Sure.” She released her embrace. “Well, Tomás can, can’t he?” She called to the cab driver, “¡Hola, Tomás! Can you take us back where you picked me up?” she said in Spanish.
“Sí, señorita. It will be a pleasure.”
Elena turned to Ian. “I’ll call Barbara and Rich; see how long till they’re back.”
Ian nodded and turned to Amy again. “Was any reason given beyond taking you to the safe house?”
“No, Mr. Jamse. Beckie didn’t have any ideas either, except she was pretty sure we were being captured. The car doors being locked and all.”
“May I ask how you…”
She grinned. “It was my turn, you know. Beckie’s helped me, so… They took us to this, ranch, it looked like. While they unloaded us, like I said, he got a phone call and told the woman he had to leave right now; she should take care of us. Beckie and me. He pushed me away from the car and jumped in without a glance. I ran out the gate before it closed. Then I ran for a half hour or a little more, before stopping where I found the cab.”
“Barbara will be here in… There she is,” Elena said, pointing to the elevator.
Mamani took his attention by touching his arm. “You may recall, Mr. Jamse,” she said, “The minister named Salvadore. The Minister of the Interior. He was just here, at our meeting. As we broke up, he placed a phone call.” She shifted uneasily, swinging her bag from her right arm to her left. “I hope and believe it is a coincidence.”
Elena caught her breath before saying, “Who could benefit by involving him?”
“I do not know. I probably have the most to gain… But it is not I!” Mamani said. “If it is not una estratagema, una trampa para incriminar, then I have been mistaken. Sadly mistaken. And not only I.”
Elena’s brow wrinkled, then she said, “Ah. Yes, perhaps a frame-up.” She shook her head as Mamani nodded. “But again, who?”
Mamani had no response.
As Ian shuffled the party to the parking area, Amy asked, “But how would the Minister have known about the safe house? I only heard about it in Barbara’s call the other night.”
Mamani gave Barbara a quick look.
Barbara sighed. “You heard the call, right?” Amy nodded, but her confusion was obvious. “The Minister made the arrangements. At our request.”
Amy’s “Oh. Of course,” was almost quiet enough to be unheard.
“Of course,” Mamani said, “I also knew of the plan, having assisted Barbara in the making of it.” She took Amy’s hand and continued, “I hope you can take my word I did not set the Guardia on you. I was looking forward to our luncheon.”
“Beckie and I were, as well.” Amy pulled her skirt away from her legs. “We’d even selected compatible outfits.”
Mamani gave the girl what Ian considered an encouraging smile. “I think you’ll be able to use them. Both of you, even if not today.”
They had reached the parking area. Ian and Barbara sorted the team into cars, and Mamani’s escort arrived with her vehicle.
“Please follow the taxi,” Ian said. “Amy Rose and I will ride with him.”
With the four vehicle entourage, Tomás needed forty-five minutes to make the trip back to the gas station where Amy’d flagged him. She popped out of the back seat and after a quick survey, pointed out the street she’d run in on. Ian waved, then waited until the others had crossed behind them. The three-plus miles it had taken Amy forty minutes to run flew by; in another six minutes, she had pointed out the turn and then the gated home with alpacas still grazing in the distance to their left.
Beckie heard rustling noises from the front of the car. Wonder where the woman went. Okay, I need to give Amy a chance. She hiked her long peasant skirt almost to her hips and bent her knees. She picked her feet up to make sure they wouldn’t be encumbered if an opportunity arose. Since my hands are tied and my goddam arm is…
She didn’t finish the thought; the two men were speaking. Beckie’s twelve words of Spanish did not begin to explain what they were planning. However, their actions gave her a hint.
The guard—she hadn’t noticed before, but he was the taller one from the morning—appeared around the trunk lid and the rear fender. He stopped, apparently agog at the sight of her bare legs. This is it, she thought as he began to bend over. Showtime!
She recalled every exercise Sam and Elena had put her through, and the experiences she’d had using her feet on offense. Bracing against the blanket, she pulled her legs to her chest and uncurled her feet at his face. The sound of the heels bending flesh and bone wasn’t pleasant, exactly, but the sound of him hitting the gravel was. She hooked the back of her knees over the trunk opening; her good arm sought purchase to lift her up, but Salvadore followed the guard; he stopped directly behind the car.
He’s going to… She eyed the distance, slid forward an inch or so and kicked her right foot into his groin.
She wasn’t happy with the kick—not strong enough and not quite on target, not to mention her left arm hit something when the reaction shifted her—but it was close enough, she guessed, as Salvadore bent clutching his crotch. She grinned as she tried again to lift herself to the rear bumper.
The next few seconds felt otherworldly, like she was in an alternate timeline. She balanced herself on the lip of the trunk/bumper. Salvadore, still holding himself, began to fight his way to stand. A taxi swerved through the open gate to the street. Three more vehicles followed the taxi, one of which she’d seen: the rental Ian had picked up at the airport.
Salvadore had reached his feet, but wasn’t quite vertical. He took a look at the train of cars and bolted around the driver’s side of his. Beckie heard the door open and slam; just as she realized it would, the car jumped out from beneath her. She managed to twist to land on her right shoulder and arm. Her “Oof!” could probably be heard at the Nest. She protected her face from the dirt and stones, then rolled onto her back to watch Salvadore’s car swerve through the gate and after bo
uncing off the rental car, shoot down the hill, just as it had earlier.
The car’s departure had masked the shouts now approaching; Beckie heard Amy’s squeal and another couple of voices, but in an instant, the one she wanted to hear: “Rebecca, are you—”
“I’m fine, now you’re here.” She reached her bound hands to him. “Maybe you would help me up? Then I could kiss you!”
Saturday
Beckie’s Saturday started with aches when Ian moved enough to chill her back. He smiled and pulled the covers back up. “I will instruct Amy Rose to wake you in an hour. Rest.” He opened the door and peered out. “Mr. Quinn has accepted the challenge of making sure we are safe.”
She waved her good arm at him and closed her eyes. She was still tired from yesterday’s events. Her thought as she drifted away was simple: Why’d he take me? Us?
Amy came along mid-morning to rouse Beckie; they were ready for the rescheduled lunch with Mamani in good time. Outside the room, Amy almost tripped over Rich Quinn, who admitted to stationing himself there as defense against unfriendly activity. “Though we expect none,” he quickly added.
“Well, thank you for making sure,” Amy said, and Beckie echoed the sentiment as they stepped into the elevator.
“Ian’s there,” Rich said as the doors opened on the lobby.
“Yeah.” Amy stepped out then stopped short. “But who’s that, do you think?” A man in a Guardia uniform, not as tall as Ian, was talking with him near the front entry. As the girls watched, he tipped his cap and exited.
“No idea,” Beckie said. “As long as he doesn’t say something about safe houses, I don’t care, either.”
Rich laughed. “I’ll see you in a couple minutes.”