by Manolo Mario
“I see doctor. Unfortunately, I was not present when Alonso had his, his, his accident. It would be impossible for me to avow anything differently than what you gentlemen can assess”
“Why did you want to keep his condition quiet and not let anyone know he was alive?” asked Dr. Sanchez.
“That is simple. If we assumed that it wasn’t an accident, someone could have come to finish the job. If he was not alive, there was no need to bother. We also needed to assess the risks to our company. As to others, we didn’t want the information to get out until we could communicate with his extended family, our business partners, and many of our employees. Alonso is a key partner in the enterprise and everyone likes him. He is counted on for some of our more important planning and accounting. I’m sure you would appreciate how rumors could lead to bad situations and financial distress. Luckily, we cleared up all the items pending. It all worked itself out. I also suspect there may be other minor issues that could arise over the next few days. Despite the difficulties, we were able to communicate with all those required. It is all right to provide information on Alonso’s status upon inquiry. We are now confident it was an accident.”
Both doctors were attentive and confused throughout the explanation. Elio looked down at his fingernails. “So, I have to leave it to you if you wish to report Alonso’s injuries as being something other than an accident.”
Chapter 28
Among the regular patrols around the city, Andres Almeida and Ricardo Lopez were working the streets along the oceanfront, not too far from the Malecon. They were the two officers who accompanied Santiesteban the fateful day when he uncovered his wife’s infidelity. As if they won a raffle, they found themselves among several young and pretty women cleaning up debris. It did not take much to get them to go through their series of questions related to potentially missing items, injured parties, extent of damages, etc. If notes were taken, no one could affirm because they could not take their eyes off their interviewees. So much so that these men turned into volunteers and couldn’t walk away without helping the young ladies. It was outside a place with a scratchy sign above the door that read ‘Lulu.’
A big pile of trash accumulated on the street. It included broken branches, leaves, cans, sand, dried salt, and anything that could be swept from the steps of the buildings and the sidewalks that ran in front of them. The whole neighborhood was involved on this day. Damaged furniture soon started to join the growing pile. At some point, if the city services did not collect this pile, the neighborhood would simply light it and burn it.
The officers continued to help out, with much appreciation and thanks from the community, but not nearly as much as the appreciation they would be expecting from the ‘Lulu’ girls. Drinking some cool water provided by two of these talents, Andres almost choked pointing towards some children a half a block away. One of the kids, no more than a seven or eight years old pointed a gun and yelled “bang, bang.” He noticed the gun had some heft because the kid couldn’t hold it up right in his hand.
When the officer stopped coughing, he called to Ricardo, his partner, and they headed for the kid. It was delicate. They didn’t want to scare the kid and have him run off. They didn’t want the kid to drop the gun, which might set off a bullet. They didn’t want any of the other kids to challenge for the gun. They merely wanted to take the gun away.
The kid was oblivious to the movements of the two officers as he played in his complete fantasy of killing phantom enemies, continuing his ‘bang, bang.’ Encouragement came from the two playmates with him. These other two were simply holding pieces of wood. The officers were a few feet apart when Andres called out for the young boy to stop and listen. The boy snapped to as he saw the two men in uniform, which apparently were no different than the phantom enemies in his game. The boy called back out. “You stop or I’ll shoot.”
“Yes, stop or we’ll shoot,” cried out the other two kids.
The officer smiled and extended his open palms, “all right, I am stopping, but can we pause the game and let us ask you some questions.”
One of the wood-toting boys quickly yelled. “No, it’s a trick! They are going to take the gold.”
The armed boy turned back towards the officer and pointed the gun at him. The officer raised his arms. “Don’t shoot! The gold is yours!”
The kid did not relent. “I will not fall for your trick, you villain. I’ll never let you get to me!” The encouragement of the other two boys became loud at the moment.
With a wobbly effort, the kid used both his hands to raise the gun. The officer fell into a real dilemma. He did not know what to do. He hoped the bang would come from the kid’s mouth and not from the barrel of the gun. He had no idea the gun was loaded and couldn’t make out if the kid’s finger was on the trigger, but there he stood with both arms over his head and no real place to hide. The kid heaved to lift the gun and suddenly on its way up, a loud bang exploded, and it was not from the kid’s mouth.
Andres dove to his left as the bullet missed him by the slightest of distances. Luckily, the trajectory took the bullet high and eventually clipped the top of one of the structures. It seemed the once busy and noisy street became deathly quiet as everyone stopped to see what happened. The two boys, who moments ago were hollering with encouragement, stood mouth opened looking at each other. The kid who shot the gun awoke fully from his fantasy. He fell flat on his back from the recoil. The gun flew out of his hands and landed a few feet away. Ricardo ran over and picked it up before the kid could react. Andres lay face down on the sidewalk beginning the process of picking himself up, but he first had to catch his breath and make sure he had not shit his pants.
Ricardo took out the magazine from the pistol and cleared the chamber before giving the boy a hand up. “Muchachito25, where did you get this gun?”
The boy cried, more from being scared than from getting hurt from the fall. The other two boys joined him in crying.
“Now, now, settle down. There is no need to cry. Everything will be all right. We need to know where this gun came from. Is it your father’s gun?”
After a few more gasps, a clearing snort, and a wipe of the nose on the back of an arm, the kid shrugged. “It isn’t my father’s. I found it.”
“Did you know it was a real gun?” Ricardo bent down on one knee to be at eye level with the boy.
He started to cry again, “I thought it was a toy.” Tears ran down his cheeks and little sobs interjected.
“Where did you find it?”
“Over there.” The kid pointed to a smaller trash heap leaning against one of the buildings.
“All right, mijo26. This was a mistake and you need to be careful. Toys are never as heavy as the real thing. Please, take your friends and go home.”
Ricardo stood back up and wiped his pant leg while the kids run off. He took a long look at the gun and realized it was like the one he carried. ‘Why would a policeman’s gun be found here of all places? I don’t recall hearing of a missing gun.’
The work in the neighborhood returned as if nothing had happened. It dawned on him that Andres never joined him. Was he hurt? He quickly turned to see Andres being caressed by three young ladies and having a cold drink. “Damn kids!”
***
Outside the Captain’s office, Sergeant Garcia tapped on Perez’ desk. “Ernesto, forgive me for intruding, but the Captain asked to see me.”
He pointed at the open door. “Go right on in, but step lightly. He’s in a so so mood.”
“Greeeaaat!” Garcia’s rolled his eyes. He rapped on the frame before stepping in.
The Captain examined a pistol on his desk, magazine removed. “Good morning, Sergeant. I was appreciating this pistol, which belonged to Officer Hernandez. As you know he is suspended for two weeks. I am curious as to how it wound up on the other side of town, nowhere near Hernandez’ patrol area. Would you know?”
“Well, Captain, I don’t. Hernandez swore he left it here at the station.”
Garcia nodded.
“They found smudges of the boy and Lopez, and a thumbprint of Lieutenant Santiesteban!”
“Santiesteban’s print?” Gonzalez leaned forward as if to see the mark left. “Sir, I have no idea how that would have been. We have not heard from Lieutenant Santiesteban since before the storm. Have you heard from him? Would you know where he is?”
The Captain nodded with a befuddled look on his face. “You mean to tell me that we have not seen or heard from the Lieutenant for two weeks?”
“He acted a bit strange since the men teased him about being a tarrú. He seemed to take it badly. You know, his ego and all the pomp. I know for certain the men were having fun and felt it was fair. After all, they were aware the man had a regular routine at one of those houses.”
“The gun was found close to one of ‘those’ houses. How come I did not hear of the situation with his wife? The Lieutenant’s wife comes from a well-known family in Barcelona as does the Lieutenant. I need to find out what is going on. Ernesto!”
Ernesto entered the room with papers and pencils.
“Ernesto, what in the hell is going on in my station? Garcia, here calmly states that Santiesteban hasn’t been heard from in two weeks and I’m finding out now! Again, what is going on?”
Ernesto shifted his weight from one foot to the other, “Captain, we’ve a hell of a last two weeks! As you know, the storm created havoc in the city. We’ve had to chase after many ghosts. On top of that you leave it to me to triage the trivial from the important and keep you out of the nonsense….” He didn’t get a chance to finish.
“There it is! It’s my fault! Clearly I trust your judgment on what matters and you don’t get it! ….”
During the verbal barrage, Garcia managed to sneak his way out of the office for fear of falling into the same bucket.
“But Captain, the actions or inaction of a solitary officer on the force cannot take precedent over all the other situations we’re dealing with. That is unfair and some of these officers have a responsibility that they are not living up to!”
“I hear you! But I still need to be informed about my men!”
With that conclusion, Ernesto lowered his head and remembered the envelope in hand. He passed the unopened envelope to the Caption, who took it without thought.
“It may not have anything to do with anything, but here is an envelope originating from Spain to your attention. I did not open it, so I cannot tell you what it is about.”
The Captain examined the postage and the stamps, which showed the origin to be Barcelona. He opened the envelope and read allowing an ‘ahem’, and ‘ahem’ from moment to moment. The Captain stared at the letter as if re-reading it. Ernesto broke the silence, “Well?”
“Apparently, we have a big problem. The authorities have no record of any officer named Miguel Santiesteban at any time. They have posed a question about someone with an outstanding warrant whose name is Miquel Verges.”
“Captain, isn’t your friend Remei’s last name Verges? And wasn’t he the person who sent us, Santiesteban?”
A pensive Captain Gonzalez stepped to his window and didn’t looking back. “Yes and yes.” After a few more moments the Captain turned back to his aide. “Ernesto, we have to find Santiesteban and his wife, and we need to do so quietly. There are a lot of questions to answer before someone comes after my neck. I want you to personally handle this.”
* * *
25 Little guy.
26 Short for mi hijo, my son. Very common endearing term from an adult to any kid.
Chapter 29
Another long night of prayers, pleading, and broken sleep on an uncomfortable chair ended for Elena when Nevy arrived with a thermos of coffee and bread. There were worse things than stirring to the sight of a friendly face.
Nevy whispered, “Good morning, Elena.”
“Good morning, Nevy. Thank you for the coffee.” Elena took the small cup in her hand.”
“Have there been any changes?
Elena looked down at her cup and nodded, “Nothing at all since the nurse thought she heard him stir yesterday.”
She raised her head as Nevy showed the ‘oh-the-poor-man’ look on her face. “Elena, we must remain strong and keep praying.”
The attention at the hospital had been excellent. Alonso’s dressings were changed three times a day. His vitals were taken six times a day, which made the nights tough for Elena, but she knew it had to be done. The doctors would come in three times a day and listen to his heart and lungs and read the charts. Father Tomas was a regular and would bring holy water. He would place the crucifix on the pillow next to Alonso and bend in prayer for an hour at a time. Nevy would join the priest and continue with her rosary for hours after he left. Yet, Alonso had not come out of his coma.
***
Captain Gonzalez sat in a calm state at his desk. Despite all the activity after the storm, a routine settled in. Yes, there were loose ends, but those would be resolved in time. The one headache present was the disappearance of Santiesteban. Irrespective, he was confident that Perez would get to the bottom of it.
He yelled, “Arroyo, have you heard from Ernesto?”
Without finishing his question, Arroyo zoomed into the room and plopped down in the chair across from the Captain. “Why no sir. He’s been out for five days now.”
“Don’t tell me he’s missing, too?”
“Missing too? Who is missing?” Arroyo leaned forward.
“Are you sick or something? Have you forgotten our missing Lieutenant?”
“Oh, that one. No, I haven’t, but honestly I’ve tried. It would be better if he just doesn’t come back.”
“Now, why would you say that? Don’t tell me he got on you as well as the Sergeant?”
“No, he wouldn’t do that. I, I, I, do you mind if I speak frankly?”
Gonzalez nodded. Arroyo stood and closed the door. The Captain took his turn at sitting up.
Arroyo leveled his tone. “Captain, there was something bad about that guy ever since I first saw him at the port. Don’t ask me what specifically, but if you think about it, it’s been one thing after another.”
“Come on, Arroyo! I could go man by man and say the same thing. What do you think that we have a bunch of schoolboys working with us?’
“No, no, not that. Like I told you, I can’t pinpoint it. The man has a bad streak and I can feel it.”
The Captain rose and sat next to Luis Arroyo. “Look, so many things would have to be so wrong. I mean, my judgment would have to be so far off that I wouldn’t know what to do.”
He felt Luis touch his arm. “Captain, I am loyal to you and would do anything to make sure you would be right … whatever happens.”
“Thank you, Luis. But I’m sure Ernesto will have the solution when he returns.”
***
Galo and Rona stepped lightly through the polished floors of the hospital. “Rona, I agreed to bring you to see Alonso and Elena, but we really shouldn’t stay long.”
“Look Galo, I haven’t had one chance to visit with poor Elena and I will not be rushed! What that poor woman has gone through! And this whole time you’ve been whoring around town in some secret mission! One would think that you were chasing after some magic bull!”
Galo rolled his eyes and reasoned that he held her off long enough. Perhaps it was the smell of the disinfectant that made him feel soft. “Now, now Rona. You know that was not the case and I refuse to go into that!”
He felt her roll her eyes and stare him down as they approached the door to the room. He didn’t look her way at all allowing for the impending interruption to diffuse the tension. Perhaps Rona would
welcome the break from the baby and the chance to get out of the house, even if to the hospital. Maybe it was time to make peace once more.
Rona quietly entered the darkened room that welcomed her with incense and mumbling prayer. She greeted Elena, kissing her on the cheek and softly touched Alonso’s hand. She then kissed her sister and moved to sit with Elena. Rona held her hand as they whispered. Nevy continued her prayer.
Galo strained his eyes to see in the darkness. He stayed by the door while observing his wife’s greeting. The smell of the disinfectant, the incense and the darkness seemed to affect him negatively. Yet, he stood by the bed close to Alonso’s head, pinching the top of his nose with eyes shut. He stood there leaning over Alonso. ‘You poor super-fucked cowshit eater; I don’t know how many times everyone told you to watch your insults, to stop being funny; that someone would get mad at you and shut your dick breath mouth up. And though I don’t know what happened, I can only imagine. You ran into the wrong animal and he let you have it bad. Well, the animal is gone and he will not hurt anyone any more. We took care of that. At once, we need you to stop eating more fucking shit and wake up to your family.’
From behind him, Galo heard Elena whispered, “Is he praying?” Rona rolled her eyes further than she did out in the hallway. “Stranger things have happened.”
Despite the fact that it was Sunday, the doorknob turned and Dr. Nuñez stepped into the room, greeted everyone and checked Alonso’s vitals. The activity brought Galo back from his deep concentration.
“Doctor, let me get you some light. There’s no way you can read those dials!” Galo walked to the curtains and pulled on them to allow the light into the room. There was a collective gasp. He squinted and was sure that everyone else did as well.