by Kate Banco
“Yes,” I mumble.
CHAPTER 7
Oswego, New York
The details from this morning come back to me and I imagine myself back at the palatial house on the lake. I remember when Sam leaned forward and said to me, “You’ll remember this moment for the rest of your life, no matter where you go, where you work or who you meet. You will remember this opportunity. Everything you do in the future will revolve around what happens here.”
I must have had a puzzled look on my face because Mary Ellen said, “Margarita, don’t be scared, it’s a good opportunity. We aren’t going to hurt you.”
“Let’s hear it, I’m not sure I can wait any longer,” I say.
“Okay, we want to recruit you to work for us. Joy recommended you and said you are an exceptional investigator, speak two languages and you are a kind person. We need someone like you. We run a private investigation service, you might say. We will be recruiting more people, but you are one of the ones we chose to start in the initial training. You can then help train others. How does that sound?” Sam asked.
I looked over at Joy. She is both smiling and shaking her head yes, as if to tell me to do the same thing. I think about how I was also pushed to train others at Fish Camp. I have no idea why I’m again chosen to train others. Do I have some special ability I’m unaware of?
“Could there be a trial period? Can I give it a try and then if I feel uncomfortable or it interferes with my studies I can come to you and say I want to quit?”
Sam hesitated and said, “Unfortunately, no. Once you are in you can’t just quit. You can move to other agencies but you can’t quit. You will have too much knowledge and we can’t let you go back to the community and work at a supermarket or the taco shop. You will have skills and knowledge others won’t have.”
I wondered why he mentioned taco shop, he must know about my family. Is it possible he could know about our relocation with WITSEC? I don’t think so, it is top secret and only a few people know about us. What if I join up with this group and it endangers my family, I have to think about them.
“Sam, Mr Mason…”
“Call me Sam please,” he smiled.
“My concern is I can’t share anything with my husband or family. I’m not used to keeping secrets from them. We are very close. It may be difficult for me to say yes if I have to lie so much to my family. I am flattered you asked me to join you, even more flattered you want me to train others but I’m just not sure.”
“Would it help if you knew one of the other members of our group? It’s someone you know.”
“Yes, it would help, I think.”
Sam reached in his drawer and pulled out a remote, he clicked on the TV on the wall. He moved the mouse around on his desk until he found what he wanted. He then clicked on the remote once more. On the big screen some pictures started to show up, at first they were shuffled, then he clicked one more time on his computer. In front of me was a picture I recognized well.
“What? Are you kidding me? He works with you? I can’t believe it, how can that be?” I asked.
“Not kidding, Professor Ricks works with us in his free time. He also recommended you, actually he gave you the highest recommendation.”
“What is it you all do? I’m not sure I understand,” I said.
“You’ll learn as you get trained. Let’s just say we help people who need help. Someone else you know also works here, I think this will be a bigger surprise.”
I’m sure the puzzled look on his face made him smile. He scrolled through more files on his computer and clicked on another picture. I looked at the screen and couldn’t believe it. It was Marilyn. How could she work here? Especially since she was just kidnapped. The confusion washes over me and I feel faint.
“Are you okay?” Mary Ellen asks.
“Yes, it’s just Marilyn was kidnapped. Is this a kidnapping?” I whisper.
“No, it isn’t a kidnapping,Margarita. You are safe.” Mary Ellen says.
“We will get Marilyn back from New York City as soon as the police release her. She is on of our employees. We are aware of her situation. I helped her get away from her so-called aunt in New York.
“So, you are the man who helped her and Vivian escape from the night club?” I ask.
“We helped Marilyn. She will be living here when she gets back from New York City. She is safe. She is a perfect example of grow you own employee. We helped her out of a situation and then recruited her to work for us. She also has excellent investigative skills.”
“Okay, I’ll let you in on a secret Margarita if this helps. Marcos and Dana could be recruited next round. You may not have to lie for very long. Once you’ve finished your training we will begin the next round of recruitment. Does that help?”
“It would make me feel a lot better if I didn’t have to lie to them,” I said.
“I understand, it could be just for a short time,” Sam answers.
“Are you ready to join us?” Mary Ellen asked with a smile.
I think back to how alone I was when I crossed the border by myself, how I had to make decisions for myself. How I learned to deal with Tío Enrique and there was no one there to help me. I am strong. If I wasn’t strong I wouldn’t be here now. If they are going to recruit Marcos and Dana it won’t hurt for me to get started first. I convince myself it’s ok.
“If you think you will be recruiting Marcos and Dana, I will join you. I’m not sure I want to work long term here without my husband. It will be difficult to lie to him for so long. If Margarita works for you I might feel better about it,” I said.
“Great, let’s get you started then. First we need to get you an ID and Mary Ellen will take your vital signs and check you over a little bit.”
“Do I need to do all of that today? I do have class at ten.”
“It won’t take long, we have a system here that streamlines everything.”
I followed her to the next room that resembles a doctor’s examination room. Mary Ellen has me step in front of a camera to take my picture. It instantly showed up in my chart on her computer.
“We put your photo on your ID along with your blood type. I’ll type your blood when I’m drawing some samples.”
“Why do you need blood?” I asked.
“First off, for our young ladies we want to make sure they aren’t pregnant. Are you?” She asked.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Well, we always check to make sure. If you are pregnant the training would be different. We would still train you, but for different things. We also check for diabetes and to see if you have any infections. We want you healthy when you start your training. Let me listen to your heart,” she said as she pulled out a stethoscope.
Mary Ellen took my blood pressure, two tubes of blood and weighed me. All of the info was typed in the computer. She looked in my eyes, my throat and ears.
“Any illnesses? Frequent colds or headaches?” She asked.
“No, I do have some anxiety issues. A doctor gave me some meds to help me.”
“Do you have any idea what brings them on, or what caused them to begin with?” She asked with a concerned look on her face.
I think fast. What should I tell her. I can’t tell her I was almost kidnapped and thought my whole family had been killed to later find out they were okay.
“A car accident I think. I was in an accident and it makes me feel like I can’t control things around me,” I lied.
“That will do it. What meds are you taking?”
“Lorazepam, I think. But I only take it when I get panicky. The doctor said it’s okay because it makes me sleepy.” I explained.
“Sounds like you have what you need. If you need any more just let me know. We can get you another prescription,” She said.
Mary Ellen turned and made a note on her computer. I see
her turn the printer on and click print. I expect a print out of my records. But she handed me a laminated ID badge.
“You’ll need to carry this with you at all times especially when you are here. The guard at the front gate will ask to see it every time you come in. Any questions?” She asked
“No, will you let me know the results of blood tests?”
“Yes, but your blood type is already on your badge. O negative.”
“Why do you need to know that?”
“Well, once you start training we need to know in case you get injured. It’s information all of our trainees have on their badges. Here look at mine,” She said as she showed me her badge.
“Where am I going to hide this? What if Marcos sees it?” I said.
“Look at it, Margarita. What does it say?”
I looked down and saw my name, picture, blood type and TRAINEE printed across the top. It doesn’t say any agency or company. It could be a badge made for me to ride along with Joy. It doesn’t indicate anything about Sam Mason or his business.
“Wait, can I see your badge again?” I asked.
Mary Ellen showed me her badge and I see an official-looking seal with Forensics Camp printed on it. Is this what this is called? Forensics Camp? What a coincidence! First I went to Fish Camp, now I’m at Forensics Camp. Is that a coincidence or is fate playing a silly game on me?
“Will I be part of Forensics Camp and get another badge when I complete the training?” I asked.
“Yes,”Mary Ellen said.
Joy walked with me back to her car. She didn’t say anything until we were on our way out of the gate.
“Well?” She asked.
“Joy, I’m terrified. What if I signed papers and it causes Marcos and I a problem with our school or with our marriage? But I am happy Marilyn is safe and back in Oswego.”
“Margarita, breathe. Stop and breathe,” she said as she pulled the car over.
Tears start to run down my face and I try to control them. Joy handed me a tissue and waited while I got myself under control.
“Okay, you haven’t known me for a long time, but believe me I wouldn’t put you in danger. I work for the county and I help people. I don’t recruit people who I don’t think can handle what Sam asks. Can you trust me? You’ll feel better once Marcos is recruited, and I can tell you that now that we have you signed up, his recruitment will be soon. We want both of you. Both of you are intelligent, bilingual and young. We need people like you on our side.”
“Your side? Who is on the other side?” I asked.
“Bad people doing bad things to innocent people,” she answered.
I think back to when I was alone with Tío Enrique and the possibility of what he told me he would do if I didn’t go to Fish Camp. I shudder to think I could have become a victim of sex trafficking, and the idea that my own uncle would sell me to traffickers. I would do almost anything to stop people like him. Joy doesn’t know my Tío Enrique, but if I told her I’m okay with helping innocent people get away from bad people I would have to explain my past. I can’t do that, it would give away too much information about my time before moving to Oswego.
“I want to help you. I trust you, but please recruit Marcos as soon as possible. I don’t like lying to him,” I said as I wiped my face and put the tissue in my pocket.
“Are you ready to go to class now?” Joy asked.
“Yes, I’m ready. I don’t want to be late.”
I don’t think Joy ever turns down the possibility to drive fast. She started the car and revved the engine. Hold on to your hat, Margarita. I’ll get you there on time, I don’t have go-faster stripes on my car for nothing,” she said with a wicked smile.
Chapter 8
Baja, Mexico
The rattle of the old car on the dirt road sounds like gunshots as the gravel hits the side of the car. We rumble down the highway, and the dust drifts in through the open windows and covers us like an old horse blanket.
When I look at my Abuelita, I laugh out loud and say,“Mira Abuelita, Ud. tiene la cara como un vaquero” Your face is dirty like the face of a cowboy. Abuelita laughs and takes out a small mirror from her satchel. She quickly looks at her face in the mirror and then hands it to my brother and me. We both look in the mirror and giggle,“Somos cowboys también.” We are cowboys too.
The trip from the ranchito into town is long and bumpy. My Papá says it will take a little over three hours if we are lucky. If we aren’t lucky, we will need to spend the night along the road if the car breaks down or if we have a flat tire. We left the ranch without a spare and Papá hopes we can make it to town without having a flat.
I reach in to my pocket and pull out a tattered picture. It is the only picture I have left of my mother. My Papá told me to keep the picture safe or I will forget what my Mamá looks like. I always carry it in my pocket but I worry every day I’ll lose it or it will be torn even more. When we arrive in California, I’ll search for a better place to keep the picture safe.
When the car turns the corner, I hear a loud thud and wonder what happened. I hear my Papá mutter under his breath and pull the car over. He gets out to look over the front of the car; there stuck to the radiator of the car is a half-dead vulture. A dead rabbit is in the road surrounded by vultures, it didn’t move fast enough as a car came around the corner. Now, the vulture has become food for his friends. My Papá grabs the bird from the front of the car and throws it in the road next to the rabbit. The other vultures swoop down right away and start tearing the bird apart. Each bird grabs a part of their amigo, escapes and feasts on their friend.
“¡Buitres!” Says my Papá. “Damn birds, they’ll eat their own friends. Remember that Ricardo, people are the same, because if they need to knock you down to eat, they will. Beware of the vultures in your life. That’s why we have to move to California. The damned vulture of my brother took away our house and work.
I think about what my Papá has said. Is that true? Did my uncle steal our house and job? I will have to ask Abuelita later. I know Papá doesn’t want to talk about it now.
Everyone takes a drink of water from the jug in the back of the car and gets back in to the dusty car. We have about one more hour until we get to Uruapan. There we can stop, eat and find a place to sleep.”
My brother Memo, Abuelita and I settle back in the seats, close our eyes and hope for sleep. If Papá says it is only one hour away we all knew it is at least two. Papá always exaggerates when he talks about time or distance and he only does it to make us believe we are close to our destination. We all know he is trying to make us relax. It has only been a few weeks since he lost his wife and our mother. He still sings to her every night before he goes to sleep. I can hear Papá serenade my Mamá with the love songs every night from the back porch of our farmhouse. I want to join Papá and sing to my Mamá too, but I know he wouldn’t welcome me. I will have to find my own way to mourn the loss of my Mamá. Each day I write her a note. I start the day by writing.
Querida Mamá,
I miss you a lot but I’m okay. Abuelita takes care of Memo and me. Papá is very sad and he says we have to go to California. He says there is more work there and we can study English. I don’t want to go, but Papá tells me we all have to go.Tío Pedro came and I don’t know everything but I know Papá and Tío Pedro had a fight..I think that’s why we are leaving. I want to stay here where you are.
Tu hijo,
Ricardo
My younger brother Memo doesn’t know what is happening. One day Mamá was singing him to sleep and the next day she was gone. Someday he will understand, but not yet. Abuelita said it is best if we let him think Mamá is away on a trip. I don’t think that is a good idea, but that’s what Papá and Abuelita tell him. “Mamá is away on a trip. We miss her, but we can’t see her right now.”
Memo seems to believe the story they tell him and
is quite content to go on a road trip. Perhaps he thinks we are going to meet Mamá in California. We jolt to a stop and all three passengers in the back seat sit up and say, “Qué pasa?”
Papá says, “Estamos aquí. We are here. Let’s get something to eat. I know the owner of the taquería on the corner. Let’s stop there and order some food. Then we can find a place to spend the night.”
All three of us exit the back seat and stretch our arms as if we had been on a 10-hour drive. Our faces and hair covered in dust make us look like ghosts.
“Brush yourselves off a little bit, you look like a fantasma.” Abuelita says.
Abuelita brushes us off and then she cleans her own face with a damp handkerchief. She pours water from the jug in the back of the car on her pañuelo and first wipes her face clean, then rinses it and hands it to me. Memo and I wash off as much dirt as possible. We all turn to follow Papá to the taqueriá on the corner.
Papá’s feet drag and his back is hunched over. I’ve noticed since Mamá died his steps are a just a little bit slower like he doesn’t want to keep going. I overheard him tell Abuelita that if it weren’t for Memo and me he doesn’t know if he could go on. I’ve seen him put on a smile before he talks to Memo or me. He doesn’t want Memo to know.
As we enter the taquería I hear, “¡Hombre, cuánto tiempo! How are you? Where are Rosa and the kids? Is she still in the car?”
Papá introduces his friend to us as Paco. My Papá’s friend can’t know about my mother. He asked about her. Asked if she was still in the car. He looks so happy to see us, but give him a minute when Papá tells him the bad news.
Memo shouts out, “Mi mamá está de viaje.” He has to tell everyone my mom is on a trip. He sounds so excited to share that news. I see Paco look at Papá and he motions him to the kitchen. He tells us to find a table and sit down. I watch as my father follows his friend in to the kitchen. I hear a woman say hello to my father, and it must be the owner’s wife. I hear her name is Teresa.
“¡Ay, no! Tell me it’s not true,” I hear Teresa say from the kitchen. I see Paco move closer to hug my father. Teresa looks out from the kitchen to see us sitting at the table waiting. She takes a deep breath and walks out of the kitchen to say hello to us.”