Who is Shara Marst? (The Pireia files.)

by Ines Galiano

- Col looked at him with his mouth open. The inspector angrily took off his jacket while saying:

  - Okay, While I get in the bucket, you stand guard, one on each side. I want to know exactly what happens in the street. Especially if you see those three criminals leave Mrs. Rios' house.

  They both nodded, relieved that they did not have to get into the dumpster and exchanged glances, as if they thought their boss had gone mad.

  He climbed up using a kind of decorative ornament that the cubes had until he could see the inside of the container. The darkness prevented him from seeing anything. With an effort not to fall, he pulled a small flashlight out of his jacket pocket and put it in his mouth. He zoomed it back into the cube and what he saw almost made him fall flat on his back. Trying to keep calm and without moving his mouth, so that the flashlight would not fall into the depths, he focused more carefully again, to make sure that he had seen what he thought he had seen: a corpse. Or to be more exact, another corpse that needed to be added to the list since he had arrived in the city. He could not see exactly who it was, because the clothes covered with blood hid the entire face and any other sign of recognition. However, there was no doubt that what he was seeing had a human form and that it was not moving.

  Giving a sigh, he jumped down again and looked at his teammates.

  - Do we have a problem.

  - Yes, sir, they just left. And they were taking the lady with them - Setti whispered, from his crouched position against the container.

  - How?! Lowe motioned for him to make room and looked in turn at the old woman's house. The three men he had seen earlier had the lady strongly by her arm and almost forced her to run in the direction opposite to the containers, where a big black car had just appeared.

  - What do you want us to do? - Col asked at his back.

  - To the car! Quick! - The inspector said, jumping up and running again to the police car

  - We go after them!

  His companions followed him, and both climbed into the car, at the same time that the old woman was also pushed inside the great black car.

  - Col, follow the black car keeping a prudent distance, so they do not notice us.

  - Yes, boss.

  - Setti, call the police.

  - Aren’t we the police? - Answered Setti, confused.

  - Call the office and ask them to send a team to these containers. Let them bring an ambulance too.

  - An ambulance, boss?

  - There is a body inside the container - the inspector answered without giving more details.

  CHAPTER 12

  Reunions

  The boy was still sobbing on the floor despite Shara's words. She was trying to comfort him, to tell him that everything would be fine, but it was not working. Desperate, Shara decided to change tactics.

  - Want to die?

  David looked at her surprised between tears.

  - Answer me, do you want to die?

  - No, of course not...

  - Well, stop acting like a baby then. Your hands are untied. Take off your bandage right now and look at me.

  David shook his head.

  - I do not want to see you naked.

  - Naked?

  - Yes, that man said he had you tied up and naked.

  Shara sighed, it never ceased to amaze him how childish Red could be.

  - I'm dressed. Red has lied to you. Now untie that bandage and look at me.

  David obeyed her reluctantly and slowly took his hands to the bandage that covered his eyes. The bandage fell on his lap, but David did not open his eyes yet. Little by little, first with one eye and then the other, he looked at her surprised, but full of joy, as if he loved discovering that she was intact. And dressed.

  - All right. Now unchain me, I'm starting to sting - David obeyed -. Okay, now, let's see what they left behind here.

  Shara rose from the chair with effort, still feeling pain in her head. She tried not to move too fast and went to the door that led to the corridor.

  - Do you hear something? – She asked the boy.

  - I don’t...

  - Perfect. I think they are gone.

  They went out into the hall and down the stairs. Shara turned right, followed by David, to exit through the same back door they had entered, but a sound from the kitchen made her stop.

  It seemed like a noise ...

  She ran down the hall, looking for that sound.

  - Miss Marst?

  But Shara did not answer until she reached the kitchen door and pressed her ear to the door.

  - Hello? - The sound grew stronger -. Hello?

  She placed her hand on the doorknob with care, while the confused David came up to her,

  With a sigh, she opened the door with a single push and then she saw him. There was Neil, bound and gagged seated in an equally uncomfortable chair. His eyes were blindfolded, so he could not recognize her, but she did not care. She ran to his side and hugged him.

  - Neil ...

  Neil reacted when he heard her voice and made that similar sound he had tried to make earlier to call their attention more strongly.

  Take off the blindfold, he seemed to want to say.

  - I am on it, I am on it...

  Shara untied him quickly and the blindfold fell to the floor.

  Neil looked at her and they embraced again.

  - So, he is not one of the bad guys? - David asked from the door.

  - No, he’s not one of them - replied Shara smiling -. But we do not have much time, they have the key.

  Neil stood up quickly and nodded.

  - The key to the safe box? – He asked.

  - Yes.

  - We must go then.

  - Yes, but ...

  - What happened, Neil? How did you get caught?

  - Shara ... have you seen Karla lately?

  Shara's gaze darkened.

  - That traitor ...

  - Remember I called you to tell you Lisa was in the tavern?

  - Yes, of course I remember Neil. I went to the tavern as soon as I hung up.

  - Really? But then you would have found Lisa dead ...

  - I saw her, Neil, I found her in Red's room, dead. He was not there, and Karla was asleep. I am sure it was Red's idea and that he wanted to blame it on me. It was a good plan to put the guys against me.

  - But did he kill her!

  - I was in the tavern ... and everyone knew I did not get along with her.

  Red would turn around and say that I placed Lisa in his room ... - Shara was not so sure whether it had been a good idea -. But I thought it was better to get her out of there ...

  - You moved her body?!

  - Yes, I took her to the tunnel and shot her - Shara spoke in whispers, as if confessing a weakness -. I did not know what to do, and you did not pick up the phone ...

  - I'm sorry, Shara.

  - Where were you?

  - You see, just after calling you, I saw Karla hit Lisa on the head with a bottle when I was about to leave. I turned quickly upon hearing the noise, but I think it was too late, Lisa must have hit her at the back of her neck, because she collapsed completely.

  - But why?

  - That's what I asked her.

  When she discovered that I had seen her, she went crazy and tried to hit me too. I did not want to hurt her, so I just pinned her to the counter ... but at that moment Red reappeared ... I think he had been waiting for Lisa to go up to his room ... at least that is what I heard them talk about afterwards.

  The fact is that he came down and stuck something in my leg, I fell to the ground and hit my head, I think. After that I do not remember much more.

  Shara looked at his leg, suddenly worried.

  - Do you need someone...?

  - No, they healed it, look - Neil hiked up his pants and showed her a large bandage with a crust -. It was not very deep, but they did not want me to bleed to death. I wouldn’t be of any use dead.

  - But why would Karla hit Lisa?

  - Shara ... Red is Karla'
s son - Neil said with a serious look, waiting for some reaction -.

  - I found out recently. Do not worry.

  Neil, I think Karla has lost the papers. That, or she wants to help her son get his father's job at all costs.

  - But what would Lisa have to do with it? I kicked her out of the tavern.

  - Everyone knows about your enmity with Lisa. They know you have reasons to want to see her dead and ...

  - And it would be very useful for the police to arrest me for something, right?

  - Exactly. - But Neil ... the police do not have any evidence against me! They cannot prove anything. I do not know what they had in mind in order to blame you, Shara. But that's what I sense from what little I could hear being here - Neil said, somewhat annoyed by so much questions -. I've been tied for almost two days - he said rubbing his wrists.

  - Wow, for two days! - David exclaimed, reminding them that he was still with them -. How did you handle that? I was bandaged for about fifteen minutes and I almost wet myself.

  Neil looked at him somewhat surprised and gave Shara an inquisitive look.

  - He's helping me, but he's new to this.

  - What about the boys?

  - You have not seen them? They're all with him.

  - Including Ricardo?

  - It's precisely him that is suffering the most with the death of Lisa. you know? I think that in a way Red’s plan has worked. They have left me all alone.

  - You are not alone. I'm here.

  - And me! - David shouted. Sahara looked at both between being worried and amused and said simply:

  - I need a cigarette.

  After quickly updating Neil on what she had done during these two days, they decided that they should get to the safe before Red and the others.

  - The good thing, Shara is that only you know where it is hidden.

  - Yes, but ... and if they already found it?

  - Is it that easy to find?

  - No, the truth is that I am not sure that I am able to remember it myself.

  - Well. - You must try, Shara, it is the only way to recover what is yours.

  - Do you think they will listen to me if I open the box?

  - They have no choice but to accept.

  They were sitting at the kitchen table, and David looked at them as if they had gone mad:

  - But what's in the box? - He asked timidly.

  Shara and Neil looked at him.

  - I mean, he added nervously, what's in the box that's so important? Isn’t there something we can get without having to go to there ...?

  - Shara realized that the boy might have a good idea.

  - She turned to Neil.

  - And if we make them believe that we have it? Will that work?

  Neil looked uncomfortable:

  - I do not know, Shara, it's not something you should play with ...

  - Play? I'm not playing. I am the one who knows where the box is, and the documents are mine, right?

  - Yes, but ...

  - They will not find the box without my help, so I can tell them that I have them ...

  - But Red has the key! And by now everyone will know.

  - Do you think so? Would Red tell others that he has the key, but he does not know where the box is? That does not seem like a good tactic.

  - That's why we must find the documents before them!

  - When I take out the documents from the box they will be in danger.

  - I do not think it’s a good idea. - Documents? - David asked again -. Is this all about some documents?

  - David, those documents contain valuable evidence and information about my father's work that involves everyone. No one is interested in letting that come to light.

  - And that is why the one in possession of these documents has the power - Neil added impatiently and insisted to Shara: -.

  - That's why we need them.

  - No, Red needs them, not me. Everyone knows I still have them.

  - But - the boy interrupted them again -, what if ...

  -Boy, this conversation is going nowhere - interrupted Neil irritated.

  - Enough! Right now David can help me as much as you! - Shara exclaimed, annoyed.

  David looked at them blushed and did not dare to speak.

  - Do you have any ideas?

  - I ... well, you know that my father ... works in the print shop ...

  Shara had almost forgotten that David was still the kid with the newspapers.

  Neil asked, annoyed:

  - And what is the plan? Print false information? Who's going to swallow that, Shara? -

  Shara made a gesture with her hand to quiet him and encouraged David to continue talking.

  - The fact is that I know where he keeps the key ... and where they keep the articles that are printed in the early hours ...

  - Yes, and? - Neil repeated.

  - Do not be obtuse, Neil - snapped Shara -. It is a magnificent idea! – She shouted standing up and pulling the boy's arm to make him stand up as well.

  - Do it.

  - Now? - David looked at her blushing, as if he had never expected them to listen to him, much less to agree with him.

  - Do what? - Asked Neil, confused - Fake documents?

  - No, Neil - Shara shook her head - David is going to publish a new article that will be in tomorrow's newspaper.

  - An article?

  - Yes, an article stating that the police have found the box with the documents.

  - The police? - Neil was completely open-mouthed.

  - Run, I'll explain it to you - Shara encouraged David, giving him a little nudge towards the door -.

  - He will add that they are in code and that they believe that I am the only one who can decipher them - she whispered in his ear, just before opening the door.

  Out into the street pushing David into the darkness of the night.

  - Yes, ma'am - David said, smiling and started running.

  Shara closed the door and turned to Neil, who was looking at her with a frown.

  - The police finding the documents? What good is that going to do?

  - You'll see, Neil.

  - How so? - He tried to take a deep breath to calm himself down.

  Shara ... we must open that box as soon as possible. Before they find Red and Karla!

  - They will not find it.

  - How are you so sure? - Because it is well buried.

  I assure you that you can dig for ever unless you do know exactly where you are going to find it. They will need many days.

  - What if ...

  - No, Neil, they do not have days to lose, you saw that they left running because of the police.

  - And what will your plot in the newspaper

  bring you?

  - It'll bring me back a few.

  Neil looked like he was fuming, but you could see he was trying hard to calm down.

  Although his reaction hurt her, Shara decided not to take it to heart. After all, Neil had been locked and tied up for two full days, it was normal that he wanted to do something quickly and put an end to all that as soon as possible.

  However, Shara was sure that airing those documents was not going to be good for anyone and she was not sure that the documents would give her back control of the organization.

  If she took them out of hiding, how long would it take them to take them back?

  Until now Red had not been able to do anything to her, because there were still certain rules in the organization. Besides, they would not kill her while she was still the owner of the evidence, but who guaranteed her that she would not be killed later? On the other hand, there was the case of the inspector, but honestly, how long would it take to kill the new inspector and put an end to the problem? They might try to blame her first for the murder of Lisa and for Eric Amat's, but if that did not work, they would simply charge them all, including herself and the police inspector, as they had done with the previous inspector ...

  The Marst had always preferred to get along wi
th the police organization. However, in times of crisis we had to do whatever was necessary.

  Shara was sure that Red, or for sure, Karla, would not leave any loose ends. Thinking of Karla made her shiver. She could not believe she'd betrayed her like that after so many years. How many years had she been lying and hiding that Red was her son? And for what? What was the use of hiding it? Had her father bothered? No, Shara was sure that Marst would have welcomed him into the organization with joy, in the same way that he had done so even before knowing the relationship between the two. Karla had served many years in the tavern; the truth being that there was no explanation ...

  A knock on the door took her out of her reverie.

  Neil reacted first and ran to the door.

  - Your child has backed out? - Neil asked mockingly, putting an ear to the door. But Shara was quite surprised.

  - Open the door! Police! Neil jumped up and walked away in the opposite direction. He made a gesture of silence to Shara and whispered,

  - Let's go through the other door.

  - Why? - Shara answered.

  - It's the police! - Neil said, as if that was enough explanation.

  - We do not have to hide from the police right now. Now that you are free, you can tell them exactly what happened! They will go after Red and they will help us.

  - After Red? Do you really think that they will believe me?

  - Yes.

  - No, Shara, for them I have simply been hiding with Red for several days. They will say that I ...

  - No, just tell them what you have told me.

  Another, louder knock on the door, shaking the wood was heard:

  - Open! I know you are there!

  - Shara - Neil tried to make her see reason -, you do not know what incriminating evidence they might have about you. And right now, we cannot afford to waste time, while the others find the documents that ...

  - I'm going to throw the door down!

  - They have nothing against me. Haven’t you seen them? Red and the others ran away terrified. If they had something on me, they would have opened the door quietly and would have handed me over.

  - This is the last time I tell you to open the door or ...

  Shara walked quickly to the big wooden door and opened it gently.

  - That will not be necessary, inspector - She said quietly as she opened the door -. Come in.

  The inspector looked at her in amazement from the other side of the threshold, looking terrible. The three policemen were soaked from top to bottom and it looked like they had come running up hill. The inspector gave her a furious look and crossed the threshold.