Truth or Lies?

by A. Gomez

  “Davis.” I looked at him with pleading eyes. “Is there any way you can break into my house?” Davis started laughing. He wasn’t just laughing, he was guffawing…and very loudly. The door started opening, he pushed me behind him, drew his gun and kicked the door the rest of the way open, pointing the gun at whoever was behind it.

  “Ouch!” It was a girl’s voice. I peeked under Davis’ arm and saw that it was my cousin from Spain.

  “Belín!” I squealed with delight. “What are you doing here? When did you get in?” I ran to her and gave her a big hug. She kissed me on both cheeks, rubbing her head where the door hit her.

  “I just got in about an hour ago and tried calling you to see if you could pick me up from the airport but you didn’t answer, so I took a taxi.” Everyone always found her charming, not just men but women as well. Her Spanish accent was so attractive.

  She was grinning and gazing at Davis. “¿Quién es el guapo con vos?” she asked, “Who is the handsome man with you?” She threw me off guard with her question. I never really looked at Davis that way. I paused for a second, turned to eye him and nodded in assertion. Yes, I supposed he was cute with his dark hair and blue eyes, and he was now sporting a five o’clock shadow.

  “Oh, Belín this is…” and I looked at Davis, just then realizing I didn’t know his first name. “Davis, I’m so sorry but it never occurred to me to ask you what your first name is.”

  “It’s Benjamin, my name is Benjamin John Davis,” he replied, politely extending his hand so she could shake it. She took his hand and planted a kiss on both of his cheeks as well. By the look on his face, I thought she took him by surprise. I giggled.

  “I am very happy to meet you Benjamin.” She grinned widely, not taking her eyes off of him.

  “Davis is, uh…,” I didn’t really know how to describe my relationship with him to her. “He’s assigned to the same case I’m working on right now. He’s one of the FBI agents on it.” Her eyes lit up, still looking at him. “Davis, this is my Spanish cousin, her name is also Isabel but the family calls her Belín and they call me Isabel Grace, just so there’s no confusion. She’s a journalist and is always chasing a story in some war-torn region or in a third world country. She’s never really anywhere just to visit or relax,” I offered. “If she’s there, or here for that matter, that means there’s a story. I don’t know how she does it.” I gave her another kiss on the cheek. I was actually glad she couldn’t stop staring at Davis: this way she didn’t notice all the dried blood on my clothes.

  Belín jumped right in and started firing questions at him. Must be the journalist in her, but I thought Davis was happy to answer her as best he could. He peppered her with questions as well so neither of them was at a loss for conversation.

  “Belín, why don’t you and Davis, I mean Ben, make us a snack and open some wine while I clean up? Yes?”

  “Oh, yes, that is a perfect idea until dinner. And don’t worry about your dog, Isabel, I already took care of him.” She took his arm and led him to the kitchen. I believed Ben was taken off guard, so much so, he had forgotten to check my house. I smiled inwardly at his surprised demeanor.

  12

  I breathed a sigh of relief, happy to be home. I headed for my bedroom, practically giddy with anticipation, knowing I was about to get in a bubble bath. Before undressing, I decided to take a pain pill. My arm was throbbing. I poured a little lavender bubble bath and lavender bath salt in the tub and started the hot water. The lavender perfumed the air in my bathroom creating a serene ambiance. In a few minutes, the pain medication would kick in and I’d be in my own blissful world. I stepped in the tub and sank in, trying to keep my wounded arm out so as not to get it wet. The instructions were not to submerge the wound in water or try not to get it wet for the first twenty-four hours. I closed my eyes trying to relax and just take in the lavender aroma.

  I was so glad Belín was here for a visit. She always had such great stories to tell. I wondered how she got in. I don’t remember leaving a spare key outside anywhere. In fact, Davis and I couldn’t get in because I had forgotten my key. Oh shit! How did she get in? And why didn’t she say anything about the other agents coming down on her the way they did with Charles Andrew? I jumped out of the tub and got dressed in a hurry, trying my best not to hurt my aching arm. So much for relaxing and being in my own blissful world. I was feeling a little impaired—the medication must be taking effect. I hurried to the kitchen trying not to stumble. I flew in like a herd of cattle almost crashing into the table looking wild eyed and crazy.

  “I’m already on it, Isabel,” Davis said, while on his phone.

  “How do you know what I was going to say, if anything?” I asked.

  “Were you not going to ask Belín how she got in your house?”

  “Um, yeah,” I was starting to slur my words. “Good job, Davis. Keep up the good work.” I gave him a thumbs up and smiled. I must have looked comical since they both just laughed. I sat down to eat the tapas Belín put together while we waited for my mother and brother. She was sipping on some wine. The brisket in the oven smelled wonderful; the sumptuous smell and the tapas only sharpened my appetite. Davis was finally off the phone and came to sit with us.

  “So, what’s the verdict, Davis?” I asked, feeling a little too relaxed.

  “They all thought it was you coming home in a cab. I can’t say they’re idiots for thinking that because she looks just like you, Isabel, green eyes and everything,” he declared. “She was able to walk right in because Josh just took off. He didn’t worry about anything except finding you.”

  “They are idiots,” I exclaimed. “If they were paying any kind of attention they would’ve noticed that I left wearing one set of clothes and came back in another, hence not the real me, if they truly thought it was me. So, there you have it. Non-observant idiots.” Davis and my cousin glanced at each other both with grins on their faces. My eyes darted between both of them. “What?” I asked.

  “Isabel,” Belín said in her charming Spanish accent, “Shh, eat some more tapas. You’re not making any sense.” She pushed two plates toward me. I ate greedily. Davis kindly got me a drink to wash it down.

  “Ben was telling me how he left a career in medicine to join the FBI because he felt he could make a bigger difference in this agency,” Belín said.

  “Davis, you were a doctor?” I was shocked. “What kind of doctor were you?”

  “I was internal medicine. I practiced for seven years. I also did emergency medicine for a while and that’s when I decided I could do more good in the bureau. I treated a lot of young girls that were assaulted, raped or abused. All I could do was report it. It was frustrating.”

  “Is this not amazing?” Belín asked.

  “It certainly is impressive,” I agreed. “Are there any other agents like you, Davis?” I asked.

  “Why must you call him Davis? Ben is so much nicer, Isabel.” Belín kissed my cheek and hugged my neck.

  I snickered. “My apologies, Ben. I forget my mother’s side of the family is much more personal and loving than my father’s side.” I hugged her back. Ben was amused and enjoying how she was bossing me around.

  “Almost all the agents have a specialty,” he said. “For instance, my background is medicine, so I’m usually the one that’s looking at lab work or DNA samples or odd markings on bodies. Agent Stems has a background in law so she’s essentially a lawyer for the FBI and Josh’s background is in computer science and technology. He’s good with all things computer and tech. That also includes cell phones.” He seemed to emphasize that little tidbit about Josh.

  “I bet he is.” I frowned.

  He smiled patiently. “You get the idea.”

  My mother and brother walked in, making a ruckus, yelling for Belín. I guess they found out she was in town. Everyone hugged and kissed.

  “Your mother called me and said you were passing through here from Kosovo. Where are you going next?” My mother hugged her tight and kisse
d her on both cheeks. I got up to get another drink and saw Davis and my brother introducing themselves. They talked for a minute or two and then Charles Andrew went to Belín; they kissed, hugged and she poured him a glass of wine. My mother got busy in the kitchen, removing the brisket from the oven and taking all the sides she prepared earlier out of the fridge. While the brisket rested, she started heating up the sides and placed two birthday cakes on two different cake platters. Oops, I forgot to tell her Josh wasn’t joining us.

  Charlie sat next to Davis and started to nibble on the food. “Belín, your mom said you came in from Kosovo? Where to next?”

  “Yes, I was there investigating the sex trafficking. That country is number two in the world for sex trafficking. I discovered a great many things on how they operate and how they are able to lure young girls, even from countries as great as yours. Almost everyone, that is not an American, thinks that all Americans are rich and this couldn’t possibly happen in this country. However, as Ben knows,” she was stroking his arm, “it can happen here and does. My investigation has led me to Dallas. I am only here because Chicago was the only flight I could get…and I needed to leave very quickly. My boss in Madrid wants me back this week and won’t pay for me to continue on to Texas. He will no longer help me financially. He has said I have enough information for my story. I don’t agree. He told me if I pay for my own ticket to Dallas then he will consider letting me finish my investigation. He does not know how resourceful I am.” She winked at us.

  “Dallas!” Charlie’s voice was loud. “What luck! Dad comes back tomorrow to pick up Mom; you can just catch a ride with them. There’s plenty of room on the company jet for one more.”

  “Of course, whatever you need, Belín. You can tell me more later but right now, I would like to know why Isabel Grace is looking like she’s high and what happened to Agent Joshua Rockwall.” My mother wasn’t asking: she was demanding. I was feeling a little too relaxed but I didn’t feel high. My mother and brother looked at me and then at Davis, Belín looked down at the table and just sipped her wine. I shrugged and Charlie eyeballed me, leaned in closer and asked, “Are you really high? And if you are, can you share?” I puckered my face at him and pushed him away.

  “I am not high! I would never do that, Mom! I’m on pain medication and antibiotics. David prescribed them for me today because of a small incident that happened at the hospital this morning. Josh is not going to join us this evening or ever because he was shot.” Everyone gasped, my mother laid her hands on her chest and Belín covered her mouth in horror. “He’s fine, he’s alive and will make a full recovery. Agent Benjamin Davis will be taking his place.”

  “Oh, that poor boy. Do his parents know?” My mother was horrified.

  “I’m sure Josh called them once he was able to talk.” I was assuming.

  “Well, don’t you know, Isabel Grace? Didn’t you go see him?” she asked.

  “No, I didn’t,” and I gave her a stop talking about it and we’ll talk about it later look.

  “Oh,” was her only answer. “Well, then, we’re glad you’re here, Ben. I’m Catalina, Isabel Grace’s mom, but you can call me Cate and I think you’ve already met Charles Andrew, her brother. We’re celebrating Isabel’s birthday, so I hope you like the food and cake. I’d offer you wine but I’m assuming that’s a no for you?”

  “Yes, Dr. Langley, that’s right. But I will have some root beer if you have it.”

  “Of course. Isabel Grace, come help me, honey.” She headed for the pantry. I followed her in and she shut the door behind me. “So, why are you on pain medication and antibiotics, Isabel Grace Langley? You left that explanation out,” she adamantly demanded.

  “I can tell you now or I can tell you later when we’re alone. If you choose now then you have to promise me you will not get hysterical. We’re about to enjoy a lovely birthday dinner and I don’t want Ben to see how dysfunctional we can be.”

  “Oh, honey, we’re not dysfunctional, we’re real people,” she retorted, smiling lovingly at me.

  I took a deep breath and said, “I was shot in the arm. I’m okay, my arm is fine, David patched me up and made sure everything was fine with me and my arm.” My mother had her hand over her mouth, shocked at what I had just told her. Her eyes were welling up with tears and spilling over. She was trying to cry quietly. “Mama, I’m okay. Look at me, I’m fine. I’m here with you and Charles Andrew and Belín. Don’t cry.” I hugged her and she held me tight, rocking me side to side.”

  “Honey, I’m trying to not cry or be upset but those bastards shot at my baby with the intention to kill.”

  “But they missed. Josh did his job, mom. Look at me, I’m here and I’m fine.” I thought it best not to tell her that I shot one of the men or that I needed several bags of blood and fluids.

  “Yes, you’re right.” She let go of me and was drying her tears with the napkins. “Honey, that poor boy…I need to go thank him. I should have gotten him a better watch than what you told me to get for his birthday present. He put his life on the line for you.”

  Damn. I forgot all about the gift I asked my mother to buy. It wasn’t a good time to talk about Josh. “Let’s discuss all that later, Mama. Ben is probably wondering what happened to his root beer.” My mother composed herself and we headed back to the table with several root beers and glasses with ice. Everyone was already eating. Charles Andrew must have put on light music in the background, perhaps to give my mother and I some privacy. He was always good with reading situations between our mother and me. We sat down to eat. My mother and Belín were both sitting next to Ben. My mom poured his root beer into a glass full of ice and placed it next to his plate. Belín and Ben were talking. She kept touching his arm or his hand, flirting. Charles Andrew was throwing pieces of fat to Samson and petting him. It was a comforting scene. I fixed my plate and moved closer to Charles Andrew.

  “Thanks for the music. I know it was you that did that.” I hugged his neck.

  “You’re welcome. I knew what mom was up to when she took you in the pantry. I was thinking there might be a yelling match so I didn’t even think twice about it, but y’all kept it pretty tame.”

  “Nope, no yelling this time. Mom just cried a little and very quietly. And before you ask, no I didn’t make her cry…she was crying because someone tried to kill me today but only shot me in the arm. Hence, the pain meds and antibiotics.”

  Charlie choked on his wine. “Kill you! I know you said the Feds were here to protect you or whatever but I just thought it was more of a precaution kind of thing. I never actually thought something like that would happen!”

  “Yeah, me neither. But I’m okay…Josh did his job. Now, Ben has to take his place and who knows what might happen.” I’m sure Charlie could sense my melancholy mood.

  “So, why didn’t you go see him?” he asked.

  “I guess I should have at least gone to thank him or just see how he was doing. I just couldn’t bring myself to go…especially after I discovered he’s a playboy with several girls on the back burner.” I took a big bite of brisket.

  “Playboy? Isabel Grace, are you sure? He didn’t strike me as the type…that night I crashed your non-date, the way he was interacting with you and the way he kept looking at you…he just didn’t come across as a guy that would do that sort of thing. What makes you think he’s a playboy?”

  “I saw his phone and there were two girls on there, blowing kisses and talking about love. Need I say more?” I rolled my eyes in disgust.

  “Well, did you ask him about it?” He almost sounded like our mother.

  “Yes. No. Sort of. I didn’t ask him right away…I saw it on his phone, Charles Andrew! He would’ve just made up an excuse, so why bother? I instead left for the hospital without him to get some work done and he later followed me there. He said there was a good explanation for it but he couldn’t say what that was because it was work related.” I scoffed at the thought and drank my root beer.

  “And you did
n’t believe him?” he asked with a mouth full of brisket and sausage.

  “No, I didn’t believe him.” I looked up at my mom and she was busy talking to Ben and Belín.

  “Let me understand this, you saw other girls on his phone texting sweet nothings to Josh and a few pictures too, and you didn’t ask for an explanation. You just assumed it would be a lie so you didn’t bother? He then said there is a very good explanation but he can’t tell you because it has to do with his job. Is that correct so far?” He sat back in his chair and sipped his wine. “Did you ever bother to ask Ben here if Josh was telling the truth?”

  “Not exactly. I told Ben what I saw and he knew about all the pictures and texts. I never really asked him anything. Although, he answered by asking if that’s all I saw. He said there are usually more girls on his phone. The knife felt like it got pushed in a little deeper when he said that. He wasn’t at all surprised at what I said. It was more as if he was pondering on it. I felt like such an idiot.” I was pushing my food around my plate.

  “Isabel Grace, I don’t know how you really feel about Josh and I’m not going to speculate on what Ben is thinking…what I do know is what I saw with you and Josh,” he offered, wiggling his wine glass in front of me—his way of asking for more wine so he didn’t have to get up and get it. I reached across the table to get it and poured some in his glass. He took a long sip and then smacked his lips.

  “Good?” I asked, smirking at him. He nodded and took another sip and smacked his lips again. Charlie could make me giggle at the silliest things.

  “I believe Josh, Isabel Grace. Josh cares for you and I don’t think he would lie about something like this. Whether you believe him or not shouldn’t matter. You should at least thank him for what he did for you. You owe him that much, even if it is his job.”