Who is Shara Marst? (The Pireia files.)

by Ines Galiano

  - What are you doing in Neil's home? - She interrupted him.

  Lowe realized that he was not going to win anything if he did not go straight to the point and pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. He unfolded it and handed it to Shara.

  - It's a search warrant. We have permission to be here.

  Shara read it over, incredulous.

  - Why? Neil has not ...

  - There has been a murder. Neil has disappeared and there are indications that he may have been kidnapped. For your safety...

  - Kidnaped? - Shara looked at him as if he had gone crazy.

  - Join me please.

  Lowe turned around, gesturing to the other cop he had been talking to leave and headed toward the back of the garden. Shara followed him.

  When they reached the back door, Lowe opened it with the naturalness of a person who believes the house to be his and invited her to come in. Shara entered the room being slow to adjust her eyes to the darkness. Almost without thinking, her hand went to the switch next to the door, as she had done so many times, but it did not work.

  - The lamp is broken - said Lowe's voice behind her just like everything else.

  Shara looked around and put a hand to her mouth. What had once been the kitchen was now a room full of pieces of furniture and broken glass. She turned to Lowe:

  - What have you done?

  - Not us. Lowe grimaced, as if offended by the question. We found it this way. Do you know what may have happened?

  Shara's eyes moved quickly, you could see in her expression how different possibilities of what could have happened formed in her mind.

  - No. I have to leave - said Shara.

  - No, no - the detective replied, putting a hand on her shoulder and gently pushing her back into the garden -. I need you to answer some questions.

  Shara looked at him scornfully, as if being questioned again would waste valuable time that she did not have. She had to leave, she thought.

  - Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with the kind lady who rented the apartment to Lisa Lewis during the two weeks before her death - the detective began.

  A flash of anger passed through Shara's eyes, but she said nothing, and the detective continued:

  - It seems that she is convinced that Lisa was staying at the Marst tavern before renting that apartment - Lowe waited for Shara to say something, but as she did not, he asked her directly:

  - Isn’t that right?

  Shara looked at him harshly for a moment and then replied:

  - Yes.

  - Why didn’t you tell me this morning?

  - You did not ask me.

  The detective sighed.

  - I'm trying to discover the possible murderer of Miss Lisa, you understand? I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t hold back valuable information.

  - Yes, she was in the tavern for a few months - said Shara, reluctantly.

  - How long did she rent a room in the tavern?

  - She never rented anything.

  - She did not? - The detective looked at her incredulously.

  - No, she slept in my father's room.

  Lowe's expression reflected the interest in the revelation confirming the words of the old woman, at the same time his hand moving to the pocket of his jacket, in a reflex of writing down in his notebook what she had told hm.

  - I have to go - repeated Shara.

  Lowe did not get his notebook out but asked another question.

  You kicked her out of the tavern the night of your father's funeral?

  Shara felt as if she had been slapped by him. What right did this detective have to ...?

  - Please - Lowe had noticed the girl's reaction and was trying to calm her down. Understand that I'm just doing my job, I'm not interested in your personal matters.

  - It does not look like it - Shara realized that she was behaving like a little girl, so she sighed and continued:

  - Yes, I invited her to leave. - Why? - she did not have anything to do there anymore. she was not going to keep stealing the money.

  - Lisa did not take it well?

  - No.

  - Did she argue with you?

  - Of course - Shara rolled her eyes -. she screamed and kicked, but she did not convince me.

  - What exactly was your relationship with Lisa?

  - There was no relationship.

  - Do you know of anyone who might want to kill her?

  - Shara laughed and said: - There are many.

  - Could Neil be one of them? - Asked the detective.

  Shara's gaze hardened.

  - No - Shara tried to turn around to leave, but the detective stopped her.

  We checked the call log on Neil's phone - Lowe said and Shara's look lighted up -. His last call was to his farm. Last night, at ten minutes to three. While leaving the tavern. Why didn’t you tell me that either?

  - You did not ask, Shara repeated.

  - Did he talk to you?

  - Yes.

  - What did he tell you?

  - He told me about Red and Lisa. He told me that they had just gone up the stairs of the tavern to his room. She knows I do not want her there. Shara sighed again. Neil is a good friend.

  - Is that all?

  - Yes.

  - What did you do next?

  - Sleep.

  - Did you not go to the tavern?

  - No.

  What would I do? Enter Red's room without calling and throw her out? - She made a face -. I thought about talking to Red the next morning ... But he was not there anymore.

  - I'd like to see that room, Miss Marst.

  Sahara shrugged.

  - Go there whenever you want, Karla can open the door for you.

  Now, with your permission ... The girl went back to the front of the house and the detective accompanied her.

  - We'll let you know when something else comes up.

  - Whatever she shrugged.

  - Is that your car? - Asked the detective pointing to her old car, parked on the shoulder of the road -. It's scratched.

  - Don’t tell me.

  - Has it been like that for a long time?

  - About two weeks - Shara answered and noticed how the detective had the instinct to reach for and take out his notebook.

  - Who did it? Do you know?

  - No - she got into the car and started it. Now I have to leave, I'm in a hurry.

  - Of course, I'll call you.

  Shara stepped on the accelerator and drove away at full speed from the place, with thousands of thoughts running through her head.

  She turned the corner not driving back to the center but continued to move towards the outskirts. It took her about ten minutes to get to the farm, which seemed to wait for her, silently. Shara parked the car in the driveway and got out to open the gate. It had an old and rusty padlock, which did not seem very safe. She opened it with a small key, went thru it and closed it again behind her. She looked towards the big stone house. The red-tiled roof gleamed in the sun and the ivy climbed up on one of the walls.

  With a sigh, Shara headed towards the large wooden door in the main facade. She opened this door with a much larger key than the one she had used for the padlock, although it also seemed old and overused. However, Shara had never worried about the safety of the place, no one had ever dared to enter without a previous invitation to the Marst house. But things were very different now. On the second night that Shara had spent alone on the farm, several of the gang had managed to give her a good scare. They came for money, of course. Money that Marst had promised them just before he died, they said. As if Shara was stupid.

  That night the matter had come to a climax: the men had left in terror after she shot one in the shoulder. They would not bother her again for a while. Or so she hoped.

  Sahara moved up the stairs that led to the second floor, like someone who knows their own house perfectly, and went straight to the master bedroom, which she now had appropriated. However, when she reached the c
orridor, she stood still by the door of the room. There was a light burning.

  Would she have left it on? Of course not. They had entered again. She quickly descended the stairs, trying not to make noise and ran to the large desk placed in one of the corners of the room.

  In a hurry, she took the bunch of keys from her pocket again and chose the one that opened the top drawer. She put the key in the lock and tried to turn it, but somehow it didn’t work. It did not turn. She pulled on the drawer with her fingers and realized that it opened easily. She touched the inside of the drawer with her hand. It was empty.

  - Are you looking for this? - Said a male voice from behind, at the same time that the barrel of a gun was nailed in her back. Sahara tried to get away, but the gun was pushed at her with more force.

  - Turn on the light, slowly - the voice said - do not do any nonsense.

  Reluctantly, she lit the table lamp that was on the desk.

  - Now sit down. Sahara did what he asked, sitting very slowly in one of the leather seats that were in the room and turning to look at the man who held the gun.

  - Red! - She shouted, with anger in her voice.

  - Do not scream.

  Red sat down in the chair opposite her, still pointing the gun.

  - Sahara took a deep breath, trying to calm down and said dryly:

  - What do you want?

  - Nothing, I came to collect some things that belong to me.

  - I already gave you money.

  - The money is gone, Shara, and you did not give me everything I deserved.

  Sahara looked at him with disdain. Why did you kill her?

  Red looked at her with an amused air. Do you think I killed her?

  - I found her in your bed - Shara replied.

  - And why would I have killed her? - Red asked, with a mockery expression.

  Sahara rolled her eyes, as if she did not want to waste more time.

  - Although the truth is that I was in the understanding - continued Red, humming - that you killed her. That's what Ricardo told me - he laughed.

  - You played your part very well, he believed everything. But I know you better, would you really be able to kill someone in cold blood?

  - I should have done that to you.

  - Could you? Red shrugged. But it's already too late. I have the gun. Red got up and pretended to be interested in the photo frames on the desk, still pointing at Shara.

  - It would be easier if you had accepted my proposal. There is still time ...

  - No - Shara interrupted him.

  - Come on, do not get mad. We both know you cannot win from me.

  - You've only been here for three years.

  - That's true ... Red answered thoughtfully. And in just one year, look at everything I've achieved. He gestured to the upper floor, where a noise came from like someone was dragging a very heavy piece of furniture.

  - You will not find it.

  - Of course, I will. I'm in no hurry.

  Sahara looked at him scornfully and thought about the options she had.

  - Your father named me practically heir. He knew that you could not just do it all yourself ...

  - Red licked his lips -, instead, together, we would be ...

  Shara burst out in laughter and said:

  - Really? Do you think I would accept? - Shara made a movement towards her bag, but Red approached with the pistol

  - Calm down - she said raising her hands. I just want a cigarette. Red motioned for her to continue, but with a warning expression.

  Shara took out the package and lit one.

  - You should stop that - Red snapped, with an expression of disgust. She released a puff of smoke and replied:

  - I know.

  - You should let me help you - Red sat back in the chair and leaned toward her, speaking softly. I could protect you. You would not have to take care of the tavern, it would be like a vacation.

  - Do you take me for a fool?

  - I'm serious.

  Sahara did not answer, but merely blew another puff of smoke, this time to his face.

  Red rose up in anger. Stay that stubborn. You will not end well - his voice showed how angry he was.

  Steps were heard coming from the stairs and Ricardo appeared in the doorway. He looked at her in surprise and lowered his head, as if embarrassed that she had discovered him there.

  Red addressed him.

  - Have you found it?

  - No, said Ricardo, raising his head a little to look at him.

  Red stamped on the ground and seemed to be about to hit him, but at the last moment he thought better off it and came to Shara. He put the gun to her temple

  - Tell me where it is.

  - Or what? – Shara answered calmly.

  - Or I blow your head.

  Sahara laughed again.

  - Shut up! - Red yelled,

  Shara stopped laughing, but kept smiling.

  - I'm going to shoot.

  - You will not. You know you cannot do it. At least not yet. - They would back me up.

  - All? I doubt it very much. - They will respect me.

  - I would not bet on it - Shara continued speaking distracted.

  - Kill me? Mast’s daughter? In your first week? There are certain rules, Red. But what would you know about them, you have only been here for three years ...

  - They will back me up! - Red was very nervous, Shara saw him look at Ricardo, with the question floating in his mind. Ricardo looked at the ground, as if he did not dare to contradict him, but neither did he support him.

  Shara saw the fear in Red's expression. Making a mistake like that would cost him dearly, he might not be able to earn the respect of the gang again.

  Containing himself, Red pulled the gun away and brought his face close to Shera’s. He was red with fury.

  – I will be back.

  - I'll be waiting for you, Shara replied, the challenge in her eyes.

  CHAPTER 4

  Disappearances

  Lowe was alone when he entered the tavern. Karla saw him enter and grimaced in disgust. Without asking, she pointed to a bar stool and served him a beer. Lowe sat on the stool but did not drink.

  - I'm on duty - he said by way of an apology.

  Karla shrugged and took a sip of the beer herself. Lowe looked around: the tavern was completely empty, despite it being almost dinner time.

  - No customers today?

  - No. Nor is there going to be with you here - Karla said, taking a rag and passing it over the bar, as if it were dirty, even though nobody had been sitting there all day.

  - The police are not welcome around here?

  Karla giggled, and Lowe insisted:

  - Where I come from, the police are thanked for the protection it provides to its citizens.

  Karla stopped short and looked at him, her face incredulous.

  - Well, here we protect ourselves in another way.

  - Which one? - The detective asked.

  - It's better you do not know - she laughed again.

  Let's see, what is it that you want?

  - I talked to Miss Marst this afternoon and she told me that I can have a look at the room Red was staying in.

  - I see - Karla left the rag on the bar and headed towards the stairs -. Come with me.

  Lowe followed her, going up the stairs to the second floor for the first time. Karla stood by the first door and invited him in with a gesture. Lowe opened the door slowly and entered.

  The room was completely empty, except for the furniture. There were no personal items of any kind. Only a closet, a desk and a box spring with a mattress full of holes. There were no sheets.

  - Where are his things? - Lowe asked, stunned.

  - What things?

  - Red’s things?

  - Red left with his things. Why would he leave them here?

  - And the sheets?

  - They're in the washing machine. You don’t pretend that we have this room as a sanctuary, right? Now that Red is gone we
will have to ...

  - Do you realize what you are saying? This room could contain evidence of the crime. Lisa Lewis spent her last hours in this room!

  - How do you know? Karla interrupted

  - You told me.

  - No, I told you that Lisa went up to Red's room, but I do not know how long they were there. She was found in the tunnel was she not? As far as I'm concerned...

  - He could have moved the corpse, who knows. Did you hear nothing that night?

  - I sleep like a log.

  - And tell me - the detective was getting nervous -. Among the things that were picked up from this room, was there something that caught your attention?

  - I do not remember...

  - Blood stains?

  - Oh my God, of course not!

  - And why have you washed the sheets in such a hurry?

  - I already told you, detective, we have to prepare this room for new clients ...

  - Do you expect customers?

  - I don’t know, detective, really. I only do what I am ordered.

  - Shara ordered you to wash the sheets in this room?

  - Yes, but ...

  - I'm sure she knew she should not have done that.

  - Hey, I just do my job - Karla was offended -. And I promise you there wasn’t a single blood stain on those sheets. With what it takes to remove blood stains I would have noticed! And I did not see anything strange either. Red took his things when he left. I saw him.

  - Did you saw him when he left?

  - Yes ...

  - Why didn’t you tell me?

  - You only asked me what I saw last night!

  - From now on I want you to start telling me everything you know or I will arrest you - Lowe was furious, although he tried not to show it.

  Karla looked at him as if she had been slapped, but you could see the glint of fear in her eyes. She adjusted her shirt and crossed her arms, trying to hide the tremor in her hands.

  - What do you want to know?

  - When did you see him leave?

  - This morning, very early.

  - At what time?

  - Well, it would be around 7 or 7 thirty ... at that time I usually get up, it's hard for me to sleep when the sun comes up ... I went out into the hall and there he was, with a huge bag over his shoulder.

  - How big?

  Karla gestured with her hands trying to indicate the size.