Ganado: a novel

by Manolo Mario

  Luis sat back down and looked across the desk, “Inspector, I have been polite with you and don’t think you should speak to me like that. I have answered your questions to the best of my abilities. You don’t seem to understand all the priorities that we have and the pressures those produce.”

  The inspector stood and leaned forward. “You’ll be hearing from me again! I’m going to get to the bottom of this!” He left without any courtesy.

  ***

  With the inspector gone, Lieutenant Arroyo ran to his co-aide de camp, Ernesto Perez. “Ernesto, I had a surprise visit from an inspector working with the prosecutor’s office asking about Santiesteban.”

  “Santiesteban! What? Why? What do you mean?” Lieutenant Perez perked up and became fidgety.

  “Well, it, it wasn’t Santiesteban that he asked by name. He wanted to know if we were missing an officer.”

  “Luis, this was your scheme in the first place. Why didn’t you tell him he went missing, but we were not concerned because he said he wanted to go back to Spain? In any case, why would this inspector ask about a missing person any way?”

  “He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. I was too shocked to respond. You don’t think that somehow Santiesteban has been found somewhere?”

  “Well, I hope not. He was gone without a trace; and frankly, I felt someone he pissed off did him in. Let’s hope this inspector doesn’t come back.”

  “Look, I made the guy pretty mad. All I could do was talk around and around. I wouldn’t bet on it. He said he was going to get to the bottom of this.”

  “Well, it’s time for you to take some time off. Go away on vacation. If he comes back you won’t be here.”

  ***

  A day later, a more confident inspector returned to the police station; but could not locate Lieutenant Luis Arroyo. Arroyo was on holiday and was subsequently directed to Lieutenant Ernesto Perez.

  “Lieutenant Perez, I am an inspector from the prosecuting attorney’s office. I would like to follow up with you on a missing person?”

  “Oh, yes. Lieutenant Arroyo mentioned that you were trying to find a missing person, perhaps a policeman.”

  “That’s correct and I am certain that it’s a policeman from this station.”

  “Of course, Inspector. I must say our conversation will be somewhat trifle.”

  “Really? Why is that Lieutenant?”

  “Simple, we are having difficulties reaching one of our officers, a Lieutenant Santiesteban. However, we haven’t really taken the absence seriously. You see, he was unhappy in La Habana … having marital problems. His wife and child took off to Spain without him and we surmise he chased after them.”

  The inspector sat across from the officer. Ernesto saw the man simply stare down at his notepad, making a few marks in it. “Lieutenant, that is an interesting commentary. Do you have anything to support Santiesteban left the country?”

  Pursing his lip, Ernesto answered. “No, other than the man’s conversations with me personally.”

  “Can you explain to me why the other lieutenant, Arroyo, was unable to give me this information?”

  “I’m not sure I can, but on behalf of my colleague, I apologize. You see, we were a little embarrassed as a unit that one of our fellow officers ran off after his wife. Rumor said the child had come from another man and he was distraught. We didn’t want to engage further with the situation. If I can, I am curious as to why you are asking questions about an inconsequential situation like that of Santiesteban?” Ernesto lifted a dusty paperweight and brushed it off.

  “Ah, but it would be inconsequential, Lieutenant Perez. Except Lieutenant Santiesteban did not run off to Spain.”

  Ernesto looked up suddenly. “He didn’t run off to Spain? How would you know that inspector?” The inspector beamed his eyes directly at Ernesto.

  “No, he didn’t. You see he was murdered and I have the body. Someone stabbed him and eventually slashed his neck. The prosecuting attorney will make sure the culprit pays for the crime. He will also come after those that covered it up!”

  Ernesto did not lose his focus, but went ashen as his left eye ticked. “Inspector, this is truly shocking. Excuse me for a moment and let me speak with our captain.” He exited, but returned shortly. “Forgive me inspector, but our Captain is engaged in a pressing matter. He asks for your indulgence and would like to see if you could return tomorrow morning to meet with him. You must understand that this news is a kick in our stomach. I can assure you no one on this force would have expected this situation.”

  “Very well, Lieutenant. I will return tomorrow morning.”

  ***

  Captain Gonzalez, with Ernesto in tow, appeared unannounced at Caldera’s office. “Licensiado, thank you for hearing our accounting.” He hoped to steer the attorney away from continuing to pursue the matter of Santiesteban. Gonzalez personally did not want to have the issue of a corrupt cop become newsworthy and have the full department come down on him for having brought the guy on the force.

  Ernesto interjected, “Your Excellency, we are so shocked. The situation is so far afield from our thoughts that we don’t know what to think. Your inspector, who I must say was extremely professional and courteous, must think us fools. However, we truly didn’t know where he was coming from.”

  Gonzalez saw that Caldera remained patient in listening to the disclosure and he took notes. The man interrupted politely to clarify a point or two.

  Caldera exposed a subtle smile, “I can’t thank you enough for coming forward.” He stood. Then, the men shook hands and Gonzalez and Perez left gratified it was done. Little did they know the attorney would not allow such a juicy opportunity pass.

  Chapter 32

  The next morning Captain Gonzalez started his day in a jovial mood and felt much relief after conferring with the prosecuting attorney the prior afternoon. The feeling lasted briefly, until he saw Ernesto barging in, waving the newspaper.

  “Can you believe that son of a bitch? Look at this fucking article!” He grabbed the newspaper and read an article describing the murder of a policeman and quoting Caldera that he would not rest until the murderer was found. He would throw the full weight of his office into the investigation.

  Captain Gonzalez crumbled the paper. “That pure piece of shit! What a political bastard! He looked at me straight in the face with an angelic look! He paced back and forth. “I swear Ernesto, I’m going to get that Caldera if it’s the last thing I do!”

  “Captain, I think you should slow down and think it over. This guy has an agenda.”

  Gonzalez saw the worry on his aide’s face. “I still have friends in high places and Caldera is going to pay for this lack of respect.”

  There was a heavy knock on the door that interrupted them. Ernesto opened the door. There stood -- for his morning appointment with the Captain -- the inspector accompanied by twenty other agents who proceeded to shut the station down and question every officer on duty.

  There was nothing left unturned. The inspectors demanded that Arroyo return from holiday, which he did a few days later. They spent time digging through reports and duty sheets. Lieutenant Garcia was forthcoming, as was Officer Almeida and Officer Lopez. After three days of questioning the officers at the station, Caldera’s team reconciled the inconsistencies of the various accounts and concluded that Santiesteban was a bad cop.

  They uncovered that the officer received bribes from many people on his watch. Caldera dispatched two inspectors to Holguin to interview the two criminals sent there in order to get more details. Despite all the misinformation, the interference, and the lack of credibility of the people in charge at the station, the inspector was not certain anyone at the station murdered Santiesteban. He lacked specific dates and times to pinpoint any wrongdoing.

  He knew at the very least, the police team was guilty of a cover up for reasons he still couldn’t nail down. Someone would have to pay for that if his boss wanted it. One thing was certain, his team needed to focus el
sewhere if they were to find the murderer.

  ***

  “Can you believe they found the son of a bitch’s body? Of the entire God forsaken, unlucky ass things to happen! Shit on me! Shit on me!”

  Elio’s good morning to his mates resounded on the day El Mundo published the article. He paced again in the office. Galo wore his apron, stained as usual by the eight o’clock hour. He sat halfway on the desk reading through the article. Rico shook his head.

  Galo looked up, “Look Elio, the article simply gives the fact that a cop was murdered. The rest is this politician lawyer blowing smoke about his campaign promises, etc., etc. Nowhere does it say they suspect anyone or they are conducting some specific investigation. It certainly doesn’t say Elio, Rico and Galo killed the asshole. We shouldn’t give a bull’s cock in the high seas about this. We should go about our business. If for some reason cops come to question, we tell them the truth.”

  Rico startled from his reverie. “Wait a minute, what truth do you mean?”

  Smoke blew out of Galo’s nose. “The simple truth that the cop asked for money and we gave it to him. It was better than to make a stink about it.”

  Elio stopped pacing.

  ***

  In fact, a week later, a man calling himself an inspector called on the slaughterhouse. Elio and Rico were out negotiating other purchases and Galo met with him.

  “I am visiting several businesses with respect to a cop that was suborning bribes, which is illegal. So, were you forced to pay anything?”

  Galo played a bit coy and didn’t answer right away, but he intended to follow the plan he laid out. “Look, I don’t want to get in trouble with this situation, you understand?”

  “I think I do. What do you know?”

  Galo looked around to seem concerned, which he was, “Also, you have to know that the last thing we want to do is pay for anything we don’t need, right?”

  “Yes, of course. I can assure you we are not looking to get you in trouble. I simply need to know about this matter.”

  “Alright, Inspector. Yes, we paid the insolent bastard money, but it was better than to have that no good son of a bitch hampering our efforts! You understand, don’t you?”

  “I understand completely. You know this cop was one special son of a bitch. Do you know he orchestrated the burning of a bakery, where a person died?”

  “You are shitting me! What a criminal! Well, in a way, inspector, I am glad he is gone!”

  “You are not alone, apparently. Everyone I have spoken to feels the same way. Thanks for your time and sorry for the intrusion.”

  “It’s alright. You are just doing your job! Good luck.”

  “Hey has anyone ever told you that you have a great voice?”

  “Sure, it’s this thing about my cojones.” Galo watched as the man broke out into a hearty laugh.

  ***

  A person’s recovery takes place over time, but there are good days and bad days. Good days involve real progress. There is less pain, more movement, and better appetite. A bad day is filled with pain and soreness, hesitation, pessimism, and concern there would be no healing. Alonso experienced many days of each.

  The latest challenges surrounded his trouble sleeping. Alonso had been incurring consistent dreams, snippets about getting hit with a stick. The dreams were unclear, but created anxiety. He would wake up in a cold sweat and the night nurse was forced to settle him with a sedative to get him back to sleep. He repeated the dream for a week. He could never see the person’s face, but recognized his office as he stood beside his desk. Otherwise, he healed and spent most of his time reading and tending to visitors. Today, he was particularly optimistic. The doctors agreed to let him down from traction and wheel him out to the hospital’s yard. It would be his first draw of direct sunlight and outside air in months.

  He sat a bit uncomfortably and felt a tad dizzy in his wheelchair. Elena and Nevy were with him and excited he was out of the room. They told Alonso stories of the on goings in town and beyond. The families had a great time at the beach all summer. They excused themselves for they needed to take care of some errands and would come back later. Alonso asked the nurse if he could stay outside a little longer and she agreed if he felt fine.

  A half hour later, an orderly came up from behind Alonso. “Señor Velez, there is someone who asked to see you. Is it all right?”

  Alonso turned to his left, saw Fefo, and waved him over. “Fefo, how are you my friend and what a surprise to see you!”

  Alonso smiled, but felt a little uneasy that Fefo wouldn’t look at him. The man held his straw hat in his hand over his cleanest pressed shirt.

  “Oh, Señor Alonso, it is me who would like to know how you are. I have been so bothered and worried about you.”

  “Why thank you Fefo. You are too kind. How’s the family and are you keeping everyone in order at the slaughterhouse?”

  “They are fine, and nothing at the slaughterhouse has lost a step since you were hurt. I am so sorry if we caused you any pain when we brought you here.”

  Alonso rubbed his forehead a bit and squinted. “No, not at all.” He felt confused.

  “I am also sorry that I didn’t hear anything and didn’t come back to check on you sooner. Perhaps if I did check, nothing like this would have happened.”

  “Yes, of course. What? What are you talking about?” He rubbed the side of head harder.

  “You know, Señor Alonso, the day the policeman beat you with his stick. If I would have come to the office sooner, maybe I would have stopped him or hit him for you.”

  Alonso quickly held his head between his hands. The nurse noticed the distress and excused Fefo to return Alonso to his room.

  ***

  Caldera’s team finished investigating. Yet, they couldn’t settle on a specific date and time of death. His team was able to place the victim to his last call at the house of Lulu the night the storm hit. Sometime between the night of the storm and the time the fishermen netted the remains, the officer met his demise.

  With a smaller team sitting in a meeting room, they were going through all the reports to find any common element. The room consisted of a conference table for six running across the middle. There was an open window at one end and everyone begged for air to flow somewhat. Files and papers were strewn across the table and the credenzas at both ends. Paperweights did their job when mercifully an assistant brought a fan into the room.

  ***

  At the Palace of Justice, Captain Gonzalez sat across from the judge in his private office. The judge wore a short sleeve shirt, having placed his robe in the closet. They sipped a glass of fine añejo.

  “I think I understand Rafael what you mean. This Caldera is a pompous, self-serving politician, with neither a sense of conviction nor understanding of a greater good. His goal is to become president. One cannot underestimate his political allies and his machine. One needs to tread lightly.” The judge sipped.

  “Carmelo, I thank you for letting me bend your ear. You and I have been friends a long time. I feel terrible about having this son a bitch as a cop. It is my fault. I would hope to God that all the other good I have done would carry some weight.”

  “Just continue with your efforts and you’ll see everything will turn for the best. It always does.”

  ***

  “So read me the commentary from the girl at Lulu’s, again.” The lead inspector dried his forehead with his handkerchief.

  “She said the cop was dirtier than a pig. She and some of the other, other, other… girls would be forced to bathe him before providing, providing, providing … services. He was bossy, pedantic, and demanded a lot, but would drink heavily. He wasn’t very good, you know, in bed.”

  “So, go on and tell me again about the part where she talked about our victim to others?”

  “She said she spoke to Lulu and to the other girls and anybody who would give her an ear. She learned he was a cop after a few visits, but figured he could be one after his first vi
sit. He was that much of an ass. She has been happy since he had not come back, but in a way she is sorry he died.”

  Another inspector raised his hand. “I interviewed the hooker; I mean the lady, and she seemed genuine. She lamented when she told me about the cop and how nasty he was. As a matter of fact, she felt depressed expecting he would be there every week. She livened up when she said another patron earlier the same week made her feel good and happy.”

  “So, how does this help us at all?” The inspector refilled his glass with water. The room felt like a tennis match and the agents looked at the inspector telling the story. They turned to hear him and returned back to their colleague.

  “I don’t know.” The inspector who interviewed the lady broke into a lecherous smile and focused on the rest of the crew. “But she said the patron was a lot of fun. He hired this blonde and got the three of them in a room and they had themselves quite a sex party.”

  The room burst out with laughter and all the inappropriate commentaries one would have expected. ‘Some people are so lucky.’ Even the inspector got into it with the team. It was good to let off steam in this manner.

  “The guy wasn’t the tall and handsome type. She said he seemed cute, but more than anything he had money and a voice that roared like a lion!” The inspector chimed above all the noise. One of the men stopped from laughing to comment that even his opposite teammate could get a date at Lulu’s place.

  Unnoticed to the team laughing it up, the agent closest to the door rose and took one of the files from the table on the side and flipped through reports. He came to a stop several pages down and read. He then yelled. “Quiet. Quiet! Wait a minute! Wait a minute everyone.” The room regained its composure and silence returned. “I don’t know if this is important either, but when I heard the lion and roaring, it struck me that I had seen or heard something like that before, and here it is.” He smacked the papers in his hand. “In my investigation of the companies that might have been affected, I interviewed a man who spoke with a very deep voice. It struck me because it made him seem bigger than he was. He seemed all right. He admitted they paid the cop because they didn’t want any problems. It made sense to me. Do you think it is a coincidence?” He looked at lead inspector.