Who is Shara Marst? (The Pireia files.)

by Ines Galiano

  He picked up the receiver in a hurry and said his name. His superior's voice was “waiting” for him at the other side of the line.

  - Setti told me your witness is dead.

  - Dead? - For Lowe this was new information, although it was no surprise. He frowned.

  - How could you let it happen?! - He shouted from the other side of the line.

  - With all due respect, Mr. Director, I could not do anything ...

  - I do not want another scandal! - The department director was furious. Lowe heard him breath deeply, trying to calm down, before continuing:

  - It cannot be that difficult, Lowe, it's a tiny town, you've been in worse situations in Cirys -. It seemed as if he was thinking out loud, Lowe did not dare to interrupt him. I really do not understand. Knowing how small it is and still being the most dangerous city in all of Largos. Two weeks back, the inspector ...

  - The inspector what? - Lowe interrupted, intrigued.

  - Nothing - the director realized that he had started say more than was allowed.

  - Lowe, listen to me carefully: it cannot come out, can you hear me?

  - And what am I going to say when they bury the body?

  - Well, you incinerate it.

  - But what if ...

  - I do not care, Lowe, bury it under a false name, burn it, hide it in your office if you want. I do not care - he paused -. But it should not appear in the newspapers do you understand? My superior is starting to look suspiciously at me. And it so happens that I cannot control all the cities of the country.

  - I'm sorry to hear that, director.

  - Shut up, get to work, do discover the damn murderer, thief, rapist or whatever. But be quiet about it.

  - Understood - Lowe answered, with narrowed eyes, before saying goodbye and hanging the phone up.

  Col was watching him expectantly, as if waiting to be told the important decision the director had made about closing the case.

  Lowe looked at him angrily, I hate this town, he thought.

  - Well, boss? – Col said smiling.

  - Call forensics’ - he answered, to the surprise of his partner -.

  - I want the autopsy. Now!

  Col's face showed disappointment, but he hurriedly complied and left the office.

  Lowe waited until the door closed completely and picked up the telephone receiver again. He dialed the numbers and waited for the dial tone. After three rings, an altered woman's voice answered on the other end of the line:

  - Marst Tavern, how can I help you?

  - Good morning, Karla. I'd like to talk to Miss Marst.

  - She just left, Karla replied quickly, her tone surprising Lowe.

  - Do you know when she will return?

  - No, sir, and if you will excuse me, I have some clients waiting to be served ...

  - I will call again - Lowe threatened.

  - As you wish - Karla answered and then hung up the phone.

  CHAPTER 8

  Visits

  Shara locked the door, although she was sure that would not stop them from entering and went out into the driveway.

  The smell of cheap cologne came from the other side of the fence and she recognized it immediately. Grinning, she threw the cigarette on the floor and adjusted her blouse. She continued walking, until the figure of the man waiting for her became visible. Tall, dark, thin.

  Shara reached the gate and opened it, looking at the individual. He looked at her with a radiant expression, like who has fulfilled his goal.

  - How are you David?

  - Well, well - David tugged at his jacket, trying to hide that it was short -. I threatened him, and I tell you he was scared, - and added, excited - he shot at me and everything!

  Shara smiled at him indulgently. He was so young, she thought. She knew that it had not been a good idea to involve the newspaper delivery guy. But what other options did she have? She had to admit that Red had done a good job of convincing the boys that she should not be Marst's successor ...

  Shara took a deep breath and looked David in the eye:

  - Be careful, will you? Why than did he shoot at you?

  - When I ran from him, he tried to stop me - David answered, and added agitatedly -. But do not worry Miss Marst, I run very fast. I do not want to be caught.

  You should not have let him see you so soon.

  - Not? But then, how could I distract him? I thought the best way to do it was to scare him a little ...

  - I have the feeling that that detective is not so easily scared ...

  - How do you know?

  - He just got divorced, Shara answered, settling the conversation, as if that was a reason important enough not to be afraid of anything. David, listen to me.

  - Yes.

  - The police will be looking for you from now on. You have to stay away until we fix the issue, okay?

  - And how are we going to fix it? Shall I break one of his legs?

  Shara laughed and exclaimed:

  - You've seen too many movies!

  - David smiled shyly and said nothing. We will simply make the new inspector understand how things work. Okay, we've done it before, he'll understand soon. But to do that I need to fix the problem with Red ...

  - Do you want me to threaten him? - David interrupted quickly, with a brightness in his look.

  - No, that does not work with him. I want you to do me a favor.

  - Whatever you say.

  - I want you to go to the old mansion next to the cliff. Do you remember which one?

  - The one that is spooked? The one with the ghosts?

  - Yes, that same one - David seemed scared suddenly and looked at her as if she were asking for the impossible -. David, there are no ghosts.

  - There are none?

  - No. The only spirits that have wandered through that house have been the Marsts for many years.

  - The Marsts? You?

  - Yes, I played a thousand times in that house myself.

  - Did you make the lights go off and on by themselves?

  - What are you talking about, David?

  - It’s what people say is happening there ...

  Shara interrupted him, shaking her head, she did not have time for this.

  - There are no ghosts, David. But there are armed people, yes - she took a deep breath, ordering in her mind how she would give the instructions more clearly this time -. I want you to go there, but do not go into the house. Try to hide on the estate that surrounds the mansion and try to peep through the windows, okay? I do not want you to threaten anyone. I just want to know who's there. Make a count of the people and weapons, but you should not be seen, you understand?

  David nodded, very attentively, as if he did not want to miss anything.

  - Pay special attention to details. I want to know if someone is tied or gagged, or if there is someone guarding a door. When you know enough, go to the tavern. I'm going to make a stop along the way, but it will be brief, see you there.

  The boy said goodbye and left hurrying down the hill. Shara watched him until he disappeared. She expected it to work. It had to work. The boy was fundamental.

  Shara climbed into the car parked by the gate and drove away from the farm. It did not take her long to get to the hospital noticing immediately the presence of several police cars next to the main entrance. She parked next to them and got out of the car, almost expecting to meet Inspector Lowe at any moment.

  There was a great stir at the reception and nobody took notice of her. Apparently, an ambulance had just arrived, and the staff was busy. Shara went to the counter and handed a bank note to the receptionist, whom at the same time asked:

  - How can I help you?

  - I want to know the status of the patient Eric Amat.

  - Are you family? - Replied the receptionist, looking with amazement at the bill.

  - My name is Shara Marst - she said calmly -. The receptionist's expression turned white as paper, and Shara continued: - You can keep the money but tell me qui
ckly what I need to know, or you can receive a later visit from my father's friends - the last words she said almost in a whisper. You see, I'm just worried about Eric. We are friends.

  The receptionist crumpled the bill between her fingers and looked around to make sure no one was listening.

  - Eric Amat has died this morning, she whispered. They came in dressed as policemen and they killed him, under the supervision of the inspector himself ... but I thought the Marst ...

  - The Marst have nothing to do with this - Shara interrupted.

  They had silenced Eric ... She could not believe it. So, they were willing to go that far ... The receptionist looked at her with anguish, almost holding her breath.

  - Are they going to take the body to the laboratory?

  - No, ma'am ... - the receptionist whispered more and more softly

  - The inspector has insisted that nobody should know what has happened. They have the room guarded and they want us to keep bringing food so that nobody suspects anything.

  Interesting, Shara thought, and very unhelpful. The new inspector had no real idea how things worked here, the whole city would know soon.

  - Thank you - Shara told the receptionist, before turning around.

  She got back into the car and sat there, looking in the rearview mirror. She could see the main door of the hospital behind her. Patients came in and left.

  Shara wondered if she should wait to meet with Inspector Lowe to get to know what had happened, although she already knew what had happened, she thought. Shaking her head, she turned the car key to have it start.

  It was at that moment that she saw her. She walked slowly, clinging to her cane, but with determination. Mrs. Rios came to visit Eric.

  Sahara saw her enter and imagined what would happen in the waiting room. The old woman would bribe the receptionist the same way that she herself had done and discover Eric's condition. The receptionist, less astonished than the first time, would hide the bill in the pocket of her dressing gown and wonder how long Eric's body would be in custody and how lucrative it was going to be for her.

  After 10 minutes, Shara saw the old woman in the rearview mirror again. She came out with a rueful expression and clutching her stomach.

  Shara opened the car door and got out. She approached the lady at a brisk pace and intercepted her at the last level of the stairs.

  Missus Rios, she murmured, though loud enough for the lady to hear her.

  The woman looked at her in surprise, wondering where she had come from. It took only a few seconds to recognize her, even though it had been years since they had last seen each other.

  - You ...

  - Do you mind if we talk a few minutes?

  - I have nothing to talk about with you! The woman shouted and tried to move away from Shara without success.

  - It is important. Eric is dead. You could be next. The old woman stopped and looked at her with scorn.

  - Are you threatening me?

  - No, quite the opposite. Shara searched carefully for the words she must say to convince her. I have not had anything to do with the death of Eric.

  - How could I? It's been the kids, everyone knows. - But I have not had anything to do with it.

  - You see, since the death of ...

  The old woman seemed to understand what was happening and a smile came to her face.

  - So they do not obey you anymore ...

  - I need your help.

  - I cannot help you, Shara. I have to go.

  - Yes, you can.

  - But, look at me? Look at this cane. I cannot even walk with ease - said the old woman, while waving her cane in the air -. What can I do?

  - Red is in the mansion, they have Neil.

  - I'm so sorry but ...

  - I know they're coming to visit you tonight - Shara lied. The old woman's eyes widened, confirming her suspicions.

  - How ...?

  - It is to be expected - Shara felt a surge of relief, that she had managed to catch the attention of the lady.

  - I can help you if you help me.

  - Do you think they will try ...? - They would not dare ...

  - I would not be so sure, look what they did to Eric.

  - But ...

  - I can send someone to pick you up.

  - No - the lady was suddenly very serious -. You are the one who has to come. You are the only one who can stop them.

  The phrase caught her by surprise, she had not expected this. Did the old woman mean that she trusted her to end Red's problem? Could she really do it? It was the first time that she doubted herself ...

  - I'll be there.

  - They said they'll come past nine.

  - Okay.

  Shara felt the need to hug the lady, as she should have done long ago, before things went the other way ... But she stopped herself, turned around and left. Half an hour later she was in the Marst tavern, sitting at the bar, listening to Karla. - ...

  - They go around sticking their noses in everywhere and I have already told them that the next time they return I will throw a glass at their heads.

  - They are children, it is normal - she tried to calm down Shara.

  - Normal, nothing of the sort, I have raised my son to behave himself with more respect.

  - Speaking of your son, how is he?

  - Well, somewhere out there - she interrupted the conversation, as if dismissing it, but without completely deceiving Shara.

  - What have you heard from the others?

  - David has gone to investigate, he should be here soon.

  - David? - Karla asked, raising her eyebrows -. The newspaper delivery guy?

  - Yes.

  - Do you think he can ...

  - I do not have many options, Karla. He will have to be able to do it.

  - Well, but I only say that ... At that precise moment, a tall, dark and thin young man rushed into the tavern, as if someone was following him.

  - David! Are you okay? - Shara asked, making him sit on a stool next to her.

  - Yes, yes. I've come as fast as I could.

  - Okay. - I think they have not followed me.

  - Even if they followed you it did not matter, they know where the tavern is situated.

  - Ah, yes, sure ... - The boy seemed disappointed.

  - Well, tell me.

  David became excited again and began:

  - I went to the mansion.

  - Yes.

  - They were all there!

  - That's what I thought. How many are there?

  - I think ... - David started counting on his fingers -. About ten? Fifteen at the most. Sahara looked at him carefully. Could she trust the boy? Fifteen were not that many ... Could it be that not all were on Red’s side? And then, where were the others?

  - Was there a prisoner? - Shara asked.

  - I have not seen any.

  - Someone standing guard?

  - Yes, there were a couple at the front door and others at the back door. There could be more inside the house, I could not see well from the window ... And I thought that if I looked more accurate they would discover me ...

  - Okay, you have done well.

  - Karla - the waitress approached her right away - I want you to make some calls. Find out who is on my side still ... or who is too afraid to leave home. - Right now. - Be discreet, we do not want Red to discover that we do not have anyone now.

  - Yes.

  - David, come with me, I'm going to teach you how to handle a gun.

  - One that ...? - The boy's eyes were coming out of their sockets -.

  Shara got up and took the boy with her to the back room.

  Karla picked up the telephone receiver next to the bar and dialed a number. A male voice answered at the other end of the line:

  - Yes?

  - It's me, Karla said. Shara knows where you are.

  - It does not matter, we have everything under control.

  - Be careful, Red.

  - Stop worrying, I'm not a child anymo
re. The call was cut off, and Karla stared at the receiver with a sad expression. It's true, he was not a child anymore ...

  CHAPTER 9

  Tracks

  The autopsy report finally arrived, but it seemed to be taken from an Agatha Christie novel: Lisa had died of a concussion to her head, and then she had been shot. Why?

  Lowe had not encountered similar cases before. Why kill someone and then shoot to kill again? Unless one wanted to mask the first assassination attempt ... Or to pretend it was a robbery? But ... nobody had taken the money or the dead woman's jewelry! What if it had been an accident? Why shoot then?

  In any case, the answers seemed to be in the tavern. He was beginning to consider arresting someone, Lowe thought, as he walked to the door of the tavern, followed by Col and Setti. Reticent, both followed him a couple of steps back, in silence, as if they were afraid of the place.

  Lowe crossed the threshold and immediately saw the waitress in the back, cleaning the bar, as if some customers had just left. However, judging by the appearance of the site, Lowe felt it had not had many customers in recent days.

  The detective sat on a stool next to the bar, while facing the look of contempt of the waitress. Col and Setti preferred to stand by the door, as if they wanted to make sure of having an escape route in case things went badly.

  - Any news? - The detective asked.

  Karla left what she was doing with a gesture of despair and approached the detective reluctantly.

  - No - she said, moving her lips slowly.

  - I do have news.

  - What an illusion - she replied, ironically.

  - Lisa was hit on the head with an elongated object. Something like a bottle - the detective paused, noting Karla's nonexistent reaction, but then continued:

  - She had the bad luck to be hit on the exact spot at the back of the neck that causes immediate death. Do you think it is was accidental?

  - Are you asking me?

  - Yes.

  - How will I know?

  - Because Lisa was here during her last night. And this place is full of bottles.

  - What do you mean, detective? Be careful, in this city they respect me.

  - Nobody said anything about respect, Karla. I'm just trying to find out what happened.