The Sands of Ti me by Si dney Shel don.

Back Cover .
Four nuns f i nd t hemsel ves suddenl y t hr ust i nt o a host i l e wor l d t hey l ong ago
abandoned f or t he saf et y of
t he convent . Unwi t t i ngl y t hey become pawns i n a bat t l e
bet ween t he char i smat i c J ai me Mi r o, l eader of t he
out l awed Basque nat i onal i st s, and t he r ut hl ess
Col onel Ramon Acoea of t he Spani sh Ar my.
FOUR WOMEN - AND THE MEN THEY ARE
FORBI DDEN TO LOVE
MEGAN
t he or phan, who f eel s an over power i ng
at t r act i on t o J ai me Mi r o
LUCI A
t he f i er y Si ci l i an beaut y on t he r un f or
mur der - and Rubi o Ar zano, t he f r eedomf i ght er
who r i sks hi s l i f e t o save her
TERESA
whose gui l t y consci ence f i nal l y dr i ves
her t o bet r ay her f r i ends
GRACI ELA
who bear s a t er r i bl e secr et t hat al most dest r oys her and
t he cour ageous Ri car do Mel l ado who l oves her .
The Sands of Ti me i s an unf or get t abl e
advent ur e and a hear t st oppi ng r omance,
set agai nst t he t i mel ess and dr amat i c
l andscape of Spai n.
By t he same aut hor
THE NAKED FACE
THE OTHER SI DE OF MI DNI GHT
A STRANGER I N THE MI RROR
BLOODLI NE
RAGE OF ANGELS
MASTER OF THE GAME
I F TOMORROWCOMES
WI NDMI LLS OF THE GODS
MEMORI ES OF MI DNI GHT
THE DOOMSDAY CONSPI RACY
THE STARS SHI NE DOWN
NOTHI NG LASTS FOREVER
MORNI NG, NOON AND NI GHT
THE BEST LAI D PLANS
SI DNEY SHELDON
THE SANDS OF TI ME
j j j j
Har per CdmsPubl i sher s
Har per CoWmsPi i bl i sher s 77- 85 Ful hamPal ace Road,
Hammer smi t h, London W6 8J B
Thi s paper back edi t i on 1993
579864
Pr evi ousl y publ i shed i n paper back by Font ana 1990
Speci al over seas edi t i on 1989
Repr i nt ed f our t i mes
Fi r st publ i shed i n Gr eat Br i t ai n by Col l i ns 1988
Copyr i ght Shel don Li t er ar y Tr ust 1988
Gr at ef ul acknowl edgement i s made t o
Mar cel l e Ber nst ei n f or use of mat er i al f r omNuns.
Gr at ef ul acknowl edgement i s made f or use of ' Gacel a of Desper at e
Love' by Fr eder i co Gar ci a Lor ca, f r omSel ect ed Poems of Fr eder i co
Gar ci a Lor ca, copyr i ght 1952 by New Di r ect i ons Publ i shi ng
Cor por at i on. Tr ansl at ed by W. S. Mer wi n. Repr i nt ed by per mi ssi on
of New Di r ect i ons Publ i shi ng Cor por at i on.
Gr at ef ul acknowl edgement i s made f or use of t he
Er nest Hemi ngway epi gr aph t o t he New Masses Magazi ne.
I SBN 000 617443 4
Set i n Ti mes
Pr i nt ed and bound i n Gr eat Br i t ai n by
Cal edoni an I nt er nat i onal Book Manuf act ur i ng Lt d, Gl asgow
Al l r i ght s r eser ved. No par t of t hi s publ i cat i on may be
r epr oduced, st or ed i n a r et r i eval syst em, or t r ansmi t t ed,
i n any f or mor by any means, el ect r oni c, mechani cal ,
phot ocopyi ng, r ecor di ng or ot her wi se, wi t hout t he pr i or
per mi ssi on of t he publ i sher s.
Thi s book i s sol d subj ect t o t he condi t i on t hat i t shal l not ,
by way of t r ade or ot her wi se, be l ent , r e- sol d, hi r ed out or
ot her wi se ci r cul at ed wi t hout t he publ i sher ' s pr i or consent
i n any f or mof bi ndi ng or cover ot her t han t hat i n whi ch i t
i s publ i shed and wi t hout a si mi l ar condi t i on i ncl udi ng t hi s
condi t i on bei ng i mposed on t he subsequent pur chaser .
To Fr ances Gor don,
wi t h l ove.
GLASGOWCI TY COUNCI L
LI BRARI ES ARCHI VES, BJ . S Bar code
coq Zo Z 16 7. y
Ubr ar yDept S
Suppl i er CS
Dat e f l - Z
Pr i ce S-
r T-
My speci al t hanks go t o Al i ce Fi sher ,
whose assi st ance i n hel pi ng me r esear ch t hi s novel
was i nval uabl e.
' m,
Li ves of gr eat men al l r emi nd us
We can make our l i ves subl i me,
And, depar t i ng, l eave behi nd us
Foot pr i nt s on t he Sands of Ti me.
HENRY WADSWORTH
LONGFELLOW
The dead do not need t o r i se.
They ar e a par t of t he ear t h now and t he ear t h
can never be conquer ed f or t he ear t h endur es
f or ever , i t wi l l out l i ve al l syst ems of t yr anny.
Those who have ent er ed i t honour abl y, and
no men ent er ed ear t h mor e honour abl y t han
t hose who di ed i n Spai n, have al r eady achi eved
i mmor t al i t y. er nest hemi ngway
AUTHOR' S NOTE
Thi s i s a wor k of f i ct i on. And yet . . .
The r omant i c l and of f l amenco and Don Qui xot e and
exot i c- l ooki ng senor i t as wi t h t or t oi se- shel l combs i n t hei r
hai r i s al so t he l and of Tor quemada, t he Spani sh I nqui si t i on
and one of t he bl oodi est ci vi l war s i n hi st or y. Mor e t han hal f
a mi l l i on peopl e l ost t hei r l i ves i n t he bat t l es f or power
bet ween t he Republ i cans and t he r ebel Nat i onal i st s i n Spai n.
I n 1936, bet ween Febr uar y and J une, 269 pol i t i cal mur der s
wer e commi t t ed, and t he Nat i onal i st s execut ed Republ i cans
at t he r at e of a t housand a mont h, wi t h no mour ni ng per mi t t ed.
One hundr ed and si xt y chur ches wer e bur ned t o t he
gr ound, and nuns wer e r emoved f or ci bl y f r omconvent s, ' as
t hough, ' wr ot e t he Due de Sai nt - Si mon, of an ear l i er conf l i ct
bet ween t he Spani sh gover nment and t he chur ch, ' t hey wer e
whor es i n a bawdy house' . Newspaper of f i ces wer e sacked
and st r i kes and r i ot s wer e endemi c t hr oughout t he l and. The
Ci vi l War ended i n a vi ct or y f or t he Nat i onal i st s under
Fr anco and, f ol l owi ng hi s deat h, Spai n became a monar chy.
The Ci vi l War , whi ch l ast ed f r om1936 t o 1939, may be
of f i ci al l y over , but t he t wo Spai ns t hat f ought i t have never
been r econci l ed. Today anot her war cont i nues t o r age i n
Spai n, t he guer r i l l a war f ought by t he Basques t o r egai n t he
aut onomy t hey had won under t he Republ i c and l ost under
t he Fr anco r egi me. The war i s bei ng f ought wi t h bombs,
bank r obber i es t o f i nance t he bombs, assassi nat i ons and
r i ot s.
When a member of ETA, a Basque guer r i l l a under gr ound
gr oup, di ed i n a Madr i d hospi t al af t er bei ng t or t ur ed by
FR1; FR2; t he pol i ce, t he nat i onwi de r i ot s t hat f ol l owed l ed t o t he
r esi gnat i on of t he Di r ect or Gener al of Spai n' s pol i ce f or ce,
f i ve secur i t y chi ef s and t wo hundr ed seni or pol i ce of f i cer s.
I n 1986, i n Bar cel ona, t he Basques publ i cl y bur ned t he
Spani sh f l ag, and i n Pampl ona t housands f l ed i n f ear when
Basque nat i onal i st s cl ashed wi t h pol i ce i n a ser i es of mut i ni es
t hat event ual l y spr ead acr oss Spai n and t hr eat ened t he st abi l i t y
of t he gover nment . The par a- mi l i t ar y pol i ce r et al i at ed
by goi ng on a r ampage, f i r i ng at r andomat Basques' homes
and shops. The t er r or i smt hat goes on i s mor e vi ol ent t han
ever .
Deal i ng wi t h t wo t ur bul ent weeks i n 1976, t hi s i s a wor k
of f i ct i on. And yet . . .
10
Chapter 1
Pampl ona, Spai n 1976
I f t he pl an goes wr ong, we wi l l al l di e. He went over i t agai n
i n hi s mi nd f or t he l ast t i me, pr obi ng, t est i ng, sear chi ng f or
f l aws. He coul d f i nd none. The pl an was dar i ng, and i t cal l ed
f or car ef ul , spl i t - second t i mi ng. I f i t wor ked, i t woul d be a
spect acul ar f eat , wor t hy of t he gr eat El Ci d. I f i t f ai l ed . . .
Wel l , t he t i me f or wor r yi ng i s past , J ai me Mi r 6 t hought
phi l osophi cal l y. I t ' s t i me f or act i on.
J ai me Mi r 6 was a l egend, a her o t o t he Basque peopl e
and anat hema t o t he Spani sh gover nment . He was si x f eet
t al l , wi t h a st r ong, i nt el l i gent f ace, a muscul ar body, and
br oodi ng dar k eyes. Wi t nesses t ended t o descr i be hi mas
t al l er t han he was, dar ker t han he was, f i er cer t han he
was. He was a compl ex man, a r eal i st who under st ood t he
enor mous odds agai nst hi m, a r omant i c r eady t o di e f or what
he bel i eved.
Pampl ona was a t own gone mad. I t was t he f i nal mor ni ng
of t he r unni ng of t he bul l s, t he Fi est a de San Fer mi n, t he
annual cel ebr at i on hel d f r om7 J ul y t o t he 14t h. Thi r t y
t housand vi si t or s had swar med i nt o t he ci t y f r omal l over
t he wor l d. Some had come mer el y t o wat ch t he danger ous
bul l - r unni ng spect acl e, ot her s t o pr ove t hei r manhood by
t aki ng par t i n i t , r unni ng i n f r ont of t he char gi ng beast s. Al l
t he hot el r ooms had l ong si nce been t aken, and uni ver si t y
st udent s f r omNavar r a had bedded down i n door ways, bank
ent r ances, car s, t he publ i c squar e, and even t he st r eet s and
pavement s of t he t own.
11
me t our i st s pacKea me car es ana noi ei s, wat cmng me
noi sy, col our f ul par ades of papi er machegi gant es, and l i st eni ng
t o t he musi c of t he mar chi ng bands. Member s of t he
par ade wor e vi ol et cl oaks, some wi t h hoods of gr een, ot her s
gar net , and st i l l ot her s wear i ng gol den hoods. Fl owi ng
t hr ough t he st r eet s, t he pr ocessi ons l ooked l i ke r i ver s of
r ai nbows. Expl odi ng f i r ecr acker s r unni ng al ong pol es and
wi r es of t he t r amways added t o t he noi se and gener al conf usi on.
The cr owd had come t o at t end t he eveni ng bul l f i ght s, but
t he most spect acul ar event was t he Enci er r o - t he ear l y
mor ni ng r unni ng of t he bul l s t hat woul d f i ght l at er i n t he
day.
Ten mi nut es bef or e mi dni ght i n t he dar kened st r eet s of
t he l ower par t of t own, t he bul l s had been dr i ven f r omt he cor r al es de gas, t he
r ecept i on pens, t o r un acr oss t he r i ver
on a br i dge t o t he cor r al at t he bot t omof Cal l e Sant o
Domi ngo, wher e t hey woul d be kept f or t he ni ght . I n t he
mor ni ng t hey woul d be t ur ned l oose t o r un al ong t he nar r ow
Cal l e Sant o Domi ngo, penned i n t he st r eet by wooden bar r i cades
at each cor ner unt i l at t he end t hey woul d r un i nt o t he
cor r al s at t he Pl aza de Hemi ngway, wher e t hey woul d be
hel d unt i l t he af t er noon bul l f i ght .
Fr ommi dni ght unt i l 6. 00 a. m. , t he vi si t or s st ayed awake,
dr i nki ng and si ngi ng and maki ng l ove, t oo exci t ed t o sl eep.
Those who woul d par t i ci pat e i n t he r unni ng of t he bul l s wor e
t he r ed scar ves of San Fer mi n ar ound t hei r t hr oat s.
At a quar t er t o si x i n t he mor ni ng, bands st ar t ed ci r cul at i ng
t hr ough t he st r eet s, pl ayi ng t he st i r r i ng musi c of Navar r e.
At seven o' cl ock shar p, a r ocket f l ew i nt o t he ai r t o si gnal
t hat t he gat es of t he cor r al had been opened. The cr owd was
f i l l ed wi t h f ever i sh ant i ci pat i on. Moment s l at er a second
r ocket went up t o war n t he t own t hat t he bul l s wer e r unni ng.
What f ol l owed was an unf or get t abl e spect acl e. Fi r st came
t he sound. I t st ar t ed as a f ai nt , di st ant r i ppl e on t he wi nd,
al most i mper cept i bl e, and t hen i t gr ew l ouder and l ouder
unt i l i t became an expl osi on of poundi ng hoof s, and suddenl y
bur st i ng i nt o vi ew appear ed si x oxen and si x enor mous bul l s.
12
Each wei ghi ng 1, 51) 0 pounds, t hey char ged down t he Cal l e
Sant o Domi ngo l i ke deadl y expr ess t r ai ns. I nsi de t he wooden
bar r i cades t hat had been pl aced at each i nt er sect i ng st r eet
cor ner t o keep t he bul l s conf i ned t o t he one st r eet , wer e
hundr eds of eager , ner vous young men who i nt ended t o
pr ove t hei r br aver y by f aci ng t he maddened ani mal s.
The bul l s r aced down f r omt he f ar end of t he st r eet , past
t he Cal l e Est af et a and t he Cal l e de J avi er , past f ar maci as and cl ot hi ng st or es
and f r ui t mar ket s, t owar ds t he Pl aza de
Hemi ngway, and t her e wer e cr i es of ' {Ol ef f r omt he f r enzi ed
cr owd. As t he ani mal s char ged near er , a mad scr ambl e began
t o escape t he shar p hor ns and l et hal hoof s. The sudden
r eal i t y of appr oachi ng deat h made some of t he par t i ci pant s
r un f or t he saf et y of door ways and f i r e escapes. They wer e
f ol l owed by t aunt s of ' cobar dor i - cowar d. A f ew i n t he pat h
of t he bul l s st umbl ed and f el l and wer e qui ckl y haul ed t o
saf et y.
A smal l boy and hi s gr andf at her wer e st andi ng behi nd
t he bar r i cades, bot h br eat hl ess wi t h t he exci t ement of t he
spect acl e t aki ng pl ace onl y a f ew f eet f r omt hem.
' Look at t hem! ' t he ol d man excl ai med. ' f Magni f i cor
The l i t t l e boy shudder ed. ' Tengo mi edo, abuel o. I ' m
af r ai d. '
The ol d man put hi s ar mar ound hi m. ' 5i , Manuel . I t i s
f r i ght eni ng. But wonder f ul , t oo. I once r an wi t h t he bul l s.
Ther e' s not hi ng l i ke i t . You t est your sel f agai nst deat h, and
i t makes you f eel l i ke a man. '
As a r ul e, i t t ook t wo mi nut es f or t he ani mal s t o gal l op
t he 900 yar ds al ong t he Cal l e Sant o Domi ngo t o t he ar ena,
and t he moment t he bul l s wer e saf el y i n t he cor r al , a t hi r d
r ocket woul d be sent i nt o t he ai r . On t hi s day, t he t hi r d
r ocket di d not go of f , f or an i nci dent occur r ed t hat had never
happened i n Pampl ona' s 400- year hi st or y of t he r unni ng of
t he bul l s.
As t he ani mal s r aced down t he nar r ow st r eet , hal f a dozen
men dr essed i n t he col our f ul cost umes of t he f er i a shi f t ed
t he wooden bar r i cades and t he bul l s f ound t hemsel ves f or ced
of f t he r est r i ct ed st r eet and t ur ned l oose i nt o t he hear t of
13
t he ci t y. What had a moment bef or e been a happy cel ebr at i on
i nst ant l y t ur ned i nt o a ni ght mar e. The f r enzi ed beast s
char ged i nt o t he st unned onl ooker s. The young boy and hi s
gr andf at her wer e among t he f i r st t o di e, knocked down and
t r ampl ed by t he char gi ng bul l s. Vi ci ous hor ns sl i ced i nt o a
baby' s pr am, ki l l i ng an i nf ant and sendi ng i t s mot her down
t o t he gr ound t o be cr ushed. Deat h was i n t he ai r ever ywher e.
The ani mal s cr ashed i nt o hel pl ess byst ander s, knocki ng
down women and chi l dr en, pl ungi ng t hei r l ong, deadl y hor ns
i nt o pedest r i ans, f ood st ands, st at ues, sweepi ng asi de ever yt hi ng
unl ucky enough t o be i n t hei r pat h. Peopl e wer e
scr eami ng i n t er r or , desper at el y f i ght i ng t o get out of t he
way of t he l et hal behemot hs.
A br i ght r ed t r uck suddenl y appear ed i n t he pat h of t he
bul l s and t hey t ur ned and char ged t owar ds i t , down t he Cal l e
de Est r el l a, t he st r eet t hat l ed t o t he car cel , Pampl ona' s
pr i son.
The car cel i s a f or bi ddi ng- l ooki ng t wo- st or ey st one bui l di ng
wi t h heavi l y bar r ed wi ndows. Ther e ar e t ur r et s at each of i t s
f our cor ner s, and t he r ed and yel l ow Spani sh f l ag f l i es over
t he door . A st one gat e l eads t o a smal l cour t yar d. The second
f l oor of t he bui l di ng consi st s of a r ow of cel l s t hat hol ds
pr i soner s condemned t o di e.
I nsi de t he pr i son, a heavyset guar d i n t he uni f or mof t he pol i ci a ar mada was
l eadi ng a pr i est gar bed i n pl ai n bl ack
r obes al ong t he second f l oor cor r i dor . The pol i ceman car r i ed
a sub- machi ne- gun.
Not i ng t he quest i oni ng l ook i n t he pr i est ' s eye at t he si ght of t he weapon, t he
guar d sai d, ' One can' t be t oo
car ef ul her e. Fat her . We have t he scumof t he ear t h on t hi s
f l oor . '
The guar d di r ect ed t he pr i est t o wal k t hr ough a met al
det ect or ver y much l i ke t hose used at ai r por t s.
' I ' msor r y. Fat her , but t he r ul es '
' Of cour se, my son. '
As t he pr i est passed t hr ough t he secur i t y por t al , a
14
snneKi ng si r en cut t hr ough t he cor r i dor . The guar d i nst i nct i vel y
t i ght ened hi s gr i p on hi s weapon.
The pr i est t ur ned and smi l ed back at t he guar d.
' My mi st ake, ' he sai d as he r emoved a heavy met al cr oss
t hat hung f r omhi s neck on a si l ver chai n and handed i t t o
t he guar d. Thi s t i me as he passed t hr ough, t he machi ne was
si l ent . The guar d handed t he cr oss back t o t he pr i est and t he
t wo cont i nued t hei r j our ney deeper i nt o t he bowel s of t he
pr i son.
The st ench i n t he cor r i dor near t he cel l s was over power i ng.
The guar d was i n a phi l osophi cal mood. ' You know, you' r e
wast i ng your t i me her e. Fat her . These ani mal s have no soul s
t o save. '
' St i l l , we must t r y, my son. '
The guar d shook hi s head. ' I t el l you t he gat es of hel l ar e
wai t i ng t o wel come bot h of t hem. '
The pr i est l ooked at t he guar d i n sur pr i se. ' Bot h of t hem?
I was t ol d t her e wer e t hr ee who needed conf essi on. '
The guar d shr ugged. ' We saved you some t i me. Zamor a
di ed i n t he i nf i r mar y t hi s mor ni ng. Hear t at t ack. '
The men had r eached t he t wo f ar t hest cel l s.
' Her e we ar e. Fat her . '
The guar d unl ocked a cel l door , t hen st epped caut i ousl y
back as t he pr i est ent er ed t he cel l . The guar d l ocked t he
door agai n, and st ood j n t he cor r i dor , al er t f or any si gn of
t r oubl e.
The pr i est went t o t he f i gur e l yi ng on t he di r t y pr i son cot .
' Your name, my son?'
' Ri car do Mel l ado. '
The pr i est st ar ed down at hi m. I t was di f f i cul t t o t el l what
t he man l ooked l i ke. Hi s f ace was swol l en and r aw. Hi s eyes
wer e al most shut . Thr ough t hi ck l i ps, he sai d, ' I ' mgl ad you
wer e abl e t o come. Fat her . '
The pr i est r epl i ed, ' Your sal vat i on i s t he chur ch' s dut y,
my son. '
" They ar e goi ng t o hang me t hi s mor ni ng?'
The pr i est pat t ed hi s shoul der gent l y. ' You have been
sent enced t o di e by t he gar r ot t e. '
15
Ri car do Mel l ado st ar ed up at hi m. ' No! '
' I ' msor r y. The or der s wer e gi ven by t he Pr i me Mi ni st er
hi msel f . '
The pr i est pl aced hi s hand on t he pr i soner ' s head and
i nt oned: ' Di me t us pecados. . . '
Ri car do Mel l ado sai d, ' I have si nned gr eat l y i n t hought ,
wor d and deed, and I r epent al l my si ns wi t h al l my hear t . '
Ruego a nuest r o Padr e cel est i al por l a sal vaci on de t o
al ma. En el nombr e del Padr e, del Hi j o y del Espi r i t u
Sant o . . . '
The guar d l i st eni ng out si de t he cel l t hought t o hi msel f :
What a st upi d wast e of t i me. God wi l l spi t i n t hat one' s eye.
The pr i est was f i ni shed. ' Adi os, my son. May God r ecei ve
your soul i n peace. '
The pr i est moved t o t he cel l door and t he guar d unl ocked
i t , t hen st epped back, keepi ng hi s gun ai med at t he pr i soner .
When t he door was l ocked agai n, t he guar d moved t o t he
adj oi ni ng cel l and opened t he door .
' He' s al l your s. Fat her . '
The pr i est st epped i nt o t he second cel l . The man i nsi de
had al so been badl y beat en. The pr i est l ooked at hi ma l ong
moment . ' What i s your name, my son?'
' Fel i x Car pi o. ' He was a husky, bear ded man wi t h a f r esh,
l i vi d scar on hi s cheek t hat t he bear d f ai l ed t o conceal . ' I ' m
not af r ai d t o di e. Fat her . '
' That i s wel l , my son. I n t he end none of us i s spar ed. '
As t he pr i est began t o hear Car pi o' s conf essi on, waves of
di st ant sound, at f i r st muf f l ed, t hen gr owi ng l ouder , began
t o r ever ber at e t hr ough t he bui l di ng. I t was t he t hunder of
poundi ng hoof s and t he scr eams of t he r unni ng mob. The
guar d l i st ened, st ar t l ed. The sounds wer e r api dl y movi ng
cl oser .
' You' d bet t er hur r y. Fat her . Somet hi ng pecul i ar i s happeni ng
out si de. '
' I ' mf i ni shed. '
The guar d qui ckl y unl ocked t he cel l door . The pr i est
st epped out i nt o t he cor r i dor and t he guar d l ocked t he door
behi nd hi m. Ther e was t he sound of a l oud cr ash f r omt he
16
f r ont of t he pr i son. The guar d t ur ned t o peer out t he nar r ow,
bar r ed wi ndow.
' What t he hel l was t hat noi se?'
The pr i est sai d, ' I t sounded as t hough someone wi shes an
audi ence wi t h us. May I bor r ow t hat ?'
' Bor r ow what ?'
' Your weapon, por f avor . ' 1
As t he pr i est spoke, he st epped cl ose t o t he guar d. He
si l ent l y r emoved t he t op of t he l ar ge cr oss t hat hung ar ound
hi s neck, r eveal i ng a l ong, wi cked- l ooki ng st i l et t o. I n one
l i ght ni ng move he pl unged t he kni f e i nt o t he guar d' s chest .
' You see, my son, ' J ai me Mi r o sai d, as he pul l ed t he
sub- machi ne- gun f r omt he dyi ng guar d' s hands, ' God and I
deci ded t hat you no l onger have need of t hi s weapon. '
The guar d sl umped t o t he cement f l oor . J ai me Mi r o t ook
t he keys f r omt he body and swi f t l y opened t he t wo cel l door s.
The sounds f r omt he st r eet wer e get t i ng l ouder .
' Let ' s move, ' J ai me commanded.
Ri car do Mel l ado pi cked up t he machi ne gun. ' You make
a damned good pr i est . You al most convi nced me. ' He t r i ed
t o smi l e wi t h hi s swol l en mout h.
' They r eal l y wor ked you t wo over , di dn' t t hey? Don' t
wor r y. They' l l pay f or i t . '
J ai me Mi r o put hi s ar ms ar ound t he t wo men and hel ped
t hemdown t he cor r i dor .
' What happened t o Zamor a?'
' The guar ds beat hi mt o deat h. We coul d hear hi s scr eams.
They t ook hi mof f t o t he i nf i r mar y and sai d he di ed of a
hear t at t ack. '
Ahead of t hemwas a l ocked i r on door .
' Wai t her e, ' J ai me Mi r o sai d.
He appr oached t he door and sai d t o t he guar d on t he ot her
si de, ' I ' mf i ni shed her e. '
The guar d unl ocked t he door . ' You' d bet t er hur r y, Fat her .
Ther e' s some ki nd of di st ur bance goi ng on out - ' He never
f i ni shed hi s sent ence. As J ai me' s kni f e went i nt o hi m, bl ood
wel l ed out of t he guar d' s mout h.
J ai me mot i oned t o t he t wo men. ' Come on. '
17
Fel i x Car pi o pi cked up t he guar d' s gun, and t hey st ar t ed
downst ai r s. The scene out si de was chaos. The pol i ce wer e
r unni ng ar ound f r ant i cal l y t r yi ng t o see what was happeni ng
and t o deal wi t h t he cr owds of scr eami ng peopl e i n t he
cour t yar d who wer e scr ambl i ng t o escape t he maddened
bul l s. One of t he bul l s had char ged i nt o t he f r ont of t he
bui l di ng, smashi ng t he st one ent r ance. Anot her was t ear i ng
i nt o t he body of a uni f or med guar d on t he gr ound. The
r ed t r uck was i n t he cour t yar d, i t s mot or r unni ng. I n t he
conf usi on, t he t hr ee men went al most unnot i ced. Those who
di d see t hemwer e t oo busy savi ng t hemsel ves t o do anyt hi ng
about t hem.
Wi t hout a wor d, J ai me and hi s men j umped i nt o t he back
of t he t r uck and i t sped of f , scat t er i ng f r ant i c pedest r i ans
t hr ough t he cr owded st r eet s. The guar di a ci vi l , t he par ami l i t ar y
r ur al pol i ce decked out i n gr een uni f or ms and bl ack
pat ent l eat her hat s, wer e t r yi ng i n vai n t o cont r ol t he hyst er i cal
mob. The pol i ci a ar mada, st at i oned i n pr ovi nci al capi t al s,
wer e al so hel pl ess i n t he f ace of t he mad spect acl e. Peopl e
wer e st r uggl i ng t o f l ee i n ever y di r ect i on, desper at el y t r yi ng
t o avoi d t he enr aged bul l s. The danger l ay l ess wi t h t he bul l s
and mor e wi t h t he peopl e t hemsel ves as t hey t r ampl ed
one anot her i n t hei r eager ness t o escape, and ol d men and
women wer e pushed asi de under t he f eet of t he r unni ng
mob.
J ai me st ar ed i n di smay at t he st unni ng spect acl e. ' I t wasn' t
pl anned f or i t t o happen t hi s way! ' he excl ai med. He st ar ed
hel pl essl y at t he car nage t hat was bei ng wr eaked, but t her e
was not hi ng he coul d do t o st op i t . He cl osed hi s eyes t o shut
out t he si ght .
The t r uck r eached t he out ski r t s of Pampl ona and headed
sout h, l eavi ng behi nd t he noi se and conf usi on of t he r i ot i ng.
' Wher e ar e we goi ng, J ai me?' Ri car do Mel l ado asked. " Ther e' s a saf e house
out si de Tor r e. We' l l st ay t her e unt i l
dar k and t hen move on. '
Fel i x Car pi o was wi nci ng wi t h pai n.
18
J ai me Mi r o wat cned mm, ms r ace nnea wi t n compassi on.
' We' l l be t her e soon, my f r i end, ' he sai d gent l y.
He was unabl e t o get t he t er r i bl e scene at Pampl ona out
of hi s mi nd.
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er t hey appr oached t he l i t t l e vi l l age of
Tor r e, and ski r t ed i t t o dr i ve t o an i sol at ed house i n t he
mount ai ns above t he vi l l age. J ai me Mi r 6 hel ped t he t wo men
out of t he back of t he r ed t r uck.
' You' l l be pi cked up at mi dni ght , ' t he dr i ver sai d.
' Have t hembr i ng a doct or , ' J ai me r epl i ed. ' And get r i d
of t he t r uck. '
The t hr ee of t hement er ed t he house. I t was a f ar mhouse,
si mpl e and comf or t abl e, wi t h a f i r epl ace i n t he l i vi ng r oom
and a beamed cei l i ng. Ther e was a not e on t he t abl e. J ai me
Mi r 6 r ead i t and smi l ed at t he wel comi ng phr ase: Mi casa es
su casa. On t he bar wer e bot t l es of wi ne. J ai me Mi r 6 pour ed
dr i nks.
Ri car do Mel l ado sai d, ' Ther e ar e no wor ds t o t hank you,
my f r i end. Her e' s t o you. '
J ai me r ai sed hi s gl ass. ' Her e' s t o f r eedom. '
Ther e was t he sudden chi r p of a canar y i n a cage. J ai me
Mi r 6 wal ked over t o i t , and he wat ched i t s wi l d f l ut t er i ng f or
a moment . Then he opened t he cage, gent l y l i f t ed t he bi r d
out and car r i ed i t t o an open wi ndow.
' Fl y away, paj ar i t o, ' he sai d sof t l y. ' Al l l i vi ng cr eat ur es
shoul d be f r ee. '
19
Chapt er 2
Madr i d
Pr i me Mi ni st er Leopol do Mar t i nez was i n a r age. He was a
smal l , bespect acl ed man, and hi s whol e body shook as he
t al ked. ' J ai me Mi r o must be st opped, ' he cr i ed. Hi s voi ce
was hi gh and shr i l l . ' Do you under st and me?' He gl ar ed at
t he hal f dozen men gat her ed i n t he r oom. ' We' r e l ooki ng f or
one t er r or i st , and t he whol e ar my and pol i ce f or ce ar e unabl e
t o f i nd hi m. '
The meet i ng was t aki ng pl ace at Moncl oa Pal ace, wher e
t he Pr i me Mi ni st er l i ved and wor ked, f i ve ki l omet r es f r om
t he cent r e of Madr i d, on t he Car r et er a de Gal i ci a, a hi ghway
wi t h no i dent i f yi ng si gns. The bui l di ng i t sel f was gr een br i ck,
wi t h wr ought i r on bal coni es, gr een wi ndow shades, and
guar d t ower s at each cor ner .
I t was a hot , dr y day, and t hr ough t he wi ndows, as f ar as
t he eye coul d see, col umns of heat waves r ose l i ke bat t al i ons
of ghost l y sol di er s.
' Yest er day Mi r o t ur ned Pampl ona i nt o a bat t l egr ound. '
Mar t i nez sl ammed a f i st down on hi s desk. ' He mur der ed t wo
pr i son guar ds and smuggl ed t wo of hi s t er r or i st s out of pr i son.
Many i nnocent peopl e wer e ki l l ed by t he bul l s he l et l oose. '
For a moment no one sai d anyt hi ng.
When t he Pr i me Mi ni st er had t aken of f i ce, he had decl ar ed,
smugl y, ' My f i r st act wi l l be t o put a st op t o t hese
separ at i st gr oups. Madr i d i s t he gr eat uni f i er . I t t r ansf or ms
Andal usi ans, Basques, Cat al ans and Gal i ci ans i nt o
Spani ar ds. '
20
He had been undul y opt i mi st i c. 1 he f i er cel y i ndependent
Basques had ot her i deas, and t he wave of bombi ngs,
bank r obber i es and demonst r at i ons by t er r or i st s of t he
ETA or gani zat i on, Euzkadi t a Azkat asuna, had cont i nued
unabat ed.
The man at Mar t i nez' s r i ght sai d qui et l y, ' I ' l l f i nd hi m. '
The speaker was Col onel Ramon Acoca, head of t he
GOE, t he Gr upo de Oper aci ones Especi al es, f or med t o
pur sue Basque t er r or i st s. Acoca was a gi ant , i n hi s mi ddl e
si xt i es, wi t h a scar r ed f ace and col d, obsi di an eyes. He had
been a young of f i cer under Fr anci sco Fr anco dur i ng t he
Ci vi l War , and he was st i l l f anat i cal l y devot ed t o Fr anco' s
phi l osophy, ' We ar e r esponsi bl e onl y t o God and t o
hi st or y. '
Acoca was a br i l l i ant of f i cer , and he had been one of
Fr anco' s must t r ust ed ai des. The Col onel mi ssed t he i r on-
f i st ed di sci pl i ne, t he swi f t puni shment of t hose who quest i oned
or di sobeyed t he l aw. He had gone t hr ough t he
t ur moi l of t he Ci vi l War , wi t h i t s Nat i onal i st al l i ance of
Monar chi st s, r ebel gener al s, l andowner s, chur ch hi er ar chy
and t he f asci st Fal angi st s on one si de, and t he Republ i can
gover nment f or ces, i ncl udi ng Soci al i st s, Communi st s, l i ber al s
and Basque and Cat al an separ at i st s on t he ot her ; I t
had been a t er r i bl e t i me of dest r uct i on and ki l l i ng i n a
madness t hat pul l ed i n men and war mat er i el f r oma dozen
count r i es and l ef t a hor r i f yi ng deat h t ol l . And now t he
Basques wer e f i ght i ng and ki l l i ng agai n.
Col onel Acoca headed an ef f i ci ent , r ut hl ess cadr e of ant i t er r or i st s.
Hi s men wor ked under gr ound, wor e di sgui ses
and wer e nei t her publ i ci zed nor phot ogr aphed f or f ear of
r et al i at i on.
I f anyone can st op J ai me Mi r o, Col onel Acoca can, t he
Pr i me Mi ni st er t hought . But t her e was a cat ch: Who' s goi ng
t o be t he one t o st op Col onel Acoca?
Put t i ng t he Col onel i n char ge had not been t he Pr i me
Mi ni st er ' s i dea. He had r ecei ved a phone cal l i n t he mi ddl e
of t he ni ght on hi s pr i vat e l i ne. He r ecogni zed t he voi ce
i mmedi at el y.
21
( Wa .
" we ar e gr eat l y di st ur bed by t he act i vi t i es of J ai me Mi r 6
and hi s t er r or i st s. We suggest t hat you put Col onel Ramon
Acoca i n char ge of t he GOE. I s t hat cl ear ?'
Yes, si r . I t wi l l be t aken car e of i mmedi at el y. '
The l i ne went dead.
The voi ce bel onged t o a member of t he OPUS MUNDO.
The or gani zat i on was a secr et cabal t hat i ncl uded banker s,
l awyer s, heads of power f ul cor por at i ons and gover nment
mi ni st er s. I t was r umour ed t o have enor mous f unds at i t s
di sposal , but wher e t he money came f r omor how i t was used
or mani pul at ed was a myst er y. I t was not consi der ed heal t hy
t o ask t oo many quest i ons about i t .
The Pr i me Mi ni st er had pl aced Col onel Acoca i n char ge,
as he had been i nst r uct ed t o, but t he gi ant had t ur ned out
t o be an uncont r ol l abl e f anat i c. Hi s GOE had cr eat ed a r ei gn
of t er r or . The Pr i me Mi ni st er t hought of t he Basque r ebel s
Acoca' s men had caught near Pampl ona. They had been
convi ct ed and sent enced t o hang. I t was Col onel Acoca who
had i nsi st ed t hat t hey be execut ed by t he bar bar i c gar r ot e
vi l , t he i r on col l ar f i t t ed wi t h a spi ke whi ch gr adual l y
t i ght ened, event ual l y cr acked t he ver t ebr a and sever ed t he
vi ct i m' s spi nal cor d.
J ai me Mi r o had become an obsessi on wi t h Col onel
Acoca.
' I want hi s head, ' Col onel Acoca sai d. ' Cut of f hi s head
and t he Basque movement di es. '
An exagger at i on, t he Pr i me Mi ni st er f el t , al t hough he had
t o admi t t hat t her e was a cor e of t r ut h i n i t . J ai me Mi r o was
a char i smat i c l eader , f anat i cal about hi s cause, and t her ef or e
danger ous.
But i n hi s own way, t he Pr i me Mi ni st er t hought . Col onel
Acoca i s j ust as danger ous.
Pr i mo Casado, t he Di r ect or Gener al de Segur i dad, was
speaki ng. ' Your Excel l ency, no one coul d have f or eseen
what happened i n Pampl ona. J ai me Mi r 6 i s '
' I know what he i s, ' t he Pr i me Mi ni st er snapped. ' I want
t o know wher e he i s. ' He t ur ned t o Col onel Acoca.
' I ' mon hi s t r ai l , ' t he Col onel sai d. Hi s voi ce chi l l ed t he
r oom. ' I woul d l i ke t o r emi nd Your Excel l ency t hat we ar e
not f i ght i ng j ust one man. We ar e f i ght i ng t he Basque peopl e.
They gi ve J ai me Mi r 6 and hi s t er r or i st s f ood and weapons
and shel t er . The man i s a her o t o t hem. But do not wor r y.
Soon he wi l l be a hangi ng her o. Af t er I gi ve hi ma f ai r t r i al ,
of cour se. '
Not we. I . The Pr i me Mi ni st er wonder ed whet her t he
ot her s had not i ced. Yes, he t hought ner vousl y. Somet hi ng
wi l l have t o be done about t he Col onel soon.
The Pr i me Mi ni st er got t o hi s f eet . " That wi l l be al l f or
now, gent l emen. '
The men r ose t o l eave. Al l except Col onel Acoca. He
st ayed.
Leopol do Mar t i nez began t o pace. ' Damn t he Basques.
Why can' t t hey be sat i sf i ed j ust t o be Spani ar ds? What mor e
do t hey want ?'
' They' r e gr eedy f or power , ' Acoca sai d. ' They want
aut onomy, t hei r own l anguage and t hei r f l ag '
' No. Not as l ong as I hol d t hi s of f i ce. I ' mnot goi ng t o
per mi t t hemt o t ear pi eces out of Spai n. The gover nment
wi l l t el l t hemwhat t hey can have and what t hey can' t have.
They' r e not hi ng but r abbl e who . . . '
An ai de came i nt o t he r oom. ' Excuse me. Your Excel l ency, '
he sai d apol oget i cal l y. ' Bi shop I banez has ar r i ved. '
' Send hi mi n. '
The Col onel ' s eyes nar r owed. ' You can be sur e t he chur ch
i s behi nd al l t hi s. I t ' s t i me we t aught t hema l esson. '
The Chur ch i s one of t he gr eat i r oni es of our hi st or y, Col onel Acoca t hought
bi t t er l y.
I n t he begi nni ng of t he Ci vi l War , t he Cat hol i c Chur ch
had been on t he si de of t he Nat i onal i st f or ces. The Pope
backed Gener al i ssi mo Fr anco, and i n so doi ng al l owed hi m
t o pr ocl ai mt hat he was f i ght i ng on t he si de of God. But
when t he Basque chur ches and monast er i es and pr i est s wer e
at t acked, t he Chur ch wi t hdr ew i t s suppor t .
' You must gi ve t he Basques and t he Cat al ans mor e f r eedom, '
t he Chur ch had demanded. ' And you must st op
execut i ng Basque pr i est s. '
( J ener al i ssi mo Fr anco had been f ur i ous. How dar e t he
Chur ch t r y t o di ct at e t o t he gover nment ?
A war of at t r i t i on began. Mor e chur ches and monast er i es
wer e at t acked by Fr anco' s f or ces. Nuns and pr i est s wer e
mur der ed. Bi shops wer e pl aced under house ar r est , and
pr i est s al l over Spai n wer e f i ned f or gi vi ng ser mons t hat
t he gover nment consi der ed sedi t i ous. I t was onl y when t he
Chur ch t hr eat ened Fr anco wi t h excommuni cat i on t hat he
st opped hi s at t acks.
The goddamned Chur ch! Acoca t hought . Wi t h Fr anco
dead i t was i nt er f er i ng agai n.
He t ur ned t o t he Pr i me Mi ni st er . ' I t ' s t i me t he bi shop i s
t ol d who' s r unni ng Spai n. '
Bi shop Cal vo I banez was a t hi n, f r ai l - l ooki ng man wi t h a
cl oud of whi t e hai r swi r l i ng ar ound hi s head. He peer ed at
t he t wo men t hr ough hi s pi nce- nez spect acl es.
' Buenos t ar des. '
Col onel Acoca f el t t he bi l e r i se i n hi s t hr oat . The ver y
si ght of cl er gymen made hi mi l l . They wer e J udas goat s
l eadi ng t hei r st upi d l ambs t o sl aught er .
The bi shop st ood t her e, wai t i ng f or an i nvi t at i on t o si t
down. I t di d not come. Nor was he i nt r oduced t o t he Col onel .
I t was a del i ber at e sl i ght .
The Pr i me Mi ni st er l ooked t o Acoca f or di r ect i on.
Acoca sai d cur t l y, ' Some di st ur bi ng news has been br ought
t o our at t ent i on. Basque r ebel s ar e r epor t ed t o be hol di ng
meet i ngs i n Cat hol i c monast er i es. I t has al so been r epor t ed
t hat t he Chur ch i s al l owi ng monast er i es and convent s t o
st or e ar ms f or t he r ebel s. ' Ther e was st eel i n hi s voi ce.
' When you hel p t he enemi es of Spai n, you become an
enemy of Spai n. '
Bi shop I banez st ar ed at hi mf or a moment , t hen t ur ned t o
Leopol do Mar t i nez. ' Your Excel l ency, wi t h due r espect , we
ar e al l chi l dr en of Spai n. The Basques ar e not your enemy.
Al l t hey ask i s t he f r eedomt o '
" They don' t ask, ' Acoca r oar ed. " They demand! They
go ar ound t he count r y pi l l agi ng, r obbi ng banks and ki l l i ng
pol i cemen, and you dar e t o say t hey ar e not our enemi es?'
I admi t t hat mer e nave oeen i nexcusabl e excesses. But
somet i mes i n f i ght i ng f or what one bel i eves '
" They don' t bel i eve i n anyt hi ng but t hemsel ves. They
car e not hi ng about Spai n. I t i s as one of our gr eat wr i t er s
sai d, " No one i n Spai n i s concer ned about t he common
good. Each gr oup i s concer ned onl y wi t h i t sel f . The
Chur ch, t he Basques, t he Cat al ans. Each one says f uck t he
ot her s. ' "
The bi shop was awar e t hat Col onel Acoca had mi squot ed
Or t ega y Gasset . The f ul l quot e had i ncl uded t he ar my and
t he gover nment ; but he wi sel y sai d not hi ng. He t ur ned
t o t he Pr i me Mi ni st er agai n, hopi ng f or a mor e r at i onal
di scussi on.
' Your Excel l ency, t he Cat hol i c Chur ch '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er f el t t hat Acoca had pushed f ar enough.
Don' t mi sunder st and us. Bi shop. I n pr i nci pl e, of cour se,
t hi s gover nment i s behi nd t he Cat hol i c Chur ch one hundr ed
per cent . '
Col onel Acoca spoke up agai n. ' But we cannot per mi t
your chur ches and monast er i es and convent s t o be used
agai nst us. I f you cont i nue t o al l ow t he Basques t o st or e
ar ms i n t hemand t o hol d meet i ngs, you wi l l have t o t ake t he
consequences. '
' I amsur e t hat t he r epor t s t hat you have r ecei ved ar e
er r oneous, ' t he bi shop sai d smoot hl y. ' However , I shal l
cer t ai nl y i nvest i gat e at once. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er mur mur ed, ' Thank you. Bi shop. That
wi l l be al l . '
Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez and Col onel Acoca wat ched hi m
depar t .
' What do you t hi nk?' Mar t i nez asked.
' He knows what ' s goi ng on. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er si ghed. have enough pr obl ems r i ght
now wi t hout st i r r i ng up t r oubl e wi t h t he Chur ch.
' I f t he Chur ch i s f or t he Basques, t hen i t i s agai nst us. '
Col onel Acoca' s voi ce har dened. ' I woul d l i ke your per mi ssi on
t o t each t he bi shop a l esson. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er was st opped by t he l ook of f anat i ci sm
111 me man s eyes. Me became caut i ous. ' Have you r eal l y had
r epor t s t hat t he chur ches ar e ai di ng t he r ebel s?'
' Of cour se. Excel l ency. '
Ther e was no way of det er mi ni ng i f t he man was t el l i ng
t he t r ut h. The Pr i me Mi ni st er knew how much Acoca hat ed
t he Chur ch. But i t mi ght be good t o l et t he Chur ch have a
t ast e of t he whi p, pr ovi di ng Col onel Acoca di d not go t oo
f ar . Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez st ood t her e t hought f ul l y.
I t was Acoca who br oke t he si l ence. ' I f t he chur ches ar e
shel t er i ng t er r or i st s, t hen t he chur ches must be puni shed. '
Rel uct ant l y, t he Pr i me Mi ni st er nodded. ' Wher e wi l l you
st ar t ?'
' J ai me Mi r o and hi s men wer e seen i n Avi l a yest er day.
They ar e pr obabl y hi di ng at t he convent t her e. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er made up hi s mi nd. ' Sear ch i t , ' he sai d.
That deci si on set of f a chai n of event s t hat was t o r ock al l
of Spai n and shock t he wor l d.
26
Chapt er 3
Avi l a
The si l ence was l i ke a gent l e snowf al l , sof t and hushed, as
soot hi ng as t he whi sper of a summer wi nd, as qui et as
t he passage of st ar s. The Ci st er ci an Convent of t he St r i ct
Obser vance l ay out si de t he wal l ed t own of Avi l a, t he hi ghest
ci t y i n Spai n, 112 ki l omet r es nor t h- west of Madr i d. The
convent had been bui l t f or si l ence. The r ul es had been
adopt ed i n 1601 and r emai ned unchanged t hr ough t he cent ur i es:
l i t ur gy, spi r i t ual exer ci se, st r i ct encl osur e, penance
and si l ence. Al ways t he si l ence.
The convent was a si mpl e, f our - si ded gr oup of r ough st one
bui l di ngs ar ound a cl oi st er domi nat ed by t he chur ch. Ar ound
t he cent r al cour t t he open ar ches al l owed t he l i ght t o pour
i n on t he br oad f l agst ones of t he f l oor wher e t he nuns gl i ded
noi sel essl y by. Ther e wer e f or t y nuns at t he convent , pr ayi ng
i n t he chur ch and l i vi ng i n t he cl oi st er . The convent at Avi l a
was one of seven l ef t i n Spai n, a sur vi vor out of hundr eds
t hat had been dest r oyed by t he Ci vi l War i n one of t he
per i odi c ant i - Chur ch movement s t hat t ook pl ace i n Spai n
over t he cent ur i es.
The Ci st er ci an Convent of t he St r i ct Obser vance was
devot ed sol el y t o a l i f e of pr ayer . I t was a pl ace wi t hout
seasons or t i me and t hose who ent er ed wer e f or ever r emoved
f r omt he out si de wor l d. The Ci st er ci an l i f e was cont empl at i ve
and peni t ent i al ; t he di vi ne of f i ce was r eci t ed dai l y and
encl osur e was compl et e and per manent .
Al l t he si st er s dr essed i dent i cal l y, and t hei r cl ot hi ng, l i ke
27
ever yt hi ng el se i n t he convent , was t ouched by t he symbol i sm
of cent ur i es. The capucha, t he cl oak and hood, symbol i zed
i nnocence and si mpl i ci t y, t he l i nen t uni c t he r enouncement
of t he wor ks of t he wor l d, and mor t i f i cat i on, t he scapul ar ,
t he smal l squar es of wool l en cl ot h wor n over t he shoul der s,
t he wi l l i ngness t o l abour . A wi mpl e, a cover i ng of l i nen l ai d
i n pl ai t s over t he head and ar ound t he chi n, si des of t he f ace
and neck, compl et ed t he habi t .
I nsi de t he wal l s of t he convent was a syst emof i nt er nal
passageways and st ai r cases l i nki ng t he di ni ng r oom, communi t y
r oom, t he cel l s and t he chapel , and ever ywher e t her e
was an at mospher e of col d, cl ean spaci ousness. Thi ck- paned
l at t i ced wi ndows over l ooked a hi gh- wai l ed gar den. Ever y
wi ndow was cover ed wi t h i r on bar s and was above t he l i ne
of vi si on, so t hat t her e woul d be no out si de di st r act i ons. The
r ef ect or y, t he di ni ng hal l , was l ong and aust er e, i t s wi ndows
shut t er ed and cur t ai ned. The candl es i n t he anci ent candl est i cks
cast evocat i ve shadows on t he cei l i ngs and wal l s.
I n f our hundr ed year s not hi ng i nsi de t he wal l s of t he convent
had changed, except t he f aces. The si st er s had no per sonal
possessi ons, f or t hey desi r ed t o be poor , emul at i ng t he
pover t y of Chr i st . The chur ch i t sel f was bar e of or nament s,
save f or a pr i cel ess sol i d gol d cr oss t hat had been a l ong- ago
gi f t f r oma weal t hy post ul ant . Because i t was so out of
keepi ng wi t h t he aust er i t y of t he or der , i t was kept hi dden
away i n a cabi net i n t he r ef ect or y. A pl ai n, wooden cr oss
hung at t he al t ar of t he chur ch.
The women who shar ed t hei r l i ves wi t h t he Lor d l i ved
t oget her , wor ked t oget her , at e t oget her and pr ayed t oget her ,
yet t hey never t ouched and never spoke. The onl y except i on
per mi t t ed was when t hey hear d mass or when t he Rever end
Mot her Pr i or ess Bet i na addr essed t hemi n t he pr i vacy of her
of f i ce. Even t hen, an anci ent si gn l anguage was used as much
as possi bl e.
28
The Rever end Mot her was a r el i gi euse i n her sevent i es, a
br i ght - f aced r obi n of a woman, cheer f ul and ener get i c, who
gl or i ed i n t he peace and j oy of convent l i f e, and of a l i f e
devot ed t o God. Fi er cel y pr ot ect i ve of her nuns, she f el t
mor e pai n when i t was necessar y t o enf or ce di sci pl i ne, t han
di d t he one bei ng puni shed.
The nuns wal ked t hr ough t he cl oi st er s and cor r i dor s
wi t h downcast eyes, hands f ol ded i n t hei r sl eeves at br east
l evel , passi ng and r e- passi ng t hei r si st er s wi t hout a wor d
or si gn of r ecogni t i on. The onl y voi ce of t he convent was i t s
bel l s - t he bel l s t hat Vi ct or Hugo cal l ed ' t he Oper a of t he
St eepl es' .
The si st er s came f r omdi spar at e backgr ounds and f r ommany
di f f er ent count r i es. Thei r f ami l i es wer e ar i st ocr at s, f ar mer s,
sol di er s . . . They had come t o t he convent as r i ch and poor ,
educat ed and i gnor ant , mi ser abl e and exal t ed, but now t hey
wer e one i n t he eyes of God, uni t ed i n t hei r desi r e f or et er nal
mar r i age t o J esus.
The l i vi ng condi t i ons i n t he convent wer e spar t an. I n
wi nt er t he col d was kni f i ng, and a chi l l , pal e l i ght f i l t er ed i n
t hr ough l eaded wi ndows. The nuns sl ept f ul l y dr essed on
pal l et s of st r aw, cover ed wi t h r ough wool l en sheet s, each i n
her t i ny cel l , f ur ni shed onl y wi t h a st r ai ght - backed wooden
chai r . Ther e was no washst and. A smal l ear t henwar e j ug
and basi n st ood i n a cor ner on t he f l oor . No nun was
ever per mi t t ed t o ent er t he cel l of anot her , except f or t he
Rever end Mot her Bet i na. Ther e was no r ecr eat i on of
any ki nd, onl y wor k and pr ayer s. Ther e wer e wor k ar eas
f or kni t t i ng, book bi ndi ng, weavi ng and maki ng br ead.
Ther e wer e ei ght hour s of pr ayer each day: Mat i ns, Lauds,
Pr i me, Ter ce, Sext , None, Vesper s and Compl i ne. Besi des
t hese t her e wer e ot her devot i ons: benedi ct i ons, hymns and
l i t ani es.
Mat i ns wer e sai d when hal f t he wor l d was asl eep and t he
ot her hal f was absor bed i n si n.
Lauds, t he of f i ce of daybr eak, f ol l owed Mat i ns, and t he
29
, , . , , g sun was nai l ed as t he f i gur e of Ch t r i umphant and
gl or i f i ed.
Pr i me was t he chur ch' s mor ni ng pr a aski ng f or t he
bl essi ngs on t he wor k of t he day.
Ter ce was at ni ne o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng consecr at ed by
St August i ne t o t he Hol y Spi r i t .
Sext was at 11. 30 a. m. , evoked t o qnch t he heat of
human passi ons.
None was si l ent l y r eci t ed at t hr ee i n e af t er noon, t he
hour of Chr i st ' s deat h.
Vesper s was t he eveni ng ser vi ce of t h , - ch, as Lauds
was her daybr eak pr ayer .
Compl i ne was t he compl et i on of t he I i e Hour s of t he
day. A f or mof ni ght pr ayer s, a pr epar at i on f or deat h as wel l
as sl eep, endi ng t he day on a not e of l , submi ssi on:
Manus t uas, domi ne, commendo spi r i t ummeumRedemi st i
nos, domi ne, deus, ver i t at i s.
I n some of t he ot her or der s, f l agel l at i on ad been st opped,
but i n t he cl oi st er ed Ci st er ci an convent s monast er i es i t
sur vi ved. At l east once a week, and somet i gg ever y day t he
nuns puni shed t hei r bodi es wi t h t he Di sci pg 3 t wel ve- i nch
l ong whi p of t hi n waxed cor d wi t h si x knot t ed t ai l s t hat
br ought agoni zi ng pai n, and was used t o 13 e back l egs
and but t ocks. Ber nar d of Cl ai r vaux, t he ai c abbot of t he
Ci st er ci ans, had admoni shed: The body o- Qt i s cr ushed
. . . our bodi es must be conf or med t o t hg eness of our
Lor d' s wounded body. '
I t was a l i f e mor e aust er e t han i n an, pr i son vet t he
i nmat es l i ved i n an ecst asy such as t hey ngyg, . known
i n t he out si de wor l d. They had r enounce ( owe,
possessi ons and f r eedomof choi ce, but i gi vi ng yp t hose
t hi ngs t hey had al so r enounced gr eed nd compet i t i on,
hat r ed and envy, and al l t he pr essur es and t empt at i ons t hat
t he out si de wor l d i mposed. I nsi de t he co ned an
al l - per vadi ng peace and t he i nef f abl e seng of j oy at bei ng
one wi t h God. Ther e was an i ndescr i babg ser eni t y wi t hi n
t he wal l s of t he convent and i n t he hear t s c ose who l i ved
t her e. I f t he convent was a pr i son, i t was pi on i n God' s
30
Eden, wi t h t he knowl edge of a happy et er ni t y f or t hose who
had f r eel y chosen t o be t her e and t o r emai n t her e.
Si st er Luci a was awakened by t he t ol l i ng of t he convent bel l .
She opened her eyes, st ar t l ed and di sor i ent ed f or an i nst ant .
The l i t t l e cel l she sl ept i n was di smal l y bl ack. The sound of
t he bel l t ol d her t hat i t was 3. 00 a. m. , when t he of f i ce of
vi gi l s began, whi l e t he wor l d was st i l l i n dar kness.
Shi t ! Thi s r out i ne i s goi ng t o ki l l me. Si st er Luci a t hought .
She l ay back on her t i ny, uncomf or t abl e cot , desper at e f or
a ci gar et t e. Rel uct ant l y, she dr agged her sel f out of bed. The
heavy habi t she wor e and sl ept i n r ubbed agai nst her sensi t i ve
ski n l i ke sandpaper . She t hought of al l t he beaut i f ul desi gner
gowns hangi ng i n her apar t ment i n Rome and at her chal et
i n Gst aad. The Val ent i nes and Ar mani s and Gi anni s.
Fr omout si de her cel l Si st er Luci a coul d hear t he sof t ,
swi shi ng movement of t he nuns as t hey gat her ed i n t he
passage. Car el essl y, she made up her bed and st epped out
i nt o t he l ong cor r i dor , wher e t he nuns wer e l i ni ng up, eyes
downcast . Sl owl y, t hey al l began t o move t owar ds t he chapel .
They l ook l i ke a bunch of pengui ns. Si st er Luci a t hought .
I t was beyond her compr ehensi on why t hese women had
del i ber at el y t hr own away t hei r l i ves, gi vi ng up sex, pr et t y
cl ot hes and gour met f ood. Wi t hout t hose t hi ngs, what r eason
i s t her e t o go on l i vi ng? And t he goddamned r ul es!
When Si st er Luci a had f i r st ent er ed t he convent , t he
Rever end Mot her had sai d t o her , ' You must wal k wi t h your
head bowed. Keep your hands f ol ded under your habi t . Take
shor t st eps. Wal k sl owl y. You must never make eye cont act
wi t h any of t he ot her si st er s, or even gl ance at t hem. You
may not speak. Your ear s ar e t o hear onl y God' s wor ds. '
' Yes, Rever end Mot her . '
For t he next mont h Luci a t ook i nst r uct i on. " Those who come her e come not t o j oi n
ot her s, but t o dwel l
al one wi t h God, sol i t ar i ament e. Sol i t ude of spi r i t i s essent i al
t o a uni on wi t h God. I t i s saf eguar ded by t he r ul es of si l ence. '
' Yes, Rever end Mot her . '
31
' You must al ways obey t he si l ence of t he eyes. Looki ng
i nt o t he eyes of ot her s woul d di st r act you wi t h usel ess
i mages. '
' Yes, Rever end Mot her . '
' The f i r st l esson you wi l l l ear n her e wi l l be t o r ect i f y t he
past , t o pur ge out ol d habi t s and wor l dl y i ncl i nat i ons, t o bl ot
out ever y i mage of t he past . You wi l l do pur i f yi ng penance
and mor t i f i cat i on t o st r i p your sel f of sel f - wi l l and sel f - l ove. a
I t i s not enough f or us t o be sor r y f or our past of f ences. ! Once we di scover t he
i nf i ni t e beaut y and hol i ness of God,
we want t o make up not onl y f or our own si ns, but f or ever y
si n t hat has ever been commi t t ed.
' Yes, Rever end Mot her . '
' You must st r uggl e wi t h sensual i t y, what J ohn of t he Cr oss
cal l ed, " t he ni ght of t he senses" . '
' Yes, Rever end Mot her . '
' Each nun l i ves i n si l ence and i n sol i t ude, as t hough she
wer e al r eady i n heaven. I n t hi s pur e, . pr eci ous si l ence f or
whi ch she hunger s, she i s abl e t o l i st en t o t he i nf i ni t e si l ence
and possess God. '
At t he end of t he f i r st mont h, Luci a t ook her i ni t i al vows.
On t he day of t he cer emony she had her hai r shor n. I t
was a t r aumat i c exper i ence. The Rever end Mot her Pr i or ess
per f or med t he act her sel f . She summoned Luci a i nt o her
of f i ce and mot i oned f or her t o si t down. She st epped behi nd
her , and bef or e Luci a knew what was happeni ng, she hear d
t he sni p of sci ssor s and f el t somet hi ng t uggi ng at her hai r .
She st ar t ed t o pr ot est , but she suddenl y r eal i zed t hat what
was happeni ng coul d onl y i mpr ove her di sgui se. can al ways
l et i t gr ow back l at er , Luci a t hought . Meanwhi l e, I ' mgoi ng
t o l ook l i ke a pl ucked chi cken.
When Luci a r et ur ned t o t he gr i mcubi cl e she had been
assi gned, she t hought : Thi s pl ace i s a snake pi t . The f l oor
consi st ed of bar e boar ds. The pal l et and t he har d- backed
chai r t ook up most of t he r oom. She was desper at e t o get
hol d of a newspaper . Fat chance, she t hought . I n t hi s pl ace
t hey had never hear d of newspaper s, l et al one r adi o or
t el evi si on. Ther e wer e no l i nks t o t he out si de wor l d at
al l .
But what got on Luci a' s ner ves most of al l was t he unnat ur al
si l ence. The onl y communi cat i on was t hr ough hand si gnal s,
and l ear ni ng t hose dr ove her cr azy. When she needed
a br oom, she was t aught t o move her out st r et ched r i ght hand
f r omr i ght t o l ef t , as t hough sweepi ng. When t he Rever end
Mot her was di spl eased, she br ought t oget her t he t i ps of her
l i t t l e f i nger s t hr ee t i mes i n f r ont of her body, t he ot her f i nger s
pr essi ng i nt o her pal m. When Luci a was sl ow i n doi ng her
wor k, t he Rever end Mot her pr essed t he pal mof her r i ght
hand agai nst her l ef t shoul der . To r epr i mand Luci a, she
scr at ched her own cheek near her r i ght ear wi t h al l t he f i nger s
of her r i ght hand i n a downwar d mot i on.
For Chr i st ' s sake, Luci a t hought , i t l ooks l i ke she' s scr at chi ng
a f l ea bi t e.
They had r eached t he chapel . The nuns sai d a si l ent mass,
t he sequence f r omt he age- ol d Sanct us t o t he Pat er Nost er ,
but Si st er Luci a' s t hought s wer e on mor e i mpor t ant t hi ngs
t han God.
I n anot her mont h or t wo, when t he pol i ce st op l ooki ng f or
me, I ' l l be out of t hi s madhouse.
Af t er mor ni ng pr ayer s. Si st er Luci a mar ched wi t h t he
ot her s t o t he di ni ng r oom, sur r ept i t i ousl y br eaki ng t he r ul e,
as she di d ever y day, by st udyi ng t hei r f aces. I t was her onl y
ent er t ai nment . I t was i ncr edi bl e t o t hi nk t hat none of t hem
knew what t he ot her si st er s l ooked l i ke.
She was f asci nat ed by t he f aces of t he nuns. Some wer e
ol d, some wer e young, some pr et t y, some ugl y. She coul d
not under st and why t hey al l seemed so happy. Ther e wer e
t hr ee f aces t hat Luci a f ound par t i cul ar l y i nt er est i ng. One
was Si st er Ter esa, a woman who appear ed t o be i n
her si xt i es. She was f ar f r ombeaut i f ul , and yet t her e
was a spi r i t ual i t y about her t hat gave her an al most
unear t hl y l ovel i ness. She seemed al ways t o be smi l i ng
i nwar dl y, as t hough she car r i ed some wonder f ul secr et wi t hi n
her sel f .
Anot her nun t hat Luci a f ound f asci nat i ng was Si st er
Gr aci el a. She was a st unni ngl y beaut i f ul woman i n her ear l y
t hi r t i es. She had ol i ve ski n, exqui si t e f eat ur es, and eyes t hat
wer e l umi nous bl ack pool s.
She coul d have been a f i l mst ar , Luci a t hought . What ' s
her st or y? Why woul d she bur y her sel f i n a pl ace l i ke
t hi s?
The t hi r d nun who capt ur ed Luci a' s i nt er est was Si st er
Megan. Bl ue- eyed, bl onde eyebr ows and l ashes. She was i n
her l at e t went i es and had a f r esh, open f aced l ook.
What i s she doi ng her e? What ar e any of t hese women
doi ng her e? They' r e l ocked up behi nd t hese wal l s, gi ven a
t i ny cel l t o sl eep i n, r ot t en f ood, ei ght hour s of pr ayer s,
har d wor k and t oo l i t t l e sl eep. They must be pazzo - al l of
t hem.
She was bet t er of f t han t hey wer e, because t hey wer e st uck
her e f or t he r est of t hei r l i ves, whi l e she woul d be out of
her e i n a mont h or t wo. Maybe t hr ee, Luci a t hought . Thi s i s
a per f ect hi di ng pl ace. I ' d be a f ool t o r ush away. I n a f ew
mont hs, t he pol i ce wi l l deci de t hat I ' mdead. When I l eave
her e and get my money out of Swi t zer l and, maybe I ' l l wr i t e
a book about t hi s cr azy pl ace.
A f ew days ear l i er Si st er Luci a had been sent by t he Rever end
Mot her t o t he of f i ce t o r et r i eve a paper and whi l e t her e
she had t aken t he oppor t uni t y t o st ar t l ooki ng t hr ough
t he f i l es. Unf or t unat el y she had been caught i n t he act of
snoopi ng.
' You wi l l do penance by usi ng t he Di sci pl i ne, ' t he Mot her
Pr i or ess Bet i na si gnal l ed her .
Si st er Luci a bowed her head meekl y and si gnal l ed, ' Yes,
Rever end Mot her . '
Luci a r et ur ned t o her cel l , and mi nut es l at er t he nuns
wal ki ng t hr ough t he cor r i dor hear d t he awf ul sound of t he
whi p as i t whi st l ed t hr ough t he ai r and f el l agai n and agai n.
34
What t hey coul d not know was t hat Si st er Luci a was whi ppi ng
t he bed. These f r eaks may be i nt o S M, but not your s t r ul y.
Now t hey wer e seat ed i n t he r ef ect or y, f or t y nuns at t wo
l ong t abl es. The Ci st er ci an di et was st r i ct l y veget ar i an. Because
t he body cr aved meat , i t was f or bi dden. Long bef or e
dawn, a cup of t ea or cof f ee and a f ew ounces of dr y br ead
wer e ser ved. The pr i nci pal meal was t aken at 11. 00 a. m. , and
consi st ed of a t hi n soup, a f ew veget abl es and occasi onal l y a
pi ece of f r ui t .
We ar e not her e t o pl ease our bodi es, but t o pl ease God.
I woul dn' t f eed t hi s br eakf ast t o my cat . Si st er Luci a
t hought . I ' ve been her e t wo mont hs, and I ' l l bet I ' ve l ost t en
pounds. I t ' s God' s ver si on of a heal t h f ar m.
When br eakf ast was ended, t wo nuns br ought washi ng- up
bowl s t o each end of t he t abl e and set t hemdown. The si st er s
seat ed about t he t abl e sent t hei r pl at es t o t he si st er who had
t he bowl . She washed each pl at e, dr i ed i t on a t owel and
r et ur ned i t t o i t s owner . The wat er got dar ker and gr easi er .
And t hey' r e goi ng t o l i ve l i ke t hi s f or t he r est of t hei r l i ves, Si st er Luci a
t hought di sgust edl y. Oh, wel l . I can' t compl ai n.
At l east i t ' s bet t er t han a l i f e sent ence i n pr i son . . .
She woul d have gi ven her i mmor t al soul f or a ci gar et t e.
Fi ve hundr ed yar ds down t he r oad. Col onel Ramon Acoca
and t wo dozen car ef ul l y sel ect ed men f r omt he GOE, t he Gr upo de Oper aci ones
Especi al es, wer e pr epar i ng t o at t ack
t he convent .
35
FR1; Chapt er Four
Col onel Ramon Acoca had t he i nst i nct s of a hunt er . He
l oved t he chase, but i t was t he ki l l t hat gave hi ma deep
vi scer al sat i sf act i on. He had once conf i ded t o a f r i end, ' I
have an or gasmwhen I ki l l . I t doesn' t mat t er whet her i t ' s a
deer or a r abbi t or a man - t her e' s somet hi ng about t aki ng
a l i f e t hat makes you f eel l i ke God. '
Acoca had been i n mi l i t ar y i nt el l i gence, and he had qui ckl y
achi eved a r eput at i on f or bei ng br i l l i ant . He was f ear l ess,
r ut hl ess and i nt el l i gent , and t he combi nat i on br ought hi mt o
t he at t ent i on of one of Gener al Fr anco' s ai des.
Acoca had j oi ned Fr anco' s st af f as a l i eut enant , and i n l ess
t han t hr ee year s he had r i sen t o t he r ank of col onel , an al most
unhear d- of f eat . He was put i n char ge of t he Fal angi st s, t he
speci al gr oup used t o t er r or i ze t hose who opposed Fr anco.
I t was dur i ng t he war t hat Acoca had been sent f or by a
member of t he OPUS MUNDO,
' I want you t o under st and t hat we' r e speaki ng t o you wi t h
t he per mi ssi on of Gener al Fr anco. '
' Yes, si r . '
' We' ve been wat chi ng you. Col onel . We ar e pl eased wi t h
what we see. '
Thank you, si r . '
' Fr omt i me t o t i me we have cer t ai n assi gnment s t hat ar e
- shal l we say - ver y conf i dent i al . And ver y danger ous. '
' I under st and, si r . '
' We have many enemi es. Peopl e who don' t under st and
t he i mpor t ance of t he wor k we' r e doi ng. '
' Yes, si r . '
' Somet i mes t hey i nt er f er e wi t h us. We can' t per mi t t hat
t o happen. '
No, si r . '
' I bel i eve we coul d use a man l i ke you. Col onel . I t hi nk
we under st and each ot her . '
' Yes, si r . I ' d be honour ed t o be of ser vi ce. '
' We woul d l i ke you t o r emai n i n t he ar my. That wi l l be
val uabl e t o us. But f r omt i me t o t i me, we wi l l have you
assi gned t o t hese speci al pr oj ect s. '
' Thank you, si r . '
' You ar e never t o speak of t hi s. '
' No, si r . '
The man behi nd t he desk had made Acoca ner vous. Ther e
was somet hi ng over power i ngl y f r i ght eni ng about hi m.
I n t i me. Col onel Acoca was cal l ed upon t o handl e hal f a
dozen assi gnment s f or t he OPUS MUNDO. As he had been
t ol d, t hey wer e al l danger ous. And ver y conf i dent i al .
On one of t he mi ssi ons Acoca had met a l ovel y young gi r l
f r oma f i ne f ami l y. Up t o t hen, al l of hi s women had been
whor es or camp f ol l ower s, and Acoca had t r eat ed t hemwi t h
savage cont empt . Some of t he women had genui nel y f al l en
i n l ove wi t h hi m, at t r act ed by hi s st r engt h. He r eser ved t he
wor st t r eat ment f or t hem.
But Susana Cer r edi l l a bel onged t o a di f f er ent wor l d. Her
f at her was a pr of essor at Madr i d Uni ver si t y, and Susana' s
mot her was a l awyer . Susana was Sevent een year s ol d, and
she had t he body of a woman and t he angel i c f ace of a
Madonna. Ramon Acoca had never met anyone l i ke t hi s
woman- chi l d. Her gent l e vul ner abi l i t y br ought out i n hi ma
t ender ness he had not known he was capabl e of . He f el l
madl y i n l ove wi t h her , and f or r easons whi ch nei t her her
par ent s nor Acoca under st ood, she f el l i n l ove wi t h hi m.
On t hei r honeymoon, i t was as t hough Acoca had never
known anot her woman. He had known l ust , but t he combi nat i on
of l ove and passi on was somet hi ng he had never
pr evi ousl y exper i enced.
Thr ee mont hs af t er t hey wer e mar r i ed, Susana i nf or med
hi mt hat she was pr egnant . Acoca was wi l dl y exci t ed. To
add t o t hei r j oy, he was assi gned t o t he beaut i f ul l i t t l e vi l l age
of Cast i l banca, i n t he Basque count r y. I t was i n t he aut umn
of 1936 when t he f i ght i ng bet ween t he Republ i cans and
Nat i onal i st s was at i t s f i er cest .
On a peacef ul Sunday mor ni ng, Ramon Acoca and hi s
br i de wer e havi ng cof f ee i n t he vi l l age pl aza when t he squar e
suddenl y f i l l ed wi t h Basque demonst r at or s.
' I want you t o go home, ' Acoca sai d. Ther e' s goi ng t o be
t r oubl e. '
' But you ?'
Pl ease. I ' l l be al l r i ght . '
The demonst r at or s wer e begi nni ng t o get out of hand.
Wi t h r el i ef , Ramon Acoca wat ched hi s br i de wal k away
f r omt he cr owd t owar ds a convent at t he f ar end of t he
squar e. And as she r eached i t , t he door t o t he convent
suddenl y swung open and ar med Basques who had been
hi di ng i nsi de, swar med out wi t h bl azi ng guns. Acoca had
wat ched hel pl essl y as hi s wi f e went down i n a hai l of bul l et s,
and i t was on t hat day t hat he had swor n vengeance on t he
Basques. The Chur ch had al so been r esponsi bl e.
And now he was i n Avi l a, out si de anot her convent . Thi s
t i me t hey' l l di e.
I nsi de t he convent , i n t he dar k bef or e dawn, Si st er Ter esa
hel d t he Di sci pl i ne t i ght l y i n her r i ght hand and whi pped i t
har d acr oss her body, f eel i ng t he knot t ed t ai l s sl ashi ng i nt o
her as she si l ent l y r eci t ed t he Mi ser er e. She al most scr eamed
al oud, but noi se was not per mi t t ed, and she kept t he scr eams
i nsi de her . For gi ve me, J esus, f or my si ns. Bear wi t ness t hat
I puni sh mysel f , as you wer e puni shed, and I i nf l i ct wounds
upon mysel f , as wounds wer e i nf l i ct ed upon you. Let me
suf f er , as you suf f er ed.
She was near f ai nt i ng f r omt he pai n. Thr ee mor e t i mes
she f l agel l at ed her sel f and t hen sank, agoni zed, upon her
cot . She had not dr awn bl ood. That was f or bi dden. Wi nci ng
38
aeai nst t he agony t hat each movement br ought . Si st er Ter esa
et ur ned t he whi p t o i t s bl ack case and r est ed i t i n a cor ner .
I t was al ways t her e, a const ant r emi nder t hat t he sl i ght est
si n had t o be pai d f or wi t h pai n.
Si st er Ter esa' s t r ansgr essi on had happened t hat mor ni ng
as she was r oundi ng t he cor ner of a cor r i dor , eyes down,
and bumped i nt o Si st er Gr aci el a. St ar t l ed, Si st er Ter esa
had l ooked i nt o Si st er Gr aci el a' s f ace. Si st er Ter esa had
i mmedi at el y r epor t ed her i nf r act i on and t he Rever end
Mot her Bet i na had f r owned di sappr ovi ngl y and made t he
si gn of di sci pl i ne, movi ng her r i ght hand t hr ee t i mes f r om
shoul der t o shoul der , her hand cl osed as t hough hol di ng a
whi p, t he t i p of her t humb hel d agai nst t he i nsi de of her
f or ef i nger .
Lyi ng on her cot t hat ni ght . Si st er Ter esa had been unabl e
t o get out of her mi nd t he ext r aor di nar i l y beaut i f ul f ace of
t he young gi r l she had gazed at . Si st er Ter esa knew t hat as
l ong as she l i ved she woul d never speak t o her and woul d
never even l ook at her agai n, f or t he sl i ght est si gn of i nt i macy
bet ween nuns was sever el y puni shed. I n an at mospher e of
r i gi d mor al and physi cal aust er i t y, no r el at i onshi ps of any
ki nd wer e al l owed t o devel op. I f t wo si st er s wor ked si de by
si de and seemed t o enj oy each ot her ' s si l ent company, t he
Rever end Mot her woul d i mmedi at el y have t hemsepar at ed.
Nor wer e t he si st er s per mi t t ed t o si t next t o t he same per son
at t abl e t wi ce i n a r ow. The chur ch del i cat el y cal l ed t he
at t r act i on of one nun t o anot her ' a par t i cul ar f r i endshi p' ,
and t he penal t y was swi f t and sever e. Si st er Ter esa had
ser ved her puni shment f or br eaki ng t he r ul e.
Now t he t ol l i ng bel l came t o Si st er Ter esa as t hough
f r oma gr eat di st ance. I t was t he voi ce of God, r epr ovi ng
her .
I n t he next cel l , t he sound of t he bel l r ang t hr ough t he
cor r i dor s of Si st er Gr aci el a' s dr eams, and t he peal i ng of t he
bel l was mi ngl ed wi t h t he l ubr i ci ous cr eak of bedspr i ngs.
The Moor was movi ng t owar ds her , naked, hi s manhood
39
t umescent , hi s hands r eachi ng out t o gr ab her . Si st er Gr aci el a
opened her eyes, i nst ant l y awake, her hear t poundi ng f r ant i cal l y.
She l ooked ar ound, t er r i f i ed, but she was al one i n her
t i ny cel l and t he onl y sound was t he r eassur i ng t ol l i ng of t he
bel l .
Si st er Gr aci el a knel t at t he si de of her cot . J esus, t hank
You f or del i ver i ng me f r omt he past . Thank You f or t he j oy
I have i n bei ng her e i n Your l i ght . Let me gl or y onl y i n t he
happi ness of Your bei ng. Hel p me, my Bel oved, t o be t r ue t o
t he cal l You have gi ven me. Hel p me t o ease t he sor r ow of
Your sacr ed hear t .
Si st er Gr aci el a r ose and car ef ul l y made her bed, t hen
j oi ned t he pr ocessi on of her si st er s as t hey moved si l ent l y
t owar ds t he chapel f or Mat i ns. She coul d smel l t he f ami l i ar
scent of bur ni ng candl es and f eel t he wor n st ones beneat h
her sandal l ed f eet .
I n t he begi nni ng when Si st er Gr aci el a had f i r st ent er ed
t he convent , she had not under st ood i t when t he Mot her
Pr i or ess had t ol d her t hat a nun was a woman who gave up
ever yt hi ng i n or der t o possess ever yt hi ng. Si st er Gr aci el a
had been f our t een year s ol d t hen. Now, sevent een year s
l at er , i t was cl ear t o her . I n cont empl at i on she possessed
ever yt hi ng, f or cont empl at i on was t he mi nd r epl yi ng t o t he
soul , t he wat er s of Si l oh t hat f l owed i n si l ence. Her days
wer e f i l l ed wi t h a wonder f ul peace.
Thank You f or l et t i ng me f or get t he t er r i bl e past ,
Fat her . Thank You f or st andi ng besi de me. I coul dn' t f ace
my t er r i bl e past wi t hout you . . . Thank You . . . Thank
You. . .
When Mat i ns wer e over , t he nuns r et ur ned t o t hei r cel l s
t o sl eep unt i l Lauds, t he r i si ng of t he sun.
Out si de, Col onel Ram6n Acoca and hi s men moved swi f t l y
i n t he dar kness. When t hey r eached t he convent . Col onel
Acoca sai d, ' J ai me Mi r 6 and hi s men wi l l be ar med. Take
no chances. '
He l ooked at t he f r ont of t he convent , and f or an i nst ant ,
40
he saw t hat ot her convent wi t h Basque par t i sans r ushi ng out
of i t , and Susana goi ng down i n a hai l of bul l et s.
Don' t bot her t aki ng J ai me Mi r 6 al i ve, ' he sai d.
Si st er Megan was awakened by t he si l ence. I t was a di f f er ent
si l ence, a movi ng si l ence, a hur r i ed r ush of ai r , a whi sper of
bodi es. Ther e wer e sounds she had never hear d i n her
f i f t een year s i n t he convent . She was suddenl y f i l l ed wi t h a
pr emoni t i on t hat somet hi ng was t er r i bl y wr ong.
She r ose qui et l y i n t he dar kness and opened t he door t o
her cel l . Unbel i evabl y, t he l ong st one cor r i dor was f i l l ed wi t h
men. A gi ant wi t h a scar r ed f ace was comi ng out of t he
Rever end Mot her ' s cel l , pul l i ng her by t he ar m. Megan
st ar ed i n shock. I ' mhavi ng a ni ght mar e, Megan t hought . These men can' t be her e.
' Wher e ar e you hi di ng hi m?' Col onel Acoca demanded.
The Rever end Mot her Bet i na had a l ook of st unned hor r or
on her f ace. ' Ssh! Thi s i s God' s t empl e. You ar e desecr at i ng
i t . ' Her voi ce was t r embl i ng. ' You must l eave at once. '
The Col onel ' s gr i p t i ght ened on her ar mand he shook
her . ' I want Mi r 6, Si st er . '
The ni ght mar e was r eal .
Ot her cel l door s wer e begi nni ng t o open, and nuns wer e
appear i ng, l ooks of t ot al conf usi on on t hei r f aces. Ther e had
never been anyt hi ng i n t hei r exper i ence t o pr epar e t hemf or
t hi s ext r aor di nar y happeni ng.
Col onel Acoca pushed Si st er Bet i na away and t ur ned t o
Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a, one of hi s l i eut enant s. ' Sear ch t he pl ace.
Top t o bot t om. '
Acoca' s men began t o spr ead out , i nvadi ng t he chapel ,
t he r ef ect or y and t he cel l s, waki ng t hose nuns who wer e st i l l
asl eep, and f or ci ng t hemr oughl y t o t hei r f eet t hr ough t he
cor r i dor s and i nt o t he chapel . The nuns obeyed wor dl essl y,
keepi ng even now t hei r vows of si l ence. To Megan t he scene
was l i ke a f i l mwi t h t he sound t ur ned of f .
Acoca' s men wer e f i l l ed wi t h a sense of vengeance. They
wer e al l Fal angi st s, and t hey r emember ed onl y t oo wel l how
41
. _- - - . . . >u. . , u agdi i i si i nemaunng t he Ci vi l War
and suppor t ed t he Loyal i st s agai nst t hei r bel oved l eader ,
Gener al i ssi mo Fr anco. Thi s was t hei r chance t o get t hei r
own back. The nuns' st r engt h and si l ence made t he men
mor e f ur i ous t han ever .
As Acoca passed one of t he cel l s, a scr eamechoed f r om
i t . Acoca l ooked i n and saw one of hi s men r i ppi ng t he habi t
f r oma nun. Acoca moved on.
Si st er Luci a was awakened by t he sounds of men' s voi ces
yel l i ng. She sat up i n a pani c. The pol i ce have f ound me, was
her f i r st t hought . I ' ve got t o get out of her e. Ther e was no
way out of t he convent except t hr ough t he f r ont door .
She hur r i edl y r ose and peer ed out i nt o t he cor r i dor . The
si ght t hat met her eyes was ast oni shi ng. The cor r i dor was
f i l l ed not wi t h pol i cemen, but wi t h men i n ci vi l i an cl ot hes,
car r yi ng weapons, smashi ng l amps and t abl es. Ther e was
conf usi on ever ywher e as t hey r aced ar ound.
The Rever end Mot her Bet i na was st andi ng i n t he cent r e
of t he chaos, pr ayi ng si l ent l y, wat chi ng t hemdesecr at e her
bel oved convent . Si st er Megan moved t o her si de, and Luci a
j oi ned t hem.
' What t he h - what ' s happeni ng? Who ar e t hey?' Luci a
asked. They wer e t he f i r st wor ds she had spoken al oud si nce
ent er i ng t he convent .
The Rever end Mot her put her r i ght hand under her l ef t
ar mpi t t hr ee t i mes, t he si gn f or hi de.
Luci a st ar ed at her unbel i evi ngl y. ' You can t al k now. Let ' s
get out of her e, f or Chr i st ' s sake. And I mean f or Chr i st ' s
sake. '
Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a, t he Col onel ' s key ai de, hur r i ed up t o
Acoca. ' We' ve sear ched ever ywher e. Col onel . Ther e' s no
si gn of J ai me Mi r o or hi s men. '
' Sear ch agai n, ' Acoca sai d st ubbor nl y.
I t was t hen t hat t he Rever end Mot her r emember ed t he
one t r easur e t hat t he convent had. She hur r i ed over t o Si st er
Ter esa and whi sper ed, ' I have a t ask f or you. Remove t he
42
I d cr oss f r omt he chapel and t ake i t t o t he convent at Cl endavi a. You must get
i t away f r omher e. Hur r y! '
Si st er Ter esa was shaki ng so har d t hat her wi mpl e f l ut t er ed
i n waves. She st ar ed at t he Rever end Mot her , par al yzed.
Si st er Ter esa had spent t he l ast t hi r t y year s of her l i f e i n t he
convent . The t hought of l eavi ng i t was beyond i magi ni ng.
She r ai sed her hand and si gned, can' t .
The Rever end Mot her was f r ant i c. ' The cr oss must not
f al l i nt o t he hands of t hese men of Sat an. Now do t hi s f or
J esus. '
A l i ght came i nt o Si st er Ter esa' s eyes. She st ood ver y t al l .
She si gned, f or J esus. She t ur ned and hur r i ed t owar ds t he
chapel .
Si st er Gr aci el a appr oached t he gr oup, st ar i ng i n wonder
at t he wi l d conf usi on ar ound her .
The men wer e get t i ng mor e and mor e vi ol ent , smashi ng ever yt hi ng
i n si ght . Col onal Acoca wat ched t hem, appr ovi ngl y.
Luci a t ur ned t o Megan and Gr aci el a. ' I don' t know about
you t wo, but I ' mget t i ng out of her e. Ar e you comi ng?'
They st ar ed at her , t oo dazed t o r espond.
Si st er Ter esa was hur r yi ng t owar ds t hem, car r yi ng somet hi ng
wr apped i n a pi ece of canvas. Some of t he men wer e
her di ng mor e nuns i nt o t he r ef ect or y.
' Come on, ' Luci a sai d.
Si st er s Ter esa, Megan and Gr aci el a hesi t at ed f or a moment ,
t hen f ol l owed Luci a t owar ds t he f r ont door . As t hey
t ur ned at t he end of t he l ong cor r i dor , t hey coul d see t hat
t he huge door had been smashed i n.
A man suddenl y appear ed i n f r ont of t hem. ' Goi ng somewher e,
l adi es? Get back. My f r i ends have pl ans f or you. '
Luci a sai d, ' We have a gi f t f or you. ' She pi cked up one of
t he heavy met al candl est i cks t hat l i ned t he hal l way t abl es
and smi l ed.
The man was l ooki ng at i t , puzzl ed. ' What can you do
wi t h t hat ?'
' Thi s. ' Luci a swung t he candel abr a agai nst hi s head, and
he f el l t o t he gr ound, unconsci ous.
The t hr ee nuns st ar ed i n hor r or .
43
FR1; _ . - . __. t J UI U.
A moment l at er Luci a, Megan, Gr aci el a and Ter esa wer e
out si de i n t he f r ont cour t yar d, hur r yi ng t hr ough t he gat e i nt o
t he st ar r y ni ght .
Luci a st opped. ' I ' ml eavi ng you. They' r e goi ng t o be
sear chi ng f or you, so you' d bet t er get away f r omher e. '
She t ur ned and st ar t ed t owar ds t he mount ai ns t hat r ose i n
t he di st ance, hi gh above t he convent . I ' l l hi de out up t her e
unt i l t he sear ch cool s of f and t hen I ' l l head f or Swi t zer l and.
Of al l t he r ot t en l uck. Those bast ar ds bl ew a per f ect cover .
As Luci a made her way t owar ds hi gher gr ound, she
gl anced down. Fr omher vant age poi nt she coul d see t he
t hr ee si st er s. I ncr edi bl y, t hey wer e st i l l st andi ng i n f r ont of
t he convent gat e, l i ke t hr ee bl ack- cl ad st at ues. For God' s
sake, she t hought . Get goi ng bef or e t hey cat ch you. Move!
They coul d not move. I t was as t hough al l t hei r senses had been par al yzed f or so
l ong t hat t hey wer e unabl e t o t ake i n ' what was happeni ng t o t hem. The nuns
st ar ed down at t hei r I
f eet ; They wer e so dazed t hey coul d not t hi nk. They had ' been cl oi st er ed f or so
l ong behi nd t he gat es of God, secl uded
f r omt he wor l d, t hat now t hat t hey wer e out si de t he pr ot ect i ve
gat es, t hey wer e f i l l ed wi t h f eel i ngs of conf usi on and
pani c. They had no i dea wher e t o go or what t o do. I nsi de,
t hei r l i ves had been or gani zed f or t hem. They had been f ed,
cl ot hed, t ol d what t o do and when t o do i t . They had l i ved
by t he Rul e. Suddenl y t her e was no Rul e. What di d God
want f r omt hem? What was Hi s pl an? They st ood huddl ed
t oget her , af r ai d t o speak, af r ai d t o l ook at one anot her .
Hesi t ant l y, Si st er Ter esa poi nt ed t o t he l i ght s of Avi l a i n
t he di st ance and si gned, t hat way. Uncer t ai nl y, t hey began
t o move t owar ds t he t own.
Wat chi ng t hemf r omt he hi l l s above, Luci a t hought : No,
you i di ot s! That ' s t he f i r st pl ace t hey' l l l ook f or you. Wel l ,
t hat ' s your pr obl em. I have my own pr obl ems. She st ood
t her e f or a moment , wat chi ng t hemwal k t owar ds t hei r doom,
goi ng t o t hei r sl aught er . Shi t .
Luci a scr ambl ed down t he hi l l , st umbl i ng over t he l oose scr ee,
md r an af t er t hem, her cumber some habi t sl owi ng her down.
Wai t a mi nut e, ' she cal l ed. ' St op! '
The si st er s st opped and t ur ned.
Luci a hur r i ed up t o t hem, out of br eat h. ' You' r e goi ng
t he wr ong way. The f i r st pl ace t hey' l l sear ch f or you i s i n
t own. You' ve got t o hi de out somewher e. '
The t hr ee si st er s st ar ed at her i n si l ence.
Luci a sai d i mpat i ent l y, ' The mount ai ns. Get up t o t he
mount ai ns. Fol l ow me. '
She t ur ned and st ar t ed back t owar ds t he mount ai ns. The
ot her s wat ched, and af t er a moment , t hey began t o t r ai l af t er
her , one by one.
Fr omt i me t o t i me Luci a l ooked back t o make sur e t hey
wer e f ol l owi ng. Why can' t I mi nd my own busi ness? she
t hought . They' r e not my r esponsi bi l i t y. I t ' s mor e danger ous
i f we' r e al l t oget her . She kept cl i mbi ng, maki ng sur e t hey
st ayed i n si ght .
The ot her s wer e havi ng a di f f i cul t t i me of i t , and ever y
t i me t hey sl owed down, Luci a st opped t o l et t hemcat ch up
wi t h her . I ' l l get r i d of t hemi n t he mor ni ng.
' Let ' s move f ast er , ' Luci a cal l ed.
At t he Abbey, t he r ai d had come t o an end. The dazed nuns,
t hei r habi t s wr i nkl ed and bl oodst ai ned, wer e bei ng r ounded
up and put i nt o unmar ked, cl osed t r ucks.
' Take t hemback t o my headquar t er s i n Madr i d, ' Col onel
Acoca or der ed. ' Keep t hemi n i sol at i on. '
' What char ge ?'
' Har bour i ng t er r or i st s. '
' Yes, Col onel , ' Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a sai d. He hesi t at ed. ' Four
of t he nuns ar e mi ssi ng. '
Col onel Acoca' s eyes t ur ned col d. ' Fi nd t hem. '
Col onel Acoca f l ew back t o Madr i d t o r epor t t o t he Pr i me Mi ni st er .
' J ai me Mi r o escaped bef or e we r eached t he convent . '
r i i me mi ni st er Mar t i nez nodded. ' Yes, I hear d. ' And he
wonder ed whet her J ai me Mi r o had ever been i n t he convent
t o begi n wi t h. Ther e was no doubt about i t . Col onel Acoca
was get t i ng danger ousl y out of cont r ol . Ther e had been angr y
pr ot est s about t he br ut al at t ack on t he convent . The Pr i me
Mi ni st er chose hi s wor ds car ef ul l y. The newspaper s have
been houndi ng me about what happened. '
The newspaper s ar e maki ng a her o of t hi s t er r or i st , '
Acoca sai d, st one f aced. ' We must not l et t hempr essur e us. '
' He' s causi ng t he gover nment a gr eat deal of embar r assment ,
Col onel . And t hose f our nuns - i f t hey t al k - '
' Don' t wor r y. They can' t get f ar . I ' l l cat ch t hemand I ' l l
f i nd Mi r o. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er had al r eady deci ded t hat he coul d not
af f or d t o t ake any mor e chances. ' Col onel , I want you t o be'
sur e t he t hi r t y- si x nuns you have ar e wel l - t r eat ed, and I ' m
or der i ng t he ar my t o j oi n t he sear ch f or Mi r o and t he ot her s.
You' l l wor k wi t h Col onel Sost el o. '
Ther e was a l ong, danger ous pause. ' Whi ch one of us wi l l
be i n char ge of t he oper at i on?' Acoca' s eyes wer e i cy.
The Pr i me Mi ni st er swal l owed. ' You wi l l be, of cour se. '
Luci a and t he t hr ee si st er s t r avel l ed t hr ough t he ear l y dawn,
movi ng nor t h- east i nt o t he mount ai ns, headi ng away f r om
Avi l a and t he convent . The nuns, used t o movi ng i n si l ence,
made l i t t l e noi se. The onl y sounds wer e t he r ust l e of t hei r
r obes, t he cl i cki ng of t hei r r osar i es, an occasi onal snappi ng
t wi g, and t hei r gasps f or br eat h as t hey cl i mbed hi gher and
hi gher .
They r eached a pl at eau of t he Guadar r ama mount ai ns
and wal ked al ong a r ut t ed r oad bor der ed by st one wal l s.
They passed f i el ds wi t h sheep and goat s. By sunr i se t hey had
cover ed sever al mi l es and f ound t hemsel ves i n a wooded
ar ea out si de t he smal l vi l l age of Vi l l acast i n.
I ' l l l eave t hemher e, Luci a deci ded. Thei r God can t ake
car e of t hemnow. He cer t ai nl y t ook gr eat car e of me, she
t hought bi t t er l y. Swi t zer l and i s f ar t her away t han ever . I
46
j r i ve no money and no passpor t , and I ' mdr essed l i ke an
under t aker . By now t hose men know we' ve escaped. They' l l keep l ooki ng unt i l t hey
f i nd us. The sooner I get away by
mysel f , t he bet t er . But at t hat i nst ant , somet hi ng happened t hat made her
change her pl ans.
Si st er Ter esa was movi ng t hr ough t he t r ees when she
st umbl ed and t he package she had been so car ef ul l y guar di ng
f el l t o t he gr ound. I t spi l l ed out of i t s canvas wr appi ng and
Luci a f ound her sel f st ar i ng at a l ar ge, exqui si t el y wr ought
gol d cr oss gl owi ng i n t he r ays of t he r i si ng sun.
That ' s r eal gol d, Luci a t hought . Someone up t her e i s l ooki ng
af t er me. That cr oss i s manna. Sheer manna. I t ' s my t i cket
t o Swi t zer l and.
Luci a wat ched as Si st er Ter esa pi cked up t he cr oss and
car ef ul l y put i t back i n i t s wr appi ng. Luci a smi l ed t o her sel f .
I t was goi ng t o be easy t o t ake i t . These nuns woul d do
anyt hi ng she t ol d t hem.
The t own of Avi l a was i n an upr oar . News of t he at t ack on
t he convent had spr ead qui ckl y, and Fat her Ber r endo was
el ect ed t o conf r ont Col onel Acoca. The pr i est was i n hi s
sevent i es, wi t h an out war d f r ai l t y t hat bel i ed hi s i nner
st r engt h. He was a war mand under st andi ng shepher d t o hi s
par i shi oner s. But at t he moment he was f i l l ed wi t h a col d
f ur y.
Col onel Acoca kept hi mwai t i ng f or an hour , t hen al l owed
t he pr i est t o be shown i nt o hi s of f i ce.
Fat her Ber r endo sai d wi t hout pr eambl e, ' You and your
men at t acked a convent wi t hout pr ovocat i on. I t was an act
of madness. '
' We wer e si mpl y doi ng our dut y, ' t he Col onel sai d cur t l y.
The Abbey was shel t er i ng J ai me Mi r o and hi s band of
mur der er s, so t he si st er s br ought t hi s on t hemsel ves. We' r e
hol di ng t hemf or quest i oni ng. '
' Di d you f i nd J ai me Mi r o i n t he Abbey?' t he pr i est demanded
angr i l y.
47
FR1; Col onel Acoca sai d smoot hl y, ' No. He and hi s men escaped
bef or e we got t her e. But we' l l f i nd t hem, and j ust i ce
wi l l be done. '
My j ust i ce. Col onel Acoca t hought savagel y.
Chapt er 5
The nuns t r avel l ed sl owl y. Thei r gar b was i l l - desi gned f or
t he r ugged t er r ai n. Thei r sandal s wer e t oo t hi n t o pr ot ect
t hei r f eet agai nst t he st ony gr ound, and t hei r habi t s caught
on ever yt hi ng. Si st er Ter esa f ound she coul d not even say
her r osar y. She needed bot h hands t o keep t he br anches
f r omsnappi ng i n her f ace.
I n t he l i ght of day, f r eedomseemed even mor e t er r i f yi ng
t han bef or e. God had cast t he si st er s out of Eden i nt o a
st r ange, f r i ght eni ng wor l d, and Hi s gui dance t hat t hey had
l eaned on f or so l ong was gone. They f ound t hemsel ves i n
an unchar t ed count r y wi t h no map and no compass. The
wal l s t hat had pr ot ect ed t hemf r omhar mf or so l ong had
vani shed and t hey f el t naked and exposed. Danger was
ever ywher e, and t hey no l onger had a pl ace of r ef uge. They
wer e al i ens. The unaccust omed si ght s and sounds of t he
count r y wer e dazzl i ng. Ther e wer e i nsect s and bi r d songs
and hot , bl ue ski es assaul t i ng t he senses. And t her e was
somet hi ng el se t hat was di st ur bi ng.
When t hey f i r st f l ed t he convent , Ter esa, Gr aci el a and
Megan had car ef ul l y avoi ded l ooki ng at one anot her , i nst i nct i vel y
keepi ng t o t he r ul es. But now, each f ound her sel f
avi dl y st udyi ng t he f aces of t he ot her s. Al so, af t er al l t he
year s of si l ence, t hey f ound i t di f f i cul t t o speak, and when
t hey di d speak, t hei r wor ds wer e hal t i ng, as t hough t hey
wer e l ear ni ng a st r ange new ski l l . Thei r voi ces sounded
st r ange i n t hei r ear s. Onl y Luci a seemed uni nhi bi t ed and
sur e of her sel f , and t he ot her s aut omat i cal l y t ur ned t o her
f or l eader shi p.
. . - . . . . , . , i no Y>; i i l uuuuuL' c our sel ves, Luci a sai d. ' I ' m
Si st er Luci a. '
Ther e was an awkwar d pause, and Gr aci el a sai d shyl y,
' I ' mSi st er Gr aci el a. '
The dar k- hai r ed, ar r est i ngl y beaut i f ul one. ' I ' mSi st er Megan. '
The young bl onde wi t h t he st r i ki ng bl ue eyes.
' I ' mSi st er Ter esa. '
The el dest of t he gr oup. Fi f t y? Si xt y?
As t hey l ay i n t he woods r est i ng out si de of t he vi l l age,
Luci a t hought : They' r e l i ke newbor n bi r ds f al l en out of t hei r
nest s. They won' t l ast f i ve mi nut es on t hei r own. Wel l , t oo
bad f or t hem. I ' l l be on my way t o Swi t zer l and wi t h t he cr oss.
Luci a wal ked t o t he edge of t he cl ear i ng t hey wer e i n and
peer ed t hr ough t he t r ees t owar ds t he l i t t l e vi l l age bel ow. A
f ew peopl e wer e wal ki ng al ong t he st r eet , but t her e was no
si gn of t he men who had r ai ded t he convent . Now, Luci a
t hought . Her e' s my chance.
She t ur ned t o t he ot her s. ' I ' mgoi ng down t o t he vi l l age
t o t r y t o get us some f ood. You wai t her e. ' She nodded
t owar ds Si st er Ter esa. ' You come wi t h me. '
Si st er Ter esa was conf used. For t hi r t y year s she had
obeyed onl y t he or der s of Rever end Mot her Bet i na and now
suddenl y t hi s si st er had t aken char ge. But what i s happeni ng
i s God' s wi l l . Si st er Ter esa t hought . He has appoi nt ed her t o
hel p us, so she speaks wi t h Hi s voi ce. ' I must get t hi s cr oss
t o t he convent at Mendavi a as soon as possi bl e. '
' Ri ght . When we get down t her e, we' l l ask f or di r ect i ons. '
The t wo of t hemst ar t ed down t he hi l l t owar ds t he t own,
Luci a keepi ng a car ef ul l ookout f or t r oubl e. Ther e was none.
Thi s i s goi ng t o be easy, Luci a t hought .
They r eached t he out ski r t s of t he l i t t l e t own. A si gn sai d,
' Vi l l acast i n' . Ahead of t hemwas t he mai n st r eet . To t he l ef t
was a smal l , deser t ed st r eet .
Good, Luci a t hought . Ther e woul d be no one t o wi t ness
what was about t o happen.
Luci a t ur ned i nt o t he si de st r eet . ' Let ' s go t hi s way. Ther e' s
l ess chance of bei ng seen. '
Si st er Ter esa nodded and obedi ent l y f ol l owed Luci a. The
nuest i on now was how t o get t he cr oss away f r omher .
coul d gr ab i t and r un, Luci a t hought , but she' d pr obabl y
scr eamand at t r act a l ot of at t ent i on. No, I ' l l have t o make
sur e she st ays qui et .
The smal l l i mb of a t r ee had f al l en t o t he gr ound i n f r ont
of her , and Luci a paused, t hen st ooped t o pi ck i t up. I t was
heavy. Per f ect . She wai t ed f or Si st er Ter esa t o cat ch up t o
her .
' Si st er Ter esa . . . '
The nun t ur ned t o l ook at her , and as Luci a st ar t ed t o
r ai se t he cl ub, a mal e voi ce f r omout of nowher e sai d, ' God
be wi t h you. Si st er s. '
Luci a spun ar ound, r eady t o r un. A man was st andi ng
t her e, dr essed i n t he l ong br own r obe and cowl of a f r i ar .
He was t al l and t hi n, wi t h an aqui l i ne f ace and t he sai nt l i est
expr essi on Luci a had ever seen. Hi s eyes seemed t o gl ow
wi t h a war mi nner l i ght , and hi s voi ce was sof t and gent l e.
' I ' mFr i ar Mi guel Car r i l l o. '
Luci a' s mi nd was r aci ng. Her f i r st pl an had been i nt er r upt ed.
But now, suddenl y, she had a bet t er one. ' Thank God
you f ound us, ' Luci a sai d.
Thi s man was goi ng t o be her escape. He woul d know t he
easi est way f or her t o get out of Spai n.
' We come f r omt he Ci st er ci an convent near Avi l a, ' Luci a
expl ai ned. ' Last ni ght some men r ai ded i t . Al l t he nuns wer e
t aken. Four of us managed t o escape. '
When t he f r i ar r epl i ed, hi s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h anger . ' I
come f r omt he monast er y at Sai nt Gener r o, wher e I have
been f or t he past t went y year s. We wer e at t acked t he ni ght
bef or e l ast . ' He si ghed. ' I know t hat God has some pl an f or
al l Hi s chi l dr en, but I must conf ess t hat at t hi s moment I
don' t under st and what i t mi ght be. '
' These men ar e sear chi ng f or us, ' Luci a sai d. ' I t i s i mpor t ant
t hat we get out of Spai n as f ast as possi bl e. Do you
know how t hat can be done?'
Fr i ar Car r i l l o smi l ed gent l y. ' I t hi nk I can hel p you. Si st er .
God has br ought us t oget her . Take me t o t he ot her s. '
l ui - i u ul uugni me mar t o me gr oup. .
Thi s i s Fr i ar Car r i l l o, ' she sai d. ' He' s been i n a monast er y
f or t he l ast t went y year s. He' s come t o hel p us. '
Thei r r eact i ons t o t he f r i ar wer e mi xed. Gr aci el a dar ed
not l ook di r ect l y at hi m. Megan st udi ed hi mwi t h qui ck,
i nt er est ed gl ances, and Si st er Ter esa r egar ded hi mas a
messenger sent by God, who woul d l ead t hemt o t he convent
at Mendavi a.
Fr i ar Car r i l l o sai d, ' The men who at t acked t he convent
wi l l undoubt edl y keep sear chi ng f or you. But t hey wi l l be
l ooki ng f or f our nuns. The f i r st t hi ng we must do i s get you
a change of cl ot hi ng. '
Megan r emi nded hi m, ' We have no cl ot hes t o change i nt o. '
Fr i ar Car r i l l o gave her a beat i f i c smi l e. ' Our Lor d has a
ver y l ar ge war dr obe. Do not wor r y, my chi l d. He wi l l pr ovi de.
Let us go i nt o t own. '
I t was t wo o' cl ock i n t he af t er noon, si est a t i me, and Fr i ar
Car r i l l o and t he f our si st er s wal ked down t he mai n st r eet of
t he vi l l age, al er t f or any si gns of t hei r pur suer s. The shops
wer e cl osed, but t he r est aur ant s and bar s wer e open and
f r omt hemt hey coul d hear st r ange musi c i ssui ng, har d,
di ssonant and r aucous soundi ng.
Fr i ar Car r i l l o saw t he l ook on Si st er Ter esa' s f ace. ' That ' s ,
r ock and r ol l , ' he sai d. ' Ver y popul ar wi t h t he young t hese
days. '
A pai r of young women st andi ng i n f r ont of one of t he
bar s st ar ed at t he nuns as t hey passed. The nuns st ar ed back,
wi de- eyed, at t he st r ange cl ot hi ng t he pai r wor e. One wor e
a ski r t so shor t i t bar el y cover ed her t hi ghs, t he ot her wor e
a l onger ski r t t hat was spl i t up t o t he si des of her t hi ghs.
Bot h wor e t i ght kni t t ed bodi ces wi t h no sl eeves.
They mi ght as wel l be naked. Si st er Ter esa t hought , hor r i f i ed.
I n t he door way st ood a man who wor e a t ur t l eneck
sweat er , a st r ange- l ooki ng j acket wi t hout a col l ar , and a
j ewel l ed pendant .
Unf ami l i ar odour s gr eet ed t he nuns as t hey passed a
bodega. Ni cot i ne and whi sky.
Megan was st ar i ng at somet hi ng acr oss t he st r eet . She
st opped.
Fr i ar Car r i l l o sai d, ' What i s i t ? What ' s t he mat t er ?' He
t ur ned t o l ook.
Megan was wat chi ng a woman car r yi ng a baby. How many year s had i t been si nce she
had seen a baby, or even a smal l
chi l d? Not si nce t he or phanage, f our t een year s ago. The
sudden shock made Megan r eal i ze how f ar her l i f e had been
r emoved f r omt he out si de wor l d.
Si st er Ter esa was st ar i ng at t he baby, t oo, but she was
t hi nki ng of somet hi ng el se. I t ' s Moni que' s baby. The baby
acr oss t he st r eet was scr eami ng. I t ' s scr eami ng because I
deser t ed i t . But no, t hat ' s i mpossi bl e. That was t hi r t y year s
ago. Si st er Ter esa t ur ned away, t he baby' s cr i es r i ngi ng i n
her ear s. They moved on.
They passed a ci nema. The post er r ead. Thr ee Lover s, and t he phot ogr aphs
di spl ayed showed ski mpi l y- cl ad women
embr aci ng a bar e- chest ed man.
' Why, t hey' r e - t hey' r e al most naked! ' Si st er Ter esa excl ai med.
Fr i ar Car r i l l o f r owned. ' Yes. I t ' s di sgr acef ul what t he
ci nema i s per mi t t ed t o show t hese days. That f i l mi s
pur e por nogr aphy. The most per sonal and pr i vat e act s ar e
t her e f or ever yone t o see. They t ur n God' s chi l dr en i nt o
ani mal s. '
They passed a har dwar e st or e, a hai r dr essi ng sal on, a
f l ower shop, a sweet shop, al l cl osed f or t he si est a, and at
each shop t he si st er s st opped and st ar ed at t he wi ndows,
f i l l ed wi t h once f ami l i ar , f ai nt l y r emember ed goods.
When t hey came t o a women' s dr ess shop. Fr i ar Car r i l l o
sai d, ' St op. '
The bl i nds wer e pul l ed down over t he f r ont wi ndows and
a si gn on t he f r ont door sai d, ' Cl osed' .
' Wai t her e f or me, pl ease. '
The f our women wat ched as he wal ked t o t he cor ner and
t ur ned out of si ght . They l ooked at one anot her bl ankl y.
Wher e was he goi ng, and what i f he di d not r et ur n?
A f ew mi nut es l at er , t hey hear d t he sound of t he f r ont
uui i ui me snop openi ng, and hr i ar Car r i l l o st ood i n t he
door way, beami ng. He mot i oned t hemi nsi de. ' Hur r y. '
When t hey wer e al l i n t he shop and t he f r i ar had l ocked
t he door , Luci a asked, ' How di d you ?'
' God pr ovi des a back door as wel l as a f r ont door , ' t he
f r i ar sai d gr avel y. But t her e was an i mpi sh edge t o hi s voi ce
t hat made Megan smi l e.
The si st er s l ooked ar ound t he shop i n awe. The st or e was
a mul t i - col our ed cor nucopi a of dr esses and sweat er s and
br as and st ocki ngs, hi gh- heel ed shoes and bol er os. Obj ect s
t hey had not seen i n year s. And t he st yl es seemed so st r ange.
Ther e wer e handbags and scar ves and compact s and bl ouses.
I t was al l t oo much t o absor b. The women st ood t her e,
gapi ng.
' We must move qui ckl y, ' Fr i ar Car r i l l o war ned t hem, ' and
l eave bef or e si est a i s over and t he shop r eopens. Hel p
your sel ves. Choose what ever f i t s you. '
Luci a t hought : Thank God I can f i nal l y dr ess l i ke a woman
agai n. She wal ked over t o a r ack of dr esses and began t o
sor t t hr ough t hem. She f ound a bei ge ski r t and t an si l k bl ouse
t o go wi t h i t . I t ' s not Bal enci aga, but i t wi l l do f or now. She
pi cked out pant i es and a br a and a pai r of sof t boot s. She
st epped behi nd a cl ot hes r ack, st r i pped and i n a mat t er of
mi nut es was dr essed and r eady t o go.
The ot her s wer e sl owl y sel ect i ng t hei r out f i t s.
Gr aci el a chose a whi t e cot t on dr ess t hat set of f her bl ack
hai r and dar k compl exi on, and a pai r of sandal s.
Megan chose a pat t er ned bl ue cot t on dr ess t hat f el l bel ow
t he knees and l ow- heel ed shoes.
Si st er Ter esa had t he most di f f i cul t t i me choosi ng somet hi ng
t o wear . The ar r ay of choi ces was t oo dazzl i ng. Ther e
wer e si l ks and f l annel s and t weeds and l eat her . Ther e wer e
cot t ons and t wi l l s and cor dur oys, and t her e wer e pl ai ds and
checks and st r i pes of ever y col our . And t hey al l seemed ski mpy, was t he wor d
t hat came t o Si st er Ter esa' s mi nd. For
t he past t hi r t y year s she had been decent l y cover ed by t he
heavy r obes of her cal l i ng. And now she was bei ng asked t o
shed t hemand put on t hese i ndecent cr eat i ons. She f i nal l y
54
el ect ed t he l ongest ski r t she coul d f i nd, and a l ong- sl eeved,
j , i gh- col l ar ed cot t on bl ouse.
Fr i ar Car r i l l o ur ged, ' Hur r y, Si st er s. Get undr essed and
change. ' .
They l ooked at one anot her i n embar r assment .
He smi l ed. ' I ' l l wai t i n t he of f i ce, of cour se. '
He wal ked t o t he back of t he shop and ent er ed t he
of f i ce.
The si st er s began t o undr ess, pai nf ul l y sel f - consci ous i n
f r ont of one anot her .
I n t he of f i ce. Fr i ar Car r i l l o had pul l ed a chai r up t o t he
t r ansomand was l ooki ng out t hr ough i t , wat chi ng t he si st er s
st r i p. He was t hi nki ng: Whi ch one amI goi ng t o scr ew f i r st ?
Mi guel Car r i l l o had begun hi s car eer as a t hi ef when he was
onl y t en year s ol d. He was bor n wi t h cur l y bl ond hai r and
an angel i c f ace, and t hey had pr oved t o be of i nest i mabl e
val ue i n hi s chosen pr of essi on. He st ar t ed at t he bot t om,
snat chi ng handbags and shopl i f t i ng, and as he got ol der , hi s
car eer expanded and he began r obbi ng dr unks and pr eyi ng
on weal t hy women. Because of hi s enor mous appeal , he was
ver y successf ul . He devi sed sever al or i gi nal swi ndl es, each
mor e i ngeni ous t han t he l ast . Unf or t unat el y, hi s l at est
swi ndl e had pr oved t o be hi s undoi ng.
Posi ng as a f r i ar f r oma di st ant monast er y, Car r i l l o t r avel l ed
f r omchur ch t o chur ch beggi ng sanct uar y f or t he ni ght .
I t was al ways gr ant ed, and i n t he mor ni ng when t he pr i est
came t o open t he chur ch door s, al l t he val uabl e ar t ef act s
woul d be mi ssi ng, al ong wi t h t he good f r i ar . Unf or t unat el y,
f at e had doubl e- cr ossed hi mand t wo ni ght s ear l i er i n Benj ar ,
a smal l t own near Avi l a, t he pr i est had r et ur ned unexpect edl y
and Mi guel Car r i l l o had been caught i n t he act of
pi l f er i ng t he chur ch t r easur y. The pr i est was a beef y, heavyset
man, and he had wr est l ed Car r i l l o t o t he f l oor and
announced t hat he was goi ng t o t ur n hi mover t o t he pol i ce.
A heavy si l ver chal i ce had f al l en t o t he f l oor , and Car r i l l o
had pi cked i t up and hi t t he pr i est wi t h i t . Ei t her t he chal i ce
55
was t oo heavy, or t he pr i est ' s skul l was t oo t hi n, but i n any
case t he pr i est l ay dead on t he f l oor . Mi guel Car r i l l o had
f l ed, pani cky, anxi ous t o put hi msel f as f ar away f r omt he
scene of t he cr i me as possi bl e. He had passed t hr ough Avi l a
and hear d t he st or y of t he at t ack on t he convent by Col onel
Acoca and t he secr et GOE. I t was f at e t hat Car r i l l o had
chanced upon t he f our escaped nuns.
Now, eager wi t h ant i ci pat i on, he st udi ed t hei r naked
bodi es, and t hought : Ther e' s anot her i nt er est i ng possi bi l i t y.
Si nce Col onel Acoca and hi s men ar e l ooki ng f or t he si st er s,
t her e i s pr obabl y a ni ce, f at r ewar d on t hei r heads. I ' l l l ay
t hemf i r st , and t hen t ur n t hemover t o Acoca.
The women, except f or Luci a, who was al r eady dr essed,
wer e t ot al l y naked. Car r i l l o wat ched as t hey awkwar dl y
put on t he new under cl ot hes. Then t hey f i ni shed dr essi ng,
cl umsi l y but t oni ng unaccust omed but t ons and f ast eni ng zi ps,
hur r yi ng t o get away bef or e t hey wer e caught .
Ti me t o get t o wor k, Car r i l l o t hought happi l y. He got down
f r omt he chai r and wal ked out i nt o t he shop. He appr oached
t he women, st udi ed t hemappr ovi ngl y, and sai d, ' Excel l ent .
No one i n t he wor l d woul d ever t ake you f or nuns. I mi ght
suggest scar ves f or your heads. ' He sel ect ed one f or each of
t hemand wat ched t hemput t hemon.
Mi guel Car r i l l o had made hi s deci si on. Gr aci el a was goi ng
t o be t he f i r st . She was undoubt edl y one of t he most beaut i f ul
women he had ever seen. And t hat body! How coul d she
have wast ed i t on God? I ' l l show her what t o do wi t h i t .
He sai d t o Luci a, Ter esa and Megan, ' You must al l be
hungr y. I want you t o go t o t he caf e we passed and wai t f or
us t her e. I ' l l go t o t he chur ch and bor r ow some money f r om
t he pr i est so we can eat . ' He t ur ned t o Gr aci el a. ' I want
you t o come wi t h me. Si st er , t o expl ai n t o t he pr i est what
happened at t he convent . '
' I - ver y wel l . '
Car r i l l o sai d t o t he ot her s, ' We' l l be al ong i n a l i t t l e whi l e.
I woul d suggest you use t he back door . '
He wat ched as Luci a, Ter esa and Megan l ef t . When he
hear d t he door cl ose behi nd t hem, he t ur ned t o Gr aci el a.
56
She' s f ant ast i c, he t hought . Maybe I ' l l keep her wi t h me,
br eak her i n t o some cons. She coul d be a bi g hel p.
Gr aci el a was wat chi ng hi m. ' I ' mr eady. '
' Not yet . ' Car r i l l o pr et ended t o st udy her f or a moment .
No, I ' maf r ai d i t won' t do. That dr ess i s al l wr ong f or you.
Take i t of f . '
' But - why?'
' I t doesn' t f i t pr oper l y, ' Car r i l l o sai d gl i bl y. ' Peopl e wi l l
not i ce, and you don' t want t o at t r act at t ent i on. '
She hesi t at ed, t hen moved behi nd a r ack.
' Hur r y, now. We have ver y l i t t l e t i me. '
Awkwar dl y, Gr aci el a sl i pped t he dr ess over her head. She
was i n her pant i es and br assi er e when Car r i l l o suddenl y
appear ed.
' Take ever yt hi ng of f . ' Hi s voi ce was husky.
Gr aci el a st ar ed at hi m. ' What ? No! ' she cr i ed. ' I - 1 can' t .
Pl ease - 1 - '
Car r i l l o moved cl oser t o her . ' I ' l l hel p you. Si st er . '
Hi s hands r eached out and he r i pped of f her br assi er e and
t or e at her pant i es.
' No! ' she scr eamed. ' You must n' t ! St op i t ! '
Car r i l l o gr i nned. ' Car i t a, we' r e j ust get t i ng st ar t ed. You' r e
goi ng t o l ove t hi s. '
Hi s st r ong ar ms wer e ar ound her . He f or ced her t o t he
f l oor and l i f t ed hi s r obe.
I t was as t hough a cur t ai n i n Gr aci el a' s mi nd suddenl y
descended. I t was t he Moor t r yi ng t o t hr ust hi msel f i nsi de
her , t ear i ng i nt o t he dept hs of her , and her mot her ' s shr i l l
voi ce was scr eami ng.
And Gr aci el a t hought , t er r i f i ed. No, not agai n. No, pl ease
- not agai n . . .
She was st r uggl i ng f i er cel y now, f i ght i ng Car r i l l o of f , t r yi ng
t o get up.
' Goddamn you, ' he cr i ed.
He sl ammed hi s f i st i nt o her f ace, and Gr aci el a f el l back,
st unned and di zzy.
She f ound her sel f spi nni ng back i n t i me.
Back . . . Back . . .
57
FR1; Las Navas del Mar ques,
Spai n 1950
She was f i ve year s ol d. Her ear l i est memor i es wer e of a
pr ocessi on of naked st r anger s cl i mbi ng i n and out of her
mot her ' s bed.
Her mot her expl ai ned, " They ar e your uncl es. You must
show t hemr espect . '
The men wer e gr oss and cr ude and l acked af f ect i on. They
st ayed f or a ni ght , a week, a mont h, and t hen vani shed.
When t hey l ef t , Dol or es Pi ner o woul d i mmedi at el y l ook f or
a new man.
I n her yout h, Dol or es Pi ner o had been a beaut y, and Gr aci el a
had i nher i t ed her mot her ' s l ooks. Even as a chi l d, Gr aci el a
was st unni ng t o l ook at , wi t h hi gh cheekbones, an ol i ve compl exi on,
shi ny bl ack hai r and t hi ck, l ong eyel ashes. Her young
body was nubi l e wi t h pr omi se. Wi t h t he passage of year s,
Dol or es Pi ner o' s body had t ur ned t o f at and her wonder f ul l y
boned f ace had become br ui sed wi t h t he bi t t er bl ows of t i me.
Al t hough Dol or es Pi ner o was no l onger beaut i f ul , she was
accessi bl e, and she had t he r eput at i on of bei ng a passi onat e
bed par t ner . Maki ng l ove was her one t al ent , and she empl oyed
i t t o t r y t o pl ease men i nt o bondage, hopi ng t o keep
t hemby buyi ng t hei r l ove wi t h her body. She made a meagr e
l i vi ng as a seamst r ess because she was an i ndi f f er ent one,
and was hi r ed onl y by t he women of t he vi l l age who coul d
not af f or d t he bet t er ones.
r r aci el a' s mot her despi sed her daught er , t or she was
nst ant r emi nder of t he one man whomDol or es a q had ever l oved. Gr aci el a' s
f at her was a hand-
me young mechani c who had pr oposed t o t he beaut i f ul s0 g Dol or es, and she had
eager l y l et hi mseduce her .
When she had br oken t he news t hat she was pr egnant ,
he had di sappear ed, l eavi ng Dol or es wi t h t he cur se of hi s
seed.
Dol or es Pi ner o had a vi ci ous t emper , and she t ook her
vengeance out on t he chi l d. Any t i me Gr aci el a di d somet hi ng
t o di spl ease her , her mot her woul d hi t her and scr eam,
You' r e as st upi d as your f at her ! '
Ther e was no way f or t he chi l d t o escape t he r ai n of bl ows
or t he const ant scr eami ng. Gr aci el a woul d wake up ever y
mor ni ng and pr ay: ' Pl ease, God, don' t l et Mama beat me
t oday.
' Pl ease, God, make Mama happy t oday.
' Pl ease, God, l et Mama say she l oves me t oday. '
When she was not at t acki ng Gr aci el a, her mot her i gnor ed
her . Gr aci el a pr epar ed her own meal s and t ook car e of her
cl ot hes. She made her l unch t o t ake t o school , and she woul d
say t o her t eacher , ' My mot her made me empanadas t oday.
She knows how much I l i ke empanadas. '
Or : ' I t or e my dr ess, but my mot her sewed i t up f or me.
She l oves doi ng t hi ngs f or me. '
Or : ' My mot her and I ar e goi ng t o t he pi ct ur es t omor r ow. '
And i t woul d br eak her t eacher ' s hear t . Las Navas del
Mar ques i s a smal l vi l l age an hour f r omAvi l a, and l i ke al l
vi l l ages ever ywher e, ever yone knew ever yone el se' s
busi ness. The l i f est yl e of Dol or es Pi ner o was a di sgr ace, and
i t r ef l ect ed on Gr aci el a. Mot her s r ef used t o l et t hei r chi l dr en
pl ay wi t h t he l i t t l e gi r l , l est t hei r mor al s be cont ami nat ed.
Gr aci el a went t o t he school on Pl azol et a del Cr i st o, but she
had no f r i ends and no pl aymat es. She was one of t he br i ght est
st udent s i n t he school , but her examr esul t s wer e poor . I t
was di f f i cul t f or her t o concent r at e, f or she was al ways
t i r ed.
Her t eacher woul d admoni sh her , ' You must get t o bed
ear ner , ur aci el a, so t hat you ar e r est ed enough t o do youi
wor k pr oper l y. '
But her exhaust i on had not hi ng t o do wi t h get t i ng t o bed
l at e. Gr aci el a and her mot her shar ed a smal l , t wo- r oomcasa The gi r l sl ept on a
couch i n t he t i ny r oom, wi t h onl y a t hi n
wor n cur t ai n separ at i ng i t f r omt he bedr oom. How coul d
Gr aci el a t el l her t eacher about t he obscene sounds i n t he
ni ght t hat awakened her and kept her awake, as she l i st ened
t o her mot her maki ng l ove t o whi chever st r anger happened
t o be i n her bed?
When Gr aci el a br ought home her r epor t car d, her mot her woul d scr eam, ' These ar e
t he cur sed mar ks I expect ed you
t o get , and do you know why you got t hese t er r i bl e mar ks?
Because you' r e st upi d. St upi d! '
And Gr aci el a woul d bel i eve i t and t r y har d not t o cr y.
I n t he af t er noons when school was over , Gr aci el a woul d
wander ar ound by her sel f , wal ki ng t hr ough t he nar r ow,
wi ndi ng st r eet s l i ned wi t h acaci a and sycamor e t r ees, past
t he whi t ewashed st one houses, wher e l ovi ng f at her s l i ved
wi t h t hei r f ami l i es. Gr aci el a had many pl aymat es, but t hey
wer e al l i n her mi nd. Ther e wer e beaut i f ul gi r l s and handsome
boys, and t hey i nvi t ed her t o al l t hei r par t i es, wher e
t hey ser ved wonder f ul cakes and i ce cr eam. Her i magi nar y
f r i ends wer e ki nd and l ovi ng, and t hey al l t hought she was
ver y smar t . When her mot her was not ar ound, Gr aci el a
woul d car r y on l ong conver sat i ons wi t h t hem.
Woul d you hel p me wi t h my homewor k, Gr aci el a? I dor i know how t o do sums, and
you' r e so good at t hem.
What shal l we do t oni ght , Gr aci el a? We coul d go t o t f f t
pi ct ur es, or wal k i nt o t own and have a l emonade.
Wi l l your mot her l et you come t o di nner t oni ght , Gr aci el a We' r e havi ng pael l a, g
No, I ' maf r ai d not . Mot her get s l onel y i f I ' mnot wi t h Aer . J I ' mal l she has,
you know.
On Sundays, Gr aci el a r ose ear l y and dr essed qui et l y,
car ef ul not t o awaken her mot her and whi chever uncl e was
her bed, and wal ked t o t he San J uan Baut i st a Chur ch, " her e Fat her Per ez t al ked
of t he j oys of l i f e af t er deat h, a w - yt al e l i f e wi t h J esus; and Gr aci el a coul d
not wai t t o di e
and meet J esus.
Fat her Per ez was an at t r act i ve pr i est i n hi s ear l y f or t i es.
He had mi ni st er ed t o t he r i ch and t he poor , and t he si ck and
t he vi t al , si nce he had come t o Las Navas del Mar ques
sever al year s ear l i er , and t her e wer e no secr et s i n t he l i t t l e
vi l l age t o whi ch he was not pr i vy. Fat her Per ez knew Gr aci el a
as a r egul ar chur ch- goer , and he, t oo, was awar e of t he
st or i es of t he const ant st r eamof st r anger s who shar ed
Dol or es Pi ner o' s bed. I t was not a f i t home f or a young gi r l ,
but t her e was not hi ng anyone coul d do about i t . I t amazed
t he pr i est t hat Gr aci el a had t ur ned out as wel l as she had.
She was ki nd and gent l e and never compl ai ned or t al ked
about her home l i f e.
Gr aci el a woul d appear at chur ch ever y Sunday mor ni ng
wear i ng a cl ean, neat out f i t t hat he was sur e she had washed
her sel f . Fat her Per ez knew she was shunned by t he ot her
chi l dr en i n t own, and hi s hear t went out t o her . He made i t
a poi nt t o spend a f ew moment s wi t h her af t er mass each
Sunday, and when he had t i me, he woul d t ake her t o a l i t t l e
caf e f or a t r eat of hel ado.
I n t he wi nt er Gr aci el a' s l i f e was a dr ear y l andscape, monot onous
and gl oomy. Las Navas del Mar ques was i n a val l ey
sur r ounded by t he Cr uz Ver de mount ai ns and, because of
t hat , t he wi nt er s wer e si x mont hs l ong. The summer s wer e
easi er t o bear , f or t hen t he t our i st s ar r i ved and f i l l ed t he
t own wi t h l aught er and danci ng and t he st r eet s came al i ve.
The t our i st s woul d gat her at t he Pl aza de Manuel Del gado
Bar r edo, wi t h i t s l i t t l e bandst and bui l t on st one, and l i st en
t o t he or chest r a and wat ch t he nat i ves dance t he Sar dana,
t he cent ur i es- ol d t r adi t i onal f ol k dance, bar ef oot , t hei r hands
l i nked, as t hey moved gr acef ul l y ar ound i n a col our f ul ci r cl e. Gr aci el a wat ched
t he vi si t or s as t hey sat at t he pavement
caf es dr i nki ng aper i t i ves or shoppi ng at t he pescader i a - t he
f i sh mar ket , or t hef ar maci a. At one o' cl ock i n t he af t er noon
t he bodega was al ways f i l l ed wi t h t our i st s dr i nki ng chat eo and pi cki ng at t apas,
seaf ood and ol i ves and chi ps.
The most exci t i ng t hi ng f or Gr aci el a was t o wat ch t he paseo each eveni ng. Boys
and gi r l s woul d wal k up and down
t he Pl aza Mayor i n segr egat ed gr oups, t he boys eyei ng t he
gi r l s, whi l e par ent s and gr andpar ent s and f r i ends wat ched,
hawk- eyed, f r omsi dewal k caf es. I t was t he t r adi t i onal mat i ng
r i t ual , obser ved f or cent ur i es. Gr aci el a l onged t o j oi n i n i t ,
but her mot her f or bade her .
' Do you want t o be aput aT she woul d scr eamat Gr aci el a.
' St ay away f r omboys. They want onl y one t hi ng f r omyou.
I know f r omexper i ence, ' she added bi t t er l y.
I f t he days wer e bear abl e, t he ni ght s wer e an agony. Thr ough
t he t hi n cur t ai n t hat separ at ed t hei r beds, Gr aci el a coul d
hear t he sounds of savage moani ng and wr i t hi ngs and heavy
br eat hi ng, and al ways t he obsceni t i es.
' Fast er . . . har der ! '
' j CogemeF
Mdmame l a ver ga! "
' j Met el a en ei cul o! '
Bef or e she was t en year s ol d, Gr aci el a had hear d ever y
obscene wor d i n t he Spani sh vocabul ar y. They wer e whi sper ed
and shout ed and shudder ed and moaned. The cr i es of
passi on r epel l ed Gr aci el a, and at t he same t i me awakened
st r ange l ongi ngs i n her .
When Gr aci el a was f our t een year s ol d, t he Moor moved i n.
He was t he bi ggest man Gr aci el a had ever seen. Hi s ski n
was shi ny bl ack, and hi s head was shaved. He had enor mous
shoul der s, a bar r el chest and huge ar ms. The Moor had
ar r i ved i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght when Gr aci el a was asl eep,
and she got her f i r st si ght of hi mi n t he mor ni ng when
he pushed t he cur t ai n asi de and wal ked st ar k naked past
Gr aci el a' s bed t o go out si de t o t he out house i n t he yar d.
Gr aci el a l ooked at hi mand al most gasped al oud. He was
enor mous, i n ever y par t . That wi l l ki l l my mot her , Gr aci el a
t hought .
The Moor was st ar i ng at her . ' Wel l , wel l . And who do we
have her e?'
Dol or es Pi ner o hur r i ed out of her bed and moved t o hi s
si de. ' My daught er , ' she sai d cur t l y.
A wave of embar r assment swept over Gr aci el a, as she saw
her mot her ' s naked body next t o t he man.
The Moor smi l ed, showi ng beaut i f ul whi t e, even t eet h.
' What ' s your name, guapaY
Gr aci el a was t oo shamed by hi s nakedness t o speak.
' Her name' s Gr aci el a. She' s r et ar ded. '
' She' s beaut i f ul . I ' l l bet you l ooked l i ke t hat when you
wer e young. '
' I ' mst i l l young, ' Dol or es Pi ner o snapped. She t ur ned t o
her daught er . ' Get dr essed. You' l l be l at e f or school . '
' Yes, Mama. '
The Moor st ood t her e, eyei ng her .
The ol der woman t ook hi s ar mand sai d caj ol i ngl y, ' Come
back t o bed, quer i do. We' r e not f i ni shed yet . '
' Lat er , ' t he Moor sai d. He was st i l l l ooki ng at Gr aci el a.
The Moor st ayed. Ever y day when Gr aci el a came home f r om
school she pr ayed t hat he woul d be gone. For r easons she
di d not under st and, he t er r i f i ed her . He was al ways pol i t e t o
her and never made any advances, yet t he mer e t hought of
hi msent shi ver s t hr ough her body.
Hi s t r eat ment of her mot her was somet hi ng di f f er ent . The
Moor st ayed i n t he smal l house most of t he day, dr i nki ng
heavi l y. He t ook what ever money Dol or es Pi ner o ear ned.
Somet i mes at ni ght i n t he mi ddl e of l ovemaki ng, Gr aci el a
woul d hear hi mbeat i ng her mot her , and i n t he mor ni ng
Dol or es Pi ner o woul d appear wi t h a bl ackened eye or spl i t
l i p.
' Mama, why do you put up wi t h hi m?' Gr aci el a asked.
' You woul dn' t under st and, ' she sai d sul l enl y. ' He' s a r eal
man, noi a mi dget l i ke t he ot her s. He knows how t o sat i sf y ?
a woman. ' She r an her hand t hr ough her hai r coquet t i shl y I
' Besi des, he' s madl y i n l ove wi t h me. '
Gr aci el a di d not bel i eve i t . She knew t hat t he Moor was
usi ng her mot her , but she di d not dar e pr ot est agai n. She was
t oo t er r i f i ed of her mot her ' s t emper , f or when Dol or es Pi ner o
was r eal l y angr y, a ki nd of i nsani t y t ook possessi on of her . She
had once chased Gr aci el a wi t h a ki t chen kni f e because she had
dar ed make a pot of t ea f or one of t he ' uncl es' .
Ear l y one Sunday mor ni ng Gr aci el a r ose t o get r eady f or
chur ch. Her mot her had l ef t ear l y t o del i ver some dr esses.
As Gr aci el a pul l ed of f her ni ght gown, t he cur t ai n was pushed
asi de and t he Moor appear ed. He was naked.
' Wher e' s your mot her , guapaT ' Mama went out ear l y. She had some er r ands t o do. '
The Moor was st udyi ng Gr aci el a' s nude body. ' You r eal l y
ar e a beaut y, ' he sai d sof t l y.
Gr aci el a f el t her f ace f l ush. She knew what she shoul d do.
She shoul d cover her nakedness, put on her ski r t and bl ouse
and l eave. I nst ead, she st ood t her e, unabl e t o move. She
wat ched hi s manhood begi n t o swel l and gr ow bef or e her
eyes. She coul d hear t he voi ces r i ngi ng i n her ear s: ' Fast er . . . Har der ! ' l
She f el t f ai nt . A
The Moor sai d huski l y, ' You' r e a chi l d. Get your cl ot hes
on and get out of her e. '
And Gr aci el a f ound her sel f movi ng. Movi ng t owar ds hi m.
She r eached up and sl i d her ar ms ar ound hi s wai st and f el t
hi s mal e har dness agai nst her body.
' No, ' she moaned. ' I ' mnot a chi l d. '
The pai n t hat f ol l owed was l i ke not hi ng Gr aci el a had ever
known. I t was excr uci at i ng, unbear abl e. I t was wonder f ul ,
exhi l ar at i ng, beaut i f ul . She hel d t he Moor t i ght l y i n her
ar ms, scr eami ng wi t h ecst asy. He br ought her t o or gasm
af t er or gasm, and Gr aci el a t hought : So t hi s i s what t he
myst er y i s al l about . And i t was so wonder f ul t o f i nal l y know
t he secr et of al l cr eat i on, t o be a par t of l i f e at l ast , t o know
what j oy was f or now and f or ever .
What t he f uck ar e you doi ng?'
I t was Dol or es Pi ner o' s voi ce scr eami ng, and f or an i nst ant
ever yt hi ng st opped, f r ozen i n t i me. Dol or es Pi ner o was
st andi ng at t he si de of t he bed, st ar i ng down at her daught er
and t he Moor .
Gr aci el a l ooked up at her mot her , t oo t er r i f i ed t o speak.
Dol or es Pi ner o' s eyes wer e f i l l ed wi t h an i nsane r age.
' You bi t ch! ' she yel l ed. ' You r ot t en bi t ch. '
' Mama - pl ease - '
Dol or es Pi ner o pi cked up a heavy i r on asht r ay at t he
bedsi de and sl ammed i t agai nst her daught er ' s head.
That was t he l ast t hi ng Gr aci el a r emember ed.
She awoke i n a l ar ge, whi t e hospi t al war d wi t h t wo dozen
beds i n i t , al l of t hemoccupi ed. Har r i ed nur ses scur r i ed back
and f or t h, t r yi ng t o at t end t o t he heeds of t he pat i ent s.
Gr aci el a' s head was r acked wi t h excr uci at i ng pai n. Each
t i me she moved, r i ver s of f i r e f l owed t hr ough her . She l ay
t her e, l i st eni ng t o t he cr i es and moans of t he ot her pat i ent s.
Lat e i n t he af t er noon, a young doct or st opped by t he si de
of her bed. He was i n hi s ear l y t hi r t i es, but he l ooked ol d
and t i r ed.
' Wel l , ' he sai d. ' You' r e f i nal l y awake. '
' Wher e amI ?' I t hur t her t o speak.
' You' r e i n t he char i t y war d of t he Hospi t al Pr ovi nci al i n
Avi l a. You wer e br ought i n yest er day. You wer e i n t er r i bl e
shape. We had t o st i t ch up your f or ehead. ' The doct or went
on: ' Our chi ef sur geon deci ded t o sew you up hi msel f . He
sai d you wer e t oo beaut i f ul t o have scar s. '
He' s wr ong, Gr aci el a t hought . I ' l l be scar r ed f or t he r est
of my l i f e.
On t he second day Fat her Per ez came t o see Gr aci el a. A
nur se moved a chai r t o t he bedsi de. The pr i est l ooked at t he
. - - . _. . . . , u. J ung gi n l yi ng mer e and hi s hear t mel t ed.
The t er r i bl e t hi ng t hat had happened t o her was t he scandal
of Las Navas del Mar ques, but t her e was not hi ng anyone
coul d do about i t . Dol or es Pi ner o had t ol d t he pol i ci a t hat
her daught er had i nj ur ed her head i n a f al l .
Now, Fat her Per ez asked, ' Ar e you f eel i ng bet t er , chi l d?'
Gr aci el a nodded, and t he movement made her head pound.
The pol i ci a have been aski ng quest i ons. I s t her e anyt hi ng
you woul d l i ke me t o t el l t hem?' ' I
Ther e was a l ong si l ence. Fi nal l y she sai d, ' I t was an
acci dent . '
He coul d not bear t he l ook i n her eyes. ' I see. '
What he had t o say was pai nf ul beyond wor ds. ' Gr aci el a,
I spoke wi t h your mot her . . . '
And Gr aci el a knew. ' I - I can' t go home agai n, can I ?'
' No, I ' maf r ai d not . We' l l t al k about i t . ' Fat her Per ez t ook
Gr aci el a' s hand. ' I ' l l come back t o see you t omor r ow. '
' Thank you. Fat her . '
When he l ef t , Gr aci el a l ay t her e, and she pr ayed: Dear
God, pl ease l et me di e. I don' t want t o l i ve.
She had nowher e t o go and no one t o go t o. Never agai n
woul d she see her home. She woul d never see her school
agai n, or t he f ami l i ar f aces of her t eacher s. Ther e was not hi ng
i n t he wor l d l ef t f or her .
A nur se st opped at her bedsi de. ' You need anyt hi ng?'
Gr aci el a l ooked up at her i n despai r . What was t her e t o
say?
The f ol l owi ng day t he doct or appear ed agai n.
' I have good news, ' he sai d awkwar dl y. ' You' r e wel l
enough t o l eave now. ' That was a l i e, but t he r est of hi s
speech was t r ue. ' We need t he bed. '
She was f r ee t o go - but go wher e?
When Fat her Per ez ar r i ved an hour l at er , he was accompani ed
by anot her pr i est .
66
Thi s i s Fat her Ber r endo, an ol d f r i end of mi ne.
Gr aci el a gl anced up at t he f r ai l - l ooki ng pr i est . ' Fat her . ' He was r i ght . Fat her
Ber r endo t hought . She i s beaut i f ul . Fat her Per ez had t ol d hi mt he st or y of what
had happened
t o Gr aci el a. The pr i est had expect ed t o see some vi si bl e si gns
of t he ki nd of envi r onment t he chi l d had l i ved i n, a har dness,
a def i ance, or sel f - pi t y. Ther e wer e none of t hose t hi ngs i n
t he young gi r l ' s f ace.
I ' msor r y you' ve had such a bad t i me, ' Fat her Ber r endo
t ol d her . The sent ence car r i ed a deeper meani ng.
Fat her Per ez sai d, ' Gr aci el a, I must r et ur n t o Las Navas
del Mar ques. I aml eavi ng you i n Fat her Ber r endo' s hands. '
Gr aci el a was f i l l ed wi t h a sudden sense of pani c. She f el t
as t hough her l ast l i nk wi t h home was bei ng cut . ' Don' t go, '
she pl eaded.
Fat her Per ez t ook her hand i n hi s. ' I know you f eel al one, '
he sai d war ml y, ' but you' r e not . Bel i eve me, chi l d, you' r e
not . '
A nur se appr oached t he bed car r yi ng a bundl e. She handed
i t t o Gr aci el a. ' Her e ar e your cl ot hes. I ' maf r ai d you' r e goi ng
t o have t o l eave now. '
An even gr eat er pani c sei zed her . ' Now?'
The t wo pr i est s exchanged a l ook.
' Why don' t you get dr essed and come wi t h me?' Fat her
Ber r endo suggest ed. ' We can t al k. '
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er Fat her Ber r endo was hel pi ng
Gr aci el a out of t he hospi t al door i nt o t he war msunl i ght . Ther e
was a gar den i n f r ont of t he hospi t al wi t h br i ght l y col our ed
f l ower s, but Gr aci el a was t oo dazed even t o not i ce t hem.
When t hey wer e seat ed i n hi s of f i ce. Fat her Ber r endo sai d,
' Fat her Per ez t ol d me t hat you have no pl ace t o go. '
Gr aci el a nodded.
' No r el at i ves?'
' Onl y - ' I t was di f f i cul t t o say i t . ' Onl y - my mot her . '
' Fat her Per ez sai d t hat you wer e a r egul ar chur chgoer i n
your vi l l age. '
FR1; . - - - . - . . . . , , . - >- < ace agai n. TCS.
Gr aci el a t hought of t hose Sunday mor ni ngs, and t he
beaut y of t he chur ch ser vi ces and how she had l onged t o be
wi t h J esus and escape f r omt he pai n of t he l i f e she l i ved.
' Gr aci el a, have you ever t hought of ent er i ng a convent ?'
' No. ' She was st ar t l ed by t he i dea.
' Ther e i s a convent her e i n Avi l a - t he Ci st er ci an convent .
They woul d t ake car e of you t her e. '
' I - I don' t know. ' The i dea was f r i ght eni ng.
' I t i s not f or ever yone, ' Fat her Ber r endo t ol d her . ' And I
must war n you, i t i s t he st r i ct est or der of t hemal l . Once you
wal k t hr ough t he gat es and t ake t he vows, you have made a
pr omi se t o God never t o l eave. '
Gr aci el a sat t her e, her mi nd f i l l ed wi t h conf l i ct i ng
t hought s, st ar i ng out t he wi ndow. The i dea of shut t i ng her sel f
away f r omt he wor l d was t er r i f yi ng. woul d be l i ke goi ng
t o pr i son. But on t he ot her hand, what di d t he wor l d have
t o of f er her ? Pai n and despai r beyond bear i ng. She had
of t en t hought of sui ci de. Thi s mi ght of f er a way out of her
mi ser y.
Fat her Ber r endo sai d, ' I t ' s up t o you, my chi l d. I f you
l i ke, I wi l l t ake you t o meet t he Rever end Mot her Pr i or ess. '
Gr aci el a nodded. ' Al l r i ght . '
The Rever end Mot her st udi ed t he f ace of t he young gi r l
bef or e her . Last ni ght f or t he f i r st t i me i n many, many year s
she had hear d t he voi ce. A young chi l d wi l l come t o you.
Pr ot ect her . ' How ol d ar e you, my dear ?'
' Four t een. '
She' s ol d enough. I n t he f our t h cent ur y t he Pope decr eed
t hat gi r l s coul d be per mi t t ed t o become nuns at t he age of
t wel ve.
' I ' maf r ai d, ' Gr aci el a sai d t o t he Rever end Mot her Bet i na.
I ' maf r ai d. The wor ds r ang i n Bet i na' s mi nd: I ' maf r ai d . . . That had been so
many l ong year s ago. She was speaki ng
t o her pr i est . ' I don' t know i f I have a cal l i ng f or t hi s. Fat her .
I ' maf r ai d. '
' Bet i na, t he f i r st cont act wi t h God can be ver y di st ur bi ng,
and t he deci si on t o dedi cat e your l i f e t o Hi mi s a di f f i cul t
one. '
How di d I f i nd my cal l i ng? Bet i na had wonder ed.
She had never been even f ai nt l y i nt er est ed i n r el i gi on. As
a young gi r l she had avoi ded chur ch and Sunday school . I n
her t eens she was mor e i nt er est ed i n par t i es and cl ot hes and
boys. I f her f r i ends i n Madr i d had been asked t o sel ect
possi bl e candi dat es t o become a nun, Bet i na woul d have
been at t he bot t omof t he l i st . Mor e accur at el y, she woul d
not even have been on t hei r l i st . But when she was ni net een,
event s st ar t ed t o happen t hat changed her l i f e.
She was i n her bed, asl eep, when a voi ce sai d, ' Bet i na,
get up and go out si de. '
She opened her eyes and sat up, f r i ght ened. She t ur ned
on t he bedsi de l amp. She was al one. What a st r ange dr eam.
But t he voi ce had been so r eal . She l ay down agai n, but
i t was i mpossi bl e t o go back t o sl eep. Bet i na, get up and go out si de.
I t ' s my subconsci ous, she t hought . Why woul d I want t o
go out si de i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght ?
She t ur ned out t he l i ght and a moment l at er t ur ned i t on
agai n. Thi s i s cr azy.
But she put on a dr essi ng- gown and sl i pper s and went
downst ai r s. The househol d was asl eep.
She opened t he ki t chen door , and as she di d a wave of
f ear swept over her , because somehow she knew t hat she
was supposed t o go out t he back i nt o t he yar d. She l ooked
ar ound i n t he dar kness, and her eye caught a gl i nt of moonl i ght
shi ni ng on an ol d r ef r i ger at or t hat had been abandoned
and was used t o st or e t ool s.
Bet i na suddenl y knew why she was t her e. She wal ked over
t o t he r ef r i ger at or as t hough hypnot i zed, and opened i t . Her
t hr ee- year - ol d br ot her was i nsi de, unconsci ous.
That was t he f i r st i nci dent . I n t i me, Bet i na r at i onal i zed i t
as a per f ect l y nor mal exper i ence. must have hear d my
i i nni i i . ! y, i n wi u su uui i nw me yar a, ana I knew t he
r ef r i ger at or was t her e, and I was wor r i ed about hi mso I went
out si de t o check.
The next exper i ence was not so easy t o expl ai n. I t happened
a mont h l at er .
I n her sl eep, Bet i na hear d a voi ce say, ' You must put out
t he f i r e. '
She sat up, wi de awake, her pul se r aci ng. Agai n, i t was
i mpossi bl e t o go back t o sl eep. She put on a dr essi ng- gown
and sl i pper s and went i nt o t he l andi ng. No smoke. No f i r e.
She opened her par ent s' bedr oomdoor . Ever yt hi ng was
nor mal t her e. Ther e was no f i r e i n her br ot her ' s bedr oom.
She went downst ai r s and l ooked t hr ough ever y r oom. Ther e
was no si gn of a f i r e.
I ' man i di ot , Bet i na t hought . I t was onl y a dr eam. She went back t o bed, j ust as
t he house was r ocked by an
expl osi on. She and her f ami l y escaped, and t he f i r emen
managed t o put out t he f i r e.
' I t st ar t ed i n t he basement , ' a f i r eman expl ai ned. ' And a
boi l er expl oded. '
The next i nci dent happened t hr ee weeks l at er . Thi s t i me
i t was no dr eam.
Bet i na was on t he pat i o, r eadi ng, when she saw a st r anger
wal ki ng acr oss t he yar d. He l ooked at her and i n t hat i nst ant
she f el t a mal evol ence comi ng f r omhi mt hat was al most pal pabl e. He t ur ned away
and was gone.
Bet i na was unabl e t o get hi mout of her mi nd.
Thr ee days l at er , she was i n an of f i ce bui l di ng, wai t i ng f or
t he l i f t . The l i f t door opened, and she was about t o st ep i nt o
i t when she l ooked at t he l i f t oper at or . I t was t he man she
had seen i n her gar den. Bet i na backed away, f r i ght ened.
The l i f t door cl osed and t he l i f t went up. Moment s l at er , i t
cr ashed, ki l l i ng ever yone i n i t .
The f ol l owi ng Sunday, Bet i na went t o chur ch. Dear Lor d, I don' t know what ' s
happeni ng t o me, and I ' m
scar ed. Pl ease gui de me and t el l me what you want me t o do.
The answer came t hat ni ght as Bet i na sl ept . The voi ce sai d
one wor d. Devot i on.
She t hought about i t al l ni ght , and i n t he mor ni ng she went
t o t al k t o t he pr i est .
He l i st ened i nt ent l y t o what she had t o say.
Ah. You ar e one of t he f or t unat e ones. You have been
chosen. '
Chosen f or what ?'
Ar e you wi l l i ng t o devot e your l i f e t o God, my chi l d?'
I - I don' t know. I ' maf r ai d. '
But i n t he end, she had j oi ned t he convent .
chose t he r i ght pat h, t he Rever end Mot her Bet i na
t hought , because I have never known so much happi ness . . .
And now t her e was t hi s bat t er ed chi l d sayi ng, ' I ' maf r ai d. '
The Rever end Mot her t ook Gr aci el a' s hand. ' Take your
t i me, Gr aci el a. God won' t go away. Thi nk about i t and come
back and we can di scuss i t . '
But what was t her e t o t hi nk about ? I ' ve got nowher e el se
i n t he wor l d t o go, Gr aci el a t hought . And t he si l ence woul d
be wel come. have hear d t oo many t er r i bl e sounds. She
l ooked at t he Rever end Mot her and sai d, ' I wi l l wel come
t he si l ence. '
That had been sevent een year s ear l i er , and i n t hat t i me
Gr aci el a had f ound peace f or t he f i r st t i me i n her l i f e. Her
l i f e was dedi cat ed t o God. The past no l onger bel onged t o
her . She was f or gi ven t he hor r or s she had gr own up wi t h.
She was Chr i st ' s br i de, and at t he end of her l i f e, she woul d
j oi n Hi m.
As t he year s passed i n deep si l ence, despi t e t he occasi onal
ni ght mar es, t he t er r i bl e sounds i n her mi nd gr adual l y f aded
away.
Si st er Gr aci el a was assi gned t o wor k i n t he gar den, t endi ng
t he t i ny r ai nbows of God' s mi r acl e, never t i r i ng of t hei r
spl endour . The wal l s of t he convent r ose hi gh above her on
. . . . , - , . u>- . i i i i , t i Munc mouni am, out Ur aci el a never f el t t hat t hey wer e
shut t i ng her i n; t hey wer e shut t i ng t he t er r i bl e
wor l d out , a wor l d she never want ed t o see agai n.
Li f e i n t he convent was ser ene and peacef ul . But now
suddenl y her t er r i bl e ni ght mar es had t ur ned i nt o a r eal i t y Her wor l d had been
i nvaded by bar bar i ans. They had f or ced
her out of her sanct uar y, i nt o t he wor l d she had r enounced
f or ever . And her si ns came f l oodi ng back, f i l l i ng her wi t h
hor r or . The Moor had r et ur ned. She coul d f eel hi s hot br eat h
on her f ace. As she f ought hi m, Gr aci el a opened her eyes,
and i t was t he f r i ar on t op of her t r yi ng t o penet r at e her . He
was sayi ng, ' St op f i ght i ng me. Si st er . You' r e goi ng t o enj oy
t hi s! '
' Mama, ' Gr aci el a cr i ed al oud. ' Mama! Hel p me! '
72
Chapt er 7
Luci a Car mi ne f el t wonder f ul as she wal ked down t he st r eet
wi t h Megan and Ter esa. I t was mar vel l ous t o wear f emi ni ne
cl ot hes agai n and hear t he whi sper of si l k agai nst her ski n.
She gl anced at t he ot her s. They wer e wal ki ng ner vousl y,
unaccust omed t o t hei r new cl ot hes, l ooki ng sel f - consci ous
and embar r assed i n t hei r ski r t s and st ocki ngs. They l ook
as t hough t hey' ve been dr opped f r omanot her pl anet . They
cer t ai nl y don' t bel ong on t hi s one, Luci a t hought . They mi ght
as wel l be wear i ng si gns t hat say: ' Cat ch Me. '
Si st er Ter esa was t he most uncomf or t abl e of t he women.
Thi r t y year s i n t he convent had deepl y i ngr ai ned a sense of
modest y i n her , and i t was bei ng vi ol at ed by t he event s t hat
had been t hr ust upon her . Thi s wor l d t o whi ch she had once
bel onged now seemed unr eal . I t was t he convent t hat was
r eal , and she l onged t o hur r y back t o t he sanct uar y of i t s
pr ot ect i ve wal l s.
Megan was awar e t hat men wer e eyei ng her as she wal ked
down t he st r eet , and she bl ushed. She had l i ved i n a wor l d
of women f or so l ong t hat she had f or got t en what i t was
l i ke t o see a man, l et al one have one smi l e at her . I t was
embar r assi ng, i ndecent . . . exci t i ng. The men ar oused f eel i ngs
i n Megan t hat had been l ong si nce bur i ed. For t he f i r st
t i me i n year s, she was consci ous of her f emal eness.
They wer e passi ng t he bar t hey had gone by bef or e and
t he musi c was bl ar i ng out i nt o t he st r eet . What had Fr i ar
Car r i l l o cal l ed i t ? Rock and r ol l . Ver y popul ar wi t h t he young. Somet hi ng
bot her ed her . And suddenl y Megan r eal i zed what
i t was. When t hey had passed t he ci nema, t he f r i ar had sai d:
73
. . . . . . , . >. vwi mnui i nr i i ncma i s per mi t t ed t o show t hese days. That f i l mi s
pur e por nogr aphy. The most per sonal and'
pr i vat e act s ar e t her e f or ever yone t o see.
Megan' s hear t began t o beat f ast er . I f Fr i ar Car r i l l o had been l ocked up i n a
monast er y f or t he past t went y year s,
how coul d he possi bl y have known about r ock musi c or what
was i n t he f i l m? Somet hi ng was t er r i bl y wr ong.
She t ur ned t o Luci a and Ter esa and sai d ur gent l y, ' We' ve
got t o r et ur n t o t he shop. '
They wat ched as Megan t ur ned and r an back, and t hey
qui ckl y began t o f ol l ow her .
Gr aci el a was on t he f l oor , desper at el y f i ght i ng t o get f r ee,
scr at chi ng and cl awi ng at Car r i l l o.
' God damn you! Hol d st i l l ! ' He was get t i ng wi nded.
He hear d a sound and gl anced up. He saw t he heel of a
shoe swi ngi ng t owar ds hi s head, and t hat was t he l ast t hi ng
he r emember ed.
Megan pi cked up t he t r embl i ng Gr aci el a and hel d her i n
her ar ms. ' Shh. I t ' s al l r i ght . He won' t bot her you any mor e. '
I t was sever al mi nut es bef or e Gr aci el a coul d speak. ' He he
- i t wasn' t my f aul t t hi s t i me, ' she sai d pl eadi ngl y.
Luci a and Ter esa had come i nt o t he shop. Luci a si zed up
t he si t uat i on at a gl ance.
The bast ar d! '
She l ooked down at t he unconsci ous, hal f - naked f i gur e on
t he f l oor . As t he ot her s wat ched, Luci a gr abbed some bel t s
f r oma count er and t i ed Mi guel Car r i l l o' s hands t i ght l y
behi nd hi s back. Ti e hi s f eet , ' she t ol d Megan.
Megan went t o wor k.
Fi nal l y, Luci a st ood up, sat i sf i ed. ' Ther e. When t hey open
up t he shop t hi s af t er noon, he can expl ai n t o t hemwhat he
was doi ng her e. ' She l ooked at Gr aci el a cl osel y. ' Ar e you
al l r i ght ?'
' I - I - yes. ' She t r i ed t o smi l e.
' We' d bet t er get out of her e, ' Megan sai d. ' Get dr essed.
Qui ckl y. '
wnen t hey wer e r eady t o l eave, Luci a sai d, ' Wai t a
mi nut e. '
She went over t o t he cash r egi st er and pr essed a key.
Ther e wer e a f ew hundr ed peset a not es i nsi de. She scooped
t hemup, pi cked up a pur se f r oma count er and put t he money
i nsi de. She saw t he di sappr ovi ng expr essi on on Ter esa' s
f ace.
Luci a sai d, ' Look at i t t hi s way. Si st er . I f God di dn' t want
us t o have t hi s money. He woul dn' t have put i t t her e f or us. '
They wer e seat ed i n t he caf e, havi ng a conf er ence. Si st er
Ter esa was speaki ng. ' We must get t he cr oss t o t he convent
at Mendavi a as qui ckl y as possi bl e. Ther e wi l l be saf et y t her e
f or al l of us. '
Not f or me, Luci a t hought . My saf et y i s t hat Swi ss bank.
But f i r st t hi ngs f i r st . I ' ve got t o get hol d of t hat cr oss.
The convent at Mendavi a i s nor t h of her e, i sn' t i t ?'
' Yes. '
The men wi l l be l ooki ng f or us i n ever y t own. So we' l l
sl eep i n t he hi l l s t oni ght . '
Nobody wi l l hear her even i f she does scr eam.
A wai t r ess br ought menus t o t he t abl e and handed t hem
out . The si st er s exami ned t hem, t hei r expr essi ons conf used.
Suddenl y Luci a under st ood. I t had been so many year s si nce
t hey had been gi ven choi ces of any ki nd. At t he convent
t hey had aut omat i cal l y eat en t he si mpl e f ood pl aced
bef or e t hem. Now t hey wer e conf r ont ed wi t h a cor nucopi a
of unf ami l i ar del i caci es.
Si st er Ter esa was t he f i r st t o speak. ' I - I wi l l have some
cof f ee and br ead, pl ease. '
Si st er Gr aci el a sai d, ' I , t oo. '
Megan sai d, ' We have a l ong, har d j our ney ahead of us.
I suggest t hat we or der somet hi ng mor e nour i shi ng, l i ke
eggs. '
Luci a l ooked at her wi t h new eyes. She' s t he one t o keep
an eye on, Luci a t hought . Al oud she sai d, ' Si st er Megan i s
r i ght . Let me or der f or you. Si st er s. '
f - mi mi m. , uami
hot r ol l s, j amand cof f ee.
' We' r e i n a hur r y, ' she t ol d t he wai t r ess. ;
Si est a ended at 4. 30, and t he t own woul d be waki ng up.
She want ed t o be out of t her e bef or e t hat happened, bef or e
t hey di scover ed Mi guel Car r i l l o i n t he dr ess shop. ;
When t he f ood ar r i ved, t he si st er s sat t her e st ar i ng at i t .
' Hel p your sel ves, ' Luci a ur ged t hem. I
They began t o eat , hesi t at i ngl y at f i r st , and t hen wi t h
gust o, over comi ng t hei r f eel i ngs of gui l t .
Si st er Ter esa was t he onl y one havi ng a pr obl em. She t ook
one bi t e of f ood and sai d, ' I - 1 can' t . I t ' s- j t ' s sur r ender i ng. '
Megan sai d, ' Si st er , you want t o get t o t he convent , don' t you? Then you must
eat t o keep up your st r engt h. '
Si st er Ter esa sai d pr i ml y, ' Ver y wel l . I ' l l eat . But I pr omi se
you, I won' t enj oy i t . '
I t was al l Luci a coul d do t o keep a st r ai ght f ace. ' Good,
Si st er . Eat . '
When t hey had f i ni shed, Luci a pai d t he bi l l wi t h some of
t he money she had t aken f r omt he cash r egi st er and t hey
wal ked out i nt o t he hot sunshi ne. The st r eet s wer e begi nni ng
t o come al i ve, and t he shops wer e st ar t i ng t o open. By now
t hey have pr obabl y caught Mi guel Car r i l l o, Luci a t hought .
Luci a and Ter esa wer e i mpat i ent t o get out of t own, but
Gr aci el a and Megan wer e wal ki ng sl owl y, f asci nat ed by t he
si ght s and sounds and t he smel l s of t he t own.
Not unt i l t hey had r eached t he out ski r t s and headed
t owar ds t he mount ai ns di d Luci a begi n t o r el ax. They moved
st eadi l y nor t h, cl i mbi ng upwar ds, maki ng sl ow pr ogr ess i n
t he hi l l y t er r ai n. Luci a was t empt ed t o ask Si st er Ter esa i f
she woul d l i ke her t o car r y t he package, but she di d not want
t o say anyt hi ng t hat mi ght make t he ol der woman suspi ci ous.
When t hey r eached a smal l gl ade i n t he hi ghl and, sur r ounded
by t r ees, Luci a sai d, ' We can spend t he ni ght her e.
I n t he mor ni ng we' l l head f or t he convent at Mendavi a. '
The ot her s nodded, bel i evi ng her .
l nc - . i i n i noveu - si cwi y acr oss me ol ue sxy, ana t he gl ade was
si l ent , except f or t he soot hi ng sounds of summer . Fi nal l y,
ni ght f el l .
One by one t he women st r et ched out on t he gr een gr ass.
Luci a l ay t her e, br eat hi ng l i ght l y, l i st eni ng f or a deeper
si l ence, wai t i ng f or t hemt o f al l asl eep so t hat she coul d make
her move.
Si st er Ter esa was f i ndi ng i t di f f i cul t t o sl eep. I t was a
st r ange exper i ence sl eepi ng out under t he st ar s, sur r ounded
by her si st er s. They had names now, and f aces and voi ces,
and she was af r ai d t hat God was goi ng t o puni sh her f or t hi s
f or bi dden knowl edge. She f el t t er r i bl y l ost .
Si st er Megan, t oo, was havi ng di f f i cul t y get t i ng t o sl eep.
She was f i l l ed wi t h t he exci t ement of t he day' s event s. How
di d I know t hat t he f r i ar was a f r aud? she wonder ed. And
wher e di d I get t he cour age t o save Si st er Gr aci el a? She
smi l ed, unabl e t o keep f r ombei ng a t i ny bi t pl eased wi t h
her sel f , even t hough she knew such a f eel i ng was a si n.
Gr aci el a was asl eep, emot i onal l y dr ai ned by what she had
gone t hr ough. She t ossed and t ur ned i n her sl eep, haunt ed by
dr eams of bei ng chased down dar k, l ong, endl ess cor r i dor s.
Luci a Car mi ne l ay st i l l , wai t i ng. She l ay t her e f or al most
t wo hour s and t hen qui et l y sat up and moved t hr ough t he
dar kness t owar ds Si st er Ter esa. She woul d t ake t he package
and di sappear .
As she near ed Si st er Ter esa, Luci a saw t hat t he nun
was awake on her knees, pr ayi ng. Damn! Luci a hur r i edl y
r et r eat ed.
Luci a l ay down agai n, f or ci ng her sel f t o be pat i ent . Si st er
Ter esa coul d not pr ay al l ni ght . She had t o get some sl eep.
Luci a pl anned. The money t aken f r omt he cash r egi st er
woul d be enough f or her t o t ake a bus or a t r ai n t o Madr i d.
Once t her e, i t woul d be si mpl e t o f i nd a pawnbr oker . She
saw her sel f wal ki ng i n and handi ng hi mt he gol den cr oss.
The pawnbr oker woul d suspect t hat i t was st ol en, but t hat
woul d not mat t er . He woul d have pl ent y of cust omer s eager
t o buy i t .
n' ; 7 gi ve you one hundr ed t housand peset as f or i t .
She woul d pi ck i t up f r omt he count er . woul d r at her sel l
my body f i r st .
One hundr ed and f i f t y t housand peset as.
I woul d pr ef er t o mel t i t down and l et t he gol d r un i n t he
gut t er .
Two hundr ed t housand peset as. That i s my l ast of f er .
You ar e r obbi ng me bl i nd, but I wi l l accept i t .
The pawnbr oker woul d eager l y r each f or i t .
On one condi t i on.
A condi t i on?
Yes. I mi spl aced my passpor t . Do you know someone who
can ar r ange a passpor t f or me? Her hands woul d st i l l be on
t he gol den cr oss.
He woul d hesi t at e, t hen say, happen t o have a f r i end who
does t hi ngs l i ke t hat .
And t he deal woul d be done. She woul d be on her way
t o Swi t zer l and and f r eedom. She r emember ed her f at her ' s
wor ds: Ther e i s mor e money t her e t han you coul d spend i n
t en l i f et i mes.
Her eyes began t o cl ose. I t had been a l ong day.
I n her hal f - sl eep, Luci a hear d t he sound of a chur ch bel l
f r omt he di st ant vi l l age. I t sent memor i es f l oodi ng t hr ough
her , of anot her pl ace, anot her t i me . . .
78
Chapt er 8
Taor mi na, Si ci l y 1968
She was awakened ever y mor ni ng by t he di st ant sound of t he
bel l s of t he Chur ch of San Domeni co, hi gh i n t he Pel or i t ani
mount ai ns sur r oundi ng Taor mi na. She enj oyed waki ng up
sl owl y, l anguor ousl y st r et chi ng l i ke a cat . She kept her eyes
cl osed, knowi ng t hat t her e was somet hi ng wonder f ul t o r emember .
What was i t ? The quest i on t eased at her mi nd, and
she pushed i t back, not want i ng t o know j ust yet , want i ng
t o savour t he sur pr i se. And suddenl y her mi nd was j oyousl y
f l ooded wi t h i t . She was Luci a Mar i a Car mi ne, t he daught er
of Angel o Car mi ne, and t hat was enough t o make anyone
i n t he wor l d happy.
They l i ved i n a l ar ge, st or ybook vi l l a f i l l ed wi t h mor e
ser vant s t han t he f i f t een- year - ol d Luci a coul d count . A bodyguar d
dr ove her t o school each mor ni ng i n an ar mour ed
l i mousi ne. She gr ew up wi t h t he pr et t i est dr esses and t he
most expensi ve t oys i n al l of Si ci l y, and was t he envy of her
school mat es.
But i t was her f at her ar ound whomLuci a' s l i f e cent r ed.
I n her eyes, he was t he most handsome man i n t he wor l d.
He was shor t and heavyset , wi t h a st r ong f ace and st or my
br own eyes t hat r adi at ed power . He had t wo sons, Ar nal do
and Vi ct or , but i t was hi s daught er whomAngel o Car mi ne
ador ed. And Luci a wor shi pped hi m. I n chur ch when t he
pr i est spoke of God, Luci a al ways t hought of her f at her .
He woul d come t o her bedsi de i n t he mor ni ng and say,
' Ti me t o get up f or school , f acci a del angel o. ' Angel f ace.
79
n was noi t r ue, or cour se. Luci a knew she was not r eal l y
beaut i f ul . I ' mat t r act i ve, she t hought , st udyi ng her sel f obj ect i vel y
i n t he mi r r or . Yes. St r i ki ng, r at her t han beaut i f ul . Her
r ef l ect i on showed a young gi r l wi t h an oval f ace, cr eamy
ski n, even, whi t e t eet h, a st r ong chi n - t oo st r ong? - vol upt uous,
f ul l l i ps - t oo f ul l ? - and dar k, knowi ng eyes. But i f her
f ace f el l j ust shor t of bei ng beaut i f ul , her body mor e t han
made up f or i t . At f i f t een, Luci a had t he body of a woman,
wi t h r ound, f i r mbr east s, a nar r ow wai st and hi ps t hat moved
wi t h sensuous pr omi se.
' We' r e goi ng t o have t o mar r y you of f ear l y, ' her f at her
woul d t ease her . ' Soon you wi l l dr i ve t he young men pazzi , my l i t t l e vi r gi n. '
' I want t o mar r y someone l i ke you. Papa, but t her e i s no
one l i ke you. '
He l aughed. ' Never mi nd. We' l l f i nd you a pr i nce. You
wer e bor n under a l ucky st ar , and one day you wi l l know
what i t i s l i ke t o have a man hol d you i n hi s ar ms and make
l ove t o you. '
Luci a bl ushed. ' Yes, Papa. '
I t was t r ue t hat no one had made l ove t o her - not f or t he
past t wel ve hour s. Beni t o Pat as, one of her bodyguar ds,
al ways came t o her bed when her f at her was out of t own.
Havi ng Beni t o make l ove t o her i n her house added t o t he
t hr i l l because Luci a knew t hat her f at her woul d ki l l t hem
bot h i f he ever di scover ed what was goi ng on.
Beni t o was i n hi s t hi r t i es, and i t nat t er ed hi mt hat t he
beaut i f ul young vi r gi n daught er of t he gr eat Angel o Car mi ne
had chosen hi mt o def l ower her .
' Was i t as you expect ed?' he asked t he f i r st t i me he bedded
her .
' Oh, yes, ' Luci a br eat hed. ' Bet t er . '
She t hought : Whi l e he' s not as good as Mar i o, Tony or
Enr i co, he' s cer t ai nl y bet t er t han Rober t a and Leo. She coul d
not r emember t he names of al l t he ot her s.
At t hi r t een, Luci a had f el t t hat she had been a vi r gi n l ong
enough. She had l ooked ar ound and deci ded t hat t he l ucky boy woul d be Paol o
Cost el l o, t he son of Angel o Car mi ne' s
doct or . Paol o was sevent een, t al l and husky, and t he st ar
soccer pl ayer at hi s school . Luci a had f al l en madl y i n l ove
wi t h Paol o t he f i r st t i me she had seen hi m. She managed t o
r un i nt o hi mas of t en as possi bl e. I t never occur r ed t o Paol o
t hat t hei r const ant meet i ngs had been car ef ul l y cont r i ved. He
r egar ded t he at t r act i ve young daught er of Angel o Car mi ne as
a chi l d. But on a hot summer day i n August , Luci a deci ded
she coul d wai t no l onger . She t el ephone Paol o.
' Paol o - t hi s i s Luci a Car mi ne. My f at her has somet hi ng
he woul d l i ke t o di scuss wi t h you, and he wonder ed whet her
you coul d meet hi mt hi s af t er noon at our pool house?'
Paol o was bot h sur pr i sed and f l at t er ed. He was i n awe of
Angel o Car mi ne, but he had not known t hat t he power f ul
Maf i oso was even awar e of hi s exi st ence. ' I woul d be del i ght ed, '
Paol o sai d. ' What t i me woul d he l i ke me t o be
t her e?'
' Thr ee o' cl ock. '
Si est a t i me, when t he wor l d woul d be asl eep. The pool
house was i sol at ed, at t he f ar end of t hei r wi despr ead pr oper t y,
and her f at her was out of t own. Ther e woul d be no
chance of t hei r bei ng i nt er r upt ed.
Paol o ar r i ved pr ompt l y at t he appoi nt ed hour . The gat e
l eadi ng t o t he gar den was open, and he wal ked di r ect l y t o
t he pool house. He st opped at t he cl osed door and knocked.
' Si gnor e Car mi ne? Pr ont o . . . ?'
Ther e was no r esponse. Paol o checked hi s wat ch. Caut i ousl y,
he opened t he door and st epped i nsi de. The r oom
was dar k.
' Si gnor e Car mi ne?'
A f i gur e moved t owar ds hi m. ' Paol o . . . '
He r ecogni zed Luci a' s voi ce. ' Luci a, I ' ml ooki ng f or your
f at her . I s he her e?'
She was cl oser t o hi mnow, cl ose enough f or Paol o t o see
t hat she was st ar k naked.
' My God! ' Paol o gasped. ' What ?'
' I want you t o make l ove t o me. '
you r e pazza' . You' r e onl y a chi l d. I ' mget t i ng out of
her e. ' He st ar t ed t owar ds t he door .
' Go ahead. I ' l l t el l my f at her you r aped me. '
' No, you woul dn' t . '
' Leave, and you' l l f i nd out . '
He st opped. I f Luci a car r i ed out her t hr eat , t her e was not
t he sl i ght est doubt i n Paol o' s mi nd as t o what hi s f at e woul d
be. Cast r at i on woul d be onl y t he begi nni ng.
He wal ked back t o Luci a t o r eason wi t h her . ' Luci a,
dear '
' I l i ke i t when you cal l me dear . '
' No - l i st en t o me, Luci a. Thi s i s ver y ser i ous. Your f at her
wi l l ki l l me i f you t el l hi mI r aped you. '
' I know. '
He made anot her st ab at i t . ' My f at her woul d be di sgr aced.
My whol e f ami l y woul d be di sgr aced. '
' I know. '
I t was hopel ess. ' What do you want f r omme?'
' I want you t o do i t t o me. '
' No. I t i s i mpossi bl e. I f your f at her f ound out , he woul d
ki l l me. '
' And i f you l eave her e, he wi l l ki l l you. You haven' t got
much choi ce, have you?'
He st ar ed at her , pani cky. ' Why me, Luci a?'
' Because I ' mi n l ove wi t h you, Paol o! ' She t ook hi s hands
and pr essed t hemgent l y bet ween her l egs. ' I ' ma woman.
Make me f eel l i ke one. '
I n t he di ml i ght Paol o coul d see t he t wi n mounds of her
br east s, her har d ni ppl es, and t he sof t , dar k hai r bet ween
her l egs.
J esus, Paol o t hought . What can a man do? She was l eadi ng hi mt o a couch, hel pi ng
hi mout of hi s
t r ouser s and hi s shor t s. She knel t and put hi s mal e har dness
i n her mout h, sucki ng i t gent l y, and Paol o t hought : She' s
done t hi s bef or e. And when he was on t op of her , pl ungi ng
deep i nsi de her , and she had her hands t i ght l y wr apped
ar ound hi s backsi de, her hi ps t hr ust i ng hungr i l y agai nst hi s,
Paol o t hought : My God, she' s mar vel l ous.
Luci i i was i n neaven. n was as i nougn sne naa oeen oor n
f or t hi s. I nst i nct i vel y she knew exact l y what t o do t o pl ease
hi ma" d t o pl ease her sel f . Her whol e body was on f i r e. She
f el t her sel f bui l di ng t o a cl i max, hi gher and hi gher , and when
i t f i nal l y happened, she scr eamed al oud i n sheer j oy. They
bot h l ay t her e, spent , br eat hi ng har d.
Luci a f i nal l y spoke. She sai d, ' Same t i me t omor r ow. '
When Luci a was si xt een, Angel o Car mi ne deci ded t hat i t
was t i me f or hi s daught er t o see somet hi ng of t he wor l d.
Wi t h an el der l y Aunt Rosa as chaper one, Luci a spent her
school hol i days i n Capr i and I schi a, Veni ce and Rome, and
a dozen ot her pl aces.
You must be cul t ur ed - not a peasant , l i ke your Papa.
Tr avel wi l l r ound out your educat i on. I n Capr i Aunt Rosa
wi l l t ake you t o see t he Car t husi an Monast er y of St J ames
and t he Chapel of San Mi chel e and t he Pal azzo a Mar e . . . '
' Yes, Papa. '
' I n Veni ce t her e i s St Mar k' s Basi l i ca, t he Doges' Pal ace,
t he chur ch of San Gr egor i o, and t he Accademi a Museum. '
' Yes, Papa. '
' Rome i s t he t r easur e house of t he wor l d. Ther e you must
vi si t t he Ci t t a Vat i cano, and t he Basi l i ca of Sant a Mar i a
Maggi or e, and t he Gal l er i a Bor ghese, of cour se. '
' Of cour se. '
' And Mi l ano! You must go t o t he Conser vat or i o f or a
concer t r eci t al . I wi l l ar r ange t i cket s f or La Scal a f or you
and Aunt Rosa. You wi l l see t he Muni ci pal Museumof Ar t ,
and t her e ar e dozens of chur ches and museums. '
' Yes, Papa. '
Wi t h ver y car ef ul pl anni ng, Luci a managed t o see none of
t hose pl aces. Aunt Rosa i nsi st ed on t aki ng a si est a ever y
af t er noon and r et i r i ng ear l y each eveni ng.
' You must get your r est t oo, chi l d. '
' Cer t ai nl y, Aunt Rosa. '
And so whi l e Aunt Rosa sl ept , Luci a danced at t he
Qui si sana i n Capr i , r ode i n a car r ozza wi t h a bepl umed and
i M- i i ai i cu i i ui sc pui ung n, j oi nea a gr oup of col l ege boys at
t he Mar i na Pi ccol a, went on pi cni cs at Bagni di Ti ber i o, and
t ook t he Funi col ar e up t o Anacapr i , wher e she j oi ned
gr oup of Fr ench st udent s f or dr i nks at t he Pi azza Umer t ol
I n Veni ce a handsome gondol i er t ook her t o a di sco, and a
f i sher man t ook her f i shi ng at Chi oggi a. And Aunt Rosa sl ept
I n Rome Luci a dr ank wi ne f r omApul i a and di scover ed al l
t he of f - beat f un r est aur ant s l i ke Mar t e and Rani er i and Gi ggi
Fazi .
Wher ever she went , Luci a f ound hi dden l i t t l e bar s
and ni ght cl ubs and r omant i c, good- l ooki ng men, and she
t hought : Dear Papa was so r i ght . Tr avel has r ounded out my
educat i on.
I n bed, she l ear ned t o speak sever al di f f er ent l anguages,
and she t hought : Thi s i s so much mor e f un t han my l anguage
cl asses at school .
When Luci a r et ur ned home t o Taor mi na, she conf i ded t o
her cl osest gi r l - f r i ends: ' I was naked i n Napl es, st oned i n
Sal er mo, f el t up i n Fl or ence, and l ai d i n Lucca. '
Si ci l y i t sel f was a wonder t o expl or e, an i sl and of Gr eci an
t empl es, Roman Byzant i ne amphi t heat r es, chapel s, Ar ab
bat hs and Swabi an cast l es.
Luci a f ound Pal er mo r aucous and l i vel y, and she enj oyed
wander i ng ar ound t he Kal sa, t he ol d Ar ab quar t er , and
vi si t i ng t he Oper a dei Pupi , t he puppet t heat r e. But Taor -
mi na, wher e she was bor n, was her f avour i t e. I t was a
pi ct ur e post car d of a ci t y on t he I oni an Sea on a mount ai n
over l ooki ng t he wor l d. I t was a ci t y of dr ess shops and
j ewel l er y st or es, bar s and beaut i f ul ol d squar es, t r at t or i e
and col our f ul hot el s l i ke t he Excel si or Pal ace and t he San
Domeni co.
The wi ndi ng r oad l eadi ng up f r omt he seapor t of Nachos
i s st eep and nar r ow and danger ous, and when Luci a Car mi ne
was gi ven a car on her f i f t eent h bi r t hday, she br oke ever y
84
t r ai t s' l ; l w ' " t he book hut was never once st opped by t he
Cur uhmi er e. Af t er al l , she was t he daught er of Angel o
Car mi ne.
To t hose who wer e br ave enough or st upi d enough t o i nqui r e,
Angel o Car mi ne was i n t he pr oper t y busi ness. And i t was
nar t i al l y t r ue, f or t he Car mi ne f ami l y owned t he vi l l a at
Taor mi na, a house on Lake Como at Cer nobbi o, a l odge at
Gst aad, an apar t ment i n Rome, and a l ar ge f ar mout si de
Rome. But i t happened t hat Angel o Car mi ne was al so i n
mor e col our f ul busi nesses. He owned a dozen whor ehouses,
t wo gambl i ng casi nos, si x shi ps t hat br ought i n cocai ne f r om
hi s pl ant at i ons i n Col ombi a, and an assor t ment of ot her
ver y l ucr at i ve ent er pr i ses, i ncl udi ng l oan shar ki ng. Angel o
Car mi ne was t he Capo of t he Si ci l i an Maf i osi , so i t was onl y
appr opr i at e t hat he l i ved wel l . Hi s l i f e was an i nspi r at i on t o
ot her s, hear t war mi ng pr oof t hat a poor Si ci l i an peasant who
was ambi t i ous and wor ked har d coul d become r i ch and
successf ul .
Angel o Car mi ne had st ar t ed out as an er r and boy f or t he
Maf i osi when he was t wel ve. By f i f t een he had become an
enf or cer f or t he l oan shar ks, and at si xt een he had ki l l ed hi s
f i r st man and made hi s bones. Shor t l y af t er t hat , he mar r i ed
Luci a' s mot her , Anna. I n t he year s t hat f ol l owed, Angel o
Car mi ne had cl i mbed t he t r eacher ous cor por at e l adder t o
t he t op, l eavi ng a st r i ng of dead enemi es behi nd hi m. He
had gr own, but Anna had r emai ned t he si mpl e peasant gi r l
he mar r i ed. She bor e hi mt hr ee f i ne chi l dr en, but af t er t hat
her cont r i but i on t o Angel o' s l i f e came t o a hal t . As t hough
knowi ng she no l onger had a pl ace i n her f ami l y' s l i f e, she
obl i gi ngl y di ed and was consi der at e enough t o manage i t
wi t h a mi ni mumof f uss.
Ar nal do and Vi ct or wer e i n busi ness wi t h t hei r f at her , and
f r omt he t i me Luci a was a smal l gi r l , she eavesdr opped
on t he exci t i ng conver sat i ons bet ween her f at her and her
br ot her s, and l i st ened t o t he t al es of how t hey had out wi t t ed
or over power ed t hei r enemi es. To Luci a, her f at her was a
85
kni ght i n shi ni ng ar mour . She saw not hi ng wr ong i n what
her f at her and br ot her s wer e doi ng. On t he cont r ar y, t hey
wer e hel pi ng peopl e. I f peopl e want ed t o gambl e, why l et
st upi d l aws st and i n t hei r way? I f men t ook pl easur e i n
buyi ng sex, why not assi st t hem? And how gener ous of her
f at her and br ot her s t o l oan money t o peopl e who wer e t ur ned
away by t he har d- hear t ed banker s. To Luci a, her f at her and
br ot her s wer e model ci t i zens. The pr oof of i t l ay i n her
f at her ' s f r i ends; Once a week Angel o Car mi ne gave an
enor mous di nner par t y at t he vi l l a, and oh, t he peopl e who
woul d be seat ed at t he Car mi ne t abl e! The mayor woul d be
t her e, and a f ew al der men, and j udges, and seat ed next t o
t hemwer e f i l mst ar s and oper a si nger s and of t en t he chi ef
of pol i ce and a monsi gnor . Sever al t i mes a year t he gover nor
hi msel f woul d appear .
Luci a l i ved an i dyl l i c l i f e, f i l l ed wi t h par t i es and beaut i f ul
cl ot hes and j ewel s, car s and ser vant s, and power f ul f r i ends.
And t hen one Febr uar y, on her t went y- t hi r d bi r t hday, i t al l
came t o an abr upt end.
I t began i nnocuousl y enough. Two men came t o t he vi l l a
t o see her f at her . One of t he men was t hei r f r i end, t he chi ef
of pol i ce, and t he ot her was hi s l i eut enant .
' For gi ve me. Padr one, ' t he pol i ce chi ef apol ogi zed, ' but
t hi s i s a st upi d f or mal i t y whi ch t he Commi ssi oner i s f or ci ng
me t o go t hr ough wi t h. A t housand par dons. Padr one, but
i f you wi l l be ki nd enough t o accompany me t o t he pol i ce
st at i on, I wi l l see t o i t t hat you ar e home i n t i me t o enj oy
your daught er ' s bi r t hday par t y. '
' No pr obl em, ' Angel o Car mi ne sai d geni al l y. ' A man must
do hi s dut y. ' He gr i nned. ' Thi s new Commi ssi oner who' s
been appoi nt ed by t he Pr esi dent i s - i n t he Amer i can phr ase
- " an eager beaver " , eh?'
' I ' maf r ai d t hat i s so, ' t he pol i ce chi ef si ghed. ' But don' t
wor r y. You and I have seen t hese pai ns- i n- t he- asses come
and go ver y qui ckl y, eh, Padr oneT
They l aughed and l ef t . 1
Angel o Car mi ne was not home f or t he par t y t hat day, nor
t he next . I n f act , he never saw any of hi s homes agai n. The
St at e ent er ed a one- hundr ed- count i ndi ct ment agai nst hi m
t hat i ncl uded mur der , dr ug t r af f i cki ng, pr ost i t ut i on, ar son,
and scor es of ot her cr i mes. Bai l was deni ed. A pol i ce dr agnet
went out t hat swept up Car mi ne' s cr i me or gani zat i on. He
had count ed on hi s power f ul connect i ons i n Si ci l y t o have
t he char ges agai nst hi mdi smi ssed, but i nst ead he was t aken
t o Rome i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght and hel d at t he Regi na
Coel i , t he not or i ous Queen of Heaven pr i son. He was put
i n a smal l cel l t hat cont ai ned bar r ed wi ndows, a r adi at or , a
nar r ow bed and a t oi l et wi t h no seat . I t was out r ageous! I t
was an i ndi gni t y beyond i magi ni ng.
I n t he begi nni ng Angel o Car mi ne was sur e t hat Tommaso
Cont or no, hi s l awyer , woul d have hi mr el eased i mmedi at el y.
When Cont or no came t o t he vi si t i ng r oomof t he pr i son,
Car mi ne st or med at hi m, ' They' ve cl osed down my whor ehouses
and dr ug oper at i on and t hey know ever yt hi ng about
my money l aunder i ng oper at i on. Somebody i s t al ki ng. Fi nd
out who i t i s and br i ng me hi s t ongue. '
' Do not wor r y, Padr one, ' Cont or no assur ed hi m. ' We wi l l
f i nd hi m. '
Hi s opt i mi smt ur ned out t o be unf ounded. I n or der t o
pr ot ect t hei r wi t nesses, t he St at e adamant l y r ef used t o r eveal
t hei r names unt i l t he t r i al began.
Two days bef or e t he t r i al , Angel o Car mi ne and t he ot her
member s of t he Maf i a wer e t r ansf er r ed t o Rebi bbi a Pr i gi one,
a t op- secur i t y pr i son t wel ve mi l es out si de of Rome. A near by
cour t r oomhad been f or t i f i ed l i ke a bunker . A hundr ed and
si xt y accused Maf i a member s wer e br ought i n t hr ough an
under gr ound t unnel wear i ng handcuf f s and chai ns and put i n
t hi r t y cages made of st eel and bul l et - pr oof gl ass. Ar med guar ds
sur r ounded t he i nsi de and out si de of t he cour t r oomand spect at or s
wer e sear ched bef or e t hey wer e al l owed t o ent er .
When Angel o Car mi ne was mar ched i nt o t he cour t r oom,
hi s hear t l eaped f or j oy, f or t he j udge on t he bench was
Gi ovanni Buscet t a, a man who had been on t he Car mi ne
payr ol l f or t he l ast f i f t een year s and who was a f r equent guest
di me ani l i ne nouse. Angel o car mi ne knew at l ast t hat
j ust i ce was goi ng t o be ser ved.
The t r i al began. Angel o Car mi ne l ooked t o Omer t a, t he
Si ci l i an code of si l ence, t o pr ot ect hi m. But t o hi s ast oni sh- H
ment , t he chi ef wi t ness f or t he St at e t ur ned out t o be none
ot her t han Beni t o Pat as, t he bodyguar d. Beni t o Pat as had
been wi t h t he Car mi ne f ami l y so l ong and had been so t r ust ed
t hat he had been al l owed t o be i n t he r oomat meet i ngs
wher e conf i dent i al mat t er s of busi ness wer e di scussed, and
si nce t hat busi ness consi st ed of ever y i l l egal act i vi t y on t he
pol i ce st at ut es, Pat as was pr i vy t o a gr eat deal of i nf or mat i on.
When t he pol i ce had appr ehended Pat as mi nut es af t er he had col d- bl oodedl y
mur der ed and mut i l at ed t he new boyf r i end of
hi s mi st r ess, t hey had t hr eat ened hi mwi t h l i f e i mpr i sonment ,
and Pat as had r el uct ant l y agr eed t o hel p t he pol i ce bui l d
t hei r case agai nst Car mi ne i n exchange f or a l i ght er sent ence.
Now, t o Angel o Car mi ne' s hor r i f i ed di sbel i ef , he sat i n t he
cour t r oomand l i st ened t o Pat as r eveal t he i nner most secr et s
of t he Car mi ne f i ef dom.
Luci a was al so i n t he cour t r oomever y day l i st eni ng t o t he
man who had been her l over dest r oyi ng her f at her and her
br ot her s.
Beni t o Pat as' t est i mony opened t he f l oodgat es. Once
t he Commi ssi oner ' s i nvest i gat i on began, dozens of vi ct i ms
came f or war d t o t el l t hei r st or i es of what Angel o Car mi ne
and hi s hoodl ums had done t o t hem. The Maf i a had
muscl ed i nt o t hei r busi nesses, bl ackmai l ed t hem, f or ced
t hemi nt o pr ost i t ut i on, mur der ed or cr i ppl ed t hei r l oved
ones, sol d dr ugs t o t hei r chi l dr en. The l i st of hor r or s was
endl ess.
Even mor e damagi ng was t he t est i mony of t he Pent i t i , t he
r epent ant member s of t he Maf i a who deci ded t o t al k.
Luci a was al l owed t o vi si t her f at her i n pr i son.
He gr eet ed her cheer f ul l y. He hugged her and whi sper ed,
88
Do not wor r y, f acci a del angel o. J udge Gi ovanni Buscet t a
j s r ny secr et ace i n t he hol e. He knows al l t he t r i cks of t he
l aw. He wi l l use t hemt o see t hat your br ot her s and I ar e
acqui t t ed. '
Angel o Car mi ne pr oved t o be a poor pr ophet .
The publ i c had been out r aged by t he excesses of t he Maf i a,
and when t he t r i al f i nal l y ended. J udge Gi ovanni Buscet t a,
an ast ut e pol i t i cal ani mal , sent enced t he Maf i a member s
t o l ong pr i son t er ms and sent enced Angel o Car mi ne and
hi s t wo sons t o t he maxi mumper mi t t ed by I t al i an l aw,
l i f e i mpr i sonment , a mandat or y sent ence of t went y- ei ght
year s.
For Angel o Car mi ne i t was a deat h sent ence.
Al l of I t al y cheer ed. J ust i ce had f i nal l y t r i umphed. But t o
Luci a, i t was a ni ght mar e beyond i magi ni ng. The t hr ee men
she l oved most i n t he wor l d wer e bei ng sent t o hel l .
Once agai n, Luci a was al l owed t o vi si t her f at her i n hi s
cel l . The over ni ght change i n hi mwas hear t br eaki ng. I n t he
space of a f ew days, he had become an ol d man. Hi s f i gur e
had shr unk and hi s heal t hy, r uddy compl exi on had t ur ned
sal l ow.
' They have bet r ayed me, ' he moaned. ' They have al l
bet r ayed me. J udge Gi ovanni Buscet t a - 1 owned hi m, Luci a!
I made hi ma weal t hy man, and he di d t hi s t er r i bl e t hi ng t o
me. And Pat as. I was l i ke a f at her t o hi m. What has t he
wor l d come t o? What ever happened t o honour ? They ar e
Si ci l i ans, l i ke me. '
Luci a t ook her f at her ' s hand i n her s and sai d i n a l ow voi ce,
' I amSi ci l i an, t oo. Papa. You shal l have your vengeance. I
swear i t t o you, on my l i f e. '
' My l i f e i s over , ' her f at her t ol d her . ' But your s i s st i l l
ahead of you. I have a number ed account i n Zur i ch. The
Bank Leu. Ther e i s mor e money t her e t han you coul d spend
i n t en l i f et i mes. ' He whi sper ed a number i n her ear . ' Leave
cur sed I t al y. Take t he money and enj oy your sel f . '
Luci a hel d hi mcl ose. ' Papa '
i i you ever neea a i nena, you can t r ust Domi ni c Dur el l .
We ar e l i ke br ot her s. He has a home i n Fr ance at Bezi er s
near t he Spani sh bor der . '
' I ' l l r emember . '
' Pr omi se me you' l l l eave I t al y. '
' Yes, Papa. But t her e i s somet hi ng I have t o do f i r st . '
Havi ng a bur ni ng desi r e f or r evenge was one t hi ng. Fi gur i ng
out a way t o get i t was anot her . She was al one, and i t was
not goi ng t o be easy. Luci a t hought of t he I t al i an expr essi on, ' Rubar e i l
mest i er e. ' You st eal t hei r pr of essi on. 1 must t hi nk
t he way t hey do.
A f ew weeks af t er her f at her and br ot her s had st ar t ed ser vi ng
t hei r pr i son sent ences, Luci a Car mi ne appear ed at t he home
of J udge Gi ovanni Buscet t a. The j udge hi msel f opened t he
door .
He st ar ed at Luci a i n sur pr i se. He had seen her of t en when
he was a guest at t he Car mi ne home, but t hey had never had
much t o say t o each ot her .
' Luci a Car mi ne? What ar e you doi ng her e? You shoul dn' t
have '
' I have come t o t hank you. Your Honour . '
He st udi ed her suspi ci ousl y. Thank me f or what ?'
Luci a l ooked deep i nt o hi s eyes. ' For exposi ng my f at her
and br ot her s f or what t hey wer e. I was an i nnocent , l i vi ng
i n t hat house of hor r or s. I had no i dea what monst er s - ' She
br oke down and began t o sob.
The j udge st ood t her e uncer t ai nl y, t hen pat t ed her
shoul der . Ther e, t her e. Come i n and have some t ea. '
Th - t hank you. '
When t hey wer e seat ed i n t he l i vi ng r oom. J udge Buscet t a
sai d, ' I had no i dea t hat you f el t t hat way about your f at her .
I had t he i mpr essi on t hat you wer e ver y cl ose. '
' Onl y because I had no i dea what he and my br ot her s wer e
r eal l y l i ke. When I f ound out - ' She shudder ed. ' You don' t
know what i t was l i ke, ' Luci a sai d. ' I want ed t o get away,
but t her e was no escape f or me. '
I di dn' t under st and. ' He pat t ed her hand. ' I ' maf r ai d I
mi sj udged you, my dear . '
' I was t er r i f i ed of hi m. ' Her voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h passi on.
J udge Buscet t a not i ced, not f or t he f i r st t i me, what a
beaut i f ul young gi r l Luci a was. She was wear i ng a si mpl e
bl ack dr ess t hat r eveal ed t he out l i nes of her l ush body. He
l ooked at her r ounded br east s and coul d not hel p obser vi ng
how gr own up she had become.
woul d be amusi ng, Buscet t a t hought , t o sl eep wi t h t he
daught er of Angel a Car mi ne. He' s power l ess t o hur t me now.
The ol d bast ar d t hought he owned me, but I was t oo smar t
f or hi m. Luci a i s pr obabl y a vi r gi n. I coul d t each her a f ew
t hi ngs i n bed.
An el der l y housekeeper br ought i n a t r ay of t ea and a
pl at e of bi scui t s. She put t hemon a t abl e. ' Shal l I pour ?'
' Let me, ' Luci a sai d. Her voi ce was war mand f i l l ed wi t h
pr omi se.
J udge Buscet t a smi l ed at Luci a. ' You can go, ' he t ol d t he
housekeeper .
' Yes, si r . '
The j udge wat ched as Luci a wal ked over t o t he smal l t abl e
wher e t he t r ay had been set down and car ef ul l y pour ed out
t ea f or t he j udge and her sel f .
' I have a f eel i ng you and I coul d become ver y good f r i ends,
Luci a, ' Gi ovanni Buscet t a sai d, pr obi ng.
Luci a gave hi ma seduct i ve smi l e. ' I woul d l i ke t hat ver y
much. Your Honour . '
' Pl ease - Gi ovanni . '
' Gi ovanni . ' Luci a handed hi mhi s cup. She r ai sed her cup
i n a t oast . To t he deat h of vi l l ai ns. '
Smi l i ng, Buscet t a l i f t ed hi s cup. To t he deat h of vi l l ai ns. '
He t ook a swal l ow and gr i maced. The t ea t ast ed bi t t er .
' I s i t t oo ?'
' No, no. I t i s f i ne, my dear . '
Luci a r ai sed her cup agai n. To our f r i endshi p. '
She t ook anot her si p, and he j oi ned her .
Buscet t a never f i ni shed hi s t oast . He was sei zed by a
sudden spasm, and he f el t a r ed- hot poker st abbi ng at hi s
hear t . He gr abbed hi s chest . ' Oh, my God! Cal l a doct or . . . '
Luci a sat t her e, cal ml y si ppi ng her t ea, wat chi ng hi m
st umbl e t o hi s f eet and f al l t o t he f l oor . He l ay t her e, hi s
body t wi t chi ng, and t hen he was st i l l .
That ' s one. Papa, ' Luci a sai d.
Beni t o Pat as was i n hi s cel l pl ayi ng sol i t ai r e when t he j ai l er
announced, ' You have a conj ugal vi si t or . '
Beni t o beamed. He had been gi ven speci al st at us as an
i nf or mer , wi t h many pr i vi l eges, and conj ugal vi si t s was one of
t hem. Pat as had hal f a dozen gi r l - f r i ends, and t hey al t er nat ed
t hei r vi si t s. He wonder ed whi ch one had come t oday.
He st udi ed hi msel f i n t he l i t t l e mi r r or hangi ng on t he wal l
of hi s cel l , put some pomade on hi s hai r , sl i cked i t back,
t hen f ol l owed t he guar d t hr ough t he pr i son cor r i dor t o t he
sect i on wher e t her e wer e pr i vat e r ooms.
The guar d mot i oned hi mi nsi de. . Pat as st r ut t ed i nt o t he
r oom, f i l l ed wi t h ant i ci pat i on. He st opped and st ar ed i n
sur pr i se.
' Luci a! My God, what t he hel l ar e you doi ng her e? How
di d you get i n?'
Luci a sai d sof t l y, ' I t ol d t hemwe wer e engaged, Beni t o. '
She was wear i ng a st unni ng r ed, l ow- cut si l k dr ess t hat
cl ung t o t he cur ves of her body.
Beni t o Pat as backed away f r omher . ' Get out . '
' I f you wi sh. But t her e i s somet hi ng you shoul d hear f i r st .
When I saw you get up on t he st and and t est i f y agai nst my
f at her and br ot her s, I hat ed you. I want ed t o ki l l you. ' She
moved cl oser t o hi m. ' But t hen I r eal i zed t hat what you wer e
doi ng was an act of br aver y. You dar ed t o st and up and t el l
t he t r ut h. My f at her and my br ot her s wer e not evi l men, but
t hey di d evi l t hi ngs, and you wer e t he onl y one st r ong enough
t o st and up agai nst t hem. '
' Bel i eve me, Luci a, ' he sai d, ' t he pol i ce f or ced me t o '
You aon t nave t o expl ai n, she sai d sot t l y. ' Not t o me.
Remember t he f i r st t i me we made l ove? I knew t hen t hat I
was i n l ove wi t h you and t hat I al ways woul d be. '
' Luci a, I woul d never have done what I '
' Car o, I want us t o f or get what happened. I t ' s done.
What ' s i mpor t ant now i s you and me. '
She was cl ose t o hi mnow, and he coul d smel l her heady
per f ume. Hi s mi nd was i n a st at e of conf usi on. ' Do - do you
mean t hat ?'
' Mor e t han I ' ve ever meant anyt hi ng i n my l i f e. That ' s
why I came her e t oday, t o pr ove i t t o you. To show you t hat
I ' myour s. And not wi t h j ust wor ds. '
Her f i nger s went t o her shoul der st r aps, and an i nst ant
l at er her dr ess shi mmer ed t o t he f l oor . She was naked. ' Do
you bel i eve me now?'
By God, she was beaut i f ul . ' Yes, I bel i eve you. ' Hi s voi ce
was husky.
Luci a moved cl ose t o hi m, and her body br ushed agai nst
hi s. ' Get undr essed, ' she whi sper ed. ' Hur r y! '
She wat ched Pat as as he undr essed. When he was naked,
he t ook her hand and l ed her t o t he l i t t l e bed i n t he cor ner
of t he r oom. He di d not bot her wi t h f or epl ay. I n a moment
he was on t op of her , spr eadi ng her l egs, pl ungi ng deep
i nsi de her , an ar r ogant smi l e on hi s f ace.
' I t ' s l i ke ol d t i mes, ' he sai d smugl y. ' You coul dn' t f or get
me, coul d you?'
' No, ' Luci a whi sper ed i n hi s ear . ' And do you know why
I coul dn' t f or get you?'
' No, mi amor e. Tel l me. '
' Because I ' mSi ci l i an, l i ke my f at her . '
She r eached behi nd her head and r emoved t he l ong, or nat e
pi n t hat hel d her hai r i n pl ace.
Beni t o Pat as f el t somet hi ng st ab hi munder hi s r i b cage,
and t he sudden pai n made hi mopen hi s mout h t o scr eam,
but Luci a' s mout h was on hi s, ki ssi ng hi m, and as Beni t o' s
body bucked and wr i t hed on t op of her , Luci a had an or gasm.
A f ew mi nut es l at er she was cl ot hed agai n, and t he pi n
had been r epl aced i n her hai r . Beni t o was under t he bl anket ,
. . . _, - . , , . >>- i a mhj <- m; u ai me cei l aoor and smi l ed
at t he guar d who opened i t t o l et her out . ' He' s asl eep, ' she
whi sper ed.
The guar d l ooked at t he beaut i f ul young woman and
smi l ed. ' You pr obabl y wor e hi mout . '
' I hope so, ' Luci a sai d. a
The sheer dar i ng of t he t wo mur der s t ook I t al y by st or m.
The beaut i f ul young daught er of a Maf i oso had avenged her
f at her and br ot her s, and t he exci t abl e I t al i an publ i c cheer ed
her , r oot i ng f or her t o escape. The pol i ce, qui t e nat ur al l y,
t ook a r at her di f f er ent poi nt of vi ew. Luci a Car mi ne had
mur der ed a r espect ed j udge and had t hen commi t t ed a
second mur der wi t hi n t he ver y wal l s of a pr i son. I n t hei r
eyes, equal t o her cr i mes was t he f act t hat she had made
f ool s of t hem. The newspaper s wer e havi ng a wonder f ul t i me
at t hei r expense.
' I want her neck, ' t he pol i ce commi ssi oner r oar ed t o t he
deput y commi ssi oner . ' And I want i t t oday. '
The manhunt i nt ensi f i ed. The obj ect of al l t hi s at t ent i on
was hi di ng i n t he home of Sal vat or e Gi useppe, one of her
f at her ' s men who had managed t o escape t he f i r est or m.
I n t he begi nni ng, Luci a' s onl y t hought had been t o avenge
t he honour of her f at her and br ot her s. She had f ul l y expect ed
t o be caught and was pr epar ed t o sacr i f i ce her sel f . When she
had managed t o wal k out of t he pr i son and make her escape,
however , her t hought s changed f r omvengeance t o sur vi val .
Now t hat she had accompl i shed what she had set out t o do,
l i f e suddenl y became pr eci ous agai n. I ' mnot goi ng t o l et
t hemcapt ur e me, she vowed t o her sel f . Never .
Sal vat or e Gi useppe and hi s wi f e had done what t hey coul d
t o di sgui se Luci a. They had l i ght ened her hai r , st ai ned her
t eet h, and bought her gl asses and some i l l - f i t t i ng cl ot hes.
Sal vat or e exami ned t hei r handi wor k cr i t i cal l y.
' I t i s not bad, ' he sai d. ' But i t i s not enough. We must get
you out of I t al y. You have t o go somewher e wher e your
pi ct ur e i s not on t he f r ont page of ever y newspaper . Somewher e
you can hi de out f or a f ew mont hs. '
And Luci a r emember ed:
you ever need a f r i end, you can t r ust Domi ni c Dur el l .
We ar e l i ke br ot her s. He has a home i n Fr ance at Bezi er s,
near t he Spani sh bor der .
' I know wher e I can go, ' Luci a sai d. ' I ' l l need a passpor t . '
' I wi l l ar r ange i t . '
Twent y- f our hour s l at er Luci a was l ooki ng at a passpor t i n
t he name of Luci a Roma, wi t h a phot ogr aph t aken i n her
new per sona.
' Wher e wi l l you go?'
' My f at her has a f r i end i n Fr ance who wi l l hel p me. '
Sal vat or e sai d, ' I f you wi sh me t o accompany you t o t he
bor der ?'
Bot h of t hemknew how danger ous t hat coul d be.
' No, Sal vat or e, ' Luci a sai d. ' You have done enough f or
me. I must do t hi s al one. '
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Sal vat or e Gi useppe r ent ed a Fl at i n
t he name of Luci a Roma and handed her t he keys.
' Be car ef ul , ' he pl eaded.
' Don' t wor r y. I was bor n under a l ucky st ar . '
Had not her f at her t ol d her so?
At t he I t al i an- Fr ench bor der t he car s wai t i ng t o get i nt o
Fr ance wer e advanci ng sl owl y i n a l ong l i ne. As Luci a moved
cl oser t o t he i mmi gr at i on boot h, she became mor e and mor e
ner vous. They woul d be l ooki ng f or her at al l exi t poi nt s. I f
t hey caught her , she knew she woul d be sent enced t o pr i son
f or l i f e. I ' l l ki l l mysel f f i r st , Luci a t hought .
She had r eached t he i mmi gr at i on of f i cer .
' Passpor t , si gnor i na. '
Luci a handed hi mher bl ack passpor t t hr ough t he car
wi ndow. As t he of f i cer t ook i t , he gl anced at Luci a, and she
saw a puzzl ed l ook come i nt o hi s eyes. He l ooked f r omt he
passpor t t o her f ace and back agai n, t hi s t i me mor e car ef ul l y.
Luci a f el t her body t ense. ' You' r e Luci a Car mi ne, ' he sai d.
Chapt er 9
Luci a Car mi ne. '
' No! ' Luci a cr i ed. The bl ood dr ai ned f r omher f ace. She
l ooked ar ound f or a way t o escape. Ther e was none. And
suddenl y, t o her di sbel i ef , t he guar d was smi l i ng. He
l eaned t owar ds her and whi sper ed, ' Your f at her was good
t o my f ami l y, si gnor i na. You may pass t hr ough. Good
l uck. '
Luci a f el t di zzy wi t h r el i ef . ' Gr azi e. '
She st epped on t he accel er at or and dr ove t he t went y- f i ve
yar ds t owar ds t he Fr ench bor der . The Fr ench i mmi gr at i on
of f i cer pr i ded hi msel f on bei ng a connoi sseur of beaut i f ul
women, and t he woman who pul l ed up bef or e hi mwas
cer t ai nl y no beaut y. She had mousy hai r , t hi ck gl asses,
st ai ned t eet h and was dowdi l y dr essed.
Why can' t I t al i an women l ook as beaut i f ul as Fr ench
women? he t hought di sgust edl y. He st amped Luci a' s passpor t
and waved her t hr ough.
She ar r i ved i n Bezi er s many hour s l at er .
The phone was answer ed on t he f i r st r i ng, and a smoot h
mal e voi ce sai d, ' Hel l o. '
' Domi ni c Dur el l , pl ease. '
' Thi s i s Domi ni c Dur el l . Who i s t hi s speaki ng?'
' Luci a Car mi ne. My f at her t ol d me - '
' Luci a! ' Hi s voi ce was war mwi t h wel come. ' I was hopi ng
t o hear f r omyou. '
' I need hel p. '
97
i uu i - ui i cuumon me.
Luci a' s hear t l i ght ened. I t was t he f i r st good news she had
hear d i n a l ong t i me. She suddenl y r eal i zed how dr ai ned she
was.
' I need a pl ace wher e I can hi de out f r omt he pol i ce. '
' No pr obl em. My wi f e and I have a per f ect pl ace f or you
t o use f or as l ong as you l i ke. '
I t was al most t oo good t o be t r ue.
Thank you. ' ; i
' Wher e ar e you, Luci a?'
' I ' m'
At t hat moment t he bl ar e of a pol i ce shor t wave r adi o
cr ackl ed over t he phone. I t was i nst ant l y shut of f .
' Luci a - ' - i - w N
A l oud al ar mr ang i n her head. I ' l l
' Luci a - wher e ar e you? I ' l l come and get you. '
Why woul d he have a pol i ce r adi o i n hi s house? And he
had answer ed t he t el ephone on t he f i r st r i ng. Al most as
t hough he had been expect i ng her cal l .
' Luci a - can you hear me?'
She knew, wi t h an absol ut e cer t ai nt y, t hat t he man on t he
ot her end of t he l i ne was a pol i ceman. So t he dr agnet was
out f or her . Thi s cal l was bei ng t r aced.
' Luci a '
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver and wal ked qui ckl y away f r om
t he t el ephone boot h.
I ' ve got t o get out of Fr ance, she t hought .
She r et ur ned t o her car and t ook a map f r omt he gl ove
compar t ment . The Spani sh bor der was onl y a shor t di st ance
away. She r epl aced t he map and st ar t ed of f . She t ur ned a
cor ner and headed sout h t owar ds San Sebast i an.
I t was at t he Spani sh bor der t hat t hi ngs st ar t ed t o go
wr ong.
' Passpor t , pl ease. '
Luci a handed t he Spani sh i mmi gr at i on of f i cer her passpor t .
He gave i t a cur sor y gl ance and st ar t ed t o hand i t back,
but somet hi ng made hi mhesi t at e. He t ook a cl oser l ook at
Luci a, and hi s expr essi on changed.
' J ust a moment , pl ease. I wi l l have t o have t hi s st amped
i nsi de. '
He r ecogni zed me, Luci a t hought desper at el y. She
wat ched hi mwal k i nt o t he l i t t l e of f i ce ki osk and show t he
passpor t t o anot her of f i cer . The t wo of t hemwer e t al ki ng
exci t edl y. She had t o escape. She opened t he door on t he
dr i ver ' s si de and st epped out . A gr oup of Ger man t our i st s
who had j ust cl ear ed cust oms was noi si l y boar di ng an excur si on
coach next t o Luci a' s car . The si gn on t he f r ont of t he
coach r ead ' Madr i d' .
' Acht ungF t hei r gui de was cal l i ng out . ' Schnel l . '
Luci a gl anced t owar ds t he hut . The guar d who had t aken
her passpor t was yel l i ng i nt o t he t el ephone.
' Al l aboar d, bi t t e. '
Wi t hout a second t hought , Luci a moved t owar ds t he l aughi ng,
chat t er i ng t our gr oup and st epped on t o t he coach, aver t i ng
her f ace f r omt he gui de. She t ook a seat i n t he r ear of t he
coach, keepi ng her head down. Move! she pr ayed. Now.
Thr ough t he wi ndow Luci a saw t hat anot her guar d had
j oi ned t he f i r st t wo and t he t hr ee of t hemwer e exami ni ng
her passpor t . As t hough i n answer t o Luci a' s pr ayer , t he
coach door cl osed and t he engi ne spr ang i nt o l i f e. A shor t
t i me l at er t he coach was r ol l i ng out of San Sebast i an t owar ds
Madr i d. What woul d happen when t he bor der guar ds f ound
t hat she had l ef t her car ? Thei r f i r st t hought woul d be t hat
she had gone t o t he l adi es' r oom. They woul d wai t and f i nal l y
send someone i n t o get her . Thei r next st ep woul d be t o
sear ch t he ar ea t o see i f she had hi dden somewher e. By t hen
dozens of car s and buses woul d have passed t hr ough. The
pol i ce woul d have no i dea wher e she had gone, nor i n whi ch
di r ect i on she was t r avel l i ng.
The t our gr oup on t he coach was obvi ousl y havi ng a happy
hol i day. Why not ? Luci a t hought bi t t er l y. They haven' t got
t he pol i ce snappi ng at t hei r heel s. Was i t wor t h r i ski ng t he r est
. uj my nj i - J ur : one i i l uugni aooui i t , r el i vi ng t he scenes wi t h
J udge Buscet t a and Beni t o i n her mi nd.
. I have a f eel i ng you and I coul d become ver y good f r i ends
Luci a . . . To t he deat h of vi l l ai ns.
And Beni t o Pat as: I t ' s l i ke ol d t i mes. You coul dn' t f or get
me, coul d you?
And she had made t he t wo t r ai t or s pay f or t hei r si ns
agai nst her f ami l y. Was i t wor t h i t ? They wer e dead, but her
f at her and br ot her s woul d suf f er f or t he r est of t hei r l i ves. Oh, yes, Luci a
t hought . was wor t h i t .
Someone on t he coach st ar t ed a Ger man song, and t he
ot her s j oi ned i n:
7n Munchen i st ei n Hof br au Haus, ei n, zwei , dr ei . . . '
I ' l l be saf e wi t h t hi s gr oup f or a whi l e, Luci a t hought . I ' l l
deci de what t o do next when I get t o Madr i d.
She never r eached Madr i d.
At t he wal l ed ci t y of Avi l a, t he t our coach made a schedul ed
st op f or r ef r eshment s and what t he gui de del i cat el y r ef er r ed
t o as a ' comf or t st at i on' .
' Al l e r aus aus demBus, ' he cal l ed.
Luci a st ayed i n her seat , wat chi ng t he passenger s r i se and
scr ambl e f or t he f r ont door of t he coach. I ' l l be saf er i f I st ay
her e. But t he gui de not i ced her .
' Out , Fr aul ei n, ' he sai d. ' We have onl y f i f t een mi nut es. '
Luci a hesi t at ed, t hen r el uct ant l y r ose and moved t owar ds
t he door .
As she passed t he gui de, he sai d, ' War t en She, bi t t e! You
ar e not of t hi s t our . '
Luci a gave hi ma war msmi l e. ' No, ' she sai d. ' You see,
my car br oke down i n San Sebast i an and i t i s ver y i mpor t ant
t hat I get t o Madr i d, so I - '
' Nei n! ' t he gui de bel l owed. ' Thi s i s not possi bl e. Thi s i s a
pr i vat e t our . '
' I know, ' Luci a t ol d hi m, ' but you see, I need '
' You must ar r ange t hi s wi t h t he company headquar t er s i n
Muni ch. '
i can i . i mi n a t er nol e nur r y and '
' Ne' m, nei n. You wi l l get me i n t r oubl e. Go away or I wi l l
cal l t he pol i ce. '
But - '
Not hi ng she sai d coul d sway hi m. Twent y mi nut es l at er
Luci a wat ched t he coach pul l away and r oar down t he hi ghway
t owar ds Madr i d. She was st r anded wi t h no passpor t
and al most no money, and by now t he pol i ce of hal f a
dozen count r i es woul d be l ooki ng f or her t o ar r est her f or
mur der .
She t ur ned t o exami ne her sur r oundi ngs. The coach had
st opped i n f r ont of a ci r cul ar bui l di ng wi t h a si gn i n f r ont
t hat r ead ' Est aci on de Aut obuses' .
I can get anot her bus her e, Luci a t hought .
She wal ked i nt o t he st at i on. I t was a l ar ge bui l di ng wi t h
mar bl e wal l s, and scat t er ed ar ound t he r oomwer e a dozen
t i cket wi ndows wi t h a si gn over each one: Segovi a . . .
Munogal i ndo . . . Val l adol i d . . . Sal amanca . . . Madr i d. St ai r s and an
escal at or l ed t o t he downst ai r s l evel wher e t he
buses depar t ed. Ther e was a past el er i a wher e t hey sol d
doughnut s and sweet s and sandwi ches wr apped i n wax paper ,
and Luci a suddenl y r eal i zed t hat she was st ar ved.
I ' d bet t er not buy anyt hi ng, she t hought , unt i l I f i nd out
how much a bus t i cket cost s.
As she st ar t ed t owar ds t he wi ndow mar ked Madr i d, t wo
uni f or med pol i cemen hur r i ed i nt o t he st at i on. One of t hem
was car r yi ng a phot ogr aph. They moved f r omwi ndow t o
wi ndow showi ng t he pi ct ur e t o t he cl er ks.
They' r e l ooki ng f or me. That damned bus dr i ver r epor t ed
me.
A f ami l y of newl y ar r i ved passenger s was comi ng up
t he escal at or . As t hey moved t owar ds t he door , Luci a
st epped up besi de t hem, mi ngl i ng wi t h t hem, and went
out si de.
She wal ked down t he cobbl est oned st r eet s of Avi l a, t r yi ng
not t o r ush, af r ai d of dr awi ng at t ent i on t o her sel f . She t ur ned
i nt o t he Cal l e de l a Madr e Sol edad, wi t h i t s gr ani t e bui l di ngs
and bl ack wr ought - i r on bal coni es, and when she r eached t he
naza ue l a sani a, sne sat down on a par k bench t o t r y t o
f i gur e out her next move. A hundr ed yar ds away, sever al
women and some coupl es wer e seat ed i n t he par k, enj oyi ng
t he af t er noon sunshi ne.
As Luci a sat t her e, a pol i ce car appear ed. I t pul l ed up at
t he f ar end of t he squar e and t wo pol i cemen got out . They
moved over t o one of t he women seat ed al one and began
quest i oni ng her . Luci a' s hear t began t o beat f ast er . , ;
She f or ced her sel f t o get t o her f eet sl owl y, her hear t
poundi ng, and t ur ned away f r omt he pol i cemen and kept
wal ki ng. The next st r eet was cal l ed, unbel i evabl y, ' The
St r eet of Li f e and Deat h' . wonder i f i t ' s an omen.
Ther e wer e r eal i st i c- l ooki ng st one l i ons i n t he pl aza, t hei r
t ongues out , and i n Luci a' s f ever ed i magi nat i on, t hey seemed
t o be snappi ng at her . Ahead of her was a l ar ge cat hedr al ,
and on i t s f acade was a car ved medal l i on of a young gi r l
and a gr i nni ng skul l . The ver y ai r seemed t o be f i l l ed wi t h
deat h.
Luci a hear d t he sound of a chur ch bel l and l ooked up
t hr ough t he open ci t y gat e. I n t he di st ance, hi gh on a hi l l ,
r ose t he wal l s of an abbey. She st ood t her e, st ar i ng at i t .
' I never want t o l eave, ' Luci a assur ed her . Not f or t he next
f ew mont hs, anyway.
The Rever end Mot her r ose. ' I t i s an i mpor t ant deci si on.
1 suggest t hat you go and t hi nk about i t car ef ul l y bef or e you
make up your mi nd. '
Luci a f el t t he si t uat i on sl i ppi ng away f r omher and she
began t o pani c. She had nowher e t o go. Her onl y hope was
t o st ay behi nd t hese wal l s.
' I have t hought about i t , ' Luci a sai d qui ckl y. ' Bel i eve me,
Rever end Mot her , I ' ve t hought about not hi ng el se. I want
t o r enounce t he wor l d. ' She l ooked t he Mot her Pr i or ess i n
t he eye. ' I want t o be her e mor e t han I want t o be anywher e
el se i n t he wor l d. ' Luci a' s voi ce r ang wi t h t r ut h.
The Rever end Mot her was puzzl ed. Ther e was somet hi ng
unset t l ed and f r ant i c about t hi s woman t hat was di st ur bi ng.
And yet what bet t er r eason f or anyone t o come t o t hi s pl ace
wher e t hei r spi r i t woul d be cal med by medi t at i on and pr ayer ?
' Ar e you Cat hol i c?'
' Yes. '
The Rever end Mot her pi cked up an ol d- f ashi oned qui l l
pen. ' Tel l me your name, chi l d. '
' My name i s Luci a Car - Roma. '
' Ar e your par ent s al i ve?'
' My f at her i s. '
' What does he do?'
' He was a busi nessman. He' s r et i r ed. ' She t hought of how
pal e and wast ed he l ooked t he l ast t i me she had seen hi m,
and a pang went t hr ough her .
' Do you have any br ot her s or si st er s?'
' Two br ot her s. '
' And what do t hey do?'
Luci a deci ded she needed al l t he hel p she coul d get .
' They' r e pr i est s. '
' Lovel y. '
The cat echi smwent on f or t hr ee hour s. At t he end of t hat
t i me, t he Rever end Mot her Bet i na sai d, ' I wi l l f i nd you a
bed f or t he ni ght . I n t he mor ni ng you wi l l begi n i nst r uct i ons
and when t hey ar e f i ni shed, i f you st i l l f eel t he same, you
may j oi n t he or der . But 1 war n you, i t i s a ver y di f f i cul t pat h
you have chosen. '
' Bel i eve me, ' Luci a sai d ear nest l y. ' I have no choi ce. '
The ni ght wi nd was sof t and war m, whi sper i ng i t s way acr oss
t he wooded gl ade, and Luci a sl ept . She was at a par t y i n a
beaut i f ul vi l l a, and her f at her and br ot her s wer e t her e, and
ever yone was havi ng a wonder f ul t i me, and a st r anger wal ked
i nt o t he r oomand sai d, ' Who t he hel l ar e t hese peopl e?'
And t he l i ght s went out and a br i ght f l ashl i ght shone i n her
f ace and she came awake and sat up, t he l i ght bl i ndi ng
her .
Ther e wer e hal f a dozen men sur r oundi ng t he nuns i n t he
cl ear i ng. Wi t h t he l i ght i n her eyes, Luci a coul d onl y di ml y
make out t hei r shapes.
' Who ar e you?' t he man demanded agai n. Hi s voi ce was
deep and r ough.
Luci a was i nst ant l y awake, her mi nd al er t . She was
t r apped. But i f t hese men wer e f r omt he pol i ce, t hey woul d
have known who t he nuns wer e. And what wer e t hey doi ng
i n t he woods at ni ght ?
Luci a t ook a chance. ' We ar e si st er s f r omt he convent at
Avi l a, ' she sai d. ' Some gover nment men came and '
' We hear d about i t , ' t he man i nt er r upt ed.
The ot her si st er s wer e al l si t t i ng up now, awake and
t er r i f i ed.
' Who - who ar e you?' Megan asked.
' My name i s J ai me Mi r o. ' ;
Ther e wer e si x of t hem, dr essed i n r ough t r ouser s, l eat her
j acket s, t ur t l eneck sweat er s and canvas r ope- sol ed shoes,
and t he t r adi t i onal Basque ber et s. They wer e heavi l y ar med,
and i n t he di mmoonl i ght t hey had a demoni c l ook. Two of
t he men l ooked as t hough t hey had been badl y beat en.
The man who cal l ed hi msel f J ai me Mi r o was t al l and l ean,
wi t h f i er ce bl ack eyes. ' They coul d have been f ol l owed her e. '
104
He t ur ned t o one of t he member s of hi s band. ' Have a l ook
ar ound. '
' sr
Luci a r eal i zed t hat i t was a woman who answer ed. Luci a
wat ched her move si l ent l y i nt o t he t r ees.
' What ar e we goi ng t o do wi t h t hem?' Ri car do Mel l ado
asked.
J ai me Mi r o sai d, ' Nada. We l eave t hemand move on. '
One of t he men pr ot est ed, ' J ai me - t hese ar e l i t t l e si st er s
of J esus. '
' Then l et J esus t ake car e of t hem, ' J ai me Mi r o sai d cur t l y.
' We have wor k t o do. '
The nuns wer e al l st andi ng now, wai t i ng. The men wer e
gat her ed ar ound J ai me, ar gui ng wi t h hi m.
' We can' t l et t hemget caught . Acoca and hi s men ar e
sear chi ng f or t hem. '
' They' r e sear chi ng f or us, t oo, ami go. '
' The si st er s wi l l never make i t wi t hout our hel p. '
J ai me Mi r o sai d f i r ml y, ' No. We' r e not r i ski ng our l i ves
f or t hem. We have pr obl ems of our own. '
Fel i x Car pi o, one of hi s l i eut enant s, sai d, ' We coul d escor t
t hempar t of t he way, J ai me. J ust unt i l t hey get away f r om
her e. ' He t ur ned t o t he nuns. ' Wher e ar e you si st er s headed?'
Ter esa spoke up, t he l i ght of God i n her eyes. ' I have a
hol y mi ssi on. Ther e i s a convent at Mendavi a t hat wi l l shel t er
us. '
Fel i x Car pi o sai d t o J ai me Mi r o, ' We coul d escor t t hem
t her e. Mendavi a' s on our way t o San Sebast i an. '
J ai me Mi r o t ur ned on hi m, f ur i ous. ' You damned f ool !
Why don' t you put up a si gnpost t el l i ng ever yone wher e
we' r e goi ng?'
' I onl y meant - '
' Mi er da! ' Hi s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h di sgust . ' Now we have
no choi ce. We' l l have t o t ake t hemwi t h us. I f Acoca f i nds
t hem, he' l l make t hemt al k. They' r e goi ng t o sl ow us down
and make i t t hat much easi er f or Acoca and hi s but cher s t o
t r ack us. '
Luci a was onl y hal f l i st eni ng. The gol d cr oss l ay wi t hi n
105
FR1; - - . , - - . . . u ur c musy
t i mi ng. God, and a wei r d sense of humour .
' Al l r i ght , ' J ai me Mi r o was sayi ng. ' We' l l have t o make
t he best of i t . We' l l t ake t hemas f ar as t he convent and dr op
t hem, but we can' t al l t r avel t oget her l i ke some bl oody
ci r cus. ' He t ur ned t o t he nuns. He coul d not keep t he anger
out of hi s voi ce. ' Do any of you even know wher e Mendavi a
i s?'
The si st er s l ooked at one anot her .
Gr aci el a sai d, ' Not exact l y. '
' Then how t he hel l di d you ever expect t o get t her e?'
' God wi l l l ead us, ' Si st er Ter esa sai d f i r ml y.
Anot her one of t he men, Rubi o Ar zano, gr i nned. ' You' r e
i n l uck. ' He nodded t owar ds J ai me. ' He came down t o gui de
you i n per son, si st er . '
J ai me si l enced hi mwi t h a l ook. ' We' l l spl i t up. We' l l t ake
t hr ee di f f er ent r out es. '
He pul l ed a map out of a backpack and t he men squat t ed
down on t he gr ound, shi ni ng f l ashl i ght s on t he map.
' The convent at Mendavi a i s her e, sout h- east of Logr ono.
I ' l l head nor t h t hr ough Val l adol i d, t hen up t o Bur gos. ' He
r an hi s f i nger s al ong t he map and t ur ned t o Rubi o, a t al l ,
pl easant - l ooki ng man. ' You t ake t he r out e t o Ol medo up t o
Penaf i el and Ar anda de Duer o. ' I
' Ri ght , ami go. '
J ai me Mi r o was concent r at i ng on t he map agai n. He
l ooked up at Ri car do Mel l ado, one of t he men whose f ace
was br ui sed. ' Ri car do, head f or Segovi a, t hen t ake t he mount ai n
r out e t o Cer ezo de Abaj o, t hen t o Sor i a. We' l l al l meet
at Logr ono. ' He put t he map away. ' Logr ono i s t wo hundr ed
and t en ki l omet r es f r omher e. ' He cal cul at ed si l ent l y. ' We' l l
meet t her e i n seven days. Keep away f r omt he mai n r oads. '
Fel i x asked, ' Wher e i n Logr ono shal l we meet ?'
Ri car do sai d, ' The Ci r que J apon wi l l be pl ayi ng i n Logr ono
next week. '
' Good. We' l l meet t her e. The mat i nee per f or mance. '
Fel i x Car pi o, t he bear ded one, spoke up. ' Who ar e t he
nuns goi ng t o t r avel wi t h?'
106
>, I I . - >; l l l I I I CI I I Up.
I t was t i me t o put a st op t o t hi s, Luci a deci ded. ' I f t he
sol di er s ar e sear chi ng f or you, si gnor e, t hen we' d be saf er
t r avel l i ng on our own. '
' But we woul dn' t be. Si st er , ' J ai me sai d. ' You know t oo
much about our pl ans now. '
' Besi des, ' t he man cal l ed Rubi o added, ' you woul dn' t have
a chance. We know t he count r y. We' r e Basques, and t he
peopl e up nor t h ar e our f r i ends. They' l l hel p us and hi de us
f r omt he nat i onal i st sol di er s. You' d never get t o Mendavi a
by your sel ves. '
don' t want t o get t o Mendavi a, you i di ot .
J ai me Mi r o was sayi ng, gr udgi ngl y, ' Al l r i ght , t hen, l et ' s
get movi ng. I want us f ar away f r omher e by dawn. '
Si st er Megan st ood qui et l y l i st eni ng t o t he man who was
gi vi ng or der s. He was r ude and ar r ogant , but somehow he
seemed t o r adi at e a r eassur i ng sense of power .
J ai me Mi r o l ooked over at Ter esa and poi nt ed t o Tomas
Sanj ur o and Rubi o Ar zano. ' They wi l l be r esponsi bl e f or
you. '
Si st er Ter esa sai d, ' God i s r esponsi bl e f or me. '
' Sur e, ' J ai me r epl i ed dr i l y. ' I suppose t hat ' s how you got
her e i n t he f i r st pl ace. '
Rubi o wal ked over t o Ter esa. ' Rubi o Ar zano at your
ser vi ce. Si st er . How ar e you cal l ed?'
' I amSi st er Ter esa. '
Luci a spoke up qui ckl y. ' I wi l l t r avel wi t h Si st er Ter esa. '
Ther e was no way she was goi ng t o l et t hemsepar at e her
f r omt he gol d cr oss.
J ai me Mi r o nodded. ' Al l r i ght . ' He poi nt ed t o Gr aci el a.
' Ri car do, you' l l t ake t hi s one. '
Ri car do Mel l ado nodded. ' Bueno. '
The woman, whomJ ai me had sent t o r econnoi t r e, had
r et ur ned t o t he gr oup. ' I t ' s al l cl ear , ' she sai d.
' Good. ' J ai me Mi r o l ooked at Megan. ' You come wi t h us,
Si st er . '
Megan nodded. J ai me Mi r o f asci nat ed her . And t her e was
somet hi ng i nt r i gui ng about t he woman. She was dar k and
107
. . n. c- i wi s. i i i s, wi i n me nawK- i i Ke r eat ur es of a pr edat or
Her mout h was a r ed wound. Ther e was somet hi ng i nt ensel y sexual about her . y
The woman wal ked up t o Megan. ' I ' mAmpar o J i r on
Keep your mout h shut , Si st er , and t her e wi l l be no t r oubl e '
J ai me sai d t o t he ot her s, ' Let ' s get movi ng. We' l l meet i n
Logr ono i n seven days. Don' t l et t he si st er s out of your
si ght . ' Si st er
Ter esa and t he man cal l ed Rubi o Ar zano had
al r eady st ar t ed t o move down t he pat h. Luci a hur r i ed af t er
t hem. She had seen t he map t hat Rubi o Ar zano had put i n
hi s backpack. I ' l l t ake i t , Luci a deci ded, when he' s asl eep.
Thei r f l i ght acr oss Spai n began.
wi i ai you ar c i s me wor si l i ar i ve ever near d. '
She wal ked over t o t he r obes t hat t he nuns had di scar ded. !
What ar e t hose?'
' Ah. Those, yes. The t wo young men wer e wear i ng t hem
as di sgui ses, you see, And '
Ther e ar e f our out f i t s her e. You sai d t her e wer e t wo
men. '
' Ri ght . The ot her t wo j oi ned t heml at er , and '
She wal ked over t o t he phone.
' What ar e you doi ng?'
' Cal l i ng t he pol i ce. '
' That ' s not necessar y, I assur e you. As soon as you r el ease
me, I ' mgoi ng r i ght t o t he pol i ce st at i on t o make a f ul l
r epor t . '
The woman l ooked down at hi m.
' Your r obe i s open. Fr i ar . ' ;
The pol i ce wer e even l ess sympat het i c t han t he woman had
been. Car r i l l o was bei ng quest i oned by f our member s of t he guar di a ci vi l . Thei r
gr een uni f or ms and ei ght eent h- cent ur y
bl ack pat ent l eat her hat s wer e enough t o i nspi r e f ear
t hr oughout Spai n, and t hey cer t ai nl y wor ked t hei r magi c on
Car r i l l o.
' Ar e you awar e t hat you answer t o t he exact descr i pt i on
of a man who mur der ed a pr i est up nor t h?'
Car r i l l o si ghed. ' I amnot sur pr i sed. I have a t wi n br ot her ,
may heaven puni sh hi m. I t i s because of hi mt hat I j oi ned
t he monast er y. Our poor mot her '
' Spar e us. '
A gi ant wi t h a scar r ed f ace wal ked i nt o t he r oom.
' Good af t er noon. Col onel Acoca. '
' I s t hi s t he man?'
' Yes, Col onel . Because of t he nuns' r obes t hat we f ound
wi t h hi mi n t he shop, we t hought you mi ght be i nt er est ed i n
quest i oni ng hi myour sel f . '
Col onel Ramon Acoca wal ked up t o t he hapl ess Car r i l l o.
' Yes. I ' mver y i nt er est ed. '
; i mi i o gave me L- oi onei ni s most i ngr at i at i ng smi l e. ' I ' m
gl ad you' r e her e, - Col onel . I ' mon a mi ssi on f or my chur ch,
and i t ' s ver y i mpor t ant t hat I get t o Bar cel ona as qui ckl y as
possi bl e. As I t r i ed t o expl ai n t o t hese ni ce gent l emen, I am
a vi ct i mof ci r cumst ances si mpl y because I t r i ed t o be a good
samar i t an. '
Col onel Acoca nodded pl easant l y. ' Si nce you ar e i n a
hur r y, I wi l l t r y not t o wast e your t i me. '
Car r i l l o beamed at hi m. ' Thank you. Col onel . '
' I ' mgoi ng t o ask you a f ew si mpl e quest i ons. I f you answer
t r ut hf ul l y, ever yt hi ng wi l l be f i ne. I f you l i e t o me, i t wi l l be
ver y pai nf ul f or you. ' He sl i pped somet hi ng i nt o hi s hand.
Car r i l l o sai d r i ght eousl y, Then of God do not l i e. '
' I ' mver y happy t o hear t hat . Tel l me about t he f our nuns. '
' I don' t know anyt hi ng about f our nuns. Col '
The f i st t hat hi t hi mi n t he mout h had br ass knuckl es on
i t , and bl ood spur t ed acr oss t he r oom.
' My God! What ar e you doi ng?' Car r i l l o gasped.
Col onel Acoca r epeat ed hi s quest i on. ' Tel l me about t he
f our nuns. '
' I don' t '
The f i st sl ammed i nt o Car r i l l o' s mout h agai n, br eaki ng
t eet h.
Car r i l l o was choki ng on hi s bl ood. ' Don' t . I '
' Tel l me about t he f our nuns. ' Acoca' s voi ce was sof t and
r easonabl e.
' I - ' He saw t he f i st bei ng r ai sed. ' Yes! I - I '
The wor ds came t umbl i ng out . ' They wer e i n Vi l l acast i n,
r unni ng away f r omt hei r convent . Pl ease don' t hi t me agai n. '
' Go on. '
' I - 1 t ol d t hemI woul d hel p t hem. They needed t o change
cl ot hes. '
' So you br oke i nt o t he shop . . . '
' No. I - yes. I - t hey st ol e some cl ot hes and t hen t hey
knocked me out and l ef t me. '
' Di d t hey say wher e t hey wer e headed?'
A pecul i ar sense of di gni t y suddenl y t ook possessi on of
Car r i l l o. ' No. ' Hi s not ment i oni ng Mendavi a had not hi ng t o
FR1; FR2; uu wi mpmi ci ; i i i i g me nuns. - , ar nno ai a not gi ve a damn
about t hem. I t was because t he Col onel had r ui ned hi s f ace.
I t was goi ng t o be ver y di f f i cul t t o make a l i vi ng af t er he was
r el eased f r ompr i son.
Col onel Acoca t ur ned t o t he member s of t he guar di a ci vi l . ' See what a l i t t l e
f r i endl y per suasi on can do? Send hi mt o
Madr i d and hol d hi mf or mur der . '
Luci a, Si st er Ter esa, Rubi o Ar zano and Tomas Sanj ur o
wal ked nor t h- east , headi ng t owar ds Ol meda, st ayi ng away
f r omt he mai n r oads and wal ki ng t hr ough f i el ds of gr ai n.
They passed f l ocks of sheep and goat s, and t he i nnocence of
t he past or al count r ysi de was i n i r oni c cont r ast t o t he gr ave
danger t hey wer e al l i n. They wal ked t hr ough t he ni ght , and
at dawn t hey headed f or a secl uded spot i n t he hi l l s.
Rubi o Ar zano sai d. The t own of Ol meda i s j ust ahead.
We' l l st op her e unt i l ni ght f al l . You bot h l ook as t hough you
coul d do wi t h some sl eep. '
Si st er Ter esa was physi cal l y exhaust ed. But somet hi ng was
happeni ng t o her emot i onal l y t hat was f ar mor e di st ur bi ng.
She f el t she was l osi ng t ouch wi t h r eal i t y. I t had begun wi t h
t he di sappear ance of her pr eci ous r osar y. Had she l ost i t or
had someone st ol en i t ? She was not sur e. I t had been her
sol ace f or mor e year s t han she coul d r emember . How many
t housands of Hai l Mar ys and how many Our Fat her s and
how many Hai l , Hol y Queens? I t had become a par t of her ,
her secur i t y, and now i t was mi ssi ng.
Had she l ost i t i n t he convent dur i ng t he at t ack? And had
t her e r eal l y been an at t ack? I t seemed so unr eal now. She
was no l onger sur e what was r eal and what was i magi nar y.
The baby she had seen. Was i t Moni que' s baby? Or was God
pl ayi ng t r i cks on her ? I t was al l so conf usi ng. When she
was young, ever yt hi ng had been so si mpl e. When she was
young . . .
Chapt er 11
Eze, Fr ance 1924
When she was onl y ei ght year s ol d, most of t he happi ness i n
Ter esa DeFosse' s l i f e came f r omt he chur ch. I t was l i ke a
sacr ed f l ame dr awi ng her t o i t s war mt h. She vi si t ed t he
Chapel l e des Peni t ent s Bl ancs, and pr ayed at t he cat hedr al
i n Monaco and Not r e Dame Bon Voyage i n Cannes, but
most f r equent l y she at t ended ser vi ces at t he chur ch i n Eze.
Ter esa l i ved i n a chat eau on a mount ai n above t he medi eval
vi l l age of Eze, near Mont e Car l o, over l ooki ng t he Cot e
d' Azur . The vi l l age was per ched hi gh on a r ock and i t seemed
t o Ter esa t hat she coul d l ook down upon t he whol e wor l d.
Ther e was a monast er y at t he t op, wi t h r ows of houses
cascadi ng down t he si de of t he mount ai n t o t he bl ue Medi t er r anean
bel ow.
Moni que, a year younger t han Ter esa, was t he beaut y i n
t he f ami l y. Even when she was a chi l d, one coul d see t hat
she woul d gr ow up t o be an exqui si t e woman. She had
f i ne- boned f eat ur es, spar kl i ng bl ue eyes, and an easy sel f -
assur ance t hat sui t ed her l ooks.
Ter esa was t he ugl y duckl i ng. The t r ut h was t hat t he
DeFosses wer e embar r assed by t hei r el der daught er . I f
Ter esa had been convent i onal l y ugl y, t hey mi ght have sent
her t o a pl ast i c sur geon and had her nose shor t ened, or her chi n br ought
f or war d, or her eyes f i xed. But t he pr obl emwas
t hat al l Ter esa' s f eat ur es wer e j ust sl i ght l y askew. Ever yt hi ng
seemed out of pl ace, as t hough she wer e a comedi enne who
had donned her f ace f or l aught er .
dui i r uoo naa cneai ea ner i n me mat t er of l ooks. He had
compensat ed f or i t by bl essi ng her wi t h a r emar kabl e gi f t .
Ter esa had t he voi ce of an angel . I t had been not i ced t he
f i r st t i me she sang i n t he chur ch choi r . The par i shi oner s
l i st ened i n ast oni shment t o t he pur e, cl ear t ones t hat came
f r omt he young chi l d. And as Ter esa gr ew ol der , her voi ce
gr ew even mor e beaut i f ul . She was gi ven al l t he sol os t o si ng
i n chur ch. Ther e, she f el t as t hough she bel onged. But away
f r omchur ch, Ter esa was i nor di nat el y shy, pai nf ul l y awar e
of her appear ance.
At school i t was Moni que who had al l t he f r i ends. Boys
and gi r l s al i ke f l ocked t o her si de. They want ed t o pl ay wi t h
her , be seen wi t h her . Moni que was i nvi t ed t o al l t he par t i es.
Ter esa was i nvi t ed al so, but i t was an af t er - t hought , t he
f ul f i l l i ng of a soci al obl i gat i on, and Ter esa was pai nf ul l y
awar e of i t .
' Now, Renee. You can' t i nvi t e one of t he DeFosse chi l dr en
wi t hout t he ot her . I t woul d be bad manner s. '
Moni que was ashamed t o have an ugl y si st er . She f el t t hat
i t was somehow a r ef l ect i on on her .
Ter esa' s par ent s behaved pr oper l y t owar ds t hei r el der
daught er . They f ul f i l l ed t hei r par ent al dut y punct i l i ousl y, but
i t was obvi ous t hat i t was Moni que t hey ador ed. The one
i ngr edi ent t hat Ter esa l onged f or was mi ssi ng: l ove.
She was an obedi ent chi l d, wi l l i ng and eager t o pl ease, a
good st udent who l oved musi c, hi st or y and f or ei gn l anguages
and wor ked har d i n school . Her t eacher s and t he ser vant s
and t he t ownspeopl e f el t sor r y f or her . As a t r adesman sai d
one day when Ter esa l ef t hi s shop, ' God wasn' t payi ng
at t ent i on when he made her . '
Wher e Ter esa f ound l ove was i n t he chur ch. The pr i est
l oved her , and J esus l oved her . She went t o mass ever y
mor ni ng and made t he f our t een st at i ons of t he cr oss. Kneel i ng
i n t he cool , vaul t ed chur ch, she f el t God' s pr esence.
When she sang t her e, Ter esa was f i l l ed wi t h a sense of hope,
of expect at i on. She f el t as t hough somet hi ng wonder f ul wer e
about t o happen t o her . I t was t he onl y t hi ng t hat made her
l i f e bear abl e.
Ter esa never conf i ded her unhappi ness t o her par ent s or
t o her si st er , f or she di d not want t o bur den t hem, and she
hugged t o her sel f t he secr et of how much God l oved her and
how much she l oved God.
Ter esa ador ed her si st er . They pl ayed t oget her i n t he
est at e gr ounds sur r oundi ng t hei r chat eau, and she l et
Moni que wi n t he games t hey pl ayed. They went expl or i ng
t oget her , down t he st eep st one st eps cut i nt o t he mount ai n
t o Eze Vi l l age bel ow, and wander ed down t he nar r ow st r eet s of ar t i st s' shops t o
wat ch t he ar t i st s i n f r ont sel l i ng t hei r
war es.
As t he gi r l s gr ew i nt o t hei r t eens, t he pr edi ct i ons of
t he vi l l ager s came t r ue. Moni que gr ew mor e beaut i f ul . The
boys came f l ocki ng ar ound Moni que, whi l e Ter esa st ayed
i n her r oomsewi ng or r eadi ng or went shoppi ng i n t he
vi l l age.
As Ter esa passed t he dr awi ng r oomone day, she hear d
her mot her and f at her i n a di scussi on.
' She' s goi ng t o be an ol d mai d. We' r e goi ng t o have her
on our hands al l our l i ves. '
' Ter esa wi l l f i nd someone. She has a ver y sweet di sposi t i on. '
" That ' s not what t he young men of t oday ar e af t er . They
want someone t hey can enj oy havi ng i n t hei r bed. '
Ter esa f l ed.
Ter esa st i l l sang i n chur ch on Sundays, and because of
t hat an event occur r ed t hat al most changed her l i f e. I n t he
congr egat i on was a Madame Nef f , t he aunt of a r adi o st at i on
di r ect or i n Ni ce.
She st opped t o speak t o Ter esa one Sunday mor ni ng.
' You' r e wast i ng your l i f e her e, my dear . You have an ext r aor di nar y
voi ce. You shoul d be usi ng i t . '
' I amusi ng i t . I '
' I ' mnot t al ki ng about - ' She l ooked ar ound t he chur ch.
' - t hi s. I ' mt al ki ng about your usi ng your voi ce pr of essi onal l y.
I pr i de mysel f on knowi ng t al ent when I hear i t . I want
, , . . . . , . . . g, , v. i i i J noncw. nc can put you on t he r adi o.
Ar e you i nt er est ed?'
I - I don' t know. ' The ver y t hought of i t t er r i f i ed Ter esa.
' Tal k i t over wi t h your f ami l y. '
" I t hi nk i t ' s a wonder f ul i dea, ' Ter esa' s mot her sai d.
' I t coul d be a good t hi ng f or you, ' her f at her agr eed.
I t was Moni que who had r eser vat i ons about i t . ' You' r e
not a pr of essi onal , ' she sai d. ' You coul d make a f ool of
your sel f . ' Whi ch had not hi ng t o do wi t h Moni que' s r easons
f or t r yi ng t o di scour age her si st er . What Moni que was af r ai d
of was t hat Ter esa woul d succeed. Moni que was t he one who
had al ways been i n t he l i mel i ght . I t ' s not f ai r , she t hought , t hat God shoul d
have gi ven Ter esa a voi ce l i ke t hat . What i f
she shoul d become f amous? I woul d be l ef t out , i gnor ed.
And so Moni que t r i ed t o per suade her si st er not t o audi t i on.
But t he f ol l owi ng Sunday at chur ch, Madame Nef f st opped
Ter esa and sai d, ' I ' ve t al ked t o my nephew. He i s wi l l i ng t o
gi ve you an audi t i on. He' s expect i ng you on Wednesday at
t hr ee o' cl ock. '
And so i t was t hat t he f ol l owi ng Wednesday a ver y ner vous
Ter esa appear ed at t he r adi o st at i on i n Ni ce and met t he
di r ect or .
' I ' mLoui s Bonnet , ' he sai d cur t l y. ' I can gi ve you f i ve
mi nut es. '
Ter esa' s physi cal appear ance onl y conf i r med hi s wor st
f ear s. Hi s aunt had sent hi mt al ent bef or e.
shoul d t el l her t o st i ck t o her ki t chen. But he knew t hat
he woul d not . The pr obl emwas t hat hi s aunt was ver y r i ch,
and he was her onl y hei r .
Ter esa f ol l owed Loui s Bonnet down a nar r ow cor r i dor
i nt o a smal l br oadcast i ng st udi o.
' Have you ever sung pr of essi onal l y?'
' No, si r . ' Her bl ouse was soaked wi t h per spi r at i on. Why
di d I ever l et mysel f get t al ked i nt o t hi s? Ter esa wonder ed. She was i n a pani c,
r eady t o f l ee.
Bonnet pl aced her i n f r ont of a mi cr ophone. ' I don' t have
a pi ano pl ayer ar ound t oday, so you' r e goi ng t o have t o si ng a capel l a. Do you
know what a capel l a means?'
' Yes, si r . '
' Wonder f ul . ' He wonder ed, not f or t he f i r st t i me, i f hi s aunt
was r i ch enough t o make al l t hese st upi d audi t i ons wor t hwhi l e.
' I ' l l be i n t he cont r ol boot h. You' l l have t i me f or one
song. '
' Si r - what shal l I ?'
He was gone. Ter esa was al one i n t he r oomst ar i ng at t he
mi cr ophone i n f r ont of her . She had no i dea what she was
goi ng t o si ng. ' J ust go and meet hi m, ' hi s aunt had sai d. ' The
st at i on has a musi cal pr ogr amme ever y Sat ur day eveni ng,
and . . . '
I ' ve got t o get out of her e.
Loui s' voi ce came out of nowher e. ' I haven' t got al l day. '
' I ' msor r y. I can' t '
But t he di r ect or was det er mi ned t o puni sh her f or wast i ng
hi s t i me.
' J ust a f ew not es, ' he i nsi st ed. Enough so he coul d r epor t
t o hi s aunt what a f ool t he gi r l had made of her sel f . Per haps
t hat woul d per suade her t o st op sendi ng hi mher pr ot egees.
' I ' mwai t i ng, ' he sai d.
He l eaned back i n hi s chai r and l i t a Gi t ane. Four mor e
hour s t o go. Yvet t e woul d be wai t i ng f or hi m. He woul d
have t i me t o cal l at her apar t ment bef or e he went home t o
hi s wi f e. Maybe t her e woul d even be t i me t o He
hear d i t t hen, and he coul d not bel i eve i t . I t was a
voi ce so pur e and so sweet t hat i t sent chi l l s down hi s spi ne.
I t was a voi ce f i l l ed wi t h l ongi ng and desi r e, a voi ce t hat sang
of l onel i ness and despai r , of l ost l oves and dead dr eams, and
i t br ought t ear s t o hi s eyes. I t st i r r ed emot i ons i n hi mt hat
he had t hought l ong si nce dead. Al l he coul d say t o hi msel f
was, ' J esus Chr i st ! Wher e has she been?'
An engi neer had wander ed i nt o t he cont r ol boot h, and he
st ood t her e l i st eni ng, mesmer i zed. The door was open and
ot her s began t o come i n, dr awn by t he voi ce. They st ood
t her e si l ent l y l i st eni ng t o t he poi gnant sound of a hear t
_- . - . - , . . v> i . . - i >- was nui anoi ner
sound i n t he r oom.
When t he song ended, t her e was a l ong si l ence, and one
of t he women sai d, ' Whoever she i s, don' t l et her get away. '
Loui s Bonnet hur r i ed out of t he r oomi nt o t he br oadcast i ng
st udi o. Ter esa was get t i ng r eady t o l eave.
' I ' msor r y I t ook t oo l ong. You see, I ' ve never '
' Si t down, Mar i a. '
' Ter esa. '
' Sor r y. ' He t ook a deep br eat h. ' We do a musi cal r adi o
br oadcast ever y Sat ur day ni ght . '
' I know. I l i st en t o i t . '
' How woul d you l i ke t o be on i t ?'
She st ar ed at hi m, unabl e t o bel i eve what she was hear i ng.
' You mean - you want t o empl oy me?'
' Begi nni ng t hi s week. We' l l st ar t you at t he mi ni mum. I t
wi l l be a gr eat showcase f or you. '
I t was al most t oo good t o be t r ue. They' r e goi ng t o pay
me t o si ng.
' Pay you? How much?' Moni que asked.
' I don' t know. I don' t car e. ' The i mpor t ant t hi ng i s t hat
somebody want s me, she al most sai d, but she st opped her sel f .
' That ' s wonder f ul news. So you' r e goi ng t o be on t he
r adi o! ' her f at her sai d.
Her mot her was al r eady maki ng pl ans.
' We' l l see t hat al l our f r i ends l i st en, and we' l l have t hem
send i n l et t er s sayi ng how good you ar e. '
Ter esa l ooked at Moni que, wai t i ng f or her t o say. You
don' t have t o do t hat . Ter esa i s good.
But Moni que sai d not hi ng. wi l l bl ow over qui ckl y, she
t hought .
She was wr ong.
That Sat ur day ni ght at t he br oadcast i ng st at i on, Ter esa was
i n a pani c.
' Bel i eve me, ' Loui s Bonnet assur ed her , ' i t ' s per f ect l y
nat ur al . Al l ar t i st s go t hr ough t hi s. '
They wer e seat ed i n t he smal l gr een- r oomused by per f or mer s.
' You' r e goi ng t o be a sensat i on. '
' I ' mgoi ng t o be si ck. '
' Ther e' s no t i me. You' r e on i n t wo mi nut es. '
Ter esa had r ehear sed t hat af t er noon wi t h t he smal l or chest r a
t hat was goi ng t o accompany her . The r ehear sal had been
ext r aor di nar y. The st age f r omwhi ch t hey br oadcast was
cr owded wi t h st at i on per sonnel who had hear d about t he
young gi r l wi t h t he i ncr edi bl e voi ce. They l i st ened i n awed
si l ence as Ter esa r ehear sed t he songs she was goi ng t o si ng.
Ther e was no quest i on i n any of t hei r mi nds but t hat t hey
wer e wi t nessi ng t he bi r t h of an i mpor t ant st ar .
' I t ' s t oo bad she' s not bet t er l ooki ng, ' a st age manager
comment ed, ' but i n r adi o who can t el l t he di f f er ence?'
Ter esa' s per f or mance t hat eveni ng was super b. She was
awar e t hat she had never sung bet t er . And who knew wher e
t hi s coul d l ead? She mi ght become f amous and have men
at her f eet , beggi ng her t o mar r y t hem. As t hey begged
Moni que.
As t hough r eadi ng her t hought s, Moni que sai d, ' I ' mr eal l y
happy f or you, Si s, but don' t l et your sel f get car r i ed away
by al l t hi s. These t hi ngs never l ast . '
Thi s wi l l , Ter esa t hought happi l y. I ' mf i nal l y a per son. I ' m
somebody.
On Monday mor ni ng, t her e was a l ong- di st ance t el ephone
cal l f or Ter esa.
' I t ' s pr obabl y somebody' s i dea of a j oke, ' her f at her
war ned her . ' He says he' s J acques Rai mu. ' The most i mpor t ant
st age di r ect or i n Fr ance.
Ter esa pi cked up t he t el ephone, war y. ' Hel l o?'
' Mi ss DeFosse?'
' Ter esa DeFosse?'
Yes. '
Thi s i s J acques Rai mu. I hear d your r adi o pr ogr amme on
Sat ur day ni ght . You' r e exact l y what I ' ml ooki ng f or . '
' I - I don' t under st and. '
' I ' mst agi ng a pl ay at t he Comedi e Fr ancai se, a musi cal . I
st ar t r ehear sal s next week. I ' ve been sear chi ng f or someone
wi t h a voi ce l i ke your s. To t el l you t he t r ut h, t her e i s no one
wi t h a voi ce l i ke your s. Who i s your agent ?'
' Agent ? I - I have no agent . '
' Then I ' l l come up t her e and we' l l wor k out a deal bet ween
us. '
' Monsi eur Rai mu - I - I ' mnot ver y pr et t y. ' I t was pai nf ul
f or her t o say t he wor ds, but she knew t hat i t was necessar y. He must n ' t have
any f al se expect at i ons.
He l aughed. ' You wi l l be when I get t hr ough wi t h you.
Theat r e i s make- bel i eve. St age makeup can do al l ki nds of
i ncr edi bl e magi c. '
' But - '
' I ' l l dr i ve up t o see you t omor r ow. '
I t was a dr eamon t op of a f ant asy. To be st ar r i ng i n a pl ay
by Rai mu!
' I ' l l wor k out t he cont r act wi t h hi m, ' Ter esa' s f at her
sai d. ' You must be car ef ul when you deal wi t h t heat r e
peopl e. '
' We must get you a new dr ess, ' her mot her sai d. ' And I ' l l
i nvi t e hi mt o di nner . '
Moni que sai d not hi ng. What was happeni ng was unbear abl e.
I t was unt hi nkabl e t hat her si st er was goi ng t o become
a st ar . Per haps t her e was a way . . .
Moni que saw t o i t t hat she was t he f i r st one downst ai r s
when J acques Rai mu ar r i ved at t he DeFosse chat eau t hat
af t er noon. He was gr eet ed by a young gi r l so beaut i f ul
t hat hi s hear t j umped. She was dr essed i n a si mpl e whi t e
af t er noon f r ock t hat set of f her f i gur e t o per f ect i on.
My God, he t hought . Those l ooks and t hat voi ce! She' s
per f ect . She' s goi ng t o be an enor mous st ar .
' I can' t t el l you how happy I amt o meet you, ' Rai mu sai d.
Moni que smi l ed war ml y. ' I ' mver y happy t o meet you.
I ' ma bi g admi r er of your s. Monsi eur Rai mu. '
' Good. Then we' l l wor k wel l t oget her . I br ought a scr i pt
wi t h me. I t ' s a beaut i f ul l ove st or y, and I t hi nk - '
Ter esa came i nt o t he r oom. She was wear i ng a new dr ess,
but she l ooked awkwar d i n i t . She st opped as she saw J acques
Rai mu.
' Oh - hel l o. I di dn' t know you wer e her e. I mean - you' r e
ear l y. '
He l ooked at Moni que i nqui r i ngl y.
" Thi s i s my si st er , ' Moni que sai d. Ter esa. '
They bot h wat ched t he expr essi on on hi s f ace change. I t
went f r omshock t o di sappoi nt ment t o di sgust .
' You' r e t he si nger ?'
' Yes. '
He t ur ned t o Moni que. ' And you' r e - '
Moni que smi l ed i nnocent l y. ' I ' mTer esa' s si st er . '
Rai mu t ur ned t o exami ne Ter esa agai n, t hen shook hi s
head. ' I ' msor r y, ' he sai d t o Ter esa. ' You' r e t oo - ' he
f umbl ed f or a wor d. ' - You' r e t oo young. I f you' l l excuse
me, I must get back t o Par i s. '
And t hey st ood t her e wat chi ng hi mwal k out t he door .
I t wor ked, Moni que t hought j ubi l ant l y. I t wor ked.
That was t he l ast br oadcast Ter esa ever made. Loui s Bonnet
pl eaded wi t h her t o come back, but t he hur t was t oo deep.
Af t er l ooki ng at my si st er , Ter esa t hought , how coul d
anyone want me? I ' mso ugl y.
As l ong as she l i ved, she woul d never f or get t he l ook on
J acques Rai mu' s f ace.
I t ' s my f aul t f or havi ng si l l y dr eams, Ter esa t ol d her sel f . I t ' s God' s way of
puni shi ng me.
Al t er mat , Ter esa woul d onl y si ng i n chur ch, and she
became mor e of a r ecl use t han ever .
Dur i ng t he next t en year s t he beaut i f ul Moni que t ur ned down
mor e t han a dozen mar r i age pr oposal s. She was pr oposed t o
by t he sons of t he mayor , t he banker , t he doct or , t he mer chant s
i n t he vi l l age. Her sui t or s r anged f r omyoung men
f r esh out of school t o est abl i shed and successf ul men i n t hei r
f or t i es and f i f t i es. They wer e r i ch and poor , handsome and
ugl y, educat ed and uneducat ed. And t o al l of t he Moni que
sai d non.
' What ar e you l ooki ng f or ?' her f at her asked, baf f l ed.
' Papa, ever yone her e i s bor i ng. Eze i s such an unsophi st i cat ed
pl ace. My dr eampr i nce i s i n Par i s. '
And so her f at her dut i f ul l y sent her t o Par i s. As an af t er t hought ,
he sent Ter esa wi t h her . The t wo gi r l s st ayed at a
smal l hot el near t he Boi s de Boul ogne.
Each si st er saw a di f f er ent Par i s. Moni que at t ended char i t y
bal l s and gl amor ous di nner par t i es and had t ea wi t h t i t l ed
young men. Ter esa vi si t ed Les I nval i des and t he Louvr e.
Moni que went t o t he r aces at Longchamps and t o gal as at
Mal mai son. Ter esa went t o t he Cat hedr al of Not r e Dame t o
pr ay, and wal ked al ong t he t r ee- shaded pat h of t he Canal St
Mar t i n. Moni que went t o Maxi m' s and t he Moul i n Rouge,
whi l e Ter esa st r ol l ed al ong t he Quays, br owsi ng at t he book
st al l s and t he f l ower vendor s and st oppi ng at t he Basi l i ca St
Deni s. Ter esa enj oyed Par i s, but as f ar as Moni que was
concer ned, t he t r i p was a f ai l ur e.
When she r et ur ned home, she sai d, ' I can' t f i nd any man
I want t o mar r y. '
' You met no one who i nt er est ed you?' her f at her asked.
' Not r eal l y. Ther e was a young man who t ook me t o di nner
at Maxi m' s. Hi s f at her owns coal mi nes. '
' What was he l i ke?' her mot her asked eager l y.
' Oh, he was r i ch, handsome, pol i t e, and he ador ed
me. '
' Di d he ask you t o mar r y hi m?'
' Ever y t en mi nut es. Fi nal l y I si mpl y r ef used t o see hi m
agai n. '
Her mot her st ar ed at Moni que i n amazement . ' Why?'
' Because al l he coul d t al k about was coal : bi t umi nous coal ,
l ump coal , bl ack coal , gr ey coal . Bor i ng, bor i ng, bor i ng. '
The f ol l owi ng year Moni que deci ded she want ed t o r et ur n
t o Par i s agai n.
' I ' l l pack my t hi ngs, ' Ter esa sai d.
Moni que shook her head. ' No. Thi s t i me I t hi nk I ' l l go
al one. '
So whi l e Moni que went t o Par i s, Ter esa st ayed at home
and went t o chur ch ever y mor ni ng and pr ayed t hat her si st er
woul d f i nd a handsome pr i nce. And one day t he mi r acl e
occur r ed. A mi r acl e because i t was t o Ter esa t hat i t happened.
Hi s name was Raoul Gi r adot .
He had gone t o chur ch on Sunday and hear d Ter esa si ng.
He had never hear d anyt hi ng l i ke i t . must meet her , he
vowed.
Ear l y on Monday mor ni ng, Ter esa cal l ed at t he vi l l age
gener al st or e t o buy f abr i c f or a dr ess she was maki ng. Raoul
Gi r adot was wor ki ng behi nd t he count er .
He l ooked up as Ter esa wal ked i n, and hi s f ace l i t up.
' The voi ce! '
She st ar ed at hi m, f l ust er ed. ' I - 1 beg your par don?'
' I hear d you si ng i n chur ch yest er day. You ar e magni f i cent . '
He was handsome and t al l , wi t h i nt el l i gent , f l ashi ng dar k
eyes and l ovel y, sensual l i ps. He was i n hi s ear l y t hi r t i es, a
year or t wo ol der t han Ter esa.
Ter esa was so t aken aback by hi s appear ance t hat she
coul d onl y st ammer . She st ar ed at hi m, her hear t poundi ng.
' T - t hank you, ' Ter esa sai d. ' I - 1 - 1 woul d l i ke t hr ee yar ds
of musl i n, pl ease. '
Raoul smi l ed. ' I t wi l l be my pl easur e. Thi s way. '
I t was suddenl y di f f i cul t f or Ter esa t o concent r at e on her
er r and. She was over power i ngl y awar e of t he young man' s
o _ - - . , - - - . . . w. i ui ni , 111- i i i asLui i nc uur a
sur r oundi ng hi m.
When Ter esa had deci ded on her pur chase and Raoul was
wr appi ng i t f or her , she dar ed t o say, ' You' r e - you' r e new
her e, ar en' t you?'
He l ooked at her and smi l ed, and i t sent shi ver s t hr ough
Ter esa.
' Oui . I ar r i ved i n Eze a f ew days ago. My aunt owns t hi s
shop and she needed hel p, so I t hought I woul d wor k her e
f or a whi l e. '
How l ong i s a whi l e? Ter esa f ound her sel f wonder i ng.
' You shoul d be si ngi ng pr of essi onal l y, ' Raoul t ol d her .
She r emember ed t he expr essi on on Rai mu' s f ace when he
had seen her . No, she woul d never r i sk exposi ng her sel f
publ i cl y agai n. ' Thank you, ' Ter esa mumbl ed.
He was t ouched by her embar r assment and shyness. He
t r i ed t o dr aw her i nt o conver sat i on.
' I haven' t been t o Eze bef or e. I t ' s a beaut i f ul l i t t l e
t own. '
' Yes, ' Ter esa mumbl ed.
' Wer e you bor n her e?'
' Yes. '
' Do you l i ke i t ?'
' Yes. '
Ter esa pi cked up her par cel and f l ed.
The f ol l owi ng day Ter esa f ound an excuse t o go back t o
t he shop agai n. She had st ayed up hal f t he ni ght pr epar i ng
what she was goi ng t o say t o Raoul .
I ' mgl ad you l i ke Eze . . .
The monast er y was bui l t i n t he f our t eent h cent ur y, you
know . . .
Have you ever vi si t ed Sai nt - Paul - de- Vence? Ther e' s a l ovel y
chapel t her e . . .
I enj oy Mont e Car l o, don' t you? I t ' s wonder f ul t o have i t
so cl ose t o her e. Somet i mes my si st er and I dr i ve down t he
Gr and Cor ni che and go t o t he For t Ant oi ne Theat r e. Do you
know i t ? I t ' s t he bi g, open- ai r t heat r e . . .
Di d you know t hat Ni ce was once cal l ed Nkai a? Oh, you
amn ! . ' r es, 11 was. me Ur eel cs wer e t her e a l ong t i me ago.
Ther e' s a museumi n Ni ce wi t h t he r emai ns of cavemen who
l i ved t her e t housands of year s ago. I sn' t t hat i nt er est i ng?
Ter esa was pr epar ed wi t h dozens of such ver bal gambi t s.
Unf or t unat el y, t he moment she wal ked i nt o t he shop and
saw Raoul ever yt hi ng f l ew out of her head. She si mpl y st ar ed
at hi m, unabl e t o speak.
' Bonj our , ' Raoul sai d cheer f ul l y. ' I t ' s ni ce t o see you
agai n. Mademoi sel l e DeFosse. '
' M - mer ci . ' She f el t l i ke an i di ot . I ' mt hi r t y year s ol d, she
t ol d her sel f , and I ' mact i ng l i ke a si l l y school gi r l . St op i t .
But she coul d not st op i t .
' And what may I do f or you t oday?'
' I - I need mor e musl i n. '
Whi ch was t he l ast t hi ng she needed.
Ter esa wat ched Raoul as he went t o get t he bol t of f abr i c.
He set i t on t he count er and st ar t ed t o measur e i t out .
' How many yar ds woul d you l i ke?'
She st ar t ed t o say t wo, but what came out was, ' Ar e you
mar r i ed?'
He l ooked up at her wi t h a war msmi l e on hi s f ace. ' No, '
he sai d. ' I haven' t been t hat f or t unat e yet . '
You ar e goi ng t o be, Ter esa t hought . As soon as Moni que
r et ur ns f r omPar i s.
Moni que was goi ng t o ador e t hi s man. They wer e per f ect
f or each ot her . The t hought of Moni que' s r eact i on when she
met Raoul f i l l ed Ter esa wi t h happi ness. I t woul d be l ovel y
t o have Raoul Gi r adot as her br ot her - i n- l aw.
The f ol l owi ng day as Ter esa was passi ng t he shop, Raoul
caught si ght of her and hur r i ed out si de.
' Good af t er noon. Mademoi sel l e. I was about t o t ake a
br eak. I f you' r e f r ee, woul d you car e t o j oi n me f or t ea?'
' I - I - yes, t hank you. '
She was t ongue- t i ed i n hi s pr esence, and yet Raoul coul d
not have been mor e pl easant . He di d ever yt hi ng he coul d t o
put her at ease, and soon Ter esa f ound her sel f t el l i ng t hi s
st r anger t hi ngs she had never t ol d anyone bef or e. They
t al ked of l onel i ness.
' Cr owds can make one l onel y, ' Ter esa sai d. ' I al ways f eel
l i ke an i sl and i n a sea of peopl e. '
He smi l ed. ' I under st and. '
' Oh, but you must have so many f r i ends. '
' Acquai nt ances. I n t he end, does anyone r eal l y have many
f r i ends?'
I t was as t hough she wer e speaki ng t o a mi r r or i mage. The
hour mel t ed away so qui ckl y, and soon i t was t i me f or hi m
t o go back t o wor k.
As t hey r ose, Raoul asked, ' Wi l l you j oi n me f or l unch
t omor r ow?'
He was bei ng ki nd, of cour se. Ter esa knew t hat no man
coul d ever be at t r act ed t o her . Especi al l y someone as wonder f ul
as Raoul Gi r adot . She was sur e t hat he was ki nd t o
ever yone.
' I woul d enj oy t hat , ' Ter esa sai d.
When she went t o meet Raoul t he f ol l owi ng day, he sai d
boyi shl y, ' I ' ve been gi ven t he af t er noon of f . I f you' r e not
t oo busy, why don' t we dr i ve down t o Ni ce?'
They dr ove al ong t he Moyen Cor ni che, wi t h hi s car t op
down, and t he ci t y was spr ead out l i ke a magi c car pet bel ow.
Ter esa l eaned back i n her seat and t hought : I ' ve never been
so happy. And t hen, f i l l ed wi t h gui l t : I ' mbei ng happy f or
Moni que.
Moni que was r et ur ni ng f r omPar i s t he f ol l owi ng day.
Raoul woul d be Ter esa' s gi f t t o her si st er . Ter esa was r eal i st i c
enough t o know t hat t he Raoul s of t he wor l d wer e not f or
her . She had had enough pai n i n her l i f e. She had l ong
si nce l ear ned what was r eal and what was i mpossi bl e. The
handsome man seat ed besi de her dr i vi ng t he car was an
i mpossi bl e dr eamshe dar ed not even l et her sel f t hi nk about .
They had l unch at Le Chant ecl er i n t he Negr ecso Hot el
i n Ni ce. I t was a super b meal , but af t er war ds Ter esa had no
r ecol l ect i on of what she had eat en. I t seemed t o her t hat she
and Raoul had not st opped t al ki ng. They had so much t o
say t o each ot her . He was wi t t y and char mi ng, and he
appear ed t o f i nd Ter esa i nt er est i ng - r eal l y i nt er est i ng. He
asked her opi ni on about many t hi ngs and l i st ened at t ent i vel y
t o her answer s. They agr eed on al most ever yt hi ng. I t was as
t hough t hey wer e soul mat es. I f Ter esa had any r egr et s about
what was about t o happen, she r esol ut el y f or ced t hemout
of her mi nd.
' Woul d you l i ke t o come t o di nner at t he chat eau t omor r ow
ni ght ? My si st er i s r et ur ni ng f r omPar i s. I woul d l i ke you t o
meet her . '
' I ' d be del i ght ed, Ter esa. '
When Moni que r et ur ned home t he f ol l owi ng day, Ter esa
hur r i ed t o gr eet her at t he door .
I n spi t e of her r esol ve, Ter esa coul d not hel p aski ng, ' Di d
you meet anyone i nt er est i ng i n Par i s?' And she hel d her
br eat h, wai t i ng f or her si st er ' s answer .
' The same bor i ng men, ' Moni que r epl i ed.
So God had made t he f i nal deci si on.
' I ' ve i nvi t ed someone t o di nner t oni ght , ' Ter esa sai d. ' I
t hi nk you' r e goi ng t o l i ke hi m. '
must never l et anyone know how much I car e f or hi m, Ter esa t hought .
That eveni ng at hal f seven pr ompt l y, t he but l er usher ed
Raoul Gi r adot i nt o t he dr awi ng r oomwher e Ter esa,
Moni que and t hei r par ent s wer e wai t i ng.
' Thi s i s my mot her and f at her . Monsi eur Raoul Gi r adot . '
' How do you do?'
Ter esa t ook a deep br eat h. ' And my si st er , Moni que. '
' How do you do?' Moni que' s expr essi on was pol i t e, not hi ng
mor e.
Ter esa l ooked at Raoul , expect i ng hi mt o be st unned by
Moni que' s beaut y.
' Enchant ed. ' Mer el y cour t eous.
Ter esa st ood t her e, hol di ng her br eat h, wai t i ng f or t he
spar ks t hat she knew woul d st ar t f l yi ng bet ween t hem. But
Raoul was l ooki ng at Ter esa.
' You l ook l ovel y t oni ght , Ter esa. '
She bl ushed and st ammer ed, Th - t hank you. '
Ever yt hi ng about t hat eveni ng was t opsy- t ur vy. Ter esa' s
pl an t o br i ng Moni que and Raoul t oget her , t o wat ch t hem
get mar r i ed, t o have Raoul as a br ot her - i n- l aw - none of i t
even began t o happen. I ncr edi bl y, Raoul ' s at t ent i on was
f ocused ent i r el y on Ter esa. I t was l i ke some i mpossi bl e
dr eamcome t r ue. She f el t l i ke Ci nder el l a, onl y she was t he
ugl y si st er and t he pr i nce had chosen her . I t was unr eal , but
i t was happeni ng, and Ter esa f ound her sel f st r uggl i ng t o
r esi st Raoul and hi s char mbecause she knewt hat i t was t oo
good t o be t r ue, and she dr eaded bei ng hur t agai n. Al l t hese
year s she had hi dden her emot i ons, guar di ng agai nst t he pai n
t hat came wi t h r ej ect i on. Now, i nst i nct i vel y, she t r i ed t o do
t he same. But Raoul was i r r esi st i bl e.
' I hear d your daught er si ng, ' Raoul sai d. ' She i s a
mi r acl e! '
Ter esa f ound her sel f bl ushi ng.
' Ever yone l oves Ter esa' s voi ce, ' Moni que sai d sweet l y.
I t was a heady eveni ng. But t he best was yet t o come.
When di nner was f i ni shed, Raoul sai d, ' Your gr ounds l ook
l ovel y. ' He t ur ned t o Ter esa. ' Woul d you show me t he
gar dens?'
Ter esa l ooked over at Moni que, t r yi ng t o r ead her
si st er ' s emot i ons, but Moni que seemed compl et el y i ndi f f er ent .
She must be deaf , dumb and bl i nd, Ter esa t hought .
And t hen she r ecal l ed al l t he t i mes Moni que had gone t o
Par i s and Cannes and St Tr opez l ooki ng f or her per f ect
pr i nce but had never f ound hi m.
So i t ' s not t he f aul t of t he men. I t ' s t he f aul t of my si st er .
She has no i dea what she want s. Ter esa t ur ned t o Raoul . ' I woul d l ove t o. '
Out si de, Ter esa coul d not l et t he subj ect dr op.
' How di d you l i ke Moni que?'
' She seems ver y ni ce, ' Raoul r epl i ed. ' Ask me how I l i ke
her si st er . '
And he t ook Ter esa i n hi s ar ms and ki ssed her .
I t was l i ke not hi ng Ter esa had ever exper i enced bef or e.
She t r embl ed i n hi s ar ms, and she t hought : Thank you, God.
Oh, t hank you.
' Wi l l you have di nner wi t h me t omor r ow ni ght ?' Raoul
asked.
' Yes, ' Ter esa br eat hed. ' Oh, yes. '
When t he t wo si st er s wer e al one, Moni que sai d, ' He r eal l y
seems t o l i ke you. '
' I t hi nk so, ' Ter esa sai d shyl y.
' Do you l i ke hi m?'
' Yes. '
' Wel l , be car ef ul , bi gsi st er , ' Moni que l aughed. ' Don' t get
i n over your head. '
Too l at e, Ter esa t hought hel pl essl y. Too l at e.
Ter esa and Raoul wer e t oget her ever y day af t er t hat .
Moni que usual l y chaper oned t hem. The t hr ee of t hem
wal ked al ong t he pr omenades and beaches at Ni ce and
l aughed at t he weddi ng- cake hot el s. They l unched at a
char mi ng bi st r o at Cap d' Ant i bes, and vi si t ed t he Mat i sse
Chapel i n Vence. They di ned at t he Chat eau de l a Chevr e
d' Or , and at t he f abul ous La Fer me St Mi chel . One mor ni ng
at 5. 00 a. m. t he t hr ee of t hemwent t o t he open f ar mer s'
mar ket t hat f i l l ed t he st r eet s of Mont e Car l o and bought
f r esh br eads and veget abl es and f r ui t .
On Sundays, when Ter esa sang i n chur ch, Raoul and
Moni que wer e t her e t o l i st en, and af t er war ds Raoul woul d
hug Ter esa and say, ' You r eal l y ar e a mi r acl e. I coul d l i st en
t o you si ng f or t he r est of my l i f e. '
Four weeks af t er Ter esa met hi m, Raoul pr oposed.
' I ' msur e you coul d have any man you want , Ter esa, '
Raoul sai d, ' but I woul d be honour ed i f you chose
me. '
For one t er r i bl e moment Ter esa t hought he was r i di cul i ng
her , but bef or e she coul d speak, he went on.
' My dar l i ng, I must t el l you t hat I have known many
- _- - - _ - - >. . , . . . . . . >- i . - u, 111 - - i nanK you. '
Ever yt hi ng about t hat eveni ng was t opsy- t ur vy. Ter esa' s
pl an t o br i ng Moni que and Raoul t oget her , t o wat ch t hem
get mar r i ed, t o have Raoul as a br ot her - i n- l aw - none of i t
even began t o happen. I ncr edi bl y, Raoul ' s at t ent i on was
f ocused ent i r el y on Ter esa. I t was l i ke some i mpossi bl e
dr eamcome t r ue. She f el t l i ke Ci nder el l a, onl y she was t he
ugl y si st er and t he pr i nce had chosen her . I t was unr eal , but
i t was happeni ng, and Ter esa f ound her sel f st r uggl i ng t o
r esi st Raoul and hi s char mbecause she knewst hat i t was t oo
good t o be t r ue, and she dr eaded bei ng hur t agai n. Al l t hese
year s she had hi dden her emot i ons, guar di ng agai nst t he pai n
t hat came wi t h r ej ect i on. Now, i nst i nct i vel y, she t r i ed t o do
t he same. But Raoul was i r r esi st i bl e.
' I hear d your daught er si ng, ' Raoul sai d. ' She i s a
mi r acl e! '
Ter esa f ound her sel f bl ushi ng.
' Ever yone l oves Ter esa' s voi ce, ' Moni que sai d sweet l y.
I t was a heady eveni ng. But t he best was yet t o come.
When di nner was f i ni shed, Raoul sai d, ' Your gr ounds l ook
l ovel y. ' He t ur ned t o Ter esa. ' Woul d you show me t he
gar dens?'
Ter esa l ooked over at Moni que, t r yi ng t o r ead her
si st er ' s emot i ons, but Moni que seemed compl et el y i ndi f f er ent .
She must be deaf , dumb and bl i nd, Ter esa t hought .
And t hen she r ecal l ed al l t he t i mes Moni que had gone t o
Par i s and Cannes and St Tr opez l ooki ng f or her per f ect
pr i nce but had never f ound hi m.
So i t ' s not t he f aul t of t he men. I t ' s t he f aul t of my si st er .
She has no i dea what she want s.
Ter esa t ur ned t o Raoul . ' I woul d l ove t o. '
Out si de, Ter esa coul d not l et t he subj ect dr op.
' How di d you l i ke Moni que?'
' She seems ver y ni ce, ' Raoul r epl i ed. ' Ask me how I l i ke
her si st er . '
And he t ook Ter esa i n hi s ar ms and ki ssed her .
I t was l i ke not hi ng Ter esa had ever exper i enced bef or e.
She t r embl ed i n hi s ar ms, and she t hought : Thank you. God.
Oh, t hank you.
' Wi l l you have di nner wi t h me t omor r ow ni ght ?' Raoul
asked.
' Yes, ' Ter esa br eat hed. ' Oh, yes. '
When t he t wo si st er s wer e al one, Moni que sai d, ' He r eal l y
seems t o l i ke you. '
' I t hi nk so, ' Ter esa sai d shyl y.
' Do you l i ke hi m?'
' Yes. '
' Wel l , be car ef ul , bi g si st er , ' Moni que l aughed. ' Don' t get
i n over your head. ' Too l at e, Ter esa t hought hel pl essl y. Too l at e.
Ter esa and Raoul wer e t oget her ever y day af t er t hat .
Moni que usual l y chaper oned t hem. The t hr ee of t hem
wal ked al ong t he pr omenades and beaches at Ni ce and
l aughed at t he weddi ng- cake hot el s. They l unched at a
char mi ng bi st r o at Cap d' Ant i bes, and vi si t ed t he Mat i sse
Chapel i n Vence. They di ned at t he Chat eau de l a Chevr e
d' Or , and at t he f abul ous La Fer me St Mi chel . One mor ni ng
at 5. 00 a. m. t he t hr ee of t hemwent t o t he open f anner s'
mar ket t hat f i l l ed t he st r eet s of Mont e Car l o and bought
f r esh br eads and veget abl es and f r ui t .
On Sundays, when Ter esa sang i n chur ch, Raoul and
Moni que wer e t her e t o l i st en, and af t er war ds Raoul woul d
hug Ter esa and say, ' You r eal l y ar e a mi r acl e. I coul d l i st en
t o you si ng f or t he r est of my l i f e. '
Four weeks af t er Ter esa met hi m, Raoul pr oposed.
' I ' msur e you coul d have any man you want , Ter esa, '
Raoul sai d, ' but I woul d be honour ed i f you chose
me. '
For one t er r i bl e moment Ter esa t hought he was r i di cul i ng
her , but bef or e she coul d speak, he went on.
' My dar l i ng, I must t el l you t hat I have known many
women, out you ar e t he most sensi t i ve, t he most t al ent ed,
t he war mest '
Each wor d was musi c t o Ter esa' s ear s. She want ed t o
l augh; she want ed t o cr y. How bl essed I am, she t hought , t o l ove and be l oved.
' Wi l l you mar r y me?'
And her l ook was answer enough.
When Raoul l ef t , Ter esa went f l yi ng i nt o t he l i br ar y wher e
her si st er , mot her and f at her wer e havi ng cof f ee.
' Raoul asked me t o mar r y hi m. ' Her f ace was gl owi ng,
and t her e was al most a beaut y about her .
Her par ent s st ar ed at her , st unned. I t was Moni que who
spoke.
' Ter esa, ar e you sur e he' s not af t er t he f ami l y money?'
I t was l i ke a sl ap i n t he f ace.
' I don' t mean t hat unki ndl y, ' Moni que went on, ' but i t al l
seems t o be happeni ng so f ast . '
Ter esa was det er mi ned not t o l et anyt hi ng spoi l her happi ness.
' I know you want t o pr ot ect me, ' she t ol d her si st er , ' but
Raoul has money. Hi s f at her l ef t hi ma smal l i nher i t ance, and
he' s not af r ai d t o wor k f or a l i vi ng. ' She t ook her si st er ' s hand
i n her s and begged, ' Pl ease be gl ad f or me, Moni que. I never
t hought I ' d know t hi s f eel i ng. I ' mso happy I coul d di e. '
And t hen t he t hr ee of t hemembr aced her and t ol d her
how pl eased t hey wer e f or her and t hey began t o t al k exci t edl y
about pl ans f or t he weddi ng.
Ver y ear l y t he next mor ni ng Ter esa went t o chur ch and
knel t t o pr ay.
' Thank you, Fat her . Thank You f or gi vi ng me such happi ness.
I wi l l do ever yt hi ng t o make mysel f wor t hy of your
l ove and of Raoul ' s. Amen. '
Ter esa wal ked i nt o t he gener al st or e, her f eet above t he
gr ound, and sai d, ' I f you pl ease, si r , I woul d l i ke t o or der
some mat er i al f or a weddi ng gown. '
130
Kaoul l aughed and t ook her i n hi s ar ms. ' You' r e goi ng t o
make a beaut i f ul br i de. '
And Ter esa knew he meant i t . That was t he mi r acl e.
The weddi ng was set t o t ake pl ace a mont h l at er i n t he vi l l age
chur ch. Moni que, of cour se, was t o be t he mai d of honour .
At f i ve o' cl ock on Fr i day af t er noon, Ter esa spoke t o Raoul
f or t he l ast t i me. At 12. 30 on Sat ur day, st andi ng i n t he
chur ch vest r y wai t i ng f or Raoul , who was t hi r t y mi nut es l at e,
Ter esa was appr oached by t he pr i est . He t ook her ar mand
l ed her asi de, and she wonder ed at hi s agi t at i on. Her hear t
began t o pound.
' What i s i t ? I s somet hi ng wr ong? Has anyt hi ng happened
t o Raoul ?'
' Oh, my dear , ' her f at her sai d. ' My poor , dear Ter esa. '
She was begi nni ng t o pani c. ' What i s i t . Fat her ? Tel l me! '
' We - we j ust r ecei ved wor d a moment ago. Raoul '
' I s i t an acci dent ? Was he hur t ?'
' Gi r adot l ef t t own a hal f an hour ago. '
' He what ? Then some emer gency must have come up t o
make hi m'
' He l ef t wi t h your si st er . They wer e seen t aki ng t he t r ai n t o Par i s. '
The r oombegan t o whi r l . No, Ter esa t hought . must n' t
f ai nt . I must n' t embar r ass God.
She had onl y a hazy memor y of t he event s t hat f ol l owed.
Ter esa' s mot her put her ar ms ar ound her daught er and sai d,
' My poor Ter esa. That your own si st er coul d be so cr uel .
I ' mso sor r y. '
But Ter esa was suddenl y cal m. She knew how t o make
ever yt hi ng al l r i ght .
' Don' t wor r y. Mama. I don' t bl ame Raoul f or f al l i ng i n
l ove wi t h Moni que. Any man woul d. I shoul d have known
t hat no man coul d ever l ove me. '
' You' r e wr ong, ' her f at her cr i ed. ' You' r e wor t h t en of
Moni que. '
But hi s compassi on came year s t oo l at e.
' I woul d l i ke t o go home now, pl ease. '
They made t hei r way t hr ough t he cr owd. The guest s at
t he chur ch moved asi de t o l et t hempass, st ar i ng si l ent l y af t er
t hem.
When t hey r et ur ned t o t he chat eau, Ter esa sai d agai n,
' Pl ease don' t wor r y about me. I pr omi se you t hat ever yt hi ng
i s goi ng t o be f i ne. '
Then she went up t o her f at her ' s r oom, t ook out hi s r azor
and sl ashed her wr i st s.
132
Chapt er 12
When Ter esa opened her eyes, t he f ami l y doct or and t he
vi l l age pr i est wer e st andi ng besi de her bed.
' No! ' she scr eamed. ' I don' t want t o come back. Let me
di e. Let me di e! '
The pr i est sai d, ' Sui ci de i s a mor t al si n. God gave you l i f e,
Ter esa. Onl y He may deci de when i t i s f i ni shed. You ar e
young. You have a whol e l i f et i me ahead of you. '
' To do what ?' Ter esa sobbed. ' Suf f er mor e? I can' t st and
t he pai n I ' mi n. I can' t st and i t ! '
He sai d gent l y, ' J esus st ood t he pai n and di ed f or t he r est
of us. Don' t t ur n your back on Hi m. '
The doct or f i ni shed exami ni ng Ter esa. ' You need t o r est .
I ' ve t ol d your mot her t o put you on a l i ght di et f or a whi l e. ' He
wagged a f i nger at her . ' That does not i ncl ude r azor bl ades. '
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Ter esa dr agged her sel f out of bed.
When she wal ked i nt o t he dr awi ng r oom, her mot her sai d
i n al ar m, ' What ar e you doi ng up? The doct or t ol d you - '
Ter esa sai d hoar sel y, ' I have t o go t o chur ch. I have t o
t al k t o God. '
Her mot her hesi t at ed. ' I ' l l go wi t h you. '
' No. I must go al one. '
' But - '
Her f at her nodded. ' Let her go. '
They wat ched t he di spi r i t ed f i gur e wal k out of t he house.
' What ' s goi ng t o happen t o her ?' Ter esa' s mot her moaned.
' God onl y knows. '
133
She ent er ed t he f ami l i ar chur ch, wal ked up t o t he al t ar and
knel t .
' I ' ve come t o Your house t o t el l You somet hi ng. God. I
despi se You. I despi se You f or l et t i ng me be bor n ugl y. I
despi se You f or l et t i ng my si st er be bor n beaut i f ul . I despi se
You f or l et t i ng her t ake away t he onl y man I ever l oved. I
spi t on You. '
Her l ast wor ds wer e so l oud t hat t he peopl e i nsi de
t ur ned t o st ar e at her as she r ose and st umbl ed out of t he
chur ch.
Ter esa had never bel i eved t her e coul d be such pai n. I t was
unbear abl e. I t was i mpossi bl e t o t hi nk of anyt hi ng el se. She
was unabl e t o eat or sl eep. The wor l d seemed muf f l ed and
f ar away. Memor i es kept f l ashi ng i nt o her mi nd, l i ke scenes
f r oma f i l m.
She r emember ed t he day she and Raoul and Moni que had
wal ked al ong t he beach at Ni ce.
' I t ' s a beaut i f ul day f or a swi m, ' Raoul sai d.
' I ' d l ove t o go, but we can' t . Ter esa doesn' t swi m. '
' I don' t mi nd i f you t wo go ahead. I ' l l wai t f or you at t he
hot el . '
And she had been so pl eased t hat Raoul and Moni que
wer e get t i ng al ong so wel l t oget her .
They wer e l unchi ng at a smal l i nn near Cagnes. The
mai t r e d' sai d. The l obst er i s par t i cul ar l y good t oday. '
' I ' l l have i t , ' Moni que sai d. ' Poor Ter esa can' t . Shel l f i sh
makes her br eak out i n hi ves. '
St Tr opez. ' I mi ss hor seback r i di ng. I used t o r i de
ever y mor ni ng at home. Do you want t o r i de wi t h me,
Ter esa?'
' I - I ' maf r ai d I don' t r i de, Raoul . '
' I woul dn' t mi nd goi ng wi t h you, ' Moni que sai d. ' I l ove t o
r i de. '
And t hey had been gone al l mor ni ng.
Ther e wer e a hundr ed cl ues, and she had mi ssed al l
of t hem. She had been bl i nd because she want ed t o be
bl i nd. The l ooks t hat Raoul and Moni que had exchanged,
t he i nnocent t ouchi ng of hands, t he whi sper s and t he
l aught er .
How coul d I have been so st upi d?
At ni ght when Ter esa f i nal l y managed t o doze of f , she had
dr eams. I t was al ways a di f f er ent dr eam. I t was al ways t he
same dr eam.
Raoul and Moni que wer e on a t r ai n, naked, maki ng l ove
and t he t r ai n was cr ossi ng a t r est l e hi gh over a canyon, and
t he t r est l e col l apsed and ever yone on t he t r ai n pl unged t o
t hei r deat hs.
Raoul and Moni que wer e i n a hot el r oom, naked i n bed,
and Raoul l ai d down a ci gar et t e and t he r oomexpl oded i n
f l ames and t he t wo of t hemwer e bur ned t o deat h, and t hei r
scr eams awakened Ter esa.
Raoul and Moni que f el l f r oma mount ai n, dr owned i n a
r i ver , di ed i n an ai r pl ane cr ash.
I t was al ways a di f f er ent dr eam.
I t was al ways t he same dr eam.
Ter esa' s mot her and f at her wer e f r ant i c. They wat ched
t hei r daught er wast i ng away, and t her e was not hi ng t hey
coul d do t o hel p her . And t hen suddenl y Ter esa began t o
eat . She at e const ant l y. She coul d not seemt o get enough
f ood. She gai ned her wei ght back, and t hen kept gai ni ng and
gai ni ng unt i l her body was gr oss.
When her mot her and f at her t r i ed t o t al k t o her about
her pai n, Ter esa sai d, ' I ' mf i ne now. Don' t wor r y about
me. '
Ter esa car r i ed on her l i f e as t hough not hi ng wer e
wr ong. She cont i nued t o go i nt o t own and shop and do
al l t he er r ands she had al ways done. She j oi ned her
mot her and f at her f or di nner each eveni ng and r ead or
sewed. She had bui l t an emot i onal f or t r ess ar ound her sel f ,
and she was det er mi ned t hat no one woul d ever
br each i t . No man wi l l ever want t o l ook at me. Never
Out war dl y, Ter esa seemed f i ne. I nsi de, she was sunk i n
an abyss of deep, desper at e l onel i ness. Even when she was
sur r ounded by peopl e, she sat i n a l onel y chai r i n a l onel y
r oom, i n a l onel y house, i n a l onel y wor l d.
A l i t t l e over a year af t er Raoul had l ef t Ter esa, her f at her
was packi ng t o l eave f or Avi l a.
' I have some busi ness t o t r ansact t her e, ' he t ol d Ter esa.
' But af t er t hat , I ' l l be f r ee. Why don' t you come wi t h me?
Avi l a i s a f asci nat i ng t own. I t wi l l do you good t o get away
f r omher e f or a whi l e. '
' No, t hank you. Fat her . '
He l ooked at hi s wi f e and si ghed. ' Ver y wel l . '
The but l er wal ked i nt o t he dr awi ng r oom.
' Excuse me. Mi ss DeFosse. Thi s l et t er j ust ar r i ved f or
you. '
Even bef or e Ter esa opened i t , she was f i l l ed wi t h a
pr esci ence of somet hi ng t er r i bl e l oomi ng bef or e her .
The l et t er r ead:
Ter esa, my dar l i ng Ter esa:
God knows I do not have a r i ght t o cal l you dar l i ng,
af t er t he t er r i bl e t hi ng I have done, but I pr omi se t o
make i t up t o you i f i t t akes me a l i f et i me. I don' t
know wher e t o begi n.
Moni que has r un of f and l ef t me wi t h our t wo-
mont h- ol d daught er . Fr ankl y, I amr el i eved. I must
conf ess t hat I have been i n hel l ever si nce t he day I
l ef t you. I wi l l never under st and why I di d what I di d.
I seemt o have been caught up i n some ki nd of magi c
spel l of Moni que' s, but I knew f r omt he begi nni ng
t hat my mar r i age t o her was a t er r i bl e mi st ake. I t was
you I al ways l oved. I know now t hat t he onl y pl ace I
can f i nd my happi ness i s at your si de. By t he t i me
you r ecei ve t hi s l et t er , I wi l l be on my way back t o
you.
I l ove you, and I have al ways l oved you, Ter esa.
For t he sake of t he r est of our l i ves t oget her , I beg
your f or gi veness. I want . . .
She coul d not f i ni sh r eadi ng t he l et t er . The t hought of seei ng
Raoul agai n and hi s and Moni que' s baby was unt hi nkabl e,
obscene.
She t hr ew t he l et t er down, hyst er i cal .
' I must get out of her e, ' Ter esa scr eamed. ' Toni ght . Now.
Pl ease . . . pl ease! '
I t was i mpossi bl e f or t hemt o cal mher .
' I f Raoul i s comi ng her e, ' her f at her sai d, ' you shoul d at
l east t al k t o hi m. '
' No! I f I see hi m, I ' l l ki l l hi m. ' She gr abbed her f at her ' s
ar ms, t ear s st r eami ng down her f ace. ' Take me wi t h you, '
Ter esa pl eaded.
She woul d go anywher e, as l ong as she escaped f r omt hi s
pl ace.
And so t hat eveni ng Ter esa and her f at her set out f or Avi l a.
Ter esa' s f at her was di st r aught over hi s daught er ' s unhappi ness.
He was not by nat ur e a compassi onat e man, but i n t he
l ast year Ter esa had won hi s admi r at i on by her cour ageous
behavi our . She had f aced t he t ownspeopl e wi t h her head
hel d hi gh and had never compl ai ned. He f el t hel pl ess, unabl e
t o consol e her .
He r emember ed how much sol ace she had once f ound i n
t he chur ch, and when t hey ar r i ved i n Avi l a he sai d t o Ter esa,
' Fat her Ber r endo, t he pr i est her e, i s an ol d f r i end of mi ne.
Per haps he can hel p you. Wi l l you speak t o hi m?'
' No. ' She woul d have not hi ng t o do wi t h God.
Ter esa st ayed i n t he hot el r oomal one whi l e her f at her
conduct ed hi s busi ness. When he r et ur ned, Ter esa was
seat ed i n t he same chai r , st ar i ng at t he wal l s.
' Ter esa, pl ease see Fat her Ber r endo. '
' No. '
He was at a l oss. Ter esa r ef used t o l eave t he hot el r oom
and she r ef used t o r et ur n t o Eze.
i n t he end, t he pr i est came t o see Ter esa.
' Your f at her t el l s me t hat you once at t ended chur ch
r egul ar l y. '
Ter esa l ooked i nt o t he eyes of t he f r ai l - l ooki ng pr i est
and sai d col dl y, ' I ' mno l onger i nt er est ed. The Chur ch has
not hi ng t o of f er me. '
Fat her Ber r endo smi l ed. ' The Chur ch has somet hi ng t o
of f er ever yone, my chi l d. The Chur ch gi ves us hope and
dr eams . . . '
' I ' ve had my f i l l of dr eams. Never agai n. '
He t ook her hands i n hi s t hi n hands and saw t he whi t e
scar s of r azor sl ashes on her wr i st s, as f ai nt as a l ong ago
memor y.
' God doesn' t bel i eve t hat . Tal k t o Hi mand He wi l l t el l
you. '
Ter esa sat t her e, st ar i ng at t he wal l , and when t he pr i est
f i nal l y made hi s way out , she was not even awar e of i t .
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Ter esa wal ked i nt o t he cool , vaul t ed
chur ch, and al most i mmedi at el y t he ol d, f ami l i ar f eel i ng of
peace st ol e over her . The l ast t i me she had been i n a chur ch
was t o cur se God. A f eel i ng of deep shame f i l l ed her . I t was
her own weakness t hat had bet r ayed her , not God.
' For gi ve me, ' she whi sper ed. ' I have si nned. I have l i ved
i n hat e. Hel p me. Pl ease hel p me. '
She l ooked up, and Fat her Ber r endo was st andi ng t her e.
When she f i ni shed, he l ed her i nt o hi s of f i ce behi nd t he
vest r y.
' I don' t know what t o do. Fat her . I don' t bel i eve i n
anyt hi ng any mor e. I ' ve l ost f ai t h. ' Her voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h
despai r .
' Di d you have f ai t h when you wer e a young gi r l ?'
' Yes. Ver y much. '
' Then you st i l l have i t , my chi l d. Fai t h i s r eal and per manent .
I t i s ever yt hi ng el se t hat i s t r ansi ent . '
They t al ked t hat day f or hour s.
When Ter esa r et ur ned t o t he hot el l at e i n t he af t er noon,
her f at her sai d, ' I must get back t o Eze. Ar e you r eady t o
l eave?'
' No, Papa. Let me st ay her e f or a whi l e. '
He hesi t at ed. ' Wi l l you be al l r i ght ?'
' Yes, Fat her . I pr omi se. '
Ter esa and Fat her Ber r endo met ever y day af t er t hat . Fat her
Ber r endo' s hear t went out t o Ter esa. He saw i n her not a
f at , unat t r act i ve woman, but a beaut i f ul , unhappy spi r i t .
They spoke of God and cr eat i on and t he meani ng of l i f e,
and sl owl y, al most i n spi t e of her sel f , Ter esa began t o f i nd
comf or t agai n. Somet hi ng t hat Fat her Ber r endo sai d one day
t r i gger ed a deep r esponse.
' My chi l d, i f you do not bel i eve i n t hi s wor l d, t hen bel i eve
i n t he next wor l d. Bel i eve i n t he wor l d wher e J esus i s wai t i ng
t o r ecei ve you. '
And f or t he f i r st t i me si nce t he t er r i bl e t hi ng t hat had
happened t o her , Ter esa began t o f eel at peace agai n. The
chur ch had become her haven, j ust as i t had once been. But
t her e was her f ut ur e t o t hi nk about .
' I have no pl ace t o go. '
' You coul d r et ur n home. '
' No. I coul d never go back t her e. I coul d never f ace Raoul
agai n. I don' t know what t o do. I want t o hi de, and t her e i s
no pl ace t o hi de. '
Fat her Ber r endo was si l ent f or a l ong t i me. Fi nal l y he
spoke. ' You coul d st ay her e. '
She l ooked ar ound t he of f i ce, puzzl ed. ' Her e?'
' The Ci st er ci an convent i s near by. ' He l eaned f or war d.
' Let me t el l you about i t . I t i s a wor l d i nsi de a wor l d, wher e
ever yone i s dedi cat ed t o God. I t i s a pl ace of peace and
ser eni t y. '
And Ter esa' s hear t began t o l i f t . ' I t sounds wonder f ul . '
' I must caut i on you. I t i s one of t he st r i ct est or der s i n t he
wor l d. Those who ar e admi t t ed t ake a vow of chast i t y, si l ence
and obedi ence. No one who ent er s t her e ever l eaves. '
The wor ds sent a t hr i l l t hr ough Ter esa. ' I wi l l never want
t o l eave. I t i s what I have been sear chi ng f or . Fat her . 1
despi se t he wor l d I l i ve i n. '
But Fat her Ber r endo was st i l l concer ned. He knew t hat
Ter esa woul d be f aci ng a l i f e t ot al l y di f f er ent f r omanyt hi ng
she had ever exper i enced.
' Ther e can be no t ur ni ng back. '
' I won' t t ur n back. '
Ear l y t he next day. Fat her Ber r endo t ook Ter esa t o t he
convent t o meet t he Rever end Mot her Bet i na. He l ef t t he
t wo of t hemt her e t o t al k.
The moment Ter esa ent er ed t he convent , she knew. At
l ast , she t hought exul t ant l y. At l ast .
Ter esa t el ephoned her mot her and f at her .
' I ' ve been so wor r i ed, ' her mot her sai d. ' When ar e you
comi ng home?'
' I amhome. '
The Bi shop of Avi l a per f or med t he r i t e:
' Cr eat or , Lor d, send t hy benedi ct i on upon t hy handmai d
t hat she shal l be f or t i f i ed wi t h cel est i al vi r t ue, t hat she may
mai nt ai n compl et e f ai t h and unbr oken f i del i t y. '
Ter esa r esponded, ' The ki ngdomof t hi s wor l d and al l
secul ar ador ni ngs, I have despi sed f or t he l ove of our Lor d,
J esus Chr i st . '
The bi shop made t he si gn of t he cr oss over her .
' De l ar gi t at i s t uaef ont e def l uxi t ut cumhonor emnupi ar um
nul l a i nt er di ct a mi nui ssent ac super sanct umconj ugi umnupt i al i s
benedi ct i o per maner et exi st er ent connubi um, concupi scer ent
sacr ament um, nec i mi t ar ent ur quod nupt i i s agi t ur , sed
di l i ger ent quod nupt i i s pr ae not at ur . Amen. '
' Amen. '
' I espouse t hee t o J esus Chr i st , t he son of t he Supr eme
Fat her . Ther ef or e r ecei ve t he seal of t he Hol y Ghost , so t hat
t hou be cal l ed t he spouse of God, and i f t hou ser ve hi m
f ai t hf ul l y, be cr owned ever l ast i ngl y. ' The bi shop r ose. ' God,
t he Fat her Al mi ght y, Cr eat or of heaven and ear t h, who hat h vouchsaf ed t o choose
you t o an espousal shi p l i ke t hat of t he
bl essed Mar y, mot her of our Lor d, J esus Chr i st - ad beat ae
Mar i ae mat r i s Domi ni nost r i J esus Chr i st consor t i um- hal l ow
you, t hat i n t he pr esence of God and of Hi s angel s, you
may per sever e, unt ouched and undef i l ed, and hol d t o your
pur pose, l ove, chast i t y, and keep pat i ence t hat you may
mer i t t o r ecei ve t he cr own of Hi s bl essi ng, t hr ough t he same
Chr i st our Lor d. God make you st r ong when f r ai l , st r engt hen
you when weak, r el i eve and gover n your mi nd wi t h pi et y
and di r ect your ways. Amen. '
i
Now, t hi r t y year s l at er , l yi ng i n t he woods wat chi ng t he sun
come up over t he hor i zon. Si st er Ter esa t hought : came t o
t he convent f or al l t he wr ong r easons. I was not r unni ng t o
God. I was r unni ng away f r omt he wor l d. But God r ead my
hear t .
She was si xt y year s ol d, and t he l ast t hi r t y year s of her l i f e
had been t he happi est she had ever known. And now she
had suddenl y been f l ung back i nt o t he wor l d she had r un
away f r om. And her mi nd was pl ayi ng st r ange t r i cks on her .
She was no l onger sur e what was r eal and what was unr eal .
The past and t he pr esent seemed t o be bl endi ng t oget her i n
a st r ange di zzyi ng bl ur . Why i s t hi s happeni ng t o me? What
does God have pl anned f or me?
FR1; Chapt er 13
For Si st er Megan, t he j our ney was an advent ur e. She had
become used t o t he new si ght s and sounds t hat sur r ounded
her , and t he speed wi t h whi ch she had adapt ed sur pr i sed
her .
She f ound her compani ons f asci nat i ng. Ampar o J i r on was
a power f ul woman, easi l y abl e t o keep up wi t h t he t wo men,
and yet at t he same t i me she was ver y f emi ni ne.
Fel i x Car pi o, t he husky man wi t h a r eddi sh bear d and a
scar , seemed ami abl e and pl easant .
But t o Megan, t he most compel l i ng of t he gr oup was
J ai me Mi r o. Ther e was a r el ent l ess st r engt h about hi m, an
unshakabl e f ai t h i n hi s bel i ef s t hat r emi nded Megan of t he
nuns i n t he convent .
When t hey began t he j our ney, J ai me and Ampar o and
Fel i x wer e car r yi ng sl eepi ng- bags and r i f l es on t hei r
shoul der s.
' Let me car r y one of t he sl eepi ng- bags, ' Megan suggest ed.
J ai me Mi r o had l ooked at her i n sur pr i se, t hen shr ugged.
' Al l r i ght . Si st er . '
He handed her t he bag. I t was heavi er t han Megan had
expect ed, but she di d not compl ai n. As l ong as I ' mwi t h
t hem, I ' mgoi ng t o do my shar e.
I t seemed t o Megan t hat t hey had been wal ki ng f or ever ,
st umbl i ng t hr ough t he dar kness, hi t by br anches, scr at ched
by under br ush, at t acked by i nsect s, gui ded onl y by t he l i ght
of t he moon.
Who ar e t hese peopl e? Megan wonder ed. And why ar e
t hey bei ng hunt ed? Because Megan and t he ot her nuns wer e
al so bei ng pur sued, Megan f el t a st r ong r appor t wi t h her
new compani ons.
Ther e was l i t t l e t al ki ng, but f r omt i me t o t i me t hey hel d
cr ypt i c conver sat i ons.
' I s ever yt hi ng set at Val l adol i d?'
' Ri ght , J ai me. Rubi o and Tomas wi l l meet us at t he bank
dur i ng t he bul l f i ght . '
' Good. Send wor d t o Lar go Cor t ez t o expect us. But don' t
gi ve hi ma dat e. '
' Compr endo. ' 1
Who ar e Lar go Cor t ez and Rubi o and Tomas? Megan
wonder ed. And what was goi ng t o happen at t he bul l f i ght
and t he bank? She al most st ar t ed t o ask, but t hought bet t er
of i t . have t he f eel i ng t hey woul dn' t wel come a l ot of
quest i ons.
Near dawn t hey smel l ed smoke f r omt he val l ey bel ow t hem.
' Wai t her e, ' J ai me whi sper ed. ' Be qui et . '
They wat ched as J ai me made hi s way t owar ds t he edge of
t he f or est and di sappear ed f r omsi ght .
Megan sai d, ' What i s i t ?'
' Shut up! ' Ampar o J i r on hi ssed.
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er J ai me Mi r o r et ur ned.
' Sol di er s. We' l l ci r cl e ar ound t hem. '
They back- t r acked f or hal f a mi l e, t hen moved caut i ousl y
t hr ough t he woods unt i l t hey r eached a si de r oad. The
count r ysi de st r et ched out ahead of t hem, r edol ent wi t h t he
odour s of mown hay and r i pe f r ui t .
Megan' s cur i osi t y got t he bet t er of her . ' Why ar e t he
sol di er s l ooki ng f or you?' she asked.
J ai me Mi r o sai d, ' Let ' s say we don' t see eye t o eye. '
And she had t o be sat i sf i ed wi t h t hat . For now, she
t hought . She was det er mi ned t o know mor e about t hi s man.
Hal f an hour l at er when t hey r eached a shel t er ed cl ear i ng,
J ai me sai d. The sun' s up. We' l l st ay her e unt i l ni ght f al l . ' He
l ooked at Megan. Toni ght we' r e goi ng t o have t o t r avel
f ast er . '
sne nodded, ' ver y wel l .
J ai me t ook t he sl eepi ng- bags and r ol l ed t hemout .
Fel i x Car pi o sai d t o Megan, ' You t ake mi ne. Si st er . I ' m
used t o sl eepi ng on t he gr ound. '
' I t ' s your s, ' Megan sai d. ' I coul dn' t '
' For Chr i st ' s sake, ' Ampar o snapped. ' Get i nt o t he bag.
We don' t want you t o keep us awake scr eami ng about goddamned
spi der s. ' Ther e was an ani mosi t y i n her t one t hat
Megan di d not under st and.
Wi t hout anot her wor d, Megan cl i mbed i nt o t he sl eepi ng-
bag. What ' s bot her i ng her ? Megan wonder ed.
Megan wat ched as J ai me unr ol l ed hi s sl eepi ng- bag a f ew
f eet away f r omwher e she l ay. He cr awl ed i nt o t he bag.
Ampar o J i r on cr awl ed i n besi de hi m. see, Megan t hought .
J ai me l ooked over at Megan. ' You' d bet t er get some
sl eep, ' he sai d. ' We have a l ong way ahead of us. '
Megan was awakened by a moani ng. I t sounded as t hough
someone wer e i n t er r i bl e pai n. Megan sat up, concer ned.
The sounds wer e comi ng f r omJ ai me' s sl eepi ng- bag. He must
be t er r i bl y i l l , was her f i r st t hought .
The moani ng was get t i ng l ouder , and t hen Megan hear d
Ampar o J i r on' s voi ce sayi ng, ' Oh, yes, yes. Gi ve i t t o me, quer i do. Har der ! Yes!
Now! Now! '
And Megan' s f ace f l ushed. She t r i ed t o cl ose her ear s t o
t he sounds she was hear i ng, but i t was i mpossi bl e. And she
wonder ed what i t woul d be l i ke t o have J ai me Mi r o make
l ove t o her .
I nst ant l y Megan cr ossed her sel f and began t o pr ay: For gi ve
me. Fat her . Let my t hought s be f i l l ed onl y wi t h You. Let my
spi r i t seek You t hat i t may f i nd i t s sour ce and good i n You.
And t he sounds went on. Fi nal l y, when Megan t hought
she woul d be unabl e t o bear i t an i nst ant l onger , t hey
st opped. But t her e wer e ot her noi ses t o keep her awake.
The sounds of t he f or est r i cochet ed ar ound her . Ther e was
a cacophony of mat i ng bi r ds and cr i cket s and t he chat t er i ng
of smal l ani mal s and t he gut t ur al gr owl i ngs of l ar ger ones.
Megan had f or got t en how noi sy t he out si de wor l d coul d be.
She mi ssed t he wonder f ul si l ence of t he convent . To her own
ast oni shment , she even mi ssed t he or phanage. The t er r i bl e,
wonder f ul or phanage . . .
Chapt er 14
Avi l a 1957
They cal l ed her ' Megan t he Ter r or ' .
They cal l ed her ' Megan t he Bl ue- eyed Devi l ' .
They cal l ed her ' Megan t he I mpossi bl e' .
She was t en year s ol d.
She had been br ought t o t he or phanage when she was an
i nf ant , l ef t on t he door st ep of a f anner and hi s wi f e who
wer e unabl e t o car e f or her .
The or phanage was an aust er e, t wo- st or ey, whi t ewashed
bui l di ng on t he out ski r t s of Avi l a, i n t he poor er sect i on of
t he ci t y, of f t he Pl aza de San Vi cent e, r un by Mer cedes
Angel es, an Amazon of a woman wi t h a f i er ce manner t hat
bel i ed t he war mt h she f el t f or her war ds.
Megan was di f f er ent f r omt he ot her chi l dr en, an al i en wi t h
bl onde hai r and br i ght bl ue eyes, st andi ng out i n st ar k
cont r ast t o t he dar k- eyed, dar k- hai r ed chi l dr en. But f r om
t he begi nni ng, Megan was di f f er ent i n ot her ways. She was
a f i er cel y i ndependent chi l d, a l eader , a mi schi ef - maker .
Whenever t her e was t r oubl e at t he or phanage, Mer cedes
Angel es coul d be cer t ai n t hat Megan was at t he bot t omof
i t .
Over t he year s, Megan l ed r i ot s pr ot est i ng about t he f ood,
she t r i ed t o f or mt he chi l dr en i nt o a uni on, and she f ound
i nvent i ve ways of t or ment i ng t he super vi sor s, i ncl udi ng hal f
a dozen escape at t empt s. Needl ess t o say, Megan was i mmensel y
popul ar wi t h t he ot her chi l dr en. She was younger
t han many of t hem, but t hey al l t ur ned t o her f or gui dance.
She was a nat ur al l eader . And t he younger chi l dr en l oved t o
have Megan t el l t hemst or i es. She had a wi l d i magi nat i on.
' Who wer e my par ent s, Megan?'
' Ah. Your f at her was a cl ever j ewel t hi ef . He cl i mbed over
t he r oof of a hot el i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght t o st eal a
di amond bel ongi ng t o a f amous act r ess. Wel l , j ust as he was
put t i ng t he di amond i n hi s pocket , t he act r ess woke up. She
t ur ned on t he l i ght and saw hi m. '
' Di d she have hi mar r est ed?'
' No. He was ver y handsome. '
' What happened t hen?'
" They f el l i n l ove and got mar r i ed. Then you wer e bor n. '
' But why di d t hey send me t o an or phanage? Di dn' t t hey
l ove me?'
That was al ways t he di f f i cul t par t . ' Of cour se t hey l oved
you. But - wel l - t hey wer e ski i ng i n Swi t zer l and and t hey
wer e ki l l ed i n a t er r i bl e aval anche - '
' What ' s a t er r i bl e aval anche?'
" That ' s when a bunch of snow comes down al l at once and
bur i es you. '
' And my mot her and f at her bot h di ed?'
' Yes. And t hei r l ast wor ds wer e t hat t hey l oved you. But
t her e was no one t o t ake car e of you, so you wer e sent her e. '
Megan was as anxi ous as t he ot her s t o know who her
par ent s wer e, and at ni ght she woul d put her sel f t o sl eep by
maki ng up st or i es t o her sel f : ' My f at her was a sol di er i n t he
Ci vi l War , ' she woul d t hi nk. ' He was a capt ai n and ver y
br ave. He was wounded i n bat t l e, and my mot her was t he
nur se who t ook car e of hi m. They mar r i ed, and he went
back t o t he f r ont and was ki l l ed. My mot her was t oo poor
t o keep me, so she had t o l eave me at t he f ar mhouse, and i t
br oke her hear t . ' And she woul d weep wi t h pi t y f or her
cour ageous, dead f at her and her ber eaved mot her .
Or : ' My f at her was a bul l f i ght er . He was one of t he gr eat
Mat ador s. He was t he t oast of Spai n. Ever yone ador ed hi m.
My mot her was a beaut i f ul f l amenco dancer . They wer e
mar r i ed, but he was ki l l ed one day by a huge, danger ous
bul l . My mot her was f or ced t o gi ve me up. '
w: my l amer was a cl ever spy f r omanot her count r y
The f ant asi es wer e endl ess.
Ther e wer e t hi r t y chi l dr en i n t he or phanage, r angi ng f r om
abandoned newbor n i nf ant s t o f our t een- year - ol ds. Most of
t hemwer e Spani sh, but t her e wer e chi l dr en t her e f r omhal f
a dozen count r i es, and Megan became f l uent i n sever al
l anguages. She sl ept i n a dor mi t or y wi t h a dozen ot her gi r l s.
Ther e wer e l at e- ni ght whi sper ed conver sat i ons about dol l s
and cl ot hes, and as t he gi r l s gr ew ol der , about sex. I t soon
became t he pr i mar y t opi c of conver sat i on.
' I hear i t hur t s a l ot . '
' I don' t car e. I can' t wai t t o do i t . '
' I ' mgoi ng t o get mar r i ed, but I ' mnever goi ng t o l et my
husband do i t t o me. I t hi nk i t ' s di r t y. '
One ni ght , when ever yone was asl eep, Pr i mo Conde, one
of t he young boys at t he or phanage, cr ept i nt o t he gi r l s'
dor mi t or y. He moved t o t he si de of Megan' s bed.
' Megan . . . ' Hi s voi ce was a whi sper .
She was i nst ant l y awake. ' Pr i mo? What ' s t he mat t er ?'
He was sobbi ng, f r i ght ened. ' Can I get i nt o bed wi t h you?'
' Yes. Be qui et . '
Pr i mo was t hi r t een, t he same age as Megan, but he was
smal l f or hi s age, and had been an abused chi l d. He suf f er ed
f r omt er r i bl e ni ght mar es and woul d wake up i n t he mi ddl e
of t he ni ght scr eami ng. The ot her chi l dr en t or ment ed hi m,
and Megan was t he one who al ways pr ot ect ed hi m.
Pr i mo cl i mbed i nt o bed besi de her , and Megan f el t t he
t ear s r unni ng down hi s cheeks. She hel d hi mcl ose i n her
ar ms.
' I t ' s al l r i ght , ' Megan whi sper ed. ' I t ' s al l r i ght . '
She r ocked hi mgent l y and hi s sobs subsi ded. Hi s body
was pr essed agai nst her s, and she coul d f eel hi s gr owi ng
exci t ement .
' Pr i mo . . . '
' I ' msor r y. I - 1 can' t hel p i t . '
Hi s er ect i on was pr essi ng i nt o her .
i l ove you, i vi egan. i ou r e me omy one I car e about i n
t he whol e wor l d. '
' You haven' t been out i n t he wor l d yet . '
' Pl ease don' t l augh at me. '
' ' mnot . '
' have no one but you. '
' know. '
' l ove you. '
' l ove you, t oo, Pr i mo. '
' Megan - woul d you - l et me make l ove t o
Pl ease. '
you?
' No. '
Ther e was si l ence. ' I ' msor r y I bot her ed you. I ' l l go back
t o my bed. ' Hi s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h pai n. He st ar t ed t o
move away.
' Wai t . ' Megan hel d hi mcl ose t o her , want i ng t o ease hi s
suf f er i ng, f eel i ng ar oused her sel f . ' Pr i mo, I - I can' t l et you
make l ove t o me, but I can do somet hi ng t o make you f eel
bet t er . Wi l l t hat be al l r i ght ?'
' Yes. ' Hi s voi ce was a mur mur .
He was wear i ng pyj amas. Megan pul l ed t he cor d t hat hel d
hi s pyj ama bot t omup and r eached i nsi de. He' s a man, Megan
t hought . She hel d hi mgent l y i n her hand and began t o st r oke
hi m. Pr i mo gr oaned and sai d, ' Oh, t hat f eel s wonder f ul , '
and a moment l at er , ' God, I l ove you, Megan. '
Her body was on f i r e, and i f at t hat moment he had sai d,
' I want t o make l ove t o you, ' she woul d have sai d yes.
But he l ay t her e, si l ent , and i n a f ew mi nut es he r et ur ned
t o hi s own bed.
Ther e was no sl eep f or Megan t hat ni ght . And she had
never al l owed hi mt o come i nt o her bed agai n.
The t empt at i on was t oo gr eat .
Fr omt i me t o t i me t he chi l dr en woul d be cal l ed i nt o t he
super vi sor ' s of f i ce t o meet a pr ospect i ve f ost er par ent . I t was
al ways a moment of gr eat exci t ement f or t he chi l dr en, f or i t
woul d mean a chance t o escape f r omt he dr ear y r out i ne of
t he or phanage, a chance t o have a r eal home, t o bel ong t o
someone.
Over t he year s Megan wat ched as ot her or phans wer e
chosen. They went t o t he homes of mer chant s, f ar mer s,
banker s, shopkeeper s. But i t was al ways t he ot her chi l dr en,
never Megan. Her r eput at i on pr oceeded her . She woul d
hear t he pr ospect i ve par ent s t al k among t hemsel ves.
' She' s a ver y pr et t y chi l d, but I hear she' s di f f i cul t . '
' I sn' t she t he one who smuggl ed t wel ve dogs i nt o t he
or phanage l ast mont h?'
' They say she' s a r i ngl eader . I ' maf r ai d she woul dn' t get
al ong wi t h our chi l dr en. '
They had no i dea how much t he ot her chi l dr en ador ed
Megan.
Fat her Ber r endo came t o t he or phanage once a week t o
vi si t t he war ds, and Megan l ooked f or war d t o hi s vi si t s.
Megan was an omni vor ous r eader , and t he pr i est and
Mer cedes Angel es saw t o i t t hat she was wel l suppl i ed wi t h
books. She coul d di scuss t hi ngs wi t h t he pr i est t hat she dar ed
not t al k about wi t h anyone el se. I t was Fat her Ber r endo t o
whomt he f ar mcoupl e had t ur ned over t he i nf ant Megan.
' Why di dn' t t hey want t o keep me?' Megan asked.
The ol d pr i est sai d gent l y, " They want ed t o ver y much,
Megan, but t hey wer e ol d and i l l . '
' Why do you suppose my r eal par ent s l ef t me at t hat f ar m?'
' I ' msur e i t was because t hey wer e poor and coul dn' t af f or d
t o keep you. '
As Megan gr ew up, she became mor e and mor e devout . She
was st i r r ed by t he i nt el l ect ual aspect s of t he Cat hol i c Chur ch.
She r ead St August i ne' s Conf essi ons, t he wr i t i ngs of St
Fr anci s of Assi si , Thomas Mer t on, Thomas Mor e, and a
dozen ot her s. Megan went t o chur ch r egul ar l y, and she
enj oyed t he sol emn r i t ual s, t he Gl or i a Pat r i , r ecei vi ng t he
Euchar i st , t he doxol ogy, t he benedi ct i on. Per haps most of
al l , she l oved t he wonder f ul f eel i ng of ser eni t y t hat al ways
st ol e over her i n chur ch.
" I want t o become a Cat hol i c, ' Megan t ol d Fat her
Ber r endo one day.
He t ook her hand i n hi s and sai d wi t h a t wi nkl e, ' Per haps
you ar e al r eady, Megan, but we' l l hedge our bet s. ' He gave
her t he Cat hol i c cat hechi sm:
' Qui d pet i s ab Eccl esi a del ?'
' Fi dem! '
' Fi des qui d t i bi pr aest at ?'
' Vi t amAet er nam. '
' Abr enunt i as Sat anae?'
Si c. '
' Dost t hou bel i eve i n God t he Fat her Al mi ght y, cr eat or
of heaven and ear t h?'
Cr edo r
' Dost t hou bel i eve i n J esus Chr i st , Hi s onl y son, who was
bor n and suf f er ed?'
' Cr edof
' Dost t hou bel i eve i n t he Hol y Spi r i t i n t he Hol y Cat hol i c
Chur ch, t he communi on of sai nt s, t he r emi ssi on of si ns, t he
r esur r ect i on of t he body and et er nal l i f e?'
Cr edo '
The pr i est bl ew gent l y i nt o her f ace. ' Exi ab eo spi r i t us
i mmunde. Depar t f r omher , t hou i mpur e spi r i t and gi ve pl ace
t o t he Hol y Spi r i t , t he par acl et e. ' He br eat hed agai n
i nt o her f ace. ' Megan, r ecei ve t he good Spi r i t t hr ough t hi s
br eat hi ng and r ecei ve t he bl essi ng of God. Peace be wi t h
t hee. '
At f i f t een Megan had become a beaut i f ul young woman,
wi t h l ong bl onde hai r and a mi l ky compl exi on t hat set her
of f even mor e f r ommost of her compani ons.
One day she was summoned t o t he of f i ce of Mer cedes
Angel es. Fat her Ber r endo was t her e.
' Hel l o, Fat her . '
' Hel l o, my dear Megan. '
Mer cedes Angel es sai d, ' I ' maf r ai d we have a pr obl em,
Megan. '
' Oh?' She wr acked her br ai n, t r yi ng t o r emember her
l at est mi sdeed.
The head mi st r ess went on: Ther e i s an age l i mi t her e of
f i f t een, and you' ve r eached your f i f t eent h bi r t hday. '
Megan had l ong known of t he r ul e, of cour se. But she had
put i t i n t he back of her mi nd, because she di d not want t o
f ace t he f act t hat she had nowher e i n t he wor l d t o go, t hat
no one want ed her , and t hat she was goi ng t o be abandoned
once agai n.
' Do I - do I have t o l eave?'
The ki ndl y Amazon was upset , but she had no choi ce. ' I ' m
af r ai d we must abi de by t he r ul es. We can f i nd a posi t i on f or
you as a mai d. '
Megan had no wor ds.
Fat her Ber r endo spoke. ' Wher e woul d you l i ke t o go?'
As she t hought about i t , an i dea came t o Megan. Ther e was somewher e f or her t o
go.
Fr omt he t i me Megan was t wel ve year s ol d, she had hel ped
ear n her keep at t he or phanage by maki ng out si de del i ver i es
i n t own, and many of t hemwer e made t o t he Ci st er ci an
convent . They wer e al ways del i ver ed t o t he Rever end
Mot her Bet i na. Megan had sneaked gl i mpses of t he nuns
pr ayi ng, or wal ki ng t hr ough t he cor r i dor s, and she had
sensed an al most over power i ng f eel i ng of ser eni t y. She envi ed
t he j oy t hat t he nuns seemed t o r adi at e. To Megan, t he
convent seemed a house of l ove.
The Rever end Mot her had t aken a l i ki ng t o t he br i ght
young gi r l , and t hey had had l ong t al ks over t he year s.
' Why do peopl e j oi n convent s?' Megan had asked.
' Peopl e come t o us f or many r easons. Most come t o dedi cat e
t hemsel ves t o God. But some come because t hey have no
hope. We gi ve t hemhope. Some come because t hey f eel t hey
have no r eason t o l i ve. We show t hemt hat God i s t he r eason.
Some come because t hey ar e r unni ng away. Ot her s come her e
because t hey ar e al i enat ed and t hey want t o bel ong. '
That was what had st r uck a r esponsi ve chor d i n t he young
gi r l . I ' ve never r eal l y bel onged t o anyone, Megan t hought . Thi s i s my chance.
152
' I t hi nk 1 woul d l i ke t o j oi n t he convent . '
Si x weeks l at er , Megan t ook her vows.
And f i nal l y Megan had f ound what she had been sear chi ng
f or so l ong. She bel onged. These wer e her si st er s, t he f ami l y
she had never had, and t hey wer e al l one under t hei r Fat her .
Megan wor ked i n t he convent as a bookkeeper , keepi ng t he
r ecor ds. She was f asci nat ed by t he anci ent si gn l anguage t hat
t he si st er s used when t hey needed t o communi cat e wi t h t he
Rever end Mot her . Ther e wer e 472 si gns, enough t o convey
among t hemsel ves ever yt hi ng t hey needed t o expr ess.
When i t was a si st er ' s t ur n t o dust t he l ong cor r i dor s,
Pr i or ess Bet i na hel d out her r i ght hand wi t h t he heel f or war d
and bl ew on t he back of i t . I f a nun had a f ever , she went t o
t he Rever end Mot her and pr essed t he t i p of her r i ght f or ef i nger
and mi ddl e f i nger on t he out si de of her l ef t wr i st . I f a
r equest was t o be del ayed, Pr i or ess Bet i na hel d her r i ght f i st
bef or e her r i ght shoul der and pushed i t sl i ght l y f or war d and
down. Tomor r ow.
One November mor ni ng Megan was i nt r oduced t o t he
r i t es of deat h. A nun was dyi ng, and a wooden r at t l e was
r ung i n t he cl oi st er , t he si gnal f or t he begi nni ng of a r i t ual
unchanged si nce t he year 1030. Al l t hose who coul d answer
t he cal l hur r i ed t o kneel i n t he i nf i r mar y f or t he anoi nt i ng
and t he psal ms. They si l ent l y pr ayed f or t he sai nt s t o i nt er cede
f or t he depar t i ng si st er ' s soul . To si gni f y t hat i t was
t i me f or t he l ast sacr ament s t o be gi ven, t he Mot her Pr i or ess
hel d out her l ef t hand wi t h t he pal mup and dr ew a cr oss on
i t wi t h t he t i p of her r i ght t humb.
And f i nal l y, t her e was t he si gn of deat h i t sel f , a si st er
pl aci ng t he t i p of her r i ght t humb under her chi n and r ai si ng
i t sl i ght l y.
When t he l ast pr ayer s had been sai d, t he body was l ef t
al one f or an hour so t hat t he soul coul d go i n peace. At t he
f oot of t he bed t he gr eat Paschal candl e, t he Chr i st i an symbol
of et er nal l i ght , bur ned i n i t s wooden hol der .
The i nf i r mar i an washed t he body and cl ot hed t he dead
153
nun i n her habi t , bl ack scapul ar over whi t e cowl , r ough
st ocki ngs and handmade sandal s. Fr omt he gar den one of
t he nuns br ought f r esh f l ower s, woven i nt o a cr own. When
t he dead woman was dr essed, si x of t he nuns i n a pr ocessi on
car r i ed her t o t he chur ch and pl aced her on t he whi t e- sheet ed
bi er f aci ng t he al t ar . She woul d not be l ef t al one bef or e her
God, and i n t hei r st al l s by her si de, t wo nuns st ayed t hr ough
t he r est of t he day and on t hr ough t he ni ght pr ayi ng, whi l e
t he Paschal candl e ni cker ed at her si de.
The next af t er noon, af t er t he r equi emmass, she was
car r i ed t hr ough t he cl oi st er by t he nuns t o t he pr i vat e, wal l ed
cemet er y wher e even i n deat h t he nuns kept t hei r encl osur e.
The si st er s, t hr ee and t hr ee, l ower ed her car ef ul l y i nt o
t he gr ave, suppor t ed on whi t e bands of l i nen. I t was t he
Ci st er ci an cust omf or t hei r dead t o l i e uncover ed i n t he
ear t h, bur i ed wi t hout a cof f i n. And t he l ast ser vi ce t hey
per f or med f or t hei r si st er was f or t wo nuns t o st ar t t o dr op
soi l sof t l y on t o her st i l l body bef or e t hey al l r et ur ned t o t he
chur ch t o say t he psal ms of penance. Thr ee t i mes t hey begged
t hat God have mer cy on her soul :
Domi ne mi ser er e super peccat r i ce
Domi ne mi ser er e super peccat r i ce
Domi ne mi ser er e super peccat r i ce
Ther e wer e of t en t i mes when young Megan was f i l l ed wi t h
mel anchol y. The convent gave her ser eni t y, and yet she was
not compl et el y at peace. I t was as t hough a par t of her was
mi ssi ng. She f el t l ongi ngs t hat she shoul d have l ong ago
f or got t en. She f ound her sel f t hi nki ng about t he f r i ends she
had l ef t behi nd i n t he or phanage, and wonder i ng what had
happened t o t hem. And she wonder ed what was happeni ng
i n t he out si de wor l d, t he wor l d t hat she had r enounced, a
wor l d wher e t her e was musi c and danci ng and l aught er .
Megan went t o Rever end Mot her Bet i na.
' I t happens t o al l of us f r omt i me t o t i me, ' she assur ed
Megan. The chur ch cal l s i t " acedi a" . I t i s a spi r i t ual mal ai se,
an i nst r ument of Sat an. Do not wor r y about i t , chi l d. I t wi l l
pass. '
And i t di d.
But what di d not pass was t he bone- deep l ongi ng t o know
who her par ent s wer e. I ' l l never know, Megan t hought despai r i ngl y.
Not as l ong as I l i ve.
Chapt er 15
New Yor k Ci t y 1976
a
The r epor t er s gat her ed out si de t he gr ey f acade of New
Yor k' s Wal dor f Ast or i a Hot el wat ched t he par ade of cel ebr i t i es
i n eveni ng dr ess al i ght f r omt hei r l i mousi nes, ent er
t he r evol vi ng door s and head f or t he Gr and Bal l r oomon t he
t hi r d f l oor . The guest s had come f r omar ound t he wor l d.
Camer as f l ashed as r epor t er s cal l ed out , ' Mr Vi ce Pr esi dent ,
woul d you l ook t hi s way, pl ease?'
' Gover nor Adams, coul d I have one mor e pi ct ur e, pl ease?'
Ther e wer e senat or s and r epr esent at i ves f r omsever al
f or ei gn count r i es, busi ness t ycoons and cel ebr i t i es. And t hey
wer e al l t her e t o cel ebr at e El l en Scot t ' s si xt i et h bi r t hday. I n
t r ut h, i t was not so much El l en Scot t t hat t hey wer e honour i ng
as t he phi l ant hr opy of Scot t I ndust r i es, one of t he most
power f ul congl omer at es i n t he wor l d. The huge, spr awl i ng
empi r e i ncl uded oi l compani es and st eel mi l l s, communi cat i ons
syst ems and banks. Al l t he money r ai sed t hi s eveni ng
woul d go t o i nt er nat i onal char i t i es.
Scot t I ndust r i es had i nt er est s i n ever y par t of t he wor l d.
Twent y- f i ve year s ear l i er , i t s Pr esi dent , Mi l o Scot t , had di ed
unexpect edl y of a hear t at t ack, and hi s wi f e, El l en, had t aken
over t he management of t he huge congl omer at e and i n t he
ensui ng year s had pr oved t o be a br i l l i ant execut i ve, mor e
t han t r i pl i ng t he asset s of t he company.
The Gr and Bal l r oomof t he Wal dor f Ast or i a i s an enor mous
r oom, decor at ed i n bei ge and gol d, wi t h a r ed- car pet ed
st age at one end and a bal cony cur vi ng ar ound t he ent i r e
r oom, hol di ng t hi r t y- t hr ee boxes wi t h a chandel i er over each
one. I n t he cent r e bal cony sat t he guest of honour . Ther e
wer e at l east 600 men and women pr esent , di ni ng at t abl es
gl eami ng wi t h si l ver .
When di nner was f i ni shed, t he Gover nor of New Yor k
st r ode on t o t he st age.
' Mr Vi ce Pr esi dent , l adi es and gent l emen, honour ed
guest s, we ar e al l her e t oni ght f or one pur pose: t o pay t r i but e
t o a r emar kabl e woman and t o her unsel f i sh gener osi t y over
t he year s. El l en Scot t i s t he ki nd of per son who coul d have
made a success i n any f i el d. She woul d have been a gr eat
sci ent i st or doct or . She woul d al so have made a gr eat pol i t i ci an,
and I must t el l you t hat i f El l en Scot t deci des t o r un
f or Pr esi dent of t he Uni t ed St at es, I ' l l be t he f i r st one t o vot e
f or her . Not i n t he next el ect i on, of cour se, but t he one af t er
t hat . '
Ther e was l aught er and appl ause.
' But El l en Scot t i s much mor e t han j ust a br i l l i ant woman.
She i s a char i t abl e, compassi onat e human bei ng who never
hesi t at es t o get i nvol ved i n t he pr obl ems t hat f ace t he wor l d
t oday '
The speech went on f or t en mor e mi nut es, but El l en Scot t
was no l onger l i st eni ng. How wr ong he i s, she t hought
wr yl y. How wr ong t hey al l ar e. Scot t I ndust r i es i sn' t even my
company. Mi l o and I st ol e i t . And I ' mgui l t y of a f ar gr eat er
cr i me t han t hat . I t doesn' t mat t er any l onger . Not now. Because
I ' l l be dead soon.
She r emember ed t he doct or ' s exact wor ds as he r ead t he
l ab r epor t t hat was her deat h sent ence.
' I ' mdr eadf ul l y sor r y, Mr s Scot t , but I ' maf r ai d t her e' s no
way t o br eak t hi s t o you gent l y. The cancer has spr ead
t hr oughout your l ymphat i c syst em. I t ' s i noper abl e. '
She had f el t t he sudden l eaden wei ght i n her st omach.
' How . . . how l ong do I have?'
He hesi t at ed. ' A year - maybe. '
Not enough t i me. Not wi t h so much st i l l t o do. ' You wi l l
say not hi ng of t hi s, of cour se. ' Her voi ce was st eady.
' Cer t ai nl y not . '
She had no r ecol l ect i on of l eavi ng t he Pr esbyt er i an Medi cal
Cent er or of t he dr i ve downt own. Her onl y t hought was:
must f i nd her bef or e I di e.
Now t he Gover nor ' s speech was over .
' Ladi es and gent l emen, i t i s my honour and pr i vi l ege t o
i nt r oduce Mr s El l en Scot t . '
El l en Scot t r ose t o a st andi ng ovat i on. She wal ked t owar ds t he st age, a t hi n,
gr ey- hai r ed, st r ai ght - backed woman,
smar t l y dr essed and pr oj ect i ng a vi t al i t y she no l onger
f el t .
Looki ng at me i s l i ke seei ng t he di st ant l i ght of a l ong dead
st ar , she t hought bi t t er l y. I ' mnot r eal l y her e any mor e.
On t he st age she wai t ed f or t he appl ause t o di e down. They' r e appl audi ng a
monst er . What woul d t hey do i f t hey
knew? When she spoke, her voi ce was f i r m.
' Mr Vi ce Pr esi dent , Senat or s, Gover nor Adams . . . '
A year , she was t hi nki ng. wonder wher e she i s and i f she
i s st i l l al i ve. I must f i nd out .
She t al ked on, aut omat i cal l y sayi ng al l t he t hi ngs her
audi ence expect ed t o hear . ' I gl adl y accept t hi s t r i but e not
f or mysel f , but f or al l t hose who have wor ked so har d t o
l i ght en t he bur den of t hose who ar e l ess f or t unat e t han we
ar e . . . '
Her mi nd was dr i f t i ng back f or t y- t wo year s t o Gar y,
I ndi ana . . .
At ei ght een, El l en Dudash was empl oyed at t he Scot t I ndust r i es
aut omot i ve par t s pl ant i n Gar y, I ndi ana. She was an
at t r act i ve, out goi ng gi r l , popul ar wi t h her f el l ow wor ker s.
On t he day Mi l o Scot t came t o i nspect t he pl ant , El l en was
sel ect ed t o escor t hi mar ound.
' Hey! How about you, El l i e? Maybe you' l l mar r y t he
boss' s br ot her and we' l l al l be wor ki ng f or you. '
El l en Dudash l aughed. ' Ri ght . And t hat ' s when pi gs wi l l
gr ow wi ngs. '
Mi l o Scot t was not at al l what El l en had expect ed. He was
i n hi s eany mi mes, t al l and sl i m. Not bad l ooki ng, El l en
t hought . He was shy and al most def er ent i al .
' I t ' s ver y ki nd of you t o t ake t he t i me t o show me ar ound, Mi ss Dudash. I hope
I ' mnot t aki ng you away f r omyour
wor k. '
She gr i nned. ' I hope you ar e. '
He was so easy t o t al k t o.
can' t bel i eve I ' mki ddi ng ar ound wi t h t he bi g boss' s br ot her . Wai t t i l l I t el l
Momand Pop about t hi s.
Mi l o Scot t seemed genui nel y i nt er est ed i n t he wor ker s and
t hei r pr obl ems. El l en t ook hi mt hr ough t he depar t ment
wher e t he r ound dr i ve gear s and t he l ong dr i ven gear s wer e
made. She showed hi mt hr ough t he anneal i ng r oom, wher e
t he sof t gear s wer e put t hr ough a har deni ng pr ocess, and t he
packi ng sect i on and t he shi ppi ng depar t ment , and he seemed
pr oper l y i mpr essed.
' I t ' s cer t ai nl y a l ar ge oper at i on, i sn' t i t . Mi ss Dudash?'
He owns al l of t hi s, and he act s l i ke an awed ki d. I guess
i t t akes al l ki nds.
I t was i n t he assembl y sect i on wher e t he acci dent happened.
An over head cabl e car car r yi ng met al bar s t o t he
machi ne shop snapped and a l oad of i r on came t umbl i ng
down. Mi l o Scot t was di r ect l y beneat h i t . El l en saw i t comi ng
a f r act i on of a second bef or e i t hi t , and wi t hout t hi nki ng,
shoved Mi l o Scot t out of har m' s way. Two of t he heavy i r on
bar s hi t her bef or e she coul d escape, and she was knocked
unconsci ous.
She awakened i n a pr i vat e sui t e i n a hospi t al . The r oom
was l i t er al l y f i l l ed wi t h f l ower s. When El l en opened her eyes
and l ooked ar ound, she t hought : I ' ve di ed and gone t o
heaven.
Ther e wer e or chi ds and r oses and l i l i es and chr ysant hemums
and r ar e bl ooms she coul d not even begi n t o
i dent i f y.
Her r i ght ar mwas i n a cast and her r i bs wer e t aped and
f el t br ui sed.
A nur se came i n. ' Ah, you' r e awake. Mi ss Dudash. I ' l l
i nf or mt he doct or . '
' Wher e - wher e amI ?'
' Bl ake Cent er - i t ' s a pr i vat e hospi t al . '
El l en l ooked ar ound t he l ar ge sui t e. can never af f or d t o
pay f or al l t hi s.
' We' ve been scr eeni ng your cal l s. '
What cal l s?'
The pr ess has been t r yi ng t o get i n t o i nt er vi ew you. Your
f r i ends have been cal l i ng. Mr Scot t has t el ephoned sever al
t i mes . . . '
Mi l o Scot t ! ' I s he al l r i ght ?'
' I beg your par don?'
' Was he hur t i n t he acci dent ?'
' No. He was her e agai n ear l y t hi s mor ni ng, but you wer e
asl eep. '
' He came t o see meT
' Yes. ' She l ooked ar ound t he r oom. ' Most of t hese f l ower s
ar e f r omhi m. '
Unbel i evabl e.
' Your mot her and f at her ar e i n t he wai t i ng r oom. Do you
f eel up t o seei ng t hemnow?'
' Of cour se. '
' Thank you. I ' l l send t hemi n. '
Boy, I ' ve never been t r eat ed l i ke t hi s i n a hospi t al bef or e, El l en t hought . '
Her mot her and f at her wal ked i n and came up t o t he bed.
El l en' s par ent s had been bor n i n Pol and and t hei r Engl i sh
was t ent at i ve. El l en' s f at her was a mechani c, a bur l y, r oughhewn
man i n hi s f i f t i es, and El l en' s mot her was a bl uf f ,
nor t her n Eur opean peasant .
' I br ought you some soup, El l en. '
' Mom- t hey f eed peopl e i n hospi t al s. '
' Not my soup, t hey don' t f eed you i n t he hospi t al . Eat i t
and you' l l get wel l f ast er . '
Her f at her sai d, ' Have you see t he paper s? I br ung you
copy. '
He handed t he newspaper t o her . The headl i ne r ead:
FACTORY WORKER RI SKS LI FE TO SAVE BOSS.
160
She r ead t he st or y t wi ce.
' That was br ave t hi ng you done t o save hi m. '
Br ave? I t was st upi d. I f I had had t i me t o t hi nk, I woul d
have saved mysel f . That was t he dumbest t hi ng I ever di d.
Why, I coul d have been ki l l ed!
Mi l o Scot t came t o see El l en l at er t hat mor ni ng. He was
car r yi ng anot her bouquet of f l ower s.
' These ar e f or you, ' he sai d awkwar dl y. The doct or t el l s
me you' r e goi ng t o be f i ne. I - I can' t t el l you how gr at ef ul
I amt o you. '
' I t was not hi ng. '
' I t was t he most cour ageous act I ' ve ever seen. You saved
my l i f e. '
She t r i ed t o move, but i t sent a shar p pai n t hr ough her
ar m.
' Ar e you al l r i ght ?'
' Sur e. ' Her si de was begi nni ng t o t hr ob. ' What di d t he doc
say was wr ong wi t h me?'
' You have a br oken ar mand t hr ee br oken r i bs. '
He coul dn' t have gi ven her wor se news. Her eyes f i l l ed
wi t h t ear s.
' What ' s t he mat t er ?'
How coul d she t el l hi m? He woul d onl y l augh at her . She
had been savi ng up f or a l ong- awai t ed vacat i on t o New Yor k,
on a t our wi t h some of t he gi r l s f r omt he f act or y. I t had been
her dr eam. Now I ' l l be out of wor k f or a mont h or mor e.
Ther e goes Manhat t an.
El l en had wor ked si nce she was f i f t een. She had al ways
been f i er cel y i ndependent and sel f - suf f i ci ent , but now she
t hought : Maybe i f he' s so gr at ef ul he' I I pay par t of my hospi t al
bi l l s. But I ' l l be damned i f I ' l l ask hi m. She was begi nni ng t o
f eel dr owsy. I t must be t he medi cat i on.
She sai d sl eepi l y. Thank you f or al l t he f l ower s, Mr Scot t .
And i t was ni ce meet i ng you. ' I ' l l wor r y about t he hospi t al
bi l l s l at er .
El l en Dudash sl ept .
i nc l ui i owi ng mor ni ng, a t al l , di st i ngui shed- l ooki ng man
came i nt o El l en' s sui t e.
' Good mor ni ng. Mi ss Dudash. How ar e you f eel i ng t hi s
mor ni ng?'
' Bet t er , t hank you. '
' I ' mSamNor t on. I ' mchi ef publ i c r el at i ons of f i cer f or
Scot t I ndust r i es. '
' Oh. ' She had never seen hi mbef or e. ' Do you l i ve her e?'
' No. I f l ew i n f r omWashi ngt on. '
' To see me?'
' To assi st you. '
' To assi st me what T
' The pr ess i s out si de. Mi ss Dudash. Si nce I don' t bel i eve
you' ve ever hel d a pr ess conf er ence, I t hought per haps you
coul d use some hel p. '
' What do t hey want ?'
' Mai nl y, t hey' r e goi ng t o ask you t o t el l t hemabout how
and why you saved Mr Scot t . '
' Oh. That ' s easy. I f I had st opped t o t hi nk, I ' d have r un
l i ke hel l . '
Nor t on st ar ed at her . ' Mi ss Dudash - 1 don' t t hi nk I woul d
say t hat , i f I wer e you. '
' Why not ? I t ' s t he t r ut h. '
Thi s was not at al l what he had expect ed. The gi r l seemed
t o have no i dea of her si t uat i on.
Ther e was somet hi ng wor r yi ng El l en, and she deci ded t o
get i t out i n t he open. ' Ar e you goi ng t o see Mr Scot t ?'
Yes. '
' Woul d you do me a f avour ?'
' I f I can, cer t ai nl y. '
' I know t he acci dent ' s not hi s f aul t , and he di dn' t ask me
t o push hi mout of t he way, but - ' The st r ong, i ndependent
st r eak i n her made her hesi t at e. ' Oh, never mi nd. '
Ah, her e i t comes, Nor t on t hought . How much r ewar d was
she goi ng t o t r y t o ext or t ? Woul d i t be cash? A bet t er j ob?
What ? ' Pl ease, go on. Mi ss Dudash. '
She bl ur t ed i t out . ' The t r ut h i s, I don' t have a l ot of
money, and I ' mgoi ng t o l ose some pay because of t hi s, and
I don' t t hi nk I can af f or d al l t hese hospi t al bi l l s. I don' t want
t o bot her Mr Scot t , but i f he coul d ar r ange a l oan f or me,
I ' d pay i t back. ' She saw t he expr essi on on Nor t on' s f ace,
and mi sr ead i t . ' I ' msor r y. I guess I sound mer cenar y. I t ' s
j ust t hat I ' ve been savi ng up f or a t r i p, and - wel l , t hi s scr ews
ever yt hi ng up. ' She t ook a deep br eat h. ' I t ' s not hi s pr obl em.
I ' l l manage. '
He al most ki ssed her . How l ong has i t been si nce I ' ve come
acr oss r eal i nnocence? I t ' s enough t o r est or e my f ai t h i n
womanki nd.
He sat down at t he si de of her bed, and hi s pr of essi onal
manner di sappear ed. He t ook her hand. ' El l en, I have a
f eel i ng you and I ar e goi ng t o be gr eat f r i ends. I pr omi se
you, you' r e not goi ng t o have t o wor r y about money. The
f i r st t hi ng we have t o do i s get you t hr ough t hi s pr ess
conf er ence. We want you t o come out of t hi s l ooki ng good,
so t hat - ' He st opped hi msel f . ' I ' mgoi ng t o be honest . My
j ob i s t o see t hat Scot t I ndust r i es comes out of t hi s l ooki ng
good. Do you under st and?'
' I guess so. You mean i t woul dn' t sound so good i f I sai d
I wasn' t r eal l y i nt er est ed i n savi ng Mi l o Scot t ? I t woul d
sound bet t er i f I sai d somet hi ng l i ke, " I l i ke wor ki ng f or
Scot t I ndust r i es so much t hat when I saw Mi l o Scot t was i n
danger , I knew I had t o t r y t o save hi m, even at t he r i sk of
my own l i f e?" '
' Yes. '
She l aughed. ' Okay. I f i t ' l l hel p you. But I don' t want t o
ki d you, Mr Nor t on. I don' t know what made me do i t . '
He smi l ed. ' That wi l l be our secr et . I ' l l l et t he l i ons i n. '
Ther e wer e mor e t han t wo dozen r epor t er s and phot ogr apher s
f r omr adi o, newspaper s and magazi nes. I t was a man-
bi t es- dog st or y, and t he pr ess i nt ended t o make t he most of
i t . I t was not ever y day t hat a pr et t y young empl oyee r i sked
her l i f e t o save her boss. And t he f act t hat her empl oyer
happened t o be Mi l o Scot t di d not hur t t he st or y one bi t .
' Mi ss Dudash - when you saw al l t hat i r on hur t l i ng down
at you, what was your f i r st t hought ?'
El l en l ooked over at SamNor t on wi t h a st r ai ght f ace and
sai d, ' l t nougnt , " I must save Mr Scot t . I ' d never f or gi ve
mysel f i f I l et hi mbe ki l l ed. ' "
The pr ess conf er ence pr oceeded smoot hl y, and when Sam
Nor t on saw t hat El l en was begi nni ng t o t i r e, he sai d. That ' s
i t , l adi es and gent l emen. Thank you ver y much. '
' Di d I do al l r i ght ?'
' You wer e gr eat . Now get some sl eep. '
She sl ept f i t f ul l y. She dr eamed t hat she was i n t he
l obby of t he Empi r e St at e Bui l di ng, and t hey woul d not l et
her i n because she di d not have enough money t o buy a
t i cket .
Mi l o Scot t came t o vi si t El l en Dudash t hat af t er noon. She
was sur pr i sed t o see hi m. She had hear d t hat hi s home was
i n New Yor k.
' I hear d t he pr ess conf er ence went ver y wel l . You' r e qui t e
a her oi ne. '
' Mr Scot t - 1 have t o t el l you somet hi ng. I ' mnot a her oi ne.
I di dn' t st op t o t hi nk about savi ng you. I - I j ust di d
i t . '
' I know. SamNor t on t ol d me. '
' Wel l , t hen - '
' El l en, t her e ar e al l ki nds of her oi sm. You di dn' t t hi nk
about savi ng me, but you di d i t i nst i nct i vel y, i nst ead of savi ng
your sel f . '
' I - I j ust want ed you t o know. '
' Samal so t ol d me t hat you' r e wor r i ed about t he hospi t al
bi l l s. '
' Wel l - '
' They' r e al l t aken car e of . And as f or your l osi ng some
wages - ' He smi l ed. ' Mi ss Dudash, I - I don' t t hi nk you
know how much I owe you. '
' You don' t owe me anyt hi ng. '
' The doct or t ol d me t hat you' l l be l eavi ng t he hospi t al
t omor r ow. Wi l l you l et me buy you di nner ?'
He doesn' t under st and, El l en t hought . don' t want hi s
char i t y. Or hi s pi t y. ' I meant i t when I sai d you don' t owe
me anyt hi ng. Thanks f or t aki ng car e of t he hospi t al bi l l s.
We' r e even. '
' Good. Now may I buy you di nner ?'
That was how i t began. Mi l o Scot t st ayed i n Gar y f or a week,
and he saw El l en ever y ni ght .
El l en' s mot her and f at her war ned, ' Be car ef ul . Bi g bosses
don' t go out wi t h f act or y gi r l s unl ess t hey want somet hi ng. '
That had been El l en Dudash' s at t i t ude at t he begi nni ng.
Mi l o Scot t changed her mi nd. He was a per f ect gent l eman
at al l t i mes, and t he t r ut h f i nal l y dawned on El l en: He r eal l y
enj oys bei ng wi t h me. Wher e Mi l o was shy and r eser ved,
El l en was f or t hr i ght and open. Al l hi s l i f e, Mi l o had been
sur r ounded by women whose bur ni ng ambi t i on was t o become
a par t of t he power f ul Scot t dynast y. They had pl ayed
t hei r cal cul at i ng games. El l en Dudash was t he f i r st t ot al l y
honest woman Mi l o had ever met . She sai d exact l y what was
on her mi nd. She was br i ght , she was at t r act i ve, and most
of al l , she was f un t o be wi t h. By t he end of t he week, t hey
wer e bot h f al l i ng i n l ove.
' I want t o mar r y you, ' Mi l o Scot t sai d. ' I can' t t hi nk about
anyt hi ng el se. Wi l l you mar r y me?'
' No. '
Nor had El l en been abl e t o t hi nk about anyt hi ng el se. The
t r ut h was t hat she was t er r i f i ed. The Scot t s wer e as cl ose as
Amer i ca coul d come t o r oyal t y. They wer e f amous, r i ch and
power f ul . don' t bel ong i n t hei r ci r cl e. I woul d onl y make a
f ool of mysel f . And of Mi l o. But she knew she was f i ght i ng
a l osi ng bat t l e.
They wer e mar r i ed by a j ust i ce of t he peace i n Gr eenwi ch,
and r et ur ned t o Manhat t an so t hat El l en Dudash coul d meet
her i n- l aws.
Byr on Scot t gr eet ed hi s br ot her wi t h, ' What t he f uck have
you done - mar r y a Pol i sh hooker ? Ar e you out of your
mi nd?'
ausan aeon was j usi as ungi vi ng. ' Ut cour se she mar r i ed
Mi l o f or hi s money. When she f i nds out he doesn' t have any,
we' l l ar r ange an annul ment . Thi s mar r i age wi l l never l ast . '
They badl y under est i mat ed El l en Dudash.
' Your br ot her and si st er - i n- l aw hat e me, but I di dn' t mar r y
t hem. I mar r i ed you. I don' t want t o come bet ween you and
Byr on. I f t hi s i s maki ng you t oo unhappy, Mi l o, say so, and
I ' l l l eave. '
He t ook hi s br i de i n hi s ar ms and whi sper ed, ' I ador e you,
and when Byr on and Susan r eal l y get t o know you, t hey' l l
ador e you. '
She hel d hi mcl osel y and t hought : How nai ve he i s. And
how I l ove hi m.
Byr on and Susan wer e not unpl easant t o t hei r new si st er - i n-
l aw. They wer e pat r oni zi ng. To t hem, she woul d al ways be
t he l i t t l e Pol i sh gi r l who wor ked i n one of t he Scot t f act or i es.
El l en st udi ed, and r ead, and l ear ned. She wat ched how
t he wi ves of Mi l o' s f r i ends dr essed and copi ed t hem. She
was det er mi ned t o become a f i t wi f e t o Mi l o Scot t , and i n
t i me she succeeded. But not i n t he eyes of her i n- l aws. And
sl owl y her nai ' vet e t ur ned t o cyni ci sm. The r i ch and power f ul
ar en' t al l t hat wonder f ul , she t hought . Al l t hey want i s t o be
r i cher and mor e power f ul .
El l en was f i er cel y pr ot ect i ve of Mi l o, but t her e was l i t t l e she
coul d do t o hel p hi m. Scot t I ndust r i es was one of t he f ew
pr i vat el y hel d congl omer at es i n t he wor l d, and al l t he st ock
bel onged t o Byr on. Byr on' s younger br ot her was a sal ar i ed
empl oyee, and he never l et hi mf or get i t . Byr on t r eat ed hi s
br ot her shabbi l y. Mi l o was gi ven al l t he di r t y j obs t o do, and
never gi ven cr edi t .
' Why do you put up wi t h i t , Mi l o? You don' t need hi m.
We coul d move away f r omher e. You coul d st ar t your own
busi ness. '
' I coul dn' t l eave Scot t I ndust r i es. Byr on needs me. '
But i n t i me, El l en came t o under st and t he r eal r eason.
Mi l o was weak. He needed someone st r ong t o l ean on. El l en
knew t hen t hat he woul d never have t he cour age t o l eave
t he company.
Al l r i ght , she t hought f i er cel y. One day t he company wi l l
be hi s. Byr on can' t l i ve f or ever . Mi l o i s hi s onl y hei r .
When Susan Scot t announced t hat she was pr egnant , i t
was a bl ow t o El l en. The baby' s goi ng t o i nher i t ever yt hi ng.
When t he baby was bor n, Byr on Scot t sai d, ' I t ' s a gi r l , but
I ' l l t each her how t o r un t he company. '
The bast ar d, El l en Scot t t hought . Her hear t ached f or
Mi l o.
Al l Mi l o sai d was, ' I sn' t she a beaut i f ul baby?'
FR1; Chapt er 16
The pi l ot of t he Lockheed Lodest ar was wor r i ed.
' A f r ont i s cl osi ng i n. I don' t l i ke t he l ook of i t . ' He nodded t o t he co- pi l ot .
' Take over . ' He l ef t t he cockpi t t o go back
t o t he cabi n.
Ther e wer e f i ve passenger s on boar d besi des t he pi l ot and
co- pi l ot : Byr on Scot t , t he br i l l i ant , dynami c f ounder and
chi ef execut i ve of f i cer of Scot t I ndust r i es, hi s at t r act i ve wi f e,
Susan; t hei r year - ol d daught er , Pat r i ci a; Mi l o Scot t , Byr on
Scot t ' s younger br ot her ; and Mi l o' s wi f e, El l en Scot t . They
wer e f l yi ng i n one of t he company pl anes f r omPar i s t o
Madr i d. Br i ngi ng t he baby had been a l ast - mi nut e i mpul se
on Susan Scot t ' s par t .
' I hat e t o be away f r omher f or so l ong, ' she t ol d her
husband.
' Af r ai d she' l l f or get us?' he t eased. ' Al l r i ght . We' l l t ake
her wi t h us. '
Now t hat Wor l d War I I was over , Scot t I ndust r i es was
r api dl y expandi ng i nt o t he Eur opean mar ket . I n Madr i d,
Byr on Scot t woul d i nvest i gat e t he possi bi l i t i es of openi ng a
new st eel mi l l .
The pi l ot appr oached hi m.
' Excuse me, si r . We' r e headi ng i nt o some t hunder cl ouds.
I t doesn' t l ook ver y good ahead. Do you want t o t ur n
back?'
Byr on Scot t l ooked out of t he smal l wi ndow. They wer e
f l yi ng t hr ough a gr ey mass of cumul us cl ouds, and ever y f ew
seconds di st ant l i ght ni ng i l l umi nat ed t hem. ' I have a meet i ng
i n Madr i d t oni ght . Can you go ar ound t he st or m?'
' I ' l l t r y. I f I can' t , t hen I ' mgoi ng t o have t o t ur n us
ar ound. '
Byr on Scot t nodded. ' Al l r i ght . '
' Woul d you al l f ast en your seat bel t s, pl ease?'
The pi l ot hur r i ed back t o t he cockpi t .
Susan Scot t had hear d t he conver sat i on. She pi cked up
t he baby and hel d her i n her ar ms, suddenl y wi shi ng she had
not br ought her al ong. I ' ve got t o t el l Byr on t o have t he pi l ot
t ur n back, she t hought .
' Byr on '
They wer e suddenl y caught i n t he eye of t he st or m, and
t he pl ane began bucki ng up and down, caught i n t he gust i ng
wi nds. The mot i on began t o gr ow mor e vi ol ent . Rai n was
smashi ng agai nst t he wi ndows. The st or mhad cl osed of f al l
vi si bi l i t y. The passenger s f el t as t hough t hey wer e r i di ng on
a r ol l i ng cot t on sea.
Byr on Scot t f l i cked down t he i nt er comswi t ch. ' Wher e ar e
we, Bl ake?'
' We' r e a hundr ed ki l omet r es nor t hwest of Madr i d, over
t he t own of Avi l a. '
Byr on Scot t l ooked out of t he wi ndow agai n. ' We' l l f or get
Madr i d t oni ght . Let ' s t ur n ar ound and get t he hel l out of
her e. '
' Roger . '
He was a f r act i on t oo l at e. As t he pi l ot st ar t ed t o bank
t he pl ane, a mount ai n peak l ooked suddenl y i n f r ont of hi m.
Ther e was no t i me t o avoi d t he cr ash. Ther e was a r endi ng
t ear , and t he sky expl oded as t he pl ane t or e i nt o t he si de of
t he mount ai n, r i ppi ng apar t , scat t er i ng chunks of f usel age
and wi ngs al ong a hi gh pl at eau.
Ther e was an unnat ur al si l ence t hat l ast ed f or what seemed
an et er ni t y. I t was br oken by t he cr ackl e of f l ames st ar t i ng
t o l i ck at t he under car r i age.
El l en Scot t opened her eyes. She was l yi ng under a t r ee.
Her husband was bendi ng over her , l i ght l y sl appi ng her f ace.
. . . . . . . . . . , . , . . i nai anc was auve, ne sai d, ' I t i ank God. ' Hj
El l en Scot t sat up, di zzy, her head t hr obbi ng, ever y muscl e f i n her body
achi ng. She l ooked ar ound at t he obscene pi eces B
of wr eckage t hat had once been an ai r pl ane f i l l ed wi t h human
bodi es, and shudder ed.
The ot her s?' she asked hoar sel y.
They' r e dead. '
She st ar ed at her husband. ' Oh, my God! No! '
He nodded, hi s f ace t i ght wi t h gr i ef . ' Byr on, Susan, t he
baby, t he pi l ot s, ever yone. '
El l en Scot t cl osed her eyes agai n and sai d a si l ent pr ayer . Why wer e Mi l o and I
spar ed? she wonder ed. I t was har d t o
t hi nk cl ear l y. We have t o go down and get hel p. But i t ' s t oo
l at e. They' r e al l dead. I t was i mpossi bl e t o bel i eve. They had
been so f ul l of l i f e j ust a f ew mi nut es bef or e.
' Can you st and up?'
' I - I t hi nk so. '
Mi l o Scot t hel ped hi s wi f e t o her f eet . Ther e was a sur ge
of si ckeni ng di zzi ness, and she st ood t her e, wai t i ng f or i t t o
pass.
Mi l o t ur ned t o l ook at t he pl ane. Fl ames wer e begi nni ng
t o get hi gher . ' Let ' s get out of her e, ' he sai d. The damned
t hi ng i s goi ng t o bl ow up any second. '
They qui et l y moved away and wat ched i t bur n. A moment
l at er , t her e was an expl osi on as t he gas t anks bl ew apar t and
t he pl ane was engul f ed i n f l ames.
' I t ' s a mi r acl e we' r e al i ve, ' Mi l o Scot t sai d.
was a mi r acl e. But not f or t he ot her s.
El l en Scot t l ooked at t he bur ni ng pl ane. Somet hi ng was
naggi ng at t he edges of her mi nd, but she was havi ng t r oubl e
t hi nki ng cl ear l y. Somet hi ng about Scot t I ndust r i es. And t hen
suddenl y she knew.
' Mi l o?'
' Yes?' He was not r eal l y l i st eni ng.
' I t ' s f at e. '
The f er vour i n her voi ce made hi mt ur n. ' What ?'
' Scot t I ndust r i es - i t bel ongs t o you, now. '
' I don' t - '
' Mi l o, God l ef t i t t o you. ' Her voi ce . bur ni ng i nt ensi t y. ' Al l your l i f e you' ve
l i v38 " l l eu wi t h a of your bi g br ot her . ' She was t hi nki ng ck. , , 111 t he shadow
ent l y, and she f or got her headache and t h r y now' coher -
came t umbl i ng out now i n a spat e t hat J 1. " 1- The WOI US body. ' You wor ked f or
Byr on f or t wen00" - " er whol e up t he company. You' r e as r esponsi bl e f ' year s ' ' " g
he i s, but di d he - di d he ever gi ve you sucwss as I t was al ways hi s company,
hi s success, i u l t 9 N0' now you - you f i nal l y have a chance t o i s P1' 0" - we"
own. ' " l e i nt o y0111"
He l ooked at her , hor r i f i ed. ' El l en - t ( , .
how can you even t hi nk about - ?' l r bodl es ar e ' I
know. But we di dn' t ki l l t hem. I t ' s our f i nal l y come i nt o our own. Ther e' s no
one " ' M110- we company but us. I t ' s our s! Your s! ' l ve t o cl al mt he
And at t hat moment t hey hear d t he cr y , . and Mi l o Scot t st ar ed at each ot her
unbel i gy a aby. El l en
' I t ' s Pat r i ci a! She' s al i ve. Oh, my God! ' y-
They f ound t he baby near a cl ump of ( , , ,
mi r acl e she was unhur t . ushes- some
Mi l o Scot t pi cked her up gent l y and heU .
I t ' s al l r i ght , dar l i ng, ' he whi sper ed. ' EveJ , cl ose- ssh! be al l r i ght . ' ymg s
goi ng t o
El l en was st andi ng at hi s si de, a l ook of Shr i , ' You - you sai d she was dead. '
on her f ace-
' She must have been knocked unconsci on ,
El l en Scot t st ar ed at t he baby f or a l ong ( . _
have been ki l l ed wi t h t he ot her s, ' she si 6' l she shoul d
voi ce. d i n a st r angl ed
He l ooked up at her , shocked. ' What ar
' Byr on' s wi l l l eaves ever yt hi ng t o Pat r i ci a usayl n'
f or war d t o spendi ng t he next t went y year s bg, ou can so t hat when she gr ows up
she can t r eat y . guar di an
her f at her di d. I s t hat what you want ?' as shabbi l y as
He was si l ent .
' We' l l never have a chance l i ke t hi s agai n . , ; ,
at t he baby, and t her e was a wi l d l ook i n hpr was st anng
er eyes t hat Mi l o
r i ci u never seen oer or e. i t was al most as t hough she want ed
t o -
She' s not her sel f . She' s suf f er i ng f r oma concussi on. ' For
God' s sake, El l en, what ar e you t hi nki ng?'
She l ooked at her husband f or a l ong moment , and t he
wi l d l i ght f aded f r omher eyes. ' I don' t know, ' she sai d
cal ml y. Af t er a pause she sai d. Ther e' s somet hi ng we can
do. We can l eave her somewher e, Mi l o. The pi l ot sai d we
wer e near Avi l a. Ther e shoul d be pl ent y of t our i st s t her e.
Ther e' s no r eason f or anyone t o connect t he baby wi t h t he
pl ane cr ash. '
He shook hi s head. ' Thei r f r i ends know t hat Byr on and
Susan t ook Pat r i ci a wi t h t hem. '
El l en Scot t l ooked at t he bur ni ng pl ane. ' That ' s no pr obl em.
They al l bur ned up i n t he cr ash. We' l l have a pr i vat e
memor i al ser vi ce her e. '
' El l en, ' he pr ot est ed. ' We can' t do t hi s. We' d never get
away wi t h i t . '
' God di d i t f or us. We have got t en away wi t h i t . '
Mi l o Scot t l ooked at t he baby. ' But she' s so '
' She' l l be f i ne, ' El l en sai d soot hi ngl y. ' We' l l dr op her of f
at a ni ce f ar mhouse out si de of t own. They' l l adopt her and
she' l l gr ow up t o have a l ovel y l i f e her e. '
He shook hi s head. ' I can' t do i t . No. '
' I f you l ove me you' l l do t hi s f or us. You have t o choose,
Mi l o. You can ei t her have me, or you can spend t he r est of
your l i f e wor ki ng f or your br ot her ' s chi l d. '
' Pl ease, I '
' Do you l ove me?'
' Mor e t han my l i f e, ' he sai d si mpl y.
' Then pr ove i t . '
They made t hei r way car ef ul l y down t he mount ai nsi de i n t he
dar k, whi pped by t he wi nd. Because t he pl ane had cr ashed
i n a hi gh wooded ar ea, t he sound was muf f l ed, so t he t ownspeopl e
woul d be unawar e of what had happened.
Thr ee hour s l at er , on t he out ski r t s of Avi l a, El l en and
Mi l o r eacnea a smal l f ar mhouse. I t was not yet dawn.
' We' l l l eave her her e, ' El l en whi sper ed.
He made one l ast t r y. ' El l en, coul dn' t we ?'
' Do i t ! ' she sai d f i er cel y.
Wi t hout anot her wor d, he t ur ned and car r i ed t he baby t o
t he door of t he f ar mhouse. She was wear i ng onl y a t or n pi nk
ni ght gown and had a bl anket wr apped ar ound her .
Mi l o Scot t l ooked at Pat r i ci a f or a l ong moment , hi s eyes
f i l l ed wi t h t ear s, t hen l ai d her gent l y down.
He whi sper ed, ' Have a good l i f e, dar l i ng. '
The cr yi ng awakened Anunci on Mor as. For a sl eepy
moment , she t hought i t was t he bl eat i ng of a goat or a l amb.
How had i t got out of i t s pen?
Gr umbl i ng, she r ose f r omher war mbed, put on an ol d
f aded dr essi ng- gown, and wal ked t o t he door .
When she saw t he i nf ant l yi ng on t he gr ound scr eami ng
and ki cki ng, she sai d, ' Madr e de Di osF and yel l ed f or her
husband.
They br ought t he chi l d i nsi de and st ar ed at i t . I t woul d
not st op cr yi ng, and i t seemed t o be t ur ni ng bl ue.
' We' ve got t o get her t o t he hospi t al . '
They hur r i edl y wr apped anot her bl anket ar ound t he
baby, car r i ed her t o t hei r pi ck- up t r uck and dr ove her
t o t he hospi t al . They sat on a bench i n t he l ong cor r i dor
wai t i ng f or someone t o at t end t o t hem, and t hi r t y mi nut es
l at er a doct or came and t ook t he baby away t o exami ne
her .
When he r et ur ned, he sai d, ' She' s got pneumoni a. '
' I s she goi ng t o l i ve?'
The doct or shr ugged.
Mi l o and El l en Scot t st umbl ed i nt o t he pol i ce st at i on at
Avi l a.
The desk ser geant l ooked up at t he t wo bedr aggl ed t our i st s.
' Buenos di as. Can I hel p you?'
" Ther e' s been a t er r i bl e acci dent , ' Mi l o Scot t sai d. ' Our
pl ane cr ashed up i n t he mount ai ns and . . . '
One hour l at er a r escue par t y was on i t s way t o t he
mount ai nsi de. When t hey ar r i ved, t her e was not hi ng t o see
but t he smoul der i ng, char r ed r emai ns of an ai r cr af t and i t s
passenger s.
The i nvest i gat i on of t he ai r pl ane acci dent conduct ed by t he
Spani sh aut hor i t i es was cur sor y.
" The pi l ot shoul d not have at t empt ed t o f l y i nt o such a bad
st or m. We must at t r i but e t he acci dent t o pi l ot er r or . '
Ther e was no r eason f or anyone i n Avi l a t o associ at e t he
ai r pl ane cr ash wi t h a smal l chi l d l ef t on t he door st ep of a
f ar mhouse.
I t was over .
I t was j ust begi nni ng.
Mi l o and El l en Scot t hel d a pr i vat e memor i al ser vi ce f or
Byr on Scot t , hi s wi f e Susan, and t hei r daught er , Pat r i ci a.
When t hey r et ur ned t o New Yor k, t hey hel d a second
memor i al ser vi ce, at t ended by t he shocked f r i ends of t he
Scot t s.
' What a t er r i bl e t r agedy. And poor l i t t l e Pat r i ci a. '
' Yes, ' El l en Scot t sai d sadl y. " The onl y bl essi ng i s t hat i t
happened so qui ckl y t hat none of t hemsuf f er ed. '
The f i nanci al communi t y was shaken by t he news. I t was al most
unani mousl y agr eed t hat wi t h Byr on Scot t ' s deat h, Scot t
I ndust r i es had suf f er ed an i r r epar abl e l oss.
' Don' t l i st en t o what any of t hemsay, ' El l en Scot t t ol d her
husband, ' you' r e bet t er t han Byr on ever was. The company i s
goi ng t o be bi gger t han ever . '
Mi l o t ook her i n hi s ar ms. ' I don' t know what I woul d do
wi t hout you. '
She smi l ed. ' You' l l never have t o. Fr omnow on we' r e
eoi ng t o have ever yt hi ng i n t he wor l d we' ve ever dr eamed
of . '
She hel d hi mcl ose and t hought : Who woul d have bel i eved
t hat El l en Dudash, f r oma poor Pol i sh f ami l y i n Gar y, I ndi ana, woul d have one
day sai d, ' Fr omnow on, we' r e goi ng
t o have ever yt hi ng i n t he wor l d we ever dr eamed of ?'
And meant i t .
For t en days t he baby r emai ned i n t he hospi t al , f i ght i ng f or
her l i f e, and when t he cr i si s was past . Fat her Ber r endo went
t o see t he f ar mer and hi s wi f e.
' I have j oyous news f or you, ' he sai d happi l y. ' The chi l d
i s goi ng t o be al l r i ght . '
The Mor ases exchanged an uncomf or t abl e l ook.
' I ' mgl ad f or her sake, ' t he f ar mer sai d evasi vel y.
Fat her Ber r endo beamed. ' She i s a gi f t f r omGod. '
' Cer t ai nl y, Fat her . But my wi f e and I have t al ked i t over
and deci ded t hat God i s t oo gener ous t o us. Hi s gi f t r equi r es
f eedi ng. We can' t af f or d t o keep i t . '
' But she' s such a beaut i f ul baby, ' Fat her Ber r endo poi nt ed
out . ' And '
' Agr eed. But my wi f e and I ar e ol d and si ck, and we can' t
t ake on t he r esponsi bi l i t y of br i ngi ng up a baby. God wi l l
have t o t ake back hi s gi f t . '
And so i t was t hat wi t h nowher e el se t o go t he baby was
sent t o t he or phanage i n Avi l a.
They wer e seat ed i n t he l aw of f i ces of Byr on Scot t ' s at t or ney
f or t he r eadi ng of t he wi l l . Besi des t he l awyer , onl y Mi l o and El l en Scot t wer e
pr esent . El l en Scot t was f i l l ed wi t h a
sense of al most unbear abl e exci t ement . A f ew wor ds on a
pi ece of paper wer e goi ng t o make her and Mi l o r i ch beyond
i magi ni ng.
We' l l buy ol d mast er s and a pl ace i n Sout hampt on, and a
cast l e i n Fr ance. And t hat ' s onl y t he begi nni ng.
The l awyer st ar t ed t o speak, and El l en t ur ned her at t ent i on
t o hi m. Mont hs bef or e she had seen a copy of Byr on Scot t ' s
wi l l and knew exact l y what i t sai d:
I n t he event t hat my wi f e and I shoul d bot h be deceased, 1
bequeat h al l my st ock i n Scot t I ndust r i es t o my onl y chi l d,
Pat r i ci a, and I appoi nt my br ot her , Mi l o, as execut or of my
est at e unt i l she r eaches t he l egal age and i s abl e t o t ake over ,
et c. , et c.
Wel l , al l t hat i s changed now, El l en t hought exci t edl y.
The l awyer , Lawr ence Gr ay, sai d sol emnl y, ' Thi s has been
a t er r i bl e shock t o al l of us. I know how much you l oved
your br ot her , Mi l o, and as f or t hat dar l i ng l i t t l e baby . . . '
He shook hi s head. ' Wel l , l i f e must go on. You may not be
awar e t hat your br ot her had changed hi s wi l l . I won' t bot her
you wi t h t he l egal ese. I wi l l j ust r ead you t he gi st of i t . ' He
t humbed t hr ough t he wi l l and came t o t he par agr aph he was
l ooki ng f or . ' I amend t hi s wi l l so t hat my daught er , Pat r i ci a,
wi l l r ecei ve t he sumof f i ve mi l l i on dol l ar s pl us a di st r i but i on
of one mi l l i on dol l ar s a year f or t he r est of her l i f e. Al l t he
st ock i n Scot t I ndust r i es hel d i n my name wi l l go t o my
br ot her , Mi l o, as a r ewar d f or t he f ai t hf ul and val uabl e
ser vi ces he has pr ovi ded t he company t hr ough t he year s. '
Mi l o Scot t f el t t he r oombegi n t o sway.
Mr Gr ay l ooked up. ' Ar e you al l r i ght ?'
Mi l o was f i ndi ng i t di f f i cul t t o br eat he. Good God, what
have we done? We' ve t aken away her bi r t hr i ght , and i t wasn' t
necessar y at al l . Now we can gi ve i t back t o her .
He t ur ned t o say somet hi ng t o El l en, but t he l ook i n her
eyes st opped hi m.
' Ther e has t o be somet hi ng we can do, El l en. We can' t j ust
l eave Pat r i ci a t her e. Not now. '
They wer e i n t hei r Fi f t h Avenue apar t ment get t i ng dr essed
t o go t o a char i t y di nner .
' That ' s exact l y what we' r e goi ng t o do, ' El l en t ol d hi m.
' Unl ess you' d l i ke t o br i ng her back her e and t r y t o expl ai n
why we sai d she was bur ned t o deat h i n t he ai r pl ane cr ash. '
He had no answer t o t hat . He t hought f or a moment . ' Al l
r i ght , t hen. We' l l send her money ever y mont h so she - '
' Don' t be a f ool , Mi l o. ' Her voi ce was cur t . ' Send her
money? And have t he pol i ce st ar t checki ng on why someone
i s sendi ng her money and t r ace i t back t o us? No. I f your
consci ence bot her s you, we' l l have t he company gi ve money
t o char i t y. For get about t he chi l d, Mi l o. She' s dead. Remember ?'
Remember . . . r emember . . . r emember . . .
The wor ds echoed i n El l en Scot t ' s mi nd as she l ooked out
at t he audi ence i n t he Wal dor f Ast or i a bal l r oomand f i ni shed
her speech. Ther e was anot her st andi ng ovat i on.
You' r e st andi ng up f or a dead woman, she t hought .
That ni ght t he ghost s came agai n. She had t hought she
had exor ci sed t heml ong ago. I n t he begi nni ng, af t er t he
memor i al ser vi ces f or her br ot her - i n- l aw and si st er - i n- l aw,
and Pat r i ci a, t he ni ght vi si t or s had come f r equent l y. Pal e
mi st s had hover ed over her bed and voi ces had whi sper ed i n
her ear . She woul d awaken, her pul se r aci ng, but t her e was
not hi ng t o see. She t ol d none of t hi s t oMi l o. He was weak,
and i t mi ght have t er r i f i ed hi mi nt o doi ng somet hi ng f ool i sh,
somet hi ng t hat woul d j eopar di ze t he company. I f t he t r ut h
got out , t he scandal woul d dest r oy Scot t I ndust r i es, and
El l en Scot t was det er mi ned t hat t hat must never happen.
And so she suf f er ed t he ghost s i n si l ence, unt i l f i nal l y t hey
went away and l ef t her i n peace.
Now, t he ni ght of t he banquet , t hey r et ur ned. She awakened
and sat up i n her bed and l ooked ar ound. The r oomwas
empt y and qui et , but she knew t hey had been t her e. What
wer e t hey t r yi ng t o t el l her ? Di d t hey know she woul d be
j oi ni ng t hemsoon?
El l en Scot t r ose and wal ked i nt o t he spaci ous, ant i que-
f i l l ed dr awi ng r oomof t he beaut i f ul t ownhouse she had
bought af t er Mi l o had passed away. She l ooked ar ound t he
l ovel y r oomand t hought : Poor Mi l o. He had had so l i t t l e
t i me t o enj oy any of t he benef i t s of hi s br ot her ' s deat h. He
had di ed of a hear t at t ack a f ew year s af t er t he pl ane cr ash,
and El l en Scot t had t aken over t he company, r unni ng i t
wi t h an ef f i ci ency and exper t i se t hat had cat apul t ed Scot t
I ndust r i es i nt o gr eat er i nt er nat i onal pr omi nence.
The company bel ongs t o t he Scot t f ami l y, she t hought . I ' m
not goi ng t o t ur n i t over t o f acel ess st r anger s.
And t hat l ed her t hought s t o Byr on' s and Susan' s daught er .
The r i ght f ul hei r ess t o t he t hr one t hat had been st ol en f r om
her . Was t her e f ear i n her t hought s? Was i t a wi sh t o make
an at onement bef or e her own deat h?
El l en Scot t sat i n her dr awi ng r oomal l ni ght st ar i ng i nt o
not hi ngness, t hi nki ng and pl anni ng. How l ong ago had i t
been? Twent y- ei ght year s. Pat r i ci a woul d be a gr own woman
now, assumi ng t hat she was st i l l al i ve. What had her l i f e
become? Had she mar r i ed a f ar mer or a mer chant i n t he
vi l l age? Di d she have chi l dr en? Was she st i l l l i vi ng i n Avi l a,
or had she gone away t o some ot her pl ace?
must f i nd her , El l en Scot t t hought . And qui ckl y. I f
Pat r i ci a i s st i l l al i ve, I ' ve got t o see her , t al k t o her . I have t o f i nal l y set
t he account st r ai ght . Money can t ur n l i es i nt o t r ut h.
I ' l l f i nd a way t o sol ve t he si t uat i on wi t hout ever l et t i ng her
know what r eal l y happened.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng El l en Scot t sent f or Al an Tucker ,
chi ef of secur i t y f or Scot t I ndust r i es. He was a f or mer det ect i ve,
i n hi s f or t i es, a t hi n, bal di ng, sal l ow- l ooki ng man,
har d- wor ki ng and br i l l i ant .
' I want you t o go on a mi ssi on f or me. '
' Yes, Mr s Scot t . '
She st udi ed hi mf or a moment , wonder i ng how much she
coul d t el l hi m. can t el l hi mnot hi ng, she deci ded. As l ong
as I amal i ve, I r ef use t o put mysel f or t he company i n
j eopar dy. Let hi mf i nd Pat r i ci a f i r st , and t hen I ' l l deci de how
t o handl e her .
She l eaned f or war d. Twent y- ei ght year s ago, an or phan
was l ef t on t he door st ep of a f ar mhouse out si de of Avi l a,
Spai n. I want you t o f i nd out wher e she i s t oday and br i ng
her back her e t o me as qui ckl y as possi bl e. '
Al an Tucker ' s f ace r emai ned i mpassi ve. Mr s Scot t di d not
l i ke her empl oyees t o show emot i on.
Yes, ma' am. I ' l l l eave t omor r ow. '
Chapt er 17
Col onel Ramon Acoca was i n an expansi ve mood. Al l t he
pi eces wer e f i nal l y f al l i ng i nt o pl ace.
An or der l y came i nt o t he of f i ce. ' Col onel Sost el o has
ar r i ved. '
' Show hi mi n. '
won' t be needi ng hi many mor e, Acoca t hought . He can
go back t o hi s t i n sol di er s. Col onel Fal Sost el o wal ked i n. ' Col onel . '
' Col onel . '
I t ' s i r oni c, Sost el o t hought . We hol d t he same r ank, but
t he scar r ed gi ant has t he power t o br eak me. Because he' s
connect ed t o t he OPUS MUNDO.
I t was an i ndi gni t y f or Sost el o t o have t o answer Acoca' s
summons, as t hough he wer e some uni mpor t ant subor di nat e.
But he managed t o show none of hi s f eel i ngs. ' You want ed
t o see me?'
' Yes. ' Acoca waved hi mt o a chai r . ' Si t down. I have some
news f or you. J ai me Mi r 6 has t he nuns ' " What ?'
' Yes. They' r e t r avel l i ng wi t h Mi r 6 and hi s men. He' s spl i t
t hemup i nt o t hr ee gr oups. '
' How - how do you know t hat ?'
Ramon Acoca l eaned back i n hi s chai r . ' Do you ol av
chess?' - ' No. '
' Pi t y. I t ' s a ver y educat i onal game. I n or der t o be a good
pl ayer , i t ' s necessar y t o get i nt o t he mi nd of your opponent .
J ai me Mi r 6 and I pl ay chess wi t h each ot her . '
180
Fal Sost el o was st ar i ng at hi m. " I don' t under st and how '
' Not l i t er al l y. Col onel . We don' t use a chess boar d. We
use our mi nds. I pr obabl y under st and J ai me Mi r 6 bet t er
t han anyone i n t he wor l d. I know how hi s mi nd wor ks. I
knew t hat he woul d t r y t o bl ow up t he damat Puent e l a
Rei na. We capt ur ed t wo of hi s l i eut enant s t her e, and i t was
onl y by l uck t hat Mi r 6 hi msel f got away. I knew t hat he
woul d t r y t o r escue t hem, and Mi r 6 knew t hat I knew i t . '
Ramon Acoca shr ugged. ' I di dn' t ant i ci pat e t hat he woul d
use t he bul l s t o ef f ect t hei r escape. ' Ther e was a not e of
admi r at i on i n hi s voi ce.
' You sound as t hough you '
' Admi r e hi m? I admi r e hi s mi nd. I despi se t he man. '
' Do you know wher e Mi r 6 i s headed?'
' He i s t r avel l i ng nor t h. I wi l l cat ch hi mwi t hi n t he next
t hr ee days. '
Col onel Sost el o was gapi ng at hi m, st unned.
' I t wi l l f i nal l y be checkmat e. '
I t was t r ue t hat Col onel Acoca under st ood J ai me Mi r 6,
and t he way hi s mi nd wor ked, but i t was not enough f or hi m.
The Col onel want ed an edge, t o ensur e vi ct or y, and he had
f ound i t .
' How ?'
' One of Mi r o' s t er r or i st s, ' Col onel Acoca sai d, ' i s an
i nf or mer . '
Rubi o, Tomas and t he t wo si st er s avoi ded t he l ar ge ci t i es
and t ook si de r oads, passi ng ol d st one vi l l ages wi t h gr azi ng
sheep and goat s, and shepher ds l i st eni ng t o musi c and soccer
games on t hei r t r ansi st or r adi os. I t was a col our f ul j uxt aposi t i on
of t he past and t he pr esent , but Luci a had ot her t hi ngs
on her mi nd.
She st ayed cl ose t o Si st er Ter esa, wat chi ng f or t he f i r st
oppor t uni t y t o get t he cr oss and l eave. The t wo men wer e
al ways at t hei r si de. Rubi o Ar zano was t he mor e consi der at e
of t he t wo, a t al l , pl easant - l ooki ng, cheer f ul man. A si mpl emi nded
peasant , Luci a deci ded.
181
- - , - - - . , . . 6. . i ai i u uai ui ng. t i e l ooks mor e l i ke
a shop assi st ant t han a t er r or i st . I t wi l l be easy t o out wi t t hem
bot h.
They wal ked acr oss t he pl ai ns nor t h of Avi l a by ni ght ,
cool ed by t he wi nds bl owi ng down f r omt he Guadar r ama
St eppe. Ther e was a haunt i ng empt i ness about t he pl ai ns by
moonl i ght . They passed gr anas of wheat and ol i ve t r ees and
vi nes and mai ze, and t hey f or aged f or pot at oes and l et t uce,
f r ui t f r omt he t r ees and eggs and chi ckens f r omt he hen
coops.
' The whol e count r ysi de of Spai n i s a huge mar ket , ' sai d
Rubi o Ar zano.
Tomas Sanj ur o gr i nned. ' And i t ' s al l f or f r ee. ' Si st er Ter esa was t ot al l y
obl i vi ous t o her sur r oundi ngs.
Her onl y t hought was t o r each t he convent at Mendavi a.
The cr oss was get t i ng heavy, but she was det er mi ned not t o
l et i t out of her hands. Soon, she t hought . We' l l be t her e
soon. We' r e f l eei ng f r omGet hsemane and our enemi es t o t he
new mansi on He has pr epar ed f or us. Luci a sai d, ' What ?'
Si st er Ter esa was unawar e t hat she had spoken al oud.
' I - not hi ng, ' she mumbl ed.
Luci a t ook a cl oser l ook at her . The ol der woman seemed
di st r act ed and vaguel y di sor i ent ed, unawar e of what was
happeni ng ar ound her .
Luci a nodded t owar ds t he canvas package t hat Si st er
Ter esa car r i ed. ' That must be heavy, ' Luci a sai d sympat het i cal l y.
' Woul dn' t you l i ke me t o car r y i t f or a whi l e?' I
Si st er Ter esa cl ut ched i t t o her body mor e t i ght l y. ' J esus
car r i ed a heavi er bur den. I can car r y t hi s f or Hi m. ' Di d i t
not say i n Luke: any man woul d come af t er me, l et hi m
deny hi msel f and t ake up hi s cr oss dai l y and f ol l ow me.
' I ' l l car r y i t , ' Ter esa sai d st ubbor nl y.
Ther e was somet hi ng odd i n her t one.
' Ar e you al l r i ght , Si st er ?'
' Of cour se. '
Si st er Ter esa was t ar f r omal l r i ght . She had not been abl e
t o sl eep. She f el t di zzy and f ever i sh. Her mi nd was pl ayi ng
t r i cks agai n. must n' t l et mysel f become i l l , she t hought . Si st er Bet i na wi l l
scol d me. But Si st er Bet i na was not t her e.
I t was so conf usi ng. And who wer e t hese men? don' t t r ust
t hem. - What do t hey want wi t h me?
Rubi o Ar zano had at t empt ed t o st r i ke up a conver sat i on
wi t h Si st er Ter esa, t r yi ng t o make her f eel at ease.
' I t must seemst r ange t o you, bei ng out i n t he wor l d agai n,
Si st er . How l ong wer e you i n t he convent ?' Why di d he want t o know? ' Thi r t y
year s. '
' My, t hat ' s a l ong t i me. Wher e ar e you f r om?'
I t was pai nf ul f or her even t o say t he wor d. ' Eze. '
Hi s f ace br i ght ened. ' Eze? I spent a summer t her e once
on hol i day. I t ' s a l ovel y t own. I know i t wel l . I r emember '
know i t wel l . How wel l ? Di d he know Raoul ? Had Raoul
sent hi m? And t he t r ut h hi t her l i ke a bol t of l i ght ni ng. These
st r anger s had been sent t o br i ng her back t o Eze, t o Raoul
Gi r adot . They wer e ki dnappi ng her . God was puni shi ng her
f or deser t i ng Moni que' s baby. She was cer t ai n now t hat t he
baby she had seen i n t he vi l l age squar e i n Vi l l acast i n was
her si st er Moni que' s. But i t coul dn' t have been, coul d i t ?
That was t hi r t y year s ago, Ter esa mut t er ed t o her sel f . They' r e
l yi ng t o me.
Rubi o Ar zano was wat chi ng her , l i st eni ng t o her mumbl i ng.
' I s somet hi ng wr ong. Si st er ?'
Si st er Ter esa shr ank away f r omhi m. ' No. '
She was on t o t hemnow. She was not goi ng t o l et t hem
t ake her back t o Raoul and t he baby. She had t o get t o t he
convent at Mendavi a and hand over t he gol d cr uci f i x, and
t hen God woul d f or gi ve her f or t he t er r i bl e si n she had
commi t t ed. must be cl ever . I must not l et t hemknow I am
on t o t hei r secr et .
She l ooked up at Rubi o Ar zano. ' I amf i ne, ' Si st er Ter esa
sai d.
They moved on acr oss t he dr y, sunbaked pl ai ns. They
came t o a smal l vi l l age wher e peasant women dr essed i n
bl ack wer e doi ng t hei r wash at a spr i ng cover ed by a r oof
r csung on r our anci ent beams. The wat er pour ed i nt o a l ong
wooden t r ough and out agai n, so t hat i t was al ways f r esh,
and t he women scr ubbed t hei r wash on st one sl abs and r i nsed
i t cl ean i n t he r unni ng wat er .
I t ' s such a peace f ul scene, Rubi o t hought . I t r emi nded hi m
of t he f ar mhe had l ef t behi nd. I t ' s what Spai n used t o be
l i ke. No bombs, no ki l l i ng. Wi l l we ever know peace agai n?
' Buenos di as. '
' Buenos di as. '
' I wonder i f we mi ght have a dr i nk? Tr avel l i ng i s t hi r st y wor k. '
' Cer t ai nl y. Pl ease hel p your sel ves. '
The wat er was col d and r ef r eshi ng. ' Gr aci as. Adi os. '
Adi 6s:
Rubi o hat ed t o l eave.
The t wo women and t hei r escor t s moved on, past cor k and
ol i ve t r ees, t he summer ai r f i l l ed wi t h t he smel l of r i pe gr apes
and or anges. They went by or char ds of appl es and cher r y
and pl umt r ees, and f ar ms noi sy wi t h t he sound of chi ckens
and pi gs and goat s.
Rubi o and Tomas wal ked ahead, t al ki ng qui et l y t oget her . They ar e t al ki ng about
me. They t hi nk I do not know t hei r
pl an. Si st er Ter esa moved near er t o t hemso she coul d hear
what t hey wer e sayi ng.
' . . . A r ewar d of f i ve hundr ed t housand peset as on our
heads. Of cour se Col onel Acoca woul d pay mor e f or J ai me,
but he doesn' t want hi s head. He want s hi s coj ones. '
The men l aughed.
As Si st er Ter esa l i st ened t o t hemt al k, her convi ct i on
gr ew st r onger . These men ar e ki l l er s doi ng Sat an' s wor k,
messenger s of t he devi l sent t o damn me t o ever l ast i ng hel l .
But God i s st r onger t han t hey ar e. He wi l l not l et t hemt ake
me back home.
Raoul Gi r adot was at her si de, smi l i ng t he smi l e t hat she
knew so wel l .
184
The voi ce!
I beg your par don?
I hear d you si ng yest er day. You ar e magni f i cent .
May I hel p you?
I woul d l i ke t hr ee yar ds of musl i n, pl ease.
Cer t ai nl y. Thi s way . . . My aunt owns t hi s shop and she
needed hel p, so I t hought I ' d wor k f or her f or a whi l e.
I ' msur e you coul d have any man you want , Ter esa, but I
hope you wi l l choose me.
He l ooked so handsome.
have never known anyone l i ke you, my dar l i ng.
Raoul was t aki ng her i n hi s ar ms and ki ssi ng her .
You' r e goi ng t o make a beaut i f ul br i de.
But now I ' mChr i st ' s br i de. I can' t r et ur n t o Raoul .
Luci a was wat chi ng her cl osel y. Si st er Ter esa was t al ki ng
t o her sel f , but Luci a coul d not make out t he wor ds.
She' s cr acki ng up, Luci a t hought . She' s not goi ng t o make
i t . I ' ve got t o get hol d of t hat cr oss soon.
I t was dusk when t hey saw t he t own of Ol medo i n t he
di st ance.
Rubi o st opped. ' Ther e wi l l be sol di er s t her e. Let ' s move
up t o t he hi l l s and ski r t t he ci t y. '
They moved of f t he r oad and l ef t t he pl ai ns, headed
f or t he hi l l s above Ol medo. The sun was ski ppi ng
acr oss t he mount ai n t ops and t he sky was begi nni ng t o
dar ken.
' We' ve onl y a f ew mor e mi l es t o go, ' Rubi o Ar zano sai d
r eassur i ngl y. ' Then we can r est . '
They had r eached t he t op of a hi gh r i dge when Tomas
Sanj ur o suddenl y hel d up a hand. ' Hol d i t , ' he whi sper ed.
Rubi o Ar zano wal ked t o hi s si de and t hey moved t o t he
edge of t he r i dge and l ooked down i nt o t he val l ey bel ow.
Ther e was an encampment of sol di er s t her e.
' {Mi er daF Rubi o whi sper ed. ' Ther e must be a whol e pl at oon.
We' l l st ay up her e f or t he r est of t he ni ght . They' l l
pr obabl y pul l out i n t he mor ni ng and we can move on. ' He
t ur ned t o Luci a and Si st er Ter esa, t r yi ng not t o show how
wor r i ed he was. ' We' l l spend t he ni ght her e. Si st er s. We
185
. . . vi y l j ui ci . mer e ar e sol di er s down t her e and we
don' t want t hemt o f i nd us. '
I t was t he best news Luci a coul d have hear d. I t ' s per f ect , she t hought . I ' l l
di sappear wi t h t he cr oss dur i ng t he ni ght .
They won' t dar e t r y t o f ol l ow me because of t he sol di er s.
To Si st er Ter esa, t he news had a di f f er ent meani ng. She
had hear d t he men say t hat someone named Col onel Acoca
was sear chi ng f or t hem. They cal l ed Col onel Acoca t he
enemy. But t hese men ar e t he enemy, so Col onel Acoca must
be my f r i end. Thank you, dear God, f or sendi ng me Col onel
Acoca.
The t al l man cal l ed Rubi o was speaki ng t o her .
' Do you under st and. Si st er ? We must al l be ver y, ver y
qui et . '
' Yes, I under st and. ' under st and mor e t han you t hi nk.
They had no i dea t hat God per mi t t ed her t o see i nt o t hei r
evi l hear t s.
Tomas Sanj ur o sai d ki ndl y, ' I know how di f f i cul t t hi s must
be f or bot h of you, but don' t wor r y. We' l l see t hat you get
saf el y t o t he convent . '
To Eze, he means. Oh, but he i s cunni ng. He speaks t he
honeyed wor ds of t he devi l . But God i s wi t hi n me, and He i s
gui di ng me. She knew what she must do. But she had t o be
car ef ul .
The t wo men ar r anged t he sl eepi ng- bags f or t he women,
next t o each ot her .
' Bot h of you get some sl eep now. '
The women got i nt o t he unf ami l i ar sl eepi ng- bags. The
ni ght was i ncr edi bl y cl ear and t he sky was spangl ed wi t h
gl i mmer i ng st ar s. Luci a l ooked up at t hemand t hought
happi l y: I n j ust a f ew hour s now, t ' l l beonmy way t o f r eedom.
As soon as t hey' r e al l asl eep.
She yawned. She had not r eal i zed how t i r ed she was. The
l ong, har d j our ney and t he emot i onal st r ai n had t aken t hei r
t ol l . Her eyes f el t heavy. I ' l l j ust r est f or a l i t t l e whi l e, Luci a
t hought .
She sl ept .
Si st er Ter esa l ay near Luci a, wi de awake, f i ght i ng t he
186
demons t r yi ng t o possess her , t r yi ng t o send her soul t o hel l .
must be st r ong. The Lor d i s t est i ng me. I have been exi l ed,
so t hat I can f i nd my way back t o Hi m. And t hese men ar e
t r yi ng t o st op me. I must not l et t hem.
At f our o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng, Si st er Ter esa si l ent l y sat up
and l ooked ar ound. Tomas Sanj ur o was asl eep onl y a f ew
f eet f r omher . The t al l , dar k man cal l ed Rubi o was keepi ng
wat ch at t he edge of t he cl ear i ng, hi s back t o her . She coul d
see hi s si l houet t e agai nst t he t r ees.
Ver y qui et l y. Si st er Ter esa r ose. She hesi t at ed, t hi nki ng
about t he cr oss. Shoul d I car r y i t wi t h me? But I ' l l be comi ng
back her e ver y soon. I must f i nd a pl ace wher e i t wi l l be saf e
unt i l I r et ur n. She l ooked over t o wher e Si st er Luci a l ay
sl eepi ng. Yes. I t wi l l be saf e wi t h my si st er i n God, Si st er
Ter esa deci ded.
Si l ent l y she moved over t o t he sl eepi ng- bag and gent l y
sl i pped t he wr apped cr oss i nsi de. Luci a di d not st i r . Si st er
Ter esa t ur ned and moved i nt o t he woods, out of Rubi o
Ar zano' s si ght , and car ef ul l y began t o make her way downhi l l
t owar ds t he sol di er s' camp. The hi l l was st eep and sl i pper y
wi t h dew, but God gave her wi ngs and she sped downhi l l
wi t hout st umbl i ng or f al l i ng, hur r yi ng t owar ds her sal vat i on.
I n t he dar kness ahead t he f i gur e of a man suddenl y mat er i al i zed.
A voi ce cal l ed out , ' Who goes t her e?'
' Si st er Ter esa. '
She appr oached t he sent r y. He wor e an ar my uni f or mand
was car r yi ng a r i f l e, poi nt ed at her .
' Wher e di d you come f r om, ol d woman?' he demanded.
She l ooked at hi mwi t h gol den eyes. ' God sent me. '
The sent r y st ar ed at her . ' Di d He, now?'
' Yes. He sent me t o see Col onel Acoca. '
The guar d shook hi s head. ' You' d bet t er t el l Hi myou' r e
not t he Col onel ' s t ype. Adi os, senor a. '
' You don' t under st and. I amSi st er Ter esa f r omt he Abbey
Ci st er ci an. I have been t aken pr i soner by J ai me Mi r o and
187
. - - - . - - - . . . . . ui i i i bu expr essi on mat came
over hi s f ace.
' You' r e - you' r e f r omt he convent ?'
Yes. '
The one at Avi l a?'
' Yes, ' Ter esa sai d i mpat i ent l y. What was t he mat t er wi t h
t he man? Di dn' t he r eal i ze how i mpor t ant i t was t hat she be
r escued f r omt hose evi l men?
The sol di er sai d car ef ul l y, ' The Col onel i sn' t her e j ust
now. Si st er - '
I t was an unexpect ed bl ow. _
' - But Col onel Sost el o i s i n char ge. I can t ake you t of l
hi m. '
' Wi l l he be abl e t o hel p me?' a ' Oh, I ' msur e he wi l l . Fol l ow me, pl ease. '
The sent r y was scar cel y abl e t o bel i eve hi s good f or t une.
Col onel Fal Sost el o had sent squadr ons of sol di er s scour i ng
t he ent i r e count r ysi de sear chi ng f or t he f our nuns, and t hey
had had no success. Now one of t he si st er s had st umbl ed
i nt o t he camp and gi ven her sel f up t o hi m. The Col onel was
goi ng t o be pl eased. The Col onel was goi ng t o be ver y
pl eased.
They r eached t he t ent wher e Col onel Fal Sost el o and hi s
second i n command wer e por i ng over a map. The men l ooked
up as t he sent r y and a woman ent er ed.
' Excuse me. Col onel . Thi s i s Si st er Ter esa f r omt he
Ci st er ci an convent . '
Col onel Sost el o st ar ed at her , unbel i evi ngl y. Al l of hi s
ener gi es f or t he l ast t hr ee days had been f ocused on f i ndi ng
J ai me Mi r d and t he nuns, and now, her e i n f r ont of hi mwas
one of t hem. Ther e was a God.
' Si t down. Si st er . '
Ther e i s no t i me f or t hat . Si st er Ter esa t hought . She had
t o make hi mr eal i ze how ur gent t hi s was. ' We must hur r y.
They ar e t r yi ng t o t ake me back t o Eze. ' J
The Col onel was puzzl ed. ' Who' s t r yi ng t o t ake you back
t o Eze?'
The men of J ai me Mi r o. '
He got t o hi s f eet . ' Si st er - do you by any chance happen
t o know wher e t hese men ar e?'
Si st er Ter esa sai d i mpat i ent l y, ' Of cour se. ' She t ur ned and
poi nt ed. " They' r e up i n t hose hi l l s hi di ng f r omyou. '
Chapt er 18
' a
Al an Tucker ar r i ved i n Avi l a t he day af t er hi s conver sat i on
wi t h El l en Scot t . I t had been a l ong f l i ght , and Tucker shoul d
have been exhaust ed, but he was exhi l ar at ed. El l en Scot t
was not a woman gi ven t o whi ms. Ther e' s somet hi ng st r ange
goi ng on behi nd al l t hi s, Al an Tucker t hought , and i f 1 pl ay
my car ds r i ght , I have a hunch i t coul d be ver y pr of i t abl e f or
me.
He checked i nt o t he Cuat r o Post es Hot el and sai d t o t he
cl er k behi nd t he desk, ' I s t her e a newspaper of f i ce ar ound
her e?'
' Down t he st r eet , senor . To your l ef t , t wo bl ocks. You
can' t mi ss i t . '
Thank you. ' ' De nada. '
Wal ki ng down t he mai n st r eet , wat chi ng t he t own come
al i ve af t er i t s af t er noon si est a. Tucker t hought about t he
myst er i ous gi r l he had been sent t o br i ng back. Thi s had t o
be somet hi ng i mpor t ant . But i mpor t ant why7 He coul d hear
El l en Scot t ' s voi ce.
I f she' s al i ve, br i ng her back t o me. You ar e not t o di scuss
t hi s wi t h anyone.
No, ma' am. What shal l I t el l her ?
Si mpl y t el l her t hat a f r i end of her f at her ' s wi shes t o meet
her . She' l l come.
Tucker f ound t he newspaper of f i ce. I nsi de, he appr oached
one of t he hal f a dozen peopl e wor ki ng behi nd desks. - ' Per don. I woul d l i ke t o
see t he managi ng edi t or . ' ;
The man poi nt ed t o an of f i ce. ' I n t her e, senor . ' ' ,
' Gr aci as. '
Tucker wal ked over t o t he open door and l ooked i nsi de.
A man i n hi s mi d- t hi r t i es was seat ed behi nd a desk, busi l y
edi t i ng copy.
' Excuse me, ' Tucker sai d. ' Coul d I speak t o you f or a moment ?'
The man l ooked up. ' What can I do f or you?'
' I ' ml ooki ng f or a senor i t a. '
The edi t or smi l ed. ' Ar en' t we al l , senor T
' She was l ef t at a f ar mhouse ar ound her e when she was
an i nf ant . '
The smi l e f aded. ' Oh. She was abandoned?'
' Yes. '
' And you ar e t r yi ng t o f i nd her ?'
' Yes. '
' How many year s ago woul d t hat be, senor T
Twent y- ei ght . '
The young man shr ugged. ' I t was bef or e my t i me. '
Per haps i t ' s not goi ng t o be so easy. ' Woul d you happen
t o know anyt hi ng about t he woman or coul d you suggest
someone who mi ght be abl e t o hel p me?'
The edi t or l eaned back i n hi s chai r , t hi nki ng. ' As a mat t er
of f act , I can. I woul d suggest you speak wi t h Fat her
Ber r endo. '
Fat her Ber r endo sat i n hi s st udy, a r ug over hi s t hi n l egs,
l i st eni ng t o t he st r anger .
When Al an Tucker had f i ni shed t al ki ng. Fat her Ber r endo
sai d, ' Why do you wi sh t o know about t hi s mat t er , senor f I t
happened so l ong ago. What i s your i nt er est i n i t ?'
Tucker hesi t at ed, choosi ng hi s wor ds car ef ul l y. ' I amnot
at l i ber t y t o say. I can onl y assur e you t hat I mean t he woman
no har m. I f you coul d j ust t el l me wher e t he f ar mhouse i s
wher e she was l ef t ?'
The f ar mhouse. Memor i es came f l oodi ng back of t he day
t he Mor ases had come t o hi maf t er t hey had t aken t he l i t t l e
gi r l t o hospi t al .
t hi nk she' s dyi ng. Fat her . What shal l we do? j
Fat her Ber r endo had t al ked t o hi s f r i end, Don Mor ago,
t he chi ef of pol i ce.
' I t hi nk t he baby was abandoned by t our i st s vi si t i ng Avi l a.
Coul d you check t he hot el s and i nns and see i f anyone ar r i ved
wi t h a baby and l ef t wi t hout one?'
The pol i ce had gone t hr ough t he r egi st r at i on car ds t hat
al l hot el s wer e r equi r ed t o f i l l out , but t hey wer e of no
hel p.
' I t i s as i f t he baby j ust dr opped out of t he sky, ' Don
Mor ago sai d.
And he had no i dea of how cl ose he had come t o sol vi ng
t he myst er y.
When Fat her Ber r endo had t aken t he i nf ant t o t he or phanage,
Mer cedes Angel es had asked, ' Has t he baby got a
name?'
' I don' t know. '
' Wasn' t t her e a bl anket or somet hi ng wi t h t he name on
i t ?'
' No. '
Mer cedes Angel es l ooked at t he i nf ant i n t he pr i est ' s ar ms.
' Wel l , we' l l j ust have t o gi ve her a name, won' t we?'
She had r ecent l y f i ni shed r eadi ng a r omant i c novel , and
she l i ked t he name of t he her oi ne i n i t .
' Megan, ' she sai d. ' We' l l cal l her Megan. '
And f our t een year s l at er , Fat her Ber r endo had t aken
Megan t o t he Abbey Ci st er ci an, j
So many year s af t er t hat , t hi s st r anger was l ooki ng f or her . Li f e al ways comes
f ul l ci r cl e. Fat her Ber r endo t hought . I n some myst er i ous way, i t has come f ul l
ci r cl e f or Megan.
No, not Megan. That was t he name gi ven her by t he
or phanage.
' Si t down, senor , ' Fat her Ber r endo sai d. ' Ther e i s much
t o t el l you. '
And he t ol d hi m.
When t he pr i est had f i ni shed, Al an Tucker sat t her e
qui et l y, hi s mi nd r aci ng. Ther e had t o be a st r ong r eason f or
El l en Scot t ' s i nt er est i n a baby abandoned at a f ar mhouse
i n Spai n t went y- ei ght year s ear l i er . A woman now cal l ed
Megan, accor di ng t o t he pr i est .
Tel l her t hat a f r i end of her f at her ' s wi shes t o meet her .
I f he r emember ed cor r ect l y, Byr on Scot t and hi s wi f e and
daught er had di ed i n an ai r pl ane cr ash many year s ago
somewher e i n Spai n. Coul d t her e be a connect i on? Al an
Tucker f el t a gr owi ng sense of exci t ement .
' Fat her - I ' d l i ke t o get i nt o t he convent t o see her . I t ' s
ver y i mpor t ant . '
The pr i est shook hi s head. ' I ' maf r ai d you ar e t oo l at e.
The convent was at t acked t wo days ago by agent s of t he
gover nment . '
Al an Tucker st ar ed at hi m. ' At t acked? What happened t o
t he nuns?'
' They wer e ar r est ed and t aken t o Madr i d. '
Al an Tucker got t o hi s f eet . ' Thank you. Fat her . ' He
woul d cat ch t he f i r st pl ane t o Madr i d.
Fat her Ber r endo went on: ' Four of t he nuns escaped.
Si st er Megan was one of t hem. '
Thi ngs wer e becomi ng compl i cat ed. ' Wher e i s she now?'
' No one knows. The pol i ce and t he ar my ar e sear chi ng f or
her and t he ot her si st er s. '
' I see. ' Under or di nar y ci r cumst ances, Al an Tucker woul d
have t el ephoned El l en Scot t and i nf or med her t hat he had
r eached a dead end. But al l hi s i nst i nct s as a det ect i ve t ol d
hi mt hat t her e was somet hi ng her e t hat war r ant ed f ur t her
i nvest i gat i on.
He pl aced a cal l t o El l en Scot t .
' Ther e' s a compl i cat i on, Mr s Scot t . ' He r epeat ed hi s conver sat i on
wi t h t he pr i est .
Ther e was a l ong si l ence. ' No one knows wher e she i s?'
' She and t he ot her s ar e on t he r un, but t hey can' t hi de out
FR1; - . . . . . . . w anu nai r me Spani sh ar my ar e
l ooki ng f or t hem. When t hey sur f ace, I ' l l be t her e. '
Anot her si l ence. ' Thi s i s ver y i mpor t ant t o me, Tucker . '
' Yes, Mr s Scot t . '
Al an Tucker r et ur ned t o t he newspaper of f i ce. He was i n
l uck. I t was st i l l open.
He sai d t o t he edi t or , ' I woul d l i ke t o l ook t hr ough your
f i l es, i f I may. '
' Ar e you l ooki ng f or somet hi ng i n par t i cul ar ?'
' Yes. Ther e was an ai r pl ane cr ash her e. '
' How l ong ago, senor T
I f I ' mr i ght - ' Twent y- ei ght year s ago. Ni net een f or t y-
ei ght . '
I t t ook Al an Tucker f i f t een mi nut es t o f i nd t he i t emhe
was l ooki ng f or . The headl i ne l eaped out at hi m.
PLANE CRASH KI LLS EXECUTI VE FAMI LY
1 Oct ober 1948. Byr on Scot t , Pr esi dent of Scot t
I ndust r i es, hi s wi f e, Susan, and t hei r one- year - ol d
daught er , Pat r i ci a, wer e bur ned t o deat h i n an ai r pl ane
cr ash . . .
I ' ve hi t t he j ackpot ! He coul d f eel hi s pul se begi n t o r ace.
t hi s i s what I t hi nk i t i s, I ' mgoi ng t o be a r i ch man . . . a ver y r i ch man.
Chapt er 19
She was naked i n her bed, and she coul d f eel t he mal e
har dness of Beni t o Pat as pr essi ng i nt o her gr oi n. Hi s body
f el t wonder f ul , and she moved cl oser t o hi m, gr i ndi ng her
hi ps agai nst hi m, f eel i ng t he heat gr owi ng i n her l oi ns. She
st ar t ed t o st r oke hi m, t o exci t e hi m. But somet hi ng was
wr ong. ki l l ed Pat as, she t hought . He' s dead.
Luci a opened her eyes and sat up, t r embl i ng, l ooki ng
ar ound wi l dl y. Beni t o was not t her e. She was i n t he f or est ,
i n a sl eepi ng- bag. Somet hi ng was pr essi ng agai nst her t hi gh.
Luci a r eached down i nsi de t he sl eepi ng- bag and pul l ed out
t he canvas- wr apped cr oss. She st ar ed at i t , unbel i evi ngl y. God has j ust
per f or med a mi r acl e f or me, Luci a t hought .
She had no i dea how t he cr oss had got t her e, nor di d she
car e. She had i t i n her hands at l ast . Al l she had t o do now
was t o sl i p away f r omt he ot her s.
She cr ept out of t he sl eepi ng- bag and l ooked over t o wher e
Si st er Ter esa had sl ept . She was gone. Luci a l ooked ar ound
i n t he dar kness, and she coul d bar el y make out t he f i gur e of
Tomas Sanj ur o at t he edge of t he cl ear i ng, f aci ng away f r om
her . She was not sur e wher e Rubi o was. I t doesn' t mat t er .
I t ' s t i me t o get out of her e, Luci a t hought .
She st ar t ed t o move t o t he edge of t he cl ear i ng, away f r om
Sanj ur o, bendi ng l ow so she woul d not be seen.
At t hat i nst ant al l hel l br oke l oose.
s. . . . . > . vcx- i J vYni i ui onei Kamon Acoca t o hel p capt ur e
J ai me Mi r o and t he nuns. But f at e had bl essed hi mby
del i ver i ng one of t he nuns i nt o hi s hands. Why shar e t he
cr edi t wi t h Col onel Acoca when he coul d cat ch t he t er r or i st s
and keep al l t he gl or y? Fuck Col onel Acoca, Fal Sost el o
t hought . Thi s one i s mi ne. Maybe t he OPUS MUNDO wi l l
use me i nst ead of Acoca, wi t h al l hi s bul l shi t about chess
games and get t i ng i nt o t he mi nds of peopl e. No, i t ' s t i me t o
t each t he scar r ed gi ant a l esson.
Col onel Sost el o gave speci f i c or der s t o hi s men.
' Don' t t ake any pr i soner s. You' r e deal i ng wi t h t er r or i st s.
Shoot t o ki l l . '
Maj or Pont e hesi t at ed. ' Col onel , t her e ar e nuns up t her e
wi t h Mi r d' s men. Shoul dn' t we ?'
' Let t he t er r or i st s hi de behi nd t he nuns? No. We' l l t ake
no chances. '
Fal Sost el o sel ect ed a dozen men t o accompany hi mon
t he r ai d and he saw t o i t t hat t hey wer e heavi l y ar med. They
moved noi sel essl y i n t he dar k, up t he sl ope of t he mount ai n.
The moon had di sappear ed behi nd cl ouds. Ther e was
al most no vi si bi l i t y. Good. They won' t be abl e t o see us
comi ng.
When hi s men wer e i n posi t i on. Col onel Sost el o shout ed,
f or t he sake of t he r ecor d, ' Put down your ar ms. You' r e
sur r ounded. ' And i n t he same br eat h he cal l ed out t he
command, ' Fi r e! Keep f i r i ng! '
A dozen aut omat i c weapons began spr ayi ng t he cl ear i ng.
Tomas Sanj ur o never had a chance. A hai l of machi ne gun
bul l et s caught hi mi n t he chest and he was dead bef or e he
hi t t he gr ound. Rubi o Ar zano was at t he f ar edge of t he
cl ear i ng when t he f i r i ng st ar t ed. He saw Sanj ur o f al l , and he
whi r l ed and st ar t ed t o r ai se hi s gun t o r et ur n t he f i r e but
st opped. I t was pi t ch bl ack i n t he cl ear i ng and t he sol di er s
wer e f i r i ng bl i ndl y. I f he r et ur ned t hei r f i r e, he woul d gi ve
hi s posi t i on away. f
To hi s amazement , he saw Luci a cr ouched t wo f eet away
f r omhi m.
' Wher e' s Si st er Ter esa?' he whi sper ed.
' She' s - she' s gone. '
St ay l ow, ' Rubi o t ol d her .
He gr abbed Luci a' s hand and zi gzagged t owar ds t he f or est ,
away f r omt he enemy f i r e. Shot s whi zzed danger ousl y cl ose
as t hey r an, but moment s l at er , Luci a and Rubi o wer e among
t he t r ees. They cont i nued r unni ng.
' Hol d on t o me, Si st er , ' he sai d.
They hear d t he sound of t hei r at t acker s behi nd t hem, but
gr adual l y i t di ed away. I t was i mpossi bl e t o pur sue anyone
t hr ough t he i nky bl ackness of t he woods.
Rubi o st opped t o l et Luci a cat ch her br eat h.
' We' ve l ost t hemf or now, ' Rubi o t ol d her . ' But we have
t o keep movi ng. '
Luci a was br eat hi ng har d.
' I f you want t o r est f or a mi nut e ?'
' No, ' she sai d. She was exhaust ed, but she had no i nt ent i on
of l et t i ng t hemcat ch her . Not now when she had t he cr oss.
' I ' mf i ne, ' she sai d. ' Let ' s get out of her e. '
Col onel Fal Sost el o was f aci ng di sast er . One t er r or i st dead,
but God al one knew how many had escaped. He di d not
have J ai me Mi r o and he had onl y one of t he nuns. He
knew he woul d have t o i nf or mCol onel Acoca of what had
happened. He was not l ooki ng f or war d t o i t .
The second cal l f r omAl an Tucker t o El l en Scot t was even
mor e di st ur bi ng t han t he pr evi ous cal l .
' I ' ve come acr oss some r at her i nt er est i ng i nf or mat i on, Mr s
Scot t , ' he sai d caut i ousl y.
' Yes?'
' I went t hr ough some ol d newspaper f i l es her e, hopi ng t o
get mor e i nf or mat i on on t he gi r l . '
' And?' She br aced her sel f f or what she knew was comi ng.
Tucker kept hi s voi ce casual . ' I t seems t hat t he gi r l was
abandoned about t he t i me of your pl ane cr ash. '
Si l ence.
1 i c wci n on: i ne one t hat ki l l ed your br ot her - i n- l aw and
hi s wi f e and t hei r daught er , Pat r i ci a. '
Bl ackmai l . Ther e was no ot her expl anat i on. So he had
f ound out .
That ' s r i ght , ' El l en Scot t sai d casual l y. ' I shoul d have
ment i oned t hat . I ' l l expl ai n ever yt hi ng when you get back.
Have you any mor e news of t he gi r l ?'
' No, but she can' t hi de out f or ver y l ong. The whol e
count r y' s l ooki ng f or her . '
' Let me hear f r omyou as soon as she' s f ound. '
The l i ne went dead.
Al an Tucker sat t her e, st ar i ng at t he dead t el ephone i n
hi s hand. She' s a cool l ady, he t hought admi r i ngl y. wonder
how she' s goi ng t o f eel about havi ng a par t ner ?
I made a mi st ake i n sendi ng hi m, El l en Scot t t hought . Now
I ' l l have t o st op hi m. And what was she goi ng t o do about
t he gi r l ? A nun! I won' t j udge her unt i l I see her . Her secr et ar y buzzed her on
t he i nt er com.
' They' r e r eady f or you i n t he boar d r oom, Mr s Scot t . ' ' St ' I ' mcomi ng. ' 48
Luci a and Rubi o Ar zano kept movi ng t hr ough t he woods,
st umbl i ng and sl i ppi ng, at t acked by t r ee l i mbs and bushes
and i nsect s, but each st ep t ook t hemf ar t her away f r omt hei r
pur suer s.
Fi nal l y, Rubi o Ar zano sai d, ' We can st op her e. They won' t
f i nd us. '
They wer e hi gh i n t he mount ai ns i n t he mi ddl e of a dense
f or est .
Luci a l ay down on t he gr ound, f i ght i ng t o cat ch her br eat h.
I n her mi nd, she r epl ayed t he t er r i bl e scene she had wi t nessed
ear l i er . Tomas shot down wi t hout war ni ng. And t he
bast ar ds i nt ended t o mur der us al l , Luci a t hought . The onl y
r eason she was st i l l al i ve was because of t he man si t t i ng
besi de her .
Luci a wat ched Rubi o as he got t o hi s f eet and scout ed t he
ar ea ar ound t hem.
' We can spend t he r est of t he ni ght her e, Si st er . '
' Al l r i ght . ' She was i mpat i ent t o get movi ng, but she knew
she needed t o r est .
As t hough r eadi ng her mi nd, Rubi o Ar zano sai d, ' We' l l
move on agai n at dawn. '
Luci a f el t a gnawi ng i n her st omach. Even as she was
t hi nki ng about i t , Rubi o Ar zano sai d, ' You must be hungr y.
I ' l l go and f i nd some f ood f or us. Wi l l you be al l r i ght her e
by your sel f ?'
' Yes. I ' l l be f i ne. '
The bi g man cr ouched down besi de her .
' Pl ease t r y not t o be f r i ght ened. I know how di f f i cul t i t
must be f or you t o be out i n t he wor l d agai n af t er al l t hose
year s i n t he convent . Ever yt hi ng must seemver y st r ange t o
you. '
Luci a l ooked up at hi mand sai d t onel essl y, ' I ' l l t r y t o get
used t o i t . '
' You' r e ver y br ave, Si st er . ' Rubi o r ose. ' I ' l l be back
soon. '
She wat ched Rubi o di sappear i nt o t he t r ees. I t was t i me
t o make a deci si on, and she had t wo choi ces: she coul d
escape now, t r y t o r each a near by t own and t r ade t he gol d
cr oss f or a passpor t and enough money t o get t o Swi t zer l and,
or she coul d st ay wi t h t hi s man unt i l t hey got f ar t her away
f r omt he sol di er s. That wi l l be saf er , Luci a deci ded.
Luci a hear d a noi se i n t he woods and swung ar ound. I t
was Rubi o Ar zano. He moved t owar ds her , smi l i ng. I n hi s
hand he hel d hi s ber et , bul gi ng wi t h t omat oes, gr apes and
appl es.
He sat down on t he gr ound next t o her . ' Supper . A ni ce,
pl ump poul et was avai l abl e but t he f i r e we woul d have
needed t o cook i t woul d have gi ven us away. '
Luci a st ar ed at t he cont ent s of t he ber et . ' I t l ooks l i ke
manna f r omheaven. I ' mst ar vi ng. '
They had f i ni shed eat i ng and wer e si t t i ng agai nst a t r ee.
Rubi o Ar zano was t al ki ng, but Luci a was payi ng no at t ent i on,
absor bed i n her own t hought s.
Ten year s, you sai d you wer e i n t he convent . Si st er ?'
Luci a was st ar t l ed out of her r ever i e. ' What ?'
' You' ve been i n t he convent f or t en year s?'
' Oh. Yes. '
He shook hi s head. " Then you have no i dea what ' s been
happeni ng i n al l t hat t i me. '
' Uh- no. '
' I n t he l ast t en year s t he wor l d has changed a gr eat deal ,
Si st er . '
' Has i t ?'
' 5; . ' Rubi o sai d ear nest l y, ' Fr anco has di ed. '
No! '
' Oh, yes. Last year . '
And named Don J uan Car l os, hi s hei r .
' You may f i nd t hi s ver y har d t o bel i eve, but a man has
wal ked on t he moon. That i s t he t r ut h. '
' Real l y?' Act ual l y, t wo men, Luci a t hought . What wer e
t hei r names? Nei l Ar mst r ong and Buzz Somet hi ng.
' Oh, yes. Nor t h Amer i cans. And t her e i s now a pl ane f or
passenger s t hat t r avel s f ast er t han sound. '
' I ncr edi bl e. ' can' t wai t t o t r avel i n Concor de, Luci a
t hought .
Rubi o was chi l dl i ke, so pl eased t o be br i ngi ng her up t o
dat e on wor l d event s.
' Ther e has been a r evol ut i on i n Por t ugal , and i n t he Uni t ed
St at es of Amer i ca, t hei r Pr esi dent Ni xon was i nvol ved i n a
bi g scandal and had t o r esi gn. '
Rubi o i s r eal l y sweet , Luci a deci ded.
He t ook out a pack of Ducados ci gar et t es, t he heavy bl ack
t obacco of Spai n. ' I hope i t won' t of f end you i f I smoke,
Si st er ?'
' No, ' Luci a sai d. ' Pl ease go ahead. '
She wat ched hi ml i ght up, and t he moment t he smoke
r eached her nost r i l s she was desper at e t o have a ci gar et t e.
' Do you mi nd i f I t r y one?'
He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. ' You wi sh t o t r y a ci gar et t e?'
' J ust t o see what i t ' s l i ke. ' Luci a sai d qui ckl y.
' Oh. Of cour se. '
He hel d t he pack t owar ds her . She t ook out a ci gar et t e,
put i t bet ween her l i ps and he l i t t he end of i t f or her . Luci a
i nhal ed deepl y, and as t he smoke f i l l ed her l ungs, she f el t
wonder f ul .
Rubi o was wat chi ng her , puzzl ed.
Luci a coughed. ' So t hat ' s what a ci gar et t e t ast es l i ke. '
' Do you l i ke i t ?'
' Not r eal l y, but '
She t ook anot her deep, sat i sf yi ng puf f . God, how she had
mi ssed t hi s. But she knew she had t o be car ef ul . She di d not
want t o make hi msuspi ci ous. She put out t he ci gar et t e she
had hel d cl umsi l y i n her f i nger s. She had been i n t he convent
f or onl y a f ew mont hs, and yet Rubi o was r i ght . I t di d seem
st r ange t o be out i n t he wor l d agai n. She wonder ed how
Megan and Gr aci el a wer e doi ng. And what had happened
t o Si st er Ter esa? Had she been capt ur ed by t he sol di er s?
Luci a' s eyes wer e begi nni ng t o st i ng. I t had been a l ong,
t ensi on- f i l l ed ni ght . ' I t hi nk I may t ake a l i t t l e nap. '
' Don' t wor r y. I wi l l wat ch over you. Si st er . '
' Thank you, ' she smi l ed. Wi t hi n moment s, she was asl eep.
Rubi o Ar zano l ooked down at her and t hought : have
never seen a woman l i ke t hi s one. She was so spi r i t ual t hat
she had dedi cat ed her l i f e t o God, and yet at t he same t i me
t her e was an ear t hi ness about her . And she had behaved t hi s
ni ght as br avel y as any man. You ar e a ver y speci al woman, Rubi o Ar zano t hought
as he wat ched her sl eep. Li t t l e si st er
of J esus.
Chapt er 20
Col onel Fal Sost el o was on hi s t ent h ci gar et t e. can' t put i t
of f any l onger , he deci ded. Bad news i s best got out of t he
way qui ckl y.
He t ook sever al deep br eat hs t o cal mhi msel f and t hen
he di al l ed a number . When he had Ram6n Acoca on t he
t el ephone, he sai d, ' Col onel , we r ai ded a t er r or i st camp l ast
ni ght , wher e I was i nf or med J ai me Mi r o was, and I t hought
you shoul d know about i t . '
Ther e was a danger ous si l ence.
' Di d you cat ch hi m?'
' No. '
' You under t ook t hi s oper at i on wi t hout consul t i ng
me?'
' Ther e was no t i me t o '
' But t her e was t i me t o l et Mi r o escape. ' Ram6n Acoca' s
voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h f ur y. ' What l ed you t o under t ake t hi s
magni f i cent l y execut ed oper at i on?'
Col onel Sost el o swal l owed. ' We caught one of t he nuns
f r omt he convent . She l ed us t o Mi r o and hi s men. We ki l l ed
one of t hemi n t he at t ack. '
' But t he ot her s al l escaped?'
' Yes, Col onel . '
' Wher e i s t he nun now? Or di d you l et her get away, t oo?' :
Hi s t one was scat hi ng.
' No, Col onel , ' Sost el o sai d qui ckl y. ' She i s her e at t he
camp. We have been quest i oni ng her and - '
' Don' t . I ' l l quest i on her mysel f . I ' l l be t her e i n one hour .
See i f you can manage t o hang on t o her unt i l I get t her e. '
He sl ammed down t he r ecei ver .
Exact l y one hour l at er . Col onel Ram6n Acoca ar r i ved at t he
camp wher e t hey wer e hol di ng Si st er Ter esa. Wi t h hi mwer e
a dozen of hi s men f r omt he GOE.
' Br i ng t he nun t o me, ' Col onel Acoca or der ed.
Si st er Ter esa was br ought t o t he headquar t er s t ent wher e
Col onel Acoca was wai t i ng f or her . He st ood up pol i t el y
when she ent er ed t he t ent and smi l ed.
' I amCol onel Acoca. '
At l ast ! ' I knew you woul d come. God t ol d me. '
He nodded pl easant l y. ' Di d he? Good. Pl ease si t down,
Si st er . '
Si st er Ter esa was t oo ner vous t o si t . ' You must hel p me. '
' We' r e goi ng t o hel p each ot her , ' t he Col onel assur ed her .
' You escaped f r omt he Abbey Ci st er ci an at Avi l a, i s t hat
cor r ect ?'
' Yes. I t was t er r i bl e. Al l t hose men. They di d godl ess
t hi ngs and '
And st upi d t hi ngs. We l et you and t he ot her s escape. ' How
di d you get her e. Si st er ?'
' God br ought me her e. He' s t est i ng me as He once
t est ed '
Col onel Acoca sai d pat i ent l y, ' As wel l as God, di d some
men al so br i ng you her e. Si st er ?'
' Yes. They ki dnapped me. I had t o escape f r omt hem. '
' You t ol d Col onel Sost el o wher e he coul d f i nd t hose men?'
' Yes. The evi l ones. Raoul i s behi nd i t al l , you see. He
sent me a l et t er and sai d '
' Si st er , t he man we' r e l ooki ng f or i n par t i cul ar i s J ai me
Mi r o. Have you seen hi m?'
She shi ver ed. ' Yes. Oh, yes. He '
The Col onel l eaned f or war d. ' Excel l ent . Now you must
t el l me wher e I can f i nd hi m. '
' He and t he ot her s ar e on t hei r way t o Eze. '
He f r owned, puzzl ed. ' To Eze? To Fr ance?'
Her wor ds wer e a wi l d babbl e. ' Yes. Moni que deser t ed
Raoul , and he sent t he men t o ki dnap me because of t he
baby so '
He t r i ed t o cont r ol hi s gr owi ng i mpat i ence. ' Mi r 6 and hi s
men ar e headed nor t h. Eze i s t o t he east . '
' - You must not l et t hemt ake me back t o Raoul . I don' t
want t o see hi mever agai n. You can under st and t hat . I
coul dn' t f ace hi m'
Col onel Acoca sai d cur t l y, ' I don' t gi ve a damn about t hi s
Raoul . I want t o know wher e I can f i nd J ai me Mi r 6. '
' I t ol d you. He i s i n Eze wai t i ng f or me. He want s t o - '
' You' r e l yi ng. I t hi nk you' r e t r yi ng t o pr ot ect Mi r 6. Now
I don' t want t o hur t you, so I ' mgoi ng t o ask you once mor e.
Wher e i s J ai me Mi r 6?'
Si st er Ter esa st ar ed at hi mhel pl essl y. ' I don' t know, ' she
whi sper ed. She l ooked ar ound wi l dl y. ' I don' t know. '
' A moment ago you sai d he was i n Eze. ' Hi s voi ce was
l i ke a whi pl ash.
' Yes. God t ol d me. '
Col onel Acoca had had enough. The woman was ei t her
dement ed or a br i l l i ant act r ess. Ei t her way, she si ckened
hi mwi t h al l her t al k of God.
He t ur ned t o Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a, hi s l i eut enant . " The si st er ' s
memor y needs pr oddi ng. Take her t o t he quar t er mast er ' s
t ent . Per haps you and your men can hel p her r emember
wher e J ai me Mi r 6 i s. '
' Yes, Col onel . '
Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a and t he men wi t h hi mhad been par t of
t he gr oup t hat had at t acked t he convent at Avi l a. They f el t
r esponsi bl e f or l et t i ng t he f our nuns escape. Wel l , we can
make up f or t hat now, Ar r i et a t hought .
Ar r i et a t ur ned t o Si st er Ter esa. ' Come al ong wi t h me,
Si st er - '
' Yes. ' Dear bl essed J esus, t hank You. Shebabbl ed on.
' Ar e we l eavi ng now? You won' t l et t hemt ake me t o Eze,
wi l l you?' S
' No, ' Ar r i et a assur ed her . ' You' r e not goi ng t o Eze. ' The Col onel i s r i ght , he
t hought . She i s pl ayi ng games wi t h
204
us. Wel l , we' l l show her some new games. I wonder i f she' l l
l i e qui et l y, or i f she' l l scr eam?
When t hey r eached t he quar t er mast er ' s t ent , Ar r i et a sai d,
' Si st er , we' ve goi ng t o gi ve you one l ast chance. Wher e i s
J ai me Mi r 6?'
Haven' t t hey asked me t hat bef or e? Or was t hat someone
el se? Was i t her e or - i t ' s al l t er r i bl y conf usi ng. ' He ki dnapped
me f or Raoul because Moni que deser t ed hi mand he
t hought - '
' Bueno. I f t hat ' s t he way you want i t , ' Ar r i et a sai d, ' we' l l
see i f we can' t r ef r esh your memor y f or you. '
' Yes. Pl ease. Ever yt hi ng i s so puzzl i ng. '
Hal f a dozen of Acoca' s men had ent er ed t he t ent , al ong
wi t h some of Sost el o' s uni f or med sol di er s.
Si st er Ter esa l ooked up. She bl i nked dazedl y. ' Ar e t hese
men goi ng t o t ake me t o t he convent now?'
' They' r e goi ng t o do bet t er t han t hat , ' Pat r i ci o Ar r i et a
gr i nned. ' They' r e goi ng t o t ake you t o heaven. Si st er . '
The men moved cl oser t o her , sur r oundi ng her .
' That ' s a pr et t y dr ess you' r e wear i ng, ' a sol di er sai d. ' Ar e
you sur e you' r e a nun, dar l i ng?'
' Oh, yes, ' she sai d. Raoul had cal l ed her dar l i ng. Was t hi s
Raoul ? ' You see, we had t o change cl ot hes t o escape f r omt he
sol di er s. ' But t hese wer e sol di er s. Ever yt hi ng was muddl ed.
One of t he men pushed Ter esa down on t he cot . ' You' r e
no beaut y, but l et ' s see what you l ook l i ke under neat h al l
t hose cl ot hes. '
' What ar e you doi ng?'
He r eached down and r i pped of f t he t op of her dr ess whi l e
anot her man t or e at her ski r t .
' That ' s not a bad body f or an ol d l ady, i s i t , f el l ows?'
Ter esa scr eamed.
She l ooked up at t he ci r cl e of men sur r oundi ng her . God
wi l l st r i ke t hemal l dead. He wi l l not l et t hemt ouch me, f or I
amHi s vessel . 1 amone wi t h t he Lor d, dr i nki ng f r omHi s
f ount ai n of pur i t y.
One of t he sol di er s unf ast ened hi s bel t . An i nst ant l at er
she f el t r ough hands pushi ng her l egs apar t , and as t he sol di er
spr awl ed on t op of her , she f el t hi s har d f l esh penet r at e her
and agai n she scr eamed.
' Now, God! Puni sh t hemnow. '
She wai t ed f or t he cl ap of t hunder , t he br i ght f l ash of
l i ght ni ng t hat woul d dest r oy t hemal l .
Not hi ng happened.
Anot her sol di er cl i mbed on t op of her . A r ed haze came
over her eyes. Ter esa l ay t her e wai t i ng f or God t o st r i ke
al most unawar e of t he men who wer e r avagi ng her . She no
l onger f el t t he pai n.
Li eut enant Ar r i et a was st andi ng next t o t he cot . Af t er
each man f i ni shed wi t h Ter esa, he sai d, ' Have you had
enough. Si st er ? You can st op t hi s at any t i me. Al l you have
t o do i s t el l me wher e J ai me Mi r o i s. '
Si st er Ter esa di d not hear hi m. She scr eamed i n her
mi nd: Smi t e t hemdown wi t h Your power , Lor d. Wi pe t hem
out as You wi ped out t he ot her wi cked ones at Sodomand
Gomor r ah.
I ncr edi bl y, He di d not answer . I t was not possi bl e, f or
God was ever ywher e. And t hen she knew. As t he si xt h man
ent er ed her body, t he epi phany suddenl y came t o her .
God was not l i st eni ng t o her because t her e was no God.
Al l t hese year s she had decei ved her sel f i nt o wor shi ppi ng a
Supr eme power and had ser ved Hi mf ai t hf ul l y. But t her e
was no Supr eme Power . God exi st s. He woul d have saved
me.
The r ed haze l i f t ed f r omSi st er Ter esa' s eyes and she got
a cl ear l ook at her sur r oundi ngs f or t he f i r st t i me. Ther e
wer e at l east a dozen sol di er s i n t he t ent wai t i ng t hei r t ur n
t o r ape her . Li eut enant Ar r i et a was st andi ng at one si de of
t he bed wat chi ng. The sol di er s i n l i ne wer e i n f ul l uni f or m,
not bot her i ng t o undr ess.
As one sol di er l i f t ed hi msel f f r omTer esa, t he next sol di er
opened hi s f l y and t ook out hi s peni s. He squat t ed down
over her and a moment l at er penet r at ed her .
Ther e i s no God, but t her e i s a Sat an, and t hese ar e hi s
hel per s. Si st er Ter esa t hought . And t hey must di e. Al l of
t hem.
As t he sol di er pl unged i nt o her . Si st er Ter esa gr abbed t he
pi st ol f r omhi s hol st er and bef or e anyone coul d r eact , she
t ur ned t he pi st ol on Ar r i et a. The bul l et hi t hi mi n t he t hr oat .
Si st er Ter esa poi nt ed t he gun at t he ot her sol di er s and
kept f i r i ng. Four of t hemf el l t o t he f l oor dead bef or e t he
ot her s came t o t hei r senses and began shoot i ng at her .
Because of t he sol di er on t op of her , t hey had di f f i cul t y
ai mi ng.
Si st er Ter esa and her l ast r avi sher di ed at t he same
moment .
J ai me Mi r d came awake i nst ant l y, ar oused by a movement
at t he edge of t he cl ear i ng. He sl i pped out of t he sl eepi ng- bag
and r ose, gun i n hand. He saw Megan on her knees, pr ayi ng.
He st ood t her e, st udyi ng her . Ther e was an unear t hl y beaut y
about t he i mage of t hi s l ovel y woman pr ayi ng i n t he f or est
i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght , and J ai me f ound hi msel f r esent i ng
i t . I f Fel i x Car pi o hadn' t bl ur t ed out t hat we wer e headed f or
San Sebast i an, I woul dn' t have been bur dened wi t h t he si st er
i n t he f i r st pl ace.
I t was i mper at i ve t hat he get t o San Sebast i an as qui ckl y
as possi bl e. Col onel Acoca and hi s men and t he ar my wer e
al l ar ound t hem, and i t woul d have been di f f i cul t enough
sl i ppi ng t hr ough t hei r net al one. Wi t h t he added bur den of
t hi s woman t o sl ow hi mdown, t he danger was i ncr eased
t enf ol d.
He wal ked over t o Megan, angr y, and hi s voi ce was har sher
t han he had i nt ended.
' I t ol d you t o get some sl eep. I don' t want you sl owi ng us
down t omor r ow. '
Megan l ooked up and sai d qui et l y, ' I ' msor r y i f I ' ve
anger ed you. '
' Si st er , I save my anger f or mor e i mpor t ant t hi ngs. Your
ki nd j ust bor e me. You spend your l i ves hi di ng behi nd st one
wal l s wai t i ng f or a f r ee t r i p t o t he next wor l d. You make me
si ck, al l of you. '
' Because we bel i eve i n t he next wor l d?'
' No, Si st er . Because you don' t bel i eve i n t hi s one. You
r an away f r omi t . '
To pr ay f or you. We spend our l i ves pr ayi ng f or you. '
And you t hi nk t hat wi l l sol ve t he pr obl ems of t he wor l d?'
' I n t i me, yes. '
' Ther e i s no t i me. Your God can' t hear your pr ayer s
because of t he noi se of t he cannons and t he scr eams of
chi l dr en bei ng t or n apar t by bombs. '
' When you have f ai t h '
' Oh, I have l ot s of f ai t h, Si st er . I have f ai t h i n what I ' m
f i ght i ng f or . I have f ai t h i n my men, and i n my guns. What
I don' t have f ai t h i n ar e peopl e who wal k on wat er . I f you
t hi nk your God i s l i st eni ng now, t el l hi mt o get us t o t he
convent at Mendavi a so I can be r i d of you. '
He was angr y wi t h hi msel f f or l osi ng hi s t emper . I t wasn' t
her f aul t t hat t he chur ch had st ood i dl y by whi l e Fr anco' s
Fal angi st s t or t ur ed and r aped and mur der ed Basques and
Cat al ans. I t wasn' t her f aul t , J ai me t ol d hi msel f , t hat my
f ami l y was among t he vi ct i ms.
J ai me had been a young boy t hen, but i t was a memor y
t hat woul d be et ched f or ever i n hi s br ai n . . .
He had been awakened i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght by t he
noi se of bombs f al l i ng. They f el l f r omt he sky l i ke deadl y
f l ower s of sound pl ant i ng t hei r seeds of dest r uct i on ever ywher e.
' Get up, J ai me. Hur r y! '
The f ear i n hi s f at her ' s voi ce was mor e f r i ght eni ng t o t he
boy t han t he t er r i bl e r oar of t he aer i al bombar dment .
Guer ni ca was a st r onghol d of t he Basques and Gener al
Fr anco had deci ded t o make i t an obj ect l esson.
' Dest r oy i t . '
The dr eaded Nazi Condor Legi on and hal f a dozen I t al i an
pl anes had mount ed a concent r at ed at t ack, and t hey showed
no mer cy. The t ownspeopl e t r i ed t o f l ee f r omt he r ai n
of deat h pour i ng down f r omt he ski es, but t her e was no
escape.
J ai me, hi s mot her and f at her and t wo ol der si st er s f l ed
wi t h t he ot her s.
He was r i ght . Ever yone knew t hat t he chur ch was on t he
si de of t he Caudi l l o, t ur ni ng a bl i nd eye t o t he savage
t r eat ment of hi s enemi es.
The Mi r o f ami l y headed f or t he chur ch, f i ght i ng t hei r way
t hr ough t he pani cky cr owds t r yi ng t o f l ee.
The young boy hel d hi s f at her ' s hand i n a f i er ce gr i p
and t r i ed not t o hear t he t er r i bl e noi ses ar ound hi m. He
r emember ed a t i me when hi s f at her was not f r i ght ened, was
not r unni ng away.
' Ar e we goi ng t o have a war . Papa?'
' No, J ai me. That ' s J ust newspaper t al k. Al l we' r e aski ng
i s t hat t he gover nment gi ve us a r easonabl e amount of
i ndependence. The Basques and t he Cat al ans ar e ent i t l ed t o
have t hei r own l anguage and f l ag and hol i days. We' r e st i l l one
nat i on. And Spani ar ds wi l l never f i ght agai nst Spani ar ds. '
J ai me was t oo young t hen t o under st and i t , but of cour se
i t was mor e t han t he i ssue of t he Cat al ans and Basques t hat
was at st ake. I t was a deep i deol ogi cal conf l i ct bet ween t he
Republ i can gover nment and t he r i ght - wi ng Nat i onal i st s, and
what st ar t ed out as a spar k of di ssensi on qui ckl y became an
uncont r ol l abl e conf l agr at i on t hat dr ew i n a dozen f or ei gn
power s.
When Fr anco' s super i or f or ces had def eat ed t he Republ i cans
and t he Nat i onal i st s wer e f i r ml y i n cont r ol of Spai n,
Fr anco t ur ned hi s at t ent i on t o t he i nt r ansi gent Basques.
' Puni sh t hem. '
And t he bl ood cont i nued t o f l ow.
A har d cor e of Basque l eader s had f or med ETA, a movement
f or a Basque Fr ee St at e, and J ai me' s f at her was asked
t o j oi n.
' No. I t i s wr ong. We must gai n what i s r i ght f ul l y our s by
peacef ul means. War accompl i shes not hi ng. '
But t he hawks pr oved st r onger t han t he doves, and ETA
qui ckl y became a pr i me t ar get .
J ai me had f r i ends whose f at her s wer e member s of ETA,
and he l i st ened t o t he st or i es of t hei r her oi c expl oi t s. ;
210
. , - - - . . . . . . . . uo uumucu me neaa-
quar t er s of t he guar di a ci vi l , ' t hey woul d say.
Or , ' Di d you hear about t he bank r obber y i n Bar cel ona?
My f at her di d t hat . Now t hey can buy weapons t o f i ght t he
f asci st s. '
And J ai me' s f at her was sayi ng, ' Vi ol ence i s wr ong. We
must negot i at e. '
' We bl ew up one of t hei r f act or i es i n Madr i d. Why i sn' t
your f at her on our si de? I s he a cowar d?'
' Don' t l i st en t o your f r i ends, J ai me, ' hi s f at her t ol d hi m.
' What t hey ar e doi ng i s cr i mi nal . '
' Fr anco or der ed a dozen Basques execut ed wi t hout even
a t r i al . We' r e st agi ng a nat i onwi de st r i ke. I s your f at her
goi ng t o j oi n us?'
Papa ?'
' We ar e al l Spani ar ds, J ai me. We must not l et anyone
di vi de us. '
And t he boy was t or n. Ar e my f r i ends r i ght ? I s my f at her
a cowar d? J ai me bel i eved hi s f at her .
And now - ar mageddon. The wor l d was col l apsi ng ar ound
hi m. The st r eet s of Guer ni ca wer e cr owded wi t h a scr eami ng
mob t r yi ng t o escape f r omt he f al l i ng bombs. Al l ar ound
t hembui l di ngs and st at ues and pavement s wer e expl odi ng
i n shower s of concr et e and bl ood.
J ai me and hi s mot her and f at her and si st er s had r eached
t he l ar ge chur ch, t he onl y bui l di ng i n t he squar e st i l l st andi ng.
A dozen peopl e wer e poundi ng at t he door .
' Let us i n! I n t he name of J esus, open up! '
' What ' s goi ng on?' cr i ed J ai me' s f at her .
" The pr i est s have l ocked t he chur ch. They won' t l et us i n. '
' Let ' s br eak t he door i n! '
No! '
J ai me l ooked at hi s f at her i n sur pr i se.
' We don' t br eak i nt o God' s house, ' hi s f at her sai d. ' He
wi l l pr ot ect us wher ever we ar e. '
Too l at e, t hey saw t he squad of Fal angi st s t hat appear ed
f r omar ound t he cor ner and opened machi ne- gun f i r e on
t hem, mowi ng down t he unar med cr owd of men, women
211
ai i u Li ni ur en i n me squar e. Even as J ai me' s f at her f el t t he
bul l et s t ear i ng i nt o hi m, he gr abbed hi s son and pushed hi m
down t o saf et y, hi s own body shi el di ng J ai me f r omt he deadl y
hai l of bul l et s.
An eer i e si l ence seemed t o bl anket t he wor l d. The sounds
of guns and r unni ng f eet and scr eams vani shed, a t r i ck of
magi c. J ai me opened hi s eyes and l ay t her e f or a l ong t i me,
f eel i ng t he wei ght of hi s f at her ' s body on hi m, l i ke a l ovi ng
bl anket . Hi s f at her and mot her and si st er s wer e dead, al ong
wi t h hundr eds of ot her s. And i n f r ont of t hei r bodi es wer e
t he l ocked door s of t he chur ch.
Lat e t hat ni ght , J ai me made hi s way out of t he ci t y and t wo
days l at er when he r eached Bi l bao, he j oi ned ETA.
The r ecr ui t i ng of f i cer had l ooked at hi mand sai d, ' You' r e
t oo young t o j oi n, son. You shoul d be i n school . '
' You' r e goi ng t o be my school , ' J ai me Mi r o sai d qui et l y.
' You' r e goi ng t o t each me how t o f i ght t o avenge t he mur der
of my f ami l y. '
He never l ooked back. He was bat t l i ng f or hi msel f and f or
hi s f ami l y, and hi s expl oi t s became l egendar y. J ai me pl anned
and execut ed dar i ng r ai ds agai nst f act or i es and banks and
car r i ed out t he execut i ons of t he oppr essor s. When any of
J ai me' s men wer e capt ur ed, he conduct ed dar edevi l mi ssi ons
t o r escue t hem.
When J ai me hear d about t he GOE bei ng f or med t o pur sue
Basques, he smi l ed and sai d, ' Good. They' ve not i ced. '
J ai me never asked hi msel f i f t he r i sks he t ook had anyt hi ng
t o do wi t h t he cr i es of , ' Your f at her i s a cowar d, ' or i f he
was t r yi ng t o pr ove anyt hi ng t o hi msel f and t o ot her s. I t was
enough t hat he pr oved hi s br aver y agai n and agai n, t hat he
was not af r ai d t o r i sk hi s l i f e f or what he bel i eved i n.
Now, because one of hi s men had t al ked t oo f r eel y, J ai me
f ound hi msel f saddl ed wi t h a nun.
I t ' s i r oni c t hat her Chur ch i s on our si de now. But i t ' s much
t oo l at e, unl ess t hey can ar r ange a Second Comi ng and i ncl ude
my mot her and f at her and si st er s, he t hought bi t t er l y.
They wal ked t hr ough t he woods at ni ght , t he whi t e moonl i ght
dappl i ng t he f or est ar ound t hem. They avoi ded t he t owns and
mai n r oads, al er t f or any si gn of danger . J ai me i gnor edMegan.
He wal ked wi t h Fel i x, t al ki ng about past advent ur es, and
Megan f ound her sel f i nt r i gued. She had never known anyone
l i ke J ai me Mi r 6. He was f i l l ed wi t h such sel f - assur ance.
anyone can get me t o Mendavi a, Megan t hought , t hi s
man can.
Ther e had been moment s when J ai me had f el t pi t y f or t he
si st er , and even a r el uct ant admi r at i on f or t he way she coped
on t he ar duous j our ney. He wonder ed how hi s ot her men
wer e get t i ng al ong wi t h t hei r char ges f r omGod.
At l east he had Ampar o J i r on. At ni ght J ai me f ound her
a gr eat comf or t .
She' s as dedi cat ed as I am, J ai me t hought . She has even
mor e r eason t han I do t o hat e t he gover nment .
Ampar o' s ent i r e f ami l y had been wi ped out by t he
Nat i onal i st ar my. She was f i er cel y i ndependent , and f i l l ed
wi t h a deep passi on.
At dawn t hey wer e near i ng Sal amanca, on t he banks of t he
Ri o Tor mes.
' St udent s come her e f r omal l over Spai n, ' Fel i x expl ai ned
t o Megan, ' t o at t end t he uni ver si t y her e. I t ' s pr obabl y t he
best i n al l of Spai n. '
J ai me was not l i st eni ng. He was concent r at i ng on hi s next
move. I f I wer e t he hunt er , wher e woul d I set my t r ap?
He t ur ned t o Fel i x. ' We' l l ski p Sal amanca. Ther e' s a
par ador j ust out si de t own. We wi l l st op t her e. '
- - . . _, . 11 wi n me mai nst r eamof
t our i st t r af f i c. St one st eps l ed t o t he l obby, whi ch was
guar ded by an anci ent kni ght i n ar mour .
As t he gr oup appr oached t he ent r ance, J ai me sai d t o t he
t wo women, ' Wai t her e. '
He nodded t o Fel i x Car pi o and t he t wo men di sappear ed. ' Wher e ar e t hey goi ng?'
Megan asked.
Ampar o J i r on gave her a cont empt uous l ook. ' Maybe t hey
went l ooki ng f or your God. '
' I hope t hey f i nd hi m, ' Megan sai d evenl y.
Ten mi nut es l at er t he men wer e back. ' Al l cl ear , ' J ai me t ol d Ampar o. ' You and
t he si st er wi l l
shar e a r oom. Fel i x wi l l st ay wi t h me. ' He handed her a key.
Ampar o sai d pet ul ant l y, ' Quer i do, I want t o st ay wi t h you,
not '
' Do as I say. Keep an eye on her . '
Ampar o t ur ned t o Megan. ' Bueno. Come al ong. Si st er . '
Megan f ol l owed Ampar o up t he st ai r s.
The r oomwas one of a dozen set i n a r ow al ong t he
gr ey, bar e cor r i dor . Ampar o unl ocked t he door and t he t wo
women ent er ed. The r oomwas smal l and dr ab and spar sel y
f ur ni shed, wi t h wooden f l oor s, st ucco wal l s, a bed, a smal l
cot , a bat t er ed dr essi ng- t abl e and t wo chai r s.
Megan l ooked ar ound t he r oomand excl ai med, ' I t ' s
l ovel y. '
Ampar o J i r on swung ar ound i n anger , t hi nki ng t hat Megan
was bei ng sar cast i c. ' Who t he hel l ar e you t o compl ai n
about - ?'
' I t ' s so l ar ge, ' Megan went on.
Ampar o l ooked at her f or a moment , t hen l aughed. Of
cour se i t woul d seeml ar ge compar ed t o t he cel l s t hat t he
si st er s l i ved i n.
Ampar o st ar t ed t o get undr essed.
Megan coul d not hel p st ar i ng at her . I t was t he f i r st t i me
she had r eal l y l ooked at Ampar o J i r on i n t he dayl i ght . The
woman was beaut i f ul , i n an ear t hy way. She had r ed hai r ,
whi t e ski n, and was f ul l - br east ed, wi t h a smal l wai st and hi ps
t hat swayed as she moved.
214
mpar u saw ner wat cni ng. ' Si st er - woul d you t el l me
somet hi ng? Why woul d anyone j oi n a convent ?'
I t was a si mpl e quest i on t o answer . ' What coul d be mor e
wonder f ul t han t o devot e onesel f t o t he gl or y of God?'
' Of f hand, I coul d t hi nk of a t housand t hi ngs. ' Ampar o
wal ked over t o t he bed and sat down. ' You can sl eep on t he
cot . Fr omwhat I ' ve hear d about convent s, your God doesn' t
want you t o be t oo comf or t abl e. '
Megan smi l ed. ' I t doesn' t mat t er . I ' mcomf or t abl e
i nsi de. '
I n t hei r r oomacr oss t he cor r i dor , J ai me Mi r o was st r et chi ng
out on t he bed. Fel i x Car pi o was t r yi ng t o get set t l ed on t he
smal l cot . Bot h men wer e f ul l y dr essed. J ai me' s gun was
under hi s pi l l ow. Fel i x' s gun was on t he smal l , bat t er ed t abl e
next t o hi m.
' What do you t hi nk makes t hemdo i t ?' Fel i x wonder ed
al oud.
' Do what , ami goT
' Lock t hemsel ves up i n a convent al l t hei r l i ves l i ke pr i soner s. '
J ai me Mi r o shr ugged. ' Ask t he si st er . I wi sh t o hel l we
wer e t r avel l i ng al one. I have a bad f eel i ng about t hi s. '
' J ai me, God wi l l t hank us f or t hi s good deed. '
' Do you r eal l y bel i eve t hat ? Don' t make me l augh, '
Fel i x di d not pur sue t he subj ect . I t was not t act f ul t o
di scuss t he Cat hol i c Chur ch wi t h J ai me. The t wo men wer e
si l ent , each pr eoccupi ed wi t h hi s own t hought s.
Fel i x Car pi o was t hi nki ng: God put t he si st er s i n our hands.
We must get t hemt o a convent saf el y.
J ai me was t hi nki ng about Ampar o. He want ed her badl y
now. That damned nun. He st ar t ed t o pul l up t he cover s
when he r eal i zed t her e was somet hi ng he st i l l had t o do.
I n t he smal l , dar k l obby downst ai r s, t he manager sat qui et l y,
wai t i ng unt i l he was sur e t hat t he new guest s wer e asl eep.
215
ni s nean was pounamg as he pi cked up t he t el ephone and
di al l ed a number .
A l azy voi ce answer ed, ' Pol i ce Headquar t er s. '
The manager whi sper ed i nt o t he t el ephone t o hi s nephew
' Fl or i an, I have J ai me Mi r o and t hr ee of hi s peopl e her e.
How woul d you l i ke t he honour of capt ur i ng t hem?'
had been a l i t t l e gi r l kneel i ng at her bedsi de and her
f at her had st ood besi de her , r eady t o t uck her i nt o bed.
Sl owl y, t he wor ds of t he t went y- t hi r d Psal mst ar t ed
comi ng.
" The Lor d i s my shepher d. I shal l not want . He maket h
me t o l i e down i n gr een past ur es. He l eadet h me besi de t he
st i l l wat er s. He r est or et h my soul . He l eadet h me i n t he
pat hs of r i ght eousness, f or Hi s name' s sake . . . '
Memor i es came f l oodi ng back.
She and her f at her had owned t he wor l d. And he had been
so pr oud of her .
You wer e bor n under a l ucky st ar , f acci a del angel o.
And hear i ng t hat , Luci a had f el t l ucky and beaut i f ul .
Not hi ng coul d ever hur t her . Was she not t he beaut i f ul
daught er of t he gr eat Angel o Car mi ne?
' . . . Yea, t hough I wal k t hr ough t he val l ey of t he shadow
of deat h, I wi l l f ear no evi l . . . '
The evi l ones wer e t he enemi es of her f at her and br ot her s.
And she had made t hempay.
' . . . For Thou ar t wi t h me; Thy r od and Thy st af f t hey
comf or t me . . . '
Wher e was God when I needed comf or t i ng?
Thou pr epar es! a t abl e bef or e me i n t he pr esence of mi ne
enemi es; Thou anoi nt est my head wi t h oi l , my cup r unnet h
over . . . '
She was speaki ng mor e sl owl y now, her voi ce a whi sper .
What had happened, she wonder ed, t o t he l i t t l e gi r l i n t he
whi t e communi on dr ess? The f ut ur e had been so gol den.
Somehow i t had al l gone wr ong. Ever yt hi ng. I ' ve l ost my
f at her and my br ot her s and mysel f .
I n t he convent she had not t hought about God. But now,
out her e wi t h t hi s si mpl e peasant . . .
Woul d you mi nd sayi ng a pr ayer f or us?
Luci a went on. ' Sur el y goodness and mer cy shal l f ol l ow
me al l t he days of my l i f e; And I wi l l dwel l i n t he house of
t he Lor d f or ever . '
Rubi o was wat chi ng her , moved.
Thank you. Si st er . '
218
Luci a nodded, unabl e t o speak. What ' s t he mat t er wi t h
me? Luci a asked her sel f .
' Ar e you r eady. Si st er ?'
She l ooked at Rubi o Ar zano and sai d, ' Yes. I ' mr eady. '
Fi ve mi nut es l at er t hey wer e on t hei r way.
They wer e caught i n a sudden downpour and t ook shel t er i n
a deser t ed cabi n. The r ai n beat agai nst t he r oof and si des of
t he cabi n l i ke angr y f i st s.
' Do you t hi nk t he st or mwi l l ever l et up?'
Rubi o smi l ed. ' I t ' s not a r eal st or m. Si st er . I t ' s what we
Basques cal l a si r i mi r i . I t wi l l st op as qui ckl y as i t st ar t ed.
The ear t h i s dr y r i ght now. I t needs t hi s r ai n. '
' Real l y?'
' Yes. I ' ma f ar mer . '
I t shows, Luci a t hought .
' For gi ve me f or sayi ng t hi s. Si st er , but you and I have a
l ot i n common. '
Luci a l ooked over at t he count r y bumpki n and t hought :
That wi l l be t he day. ' We do?'
' Yes. I t r ul y bel i eve t hat i n many ways bei ng on a f ar m
must be much l i ke bei ng i n a convent . '
The connect i on el uded her . ' I don' t under st and. '
' Wel l , Si st er , i n a convent you t hi nk a l ot about God and
Hi s mi r acl es. I s t hat not t r ue?'
' Yes. '
' I n a sense a f ar mi s God. One i s sur r ounded by cr eat i on
- al l t he t hi ngs t hat gr ow f r omGod' s ear t h, whet her i t ' s
wheat or ol i ves or gr apes - ever yt hi ng comes f r omGod,
does i t not ? These ar e al l mi r acl es, and you wat ch t hem
happen ever y day, and because you hel p t hemgr ow, you ar e
par t of t he mi r acl e. '
Luci a had t o smi l e at t he ent husi asmi n hi s voi ce.
Suddenl y t he r ai n st opped.
' We can move on now. Si st er . '
219
' We wi l l be comi ng t o Ri o Duer o soon, ' Rubi o sai d. " The
Penaf i el Fal l s i s j ust ahead of us. We wi l l go on t o Ar anda
de Duer o and t hen Logr ono, wher e we wi l l meet t he
ot her s. '
You' l l be goi ng t o t hose pl aces, Luci a t hought . And good
l uck t o you. I ' l l be i n Swi t zer l and, my f r i end.
They hear d t he sound of t he Fal l s hal f an hour bef or e
t hey r eached t hem. The Penaf i el Fal l s was a beaut i f ul si ght
cascadi ng down i nt o t he swi f t - movi ng r i ver . The r oar of i t
was al most deaf eni ng.
' I want t o bat he, ' Luci a sai d. I t seemed year s si nce she
had l ast had a bat h.
Rubi o Ar zano st ar ed at her . ' Her e?'
No, you i di ot , i n Rome. ' Yes. '
' Be car ef ul . The r i ver i s swol l en because of t he r ai n. '
' Don' t wor r y. ' She st ood t her e, pat i ent l y wai t i ng.
' Oh. I wi l l go away whi l e you undr ess. '
' St ay near by, ' Luci a sai d qui ckl y. Ther e wer e pr obabl y
wi l d ani mal s i n t he woods.
As Luci a st ar t ed t o undr ess, Rubi o hast i l y wal ked a f ew
yar ds away and t ur ned hi s back.
' Don' t go i n t oo f ar . Si st er , ' he cal l ed. ' The r i ver i s t r eacher ous. '
Luci a put down t he wr apped cr oss wher e she coul d
keep an eye on i t . The cool mor ni ng ai r f el t wonder f ul on her naked body. When
she had st r i pped compl et el y, she
st epped i nt o t he wat er . I t was col d and i nvi gor at i ng. She
t ur ned and saw t hat Rubi o was st eadf ast l y l ooki ng i n t he
ot her di r ect i on, hi s back t ur ned t o her . She smi l ed t o her sel f .
Al l t he ot her men she had known woul d be f east i ng t hei r
eyes.
She st epped i n deeper , avoi di ng t he r ocks t hat wer e al l
ar ound, and spl ashed t he wat er over her sel f , f eel i ng t he
r ushi ng r i ver t uggi ng har d at her l egs.
A f ew f eet away a smal l t r ee was bei ng swept downst r eam.
As Luci a t ur ned t o wat ch i t , she suddenl y l ost her bal ance
and sl i pped, scr eami ng. She f el l har d, sl ammi ng her head
agai nst a boul der .
Rubi o t ur ned and wat ched i n hor r or as Luci a di sappear ed
downst r eami n t he r agi ng wat er s.
Chapt er 23
At t he pol i ce st at i on i n Sal amanca, when Ser geant Fl or i an
Sant i ago r epl aced t he r ecei ver , hi s hands wer e t r embl i ng.
have J ai me Mi r 6 and t hr ee of hi s peopl e her e. How woul d you l i ke t he honour of
capt ur i ng t hem?
The gover nment had of f er ed a l ar ge r ewar d f or t he head
of J ai me Mi r o, and now t he Basque out l aw was i n hi s hands.
The r ewar d money woul d change hi s whol e l i f e. He coul d
af f or d t o send hi s chi l dr en t o a bet t er school , he coul d buy
a washi ng machi ne f or hi s wi f e and j ewel l er y f or hi s mi st r ess.
Of cour se he woul d have t o shar e some of t he r ewar d money
wi t h hi s uncl e. I ' l l gi ve hi mt went y per cent , Sant i ago t hought . Or maybe t en
per cent .
He was wel l awar e of J ai me Mi r o' s r eput at i on, and he had
no i nt ent i on of r i ski ng hi s l i f e t r yi ng t o capt ur e t he t er r or i st . Let ot her s
f ace t he danger and gi ve me t he r ewar d.
He sat at hi s desk deci di ng t he best way t o handl e t he
si t uat i on. Col onel Acoca' s name i mmedi at el y spr ang t o hi s
mi nd. Ever ybody knew t her e was a bl ood vendet t a bet ween
t he Col onel and t he out l aw. Besi des, t he Col onel had t he
whol e GOE at hi s command. Yes, t hat was def i ni t el y t he
way t o pr oceed.
He pi cked up a t el ephone, and t en mi nut es l at er he was
speaki ng t o t he Col onel hi msel f .
" Thi s i s Ser geant Fl or i an Sant i ago cal l i ng f r omt he pol i ce
st at i on at Sal amanca. I have t r acked down J ai me Mi r 6. '
Col onel Ram6n Acoca f ought t o keep hi s voi ce even. ' Ar e
you cer t ai n of t hi s?'
' Yes, Col onel . He i s at t he Par ador Naci onal Rai mundo
de Bor gon, j ust out si de of t own. He i s spendi ng t he ni ght .
My uncl e i s t he manager . He t el ephoned me hi msel f . Ther e
i s anot her man and t wo women wi t h Mi r 6. '
' Your uncl e i s posi t i ve i t i s Mi r 6?'
' Yes, Col onel . He and t he ot her s ar e sl eepi ng i n t he t wo
back r ooms on t he second f l oor of t he i nn. '
Col onel Acoca sai d, ' Li st en t o me ver y car ef ul l y. Ser geant .
I want you t o go t o t he par ador i mmedi at el y and st and wat ch ' S out si de t o make
cer t ai n none of t heml eaves. I shoul d be
abl e t o r each t her e i n an hour . You ar e not t o go i nsi de.
And st ay out of si ght . I s t hat cl ear ?'
' Yes, si r . I wi l l l eave i mmedi at el y. ' He hesi t at ed. ' Col onel ,
about t he r ewar d money '
' When we cat ch Mi r 6, i t ' s your s. '
' Thank you. Col onel . I ammost '
' Go. '
' Yes, si r . '
Fl or i an Sant i ago r epl aced t he r ecei ver . He was t empt ed
t o cal l hi s mi st r ess t o t el l her t he exci t i ng news, but t hat
coul d wai t . He woul d sur pr i se her l at er . Meanwhi l e, he had
a j ob t o do.
He summoned one of t he pol i cemen on dut y upst ai r s.
' Take over t he desk. I have an er r and t o do. I ' l l be back
i n a f ew hour s. ' And I ' l l come back a r i ch man, he t hought . The f i r st t hi ng I ' l l
buy wi l l be a new car - a Seat . A bl ue one.
No, maybe i t wi l l be whi t e.
Col onel Ram6n Acoca r epl aced t he r ecei ver and sat st i l l ,
l et t i ng hi s br ai n go t o wor k. Thi s t i me t her e woul d be no
sl i p- up. I t was t he f i nal move i n t he chess game bet ween
t hem. He woul d have t o pr oceed ver y car ef ul l y. Mi r 6 woul d
have sent r i es al er t f or t r oubl e.
Acoca cal l ed i n hi s ai de- de- camp.
' Yes, Col onel ?'
' Pi ck out t wo dozen of your best mar ksmen. See t hat
t hey' r e ar med wi t h aut omat i c weapons. We' r e l eavi ng f or
Sal amanca i n f i f t een mi nut es. '
i es, si r .
Ther e woul d be no escape f or Mi r 6. The Col onel was
al r eady pl anni ng t he r ai d i n hi s mi nd. The par ador woul d be
compl et el y sur r ounded by a cor don t hat woul d move i n
qui ckl y and qui et l y. A sneak at t ack bef or e t he but cher has a
chance t o mur der any mor e of my men. We' l l ki l l t hemal l i n
t hei r sl eep.
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er , hi s ai de r et ur ned. ' We' r e r eady t o move. Col onel . '
Ser geant Sant i ago l ost no t i me i n get t i ng t o t he par ador . Even wi t hout t he
Col onel ' s war ni ng, he woul d have had no
i nt ent i on of goi ng af t er t he t er r or i st s. But now, i n obedi ence
t o Acoca' s or der s, he st ood i n t he shadows, t went y yar ds
away f r omt he i nn, wher e he had a good vi ew of t he f r ont
door . Ther e was a chi l l i n t he ni ght ai r , but t he t hought of
t he r ewar d money kept Sant i ago war m. He wonder ed
whet her t he t wo women i nsi de wer e pr et t y and whet her t hey
wer e i n bed wi t h t he men. Of one t hi ng Sant i ago was cer t ai n:
i n a f ew hour s, t hey woul d al l be dead.
The ar my t r uck moved i nt o t own qui et l y and dr ove t owar ds
t he par ador .
Col onel Acoca f l i cked on a f l ashl i ght and l ooked at hi s
map, and when t hey wer e a mi l e f r omt he i nn, he sai d, ' St op
her e. We' l l wal k t he r est of t he way. Mai nt ai n si l ence. '
Fl or i an Sant i ago was unawar e of t hei r appr oach unt i l a
voi ce i n hi s ear st ar t l ed hi mwi t h, ' Who ar e you?'
He t ur ned and f ound hi msel f f aci ng Col onel Ramon
Acoca. My God, he' s f r i ght eni ng- l ooki ng, Sant i ago t hought .
' I amSer geant Sant i ago, si r . '
' Has anyone l ef t t he i nn?'
' No, si r . They' r e al l i nsi de, pr obabl y asl eep by now. '
The Col onel t ur ned t o hi s ai de. ' I want hal f our men t o
f or ma per i met er ar ound t he hot el . I f anyone t r i es t o escape,
t hey ar e t o shoot t o ki l l . The ot her s wi l l come wi t h me.
The f ugi t i ves ar e i n t he t wo back bedr ooms upst ai r s. Let ' s
go- '
Sant i ago wat ched as t he Col onel and hi s men ent er ed
t he f r ont door of t he par ador , movi ng qui et l y. Sant i ago
wonder ed i f t her e woul d be a l ot of shoot i ng. And i f t her e
was, he wonder ed i f hi s uncl e mi ght be ki l l ed i n t he cr ossf i r e.
That woul d be a pi t y. But on t he ot her hand, t her e
woul d be no one he woul d have t o shar e t he r ewar d money
wi t h.
When Col onel Acoca and hi s men r eached t he t op of t he
st ai r s, he whi sper ed, ' Take no chances. Open f i r e as soon as
you see t hem. '
Hi s ai de asked, ' Col onel , woul d you l i ke me t o go ahead
of you?'
' No. ' He i nt ended t o have t he pl easur e of ki l l i ng J ai me
Mi r 6 hi msel f .
At t he end of t he cor r i dor wer e t he t wo r ooms wher e Mi r 6
and hi s gr oup wer e st ayi ng. Col onel Acoca si l ent l y mot i oned
si x of hi s men t o cover one door and t he ot her si x t o cover
t he ot her door .
' Now! ' he scr eamed.
I t was t he moment he had been bur ni ng f or . At hi s si gnal ,
t he sol di er s ki cked i n bot h door s si mul t aneousl y and r ushed
i nt o t he r ooms, weapons r eady. They st ood t her e i n t he
mi ddl e of t he empt y r ooms st ar i ng at t he r umpl ed beds.
' Spr ead out . Hur r y! Downst ai r s! ' Acoca shr i eked.
The sol di er s r aced t hr ough ever y r oomi n t he hot el , smashi ng
door s open, waki ng up st ar t l ed guest s. J ai me Mi r 6 and
t he ot her s wer e nowher e t o be f ound. The Col onel st or med
downst ai r s t o conf r ont t he hot el manager . Ther e was no one
i n t he l obby.
' Hel l o, ' he cal l ed out . ' Hel l o. ' Ther e was no r esponse.
The cowar d was hi di ng.
One of t he sol di er s was st ar i ng at t he f l oor behi nd t he
desk. ' Col onel . . . '
Acoca st r ode over t o hi s si de and st ar ed down at t he f l oor .
. . . , . . . unu g, t 55u uuuy ui me manager was sl umped
agai nst t he wal l . A si gn had been hung ar ound hi s neck. I t
r ead:
PLEASE DO NOT DI STURB.
Chapt er 24
Rubi o Ar zano wat ched i n hor r or as Luci a di sappear ed under
t he r ushi ng wat er s and was swept downst r eam. I n a spl i t
second, he t ur ned t o r ace al ong t he r i ver bank, l eapi ng over
smal l l ogs and bushes. At t he f i r st bend of t he r i ver , he
caught a gl i mpse of Luci a' s body comi ng t owar ds hi m. Di vi ng
i n, he swamf r ant i cal l y t o r each her , st r uggl i ng agai nst t he
power f ul cur r ent . I t was al most i mpossi bl e. He f el t hi msel f
bei ng pul l ed away. Luci a was t en f eet f r omhi m, but i t seemed
l i ke mi l es. He made one l ast her oi c ef f or t and gr abbed her
ar m, hi s f i nger s al most sl i ppi ng away. He hel d her i n a deat h
gr i p, as he began gr appl i ng hi s way t o t he saf et y of t he shor e.
When Rubi o f i nal l y r eached t he r i ver bank, he pul l ed
Luci a up on t o t he gr ass and he l ay t her e, f i ght i ng f or br eat h.
Luci a was unconsci ous and not br eat hi ng. Rubi o t ur ned her
over on her st omach, st r addl ed her and began appl yi ng
pr essur e agai nst her l ungs. A mi nut e went by, t hen t wo, and
j ust as he was begi nni ng t o despai r , a st r eamof wat er gushed
out of her mout h and she gr oaned. Rubi o ut t er ed a pr ayer
of t hanks.
He kept up t he pr essur e, gent l er now, unt i l her hear t beat
was st eady. She began t o shi ver f r omt he col d. Rubi o hur r i ed
over t o a cl ump of t r ees and pul l ed down handf ul s of l eaves.
He car r i ed t hemover t o her and st ar t ed t o dr y her body wi t h
t hem. He was wet and col d, and hi s cl ot hes wer e soaked,
but he pai d no at t ent i on. He had been pani cky wi t h f ear t hat
Si st er Luci a woul d di e. Now, as he gent l y r ubbed her naked
body wi t h t he dr y l eaves, unwor t hy t hought s came i nt o hi s
mi nd.
sue nas t he ooay of a goddess, f ' or gi ve me, Lor d, she bel ongs t o You, and I
must not t hi nk t hese wi cked H t hought s . . . H
Luci a was gr adual l y awakened by t he gent l e st r oki ng of g
her body. She was on t he beach wi t h I vo, and hi s sof t t ongue
was movi ng down her body. Oh, yes, she t hought . Oh, yes. Don' t st op, car o. She
was ar oused bef or e she even opened ' S
her eyes.
When Luci a had f al l en i nt o t he r i ver , her l ast t hought had
been t hat she was goi ng t o di e. But she was al i ve, and she
f ound her sel f l ooki ng up at t he man who had saved her .
Wi t hout even t hi nki ng, Luci a r eached up and pul l ed Rubi o
down t o her . Ther e was a l ook of shocked sur pr i se on hi s
f ace. . . a8
' Si st er - ' he pr ot est ed. ' We can' t - '
' Sh! ' ' I ,
Her l i ps wer e on hi s, f i er ce and hungr y and demandi ng, ' " ;
and her t ongue was expl or i ng hi s mout h. I t was t oo much '
f or Rubi o. I
' Hur r y, ' Luci a whi sper ed. ' Hur r y. '
She wat ched as Rubi o ner vousl y st r i pped of f hi s wet
cl ot hes. He deser ves a r ewar d, she t hought . So do I .
As Rubi o moved hesi t ant l y t owar ds her , he sai d, ' Si st er ,
we shoul dn' t - '
Luci a was i n no mood f or conver sat i on. She f el t hi m
j oi ni ng hi s body t o her s i n a t i mel ess, mi ndl ess r i t ual , and
she gave her sel f up t o t he gl or i ous sensat i ons t hat f l ooded
her . I t was al l t he sweet er because of her cl ose br ush wi t h
deat h.
Rubi o was a sur pr i si ngl y good l over , bot h gent l e and f i er ce
at t he same t i me. He had a vul ner abi l i t y t hat t ook Luci a
compl et el y by sur pr i se. And t her e was a l ook of such t ender ness
i n hi s eyes t hat Luci a f el t a sudden l ump i n her t hr oat .
hope t he bi g oaf i sn' t f al l i ng i n l ove wi t h me. He' s so eager
t o pl ease me. When was t he l ast t i me a man car ed about
pl easi ng me? Luci a wonder ed. And she t hought of her f at her .
And she wonder ed how he woul d have l i ked Rubi o Ar zano.
And t hen she wonder ed why she wonder ed whet her her
f at her woul d have l i ked Rubi o Ar zano. must be cr azy. Thi s
man i s a f ar mer . I ' mLuci a Car mi ne, t he daught er of Angel a Car mi ne. Rubi o' s l i f e
has not hi ng t o do wi t h my l i f e. We wer e
t hr own t oget her by a st upi d acci dent of f at e.
Rubi o was hol di ng her and sayi ng over and over , ' Luci a.
My Luci a. '
And t he shi ni ng i n hi s eyes t ol d her ever yt hi ng he f el t . He' s so dear , she
t hought . And t hen: What i s t he mat t er wi t h
me? Why amI even t hi nki ng about hi ml i ke t hi s? I ' mr unni ng
away f r omt he pol i ce and - She suddenl y r emember ed t he
gol d cr oss and gasped. Oh, my God! How coul d I have
f or got t en i t even f or a moment ?
She sat up qui ckl y. ' Rubi o, I l ef t a - a package on t he
bank of t he r i ver back t her e. Woul d you br i ng i t t o me,
pl ease? And my cl ot hes?'
' Of cour se. I ' l l be r i ght back. '
Luci a sat t her e wai t i ng, f r ant i c t hat somet hi ng mi ght have
happened t o t he cr oss. What i f i t was gone? What i f someone
had come al ong and pi cked i t up?
I t was wi t h an enor mous f eel i ng of r el i ef t hat Luci a saw
Rubi o r et ur ni ng wi t h t he wr apped cr oss under hi s ar m. must n' t l et i t out of my
si ght agai n, she t hought . ' Thank you. '
Rubi o handed Luci a her cl ot hes. She l ooked up at hi m
and sai d sof t l y, ' I won' t need t hese r i ght away. '
The sun on her naked ski n made her f eel l azy and war m,
and t her e was a wonder f ul comf or t i n Rubi o' s ar ms. I t was
as t hough t hey had f ound a peacef ul oasi s and t he danger s
t hey had been r unni ng away f r omseemed l i ght year s away.
' Tel l me about your f ar m, ' Luci a sai d i dl y.
Hi s f ace l i t up, and t her e was pr i de i n hi s voi ce. ' I t was a
smal l f ar mout si de a l i t t l e vi l l age near Bi l bao. I t was i n my
f ami l y f or gener at i ons. '
' What happened t o i t ?'
Hi s expr essi on dar kened. ' Because I amBasque, t he
gover nment i n Madr i d puni shed me wi t h ext r a t axes. When
I r ef used t o pay, t hey conf i scat ed t he f ar m. That was when
1 mei J ai me i vi i r o. i j oi ned mm10 ngni agai nst t he gover nment
f or what i s r i ght . I have a mot her and t wo si st er s, and
one day we wi l l have our f ar mback, and I wi l l r un i t agai n. '
Luci a t hought of her f at her and t wo br ot her s l ocked away
i n a pr i son f or ever . ' Ar e you cl ose t o your f ami l y?'
Rubi o smi l ed war ml y. ' Of cour se. Fami l i es ar e our f i r st
l ove, ar e t hey not ?'
Yes, Luci a t hought . But I wi l l never see mi ne agai n.
' Tel l me about your f ami l y, Luci a, ' Rubi o sai d. ' Bef or e
you j oi ned t he convent , wer e you cl ose t o t hem?'
The conver sat i on was t aki ng a danger ous t ur n. What can
I t el l hi m? My f at her i s a maf i oso. He and my t wo br ot her s
ar e i n pr i son f or mur der . ' Yes - we ar e ver y cl ose. '
' What does your f at her do?'
' He - he' s a busi nessman. '
' Have you got br ot her s and si st er s?'
' I have t wo br ot her s. They wor k f or hi m. '
' Luci a, why di d you ent er t he convent ?'
Because t he pol i ce ar e l ooki ng f or me f or mur der i ng t wo
men. I ' ve got t o st op t hi s conver sat i on, Luci a t hought . Al oud,
she sai d, ' I needed t o get away. ' That ' s cl ose enough t o t he
t r ut h.
' You f el t t he wor l d was - was t oo much f or you?'
' Somet hi ng l i ke t hat . '
' I have no r i ght t o say t hi s, Luci a, but I ami n l ove wi t h
you. '
' Rubi o '
' I want t o mar r y you. I n al l my l i f e, I have never sai d t hat
t o anot her woman. '
Ther e was somet hi ng so t ouchi ng and ear nest about hi m. He doesn' t know how t o
pl ay games, she t hought . must be
car ef ul not t o hur t hi m. But t he i dea of Angel a Car mi ne' s
daught er bei ng a f ar mer ' s wi f e! Luci a al most l aughed al oud.
Rubi o mi sunder st ood t he smi l e on Luci a' s f ace. ' I wi l l not
l i ve i n hi di ng f or ever . The gover nment wi l l have t o make
peace wi t h us. Then I wi l l r et ur n t o my f ar m. Quer i da - I
want t o spend t he r est of my l i f e maki ng you happy. We wi l l
have many chi l dr en and t he gi r l s wi l l al l l ook l i ke you . . . '
can' t l et hi mgo on l i ke t hi s, Luci a deci ded. shoul d st op
hi mnow. But somehow she coul d not br i ng her sel f t o do i t .
She l i st ened t o Rubi o pai nt r omant i c pi ct ur es of t hei r l i f e
t oget her , and she f ound her sel f al most wi shi ng i t coul d
happen. She was so t i r ed of r unni ng away. I t woul d be
wonder f ul t o f i nd a haven wher e she coul d be saf e, t aken
car e of by someone who l oved her . . . must be l osi ng my
mi nd.
' Let ' s not t al k about i t now, ' Luci a sai d. ' We shoul d be
movi ng on. '
They t r avel l ed nor t heast , f ol l owi ng t he wi ndi ng banks of t he
Duer o Ri ver , wi t h i t s hi l l y count r ysi de and l ush gr een t r ees.
They st opped at t he pi ct ur esque vi l l age of Vi l l al ba de Duer o
at t he f oot of t he mount ai ns, and st opped t o buy br ead and
cheese and wi ne and had an i dyl l i c pi cni c i n a gr assy meadow.
Luci a f el t cont ent at Rubi o' s si de. Ther e was a qui et
st r engt h about hi mt hat seemed t o gi ve her st r engt h. He' s
not f or me, but he' s goi ng t o make some l ucky woman ver y
happy, she t hought .
When t hey had f i ni shed eat i ng, Rubi o sai d, ' The next t own
i s Ar anda de Duer o. I t ' s a f ai r l y l ar ge t own. I t woul d be best
i f we ski r t ed ar ound i t t o avoi d t he GOE and t he sol di er s. '
I t was t he moment of t r ut h, t i me t o l eave hi m. She had
been wai t i ng f or t hemt o r each a l ar ge t own. Rubi o Ar zano
and hi s f ar mwer e a dr eam, escapi ng t o Swi t zer l and was t he
r eal i t y. Luci a knew how much she was goi ng t o hur t hi m,
and she coul d not bear t o l ook i nt o hi s eyes when she sai d,
' Rubi o - I ' d l i ke us t o go i nt o t own. '
He f r owned. ' That coul d be danger ous, quer i da. The
sol di er s '
' They won' t be l ooki ng f or us t her e. ' She t hought qui ckl y.
' Besi des, I - I need a change of cl ot hes. I can' t keep goi ng
on i n t hi s. '
The i dea of ent er i ng t he t own di st ur bed Rubi o, but al l he
sai d was, ' I f t hat i s what you wi sh. '
I n t he di st ance t he wal l s and bui l di ngs of Ar anda de Duer o
. wwi i i vJ i Li ui c mem, nr c a ni di i - maue mount ai n newn out
of t he ear t h.
Rubi o t r i ed one mor e t i me. ' Luci a - you' r e sur e you must
go i nt o t he t own?'
' Yes. I ' msur e. '
The t wo of t hemcr ossed t he l ong br i dge t hat l ed t o t he mai n
st r eet , Aveni da Cast i l l a, and headed f or t he cent r e of t own.
They passed a sugar f act or y and chur ches and poul t r y shops,
and t he ai r was t hi ck wi t h t hei r smel l s. Shops and bl ocks of
f l at s l i ned t he avenue. They wal ked sl owl y, car ef ul not t o
dr aw at t ent i on t o t hemsel ves. Fi nal l y, t o her r el i ef , Luci a
saw what she had been l ooki ng f or - a si gn t hat r ead: ' Casa
de Empenos' - a pawnshop. She sai d not hi ng.
They r eached t he vi l l age squar e, wi t h i t s shops and mar ket s
and bar s, and t hey passed t he Taver na Cueva, wi t h i t s l ong
bar and wooden t abl es. Ther e was a j uke box i nsi de, and
hangi ng f r omt he oak beamcei l i ng wer e hams and st r i ngs of
gar l i c.
Luci a saw her oppor t uni t y. ' I ' mt hi r st y, Rubi o, ' she sai d.
' Can we go i n t her e?'
' Of cour se. '
Rubi o t ook Luci a' s ar mand l ed her i nsi de.
Ther e wer e hal f a dozen men cr owded ar ound t he bar .
Luci a and Rubi o t ook a t abl e i n t he cor ner .
' What woul d you l i ke, quer i daT
' Or der a gl ass of wi ne f or me, pl ease. I ' l l be r i ght back.
Ther e' s somet hi ng I have t o do. '
She r ose and wal ked out i nt o t he st r eet , l eavi ng Rubi o
st ar i ng af t er her , puzzl ed.
Out si de, Luci a t ur ned and hur r i ed back t o t he Casa de
Empenos, cl ut chi ng her t i ght l y wr apped package. Acr oss t he
st r eet she saw a door wi t h a bl ack si gn i n whi t e l et t er i ng t hat
r ead, ' Pol i ct a' . She st ar ed at i t a moment , her hear t ski ppi ng
a beat , t hen ski r t ed i t and ent er ed t he pawnshop.
A shr unken man wi t h a l ar ge head st ood behi nd t he
count er , bar el y vi si bl e.
t f uenos ci i as, senonw.
' Buenos di ' as, senor . I have somet hi ng I woul d l i ke t o sel l . '
She was so ner vous t hat she had t o pr ess her knees t oget her
t o keep t hemf r omshaki ng.
5i 7'
Luci a unwr apped t he gol d cr oss and hel d i t out . ' Woul d woul d
you be i nt er est ed i n buyi ng t hi s?'
The pawnbr oker t ook i t i n hi s hands, and Luci a wat ched
t he l i ght t hat came i nt o hi s eyes.
' May I ask wher e you acqui r ed t hi s?'
' I t was l ef t t o me by an uncl e who has j ust di ed. ' Her
t hr oat was so dr y she coul d har dl y speak.
The man f i nger ed t he cr oss, t ur ni ng i t over i n hi s hands
sl owl y. ' How much ar e you aski ng f or i t ?'
Her dr eamwas comi ng t o l i f e. ' I want t wo hundr ed and
f i f t y t housand peset as. '
He f r owned and shook hi s head. ' No. I t i s wor t h onl y a
hundr ed t housand peset as. '
' I woul d sel l my body f i r st . '
' Per haps I coul d go as hi gh as one hundr ed and f i f t y
t housand peset as. '
' I woul d r at her mel t i t down and l et t he gol d r un i n t he
st r eet s. '
' Two hundr ed t housand peset as. That i s my l ast of f er . '
Luci a t ook t he gol d cr oss f r omhi m. ' You ar e r obbi ng me
bl i nd, but I wi l l accept i t . '
She coul d see t he exci t ement i n hi s f ace. ' Bueno, senor i t a. ' He r eached f or t he
cr oss.
Luci a pul l ed i t back. ' Ther e i s a condi t i on. '
' What condi t i on woul d t hat be, senor i t aT
' My passpor t was st ol en. I need a new one i n or der t o get
out of t he count r y t o vi si t my st r i cken aunt . '
He was st udyi ng her now, hi s eyes wi se. He nodded. ' I
see. '
' I f you can hel p me wi t h my pr obl em, t hen t he cr oss i s
your s. '
He si ghed. ' Passpor t s ar e di f f i cul t t o come by, senor i t a. The aut hor i t i es ar e
ver y st r i ct . '
Luci a wat ched hi m, sayi ng not hi ng.
' I don' t see how I can hel p you. '
Thank you, anyway, senor . ' She st ar t ed t owar ds t he door .
He l et her r each i t bef or e he sai d, ' Moment i t o. '
Luci a st opped.
' Somet hi ng has j ust occur r ed t o me. I have a cousi n who
i s somet i mes i nvol ved i n del i cat e mat t er s l i ke t hi s. He i s a di st ant cousi n, you
under st and. '
' I under st and. '
' I coul d speak t o hi m. When do you r equi r e t hi s passpor t ?'
' Today. '
The l ar ge head nodded sl owl y. ' And i f I can do t hi s t hi ng,
we have a deal ?'
' When I get my passpor t . '
' Agr eed. Come back af t er ei ght o' cl ock and my cousi n wi l l
be her e. He wi l l ar r ange t o t ake t he necessar y phot ogr aph
and i nser t i t i n t he passpor t . '
Luci a coul d f eel her hear t poundi ng. ' Thank you, senor . '
' Woul d you l i ke t o l eave t he cr oss her e f or saf ekeepi ng?'
' I t wi l l be saf e wi t h me. '
' Ei ght o' cl ock, t hen. Hast a l uego. '
She l ef t t he shop. Out si de she car ef ul l y avoi ded t he pol i ce
st at i on and headed back t o t he t aver na, wher e Rubi o was
wai t i ng. Her f oot st eps sl owed. She had f i nal l y succeeded.
Wi t h t he money f r omt he cr oss, she woul d be abl e t o get t o
Swi t zer l and and f r eedom. She shoul d have been happy.
I nst ead she f el t st r angel y depr essed.
What ' s wr ong wi t h ? I ' mon my way. Rubi o wi l l get over
me soon enough. He' l l f i nd someone el se.
She r emember ed t he l ook i n hi s eyes when he sai d, want
t o mar r y you. I n al l my l i f e, I have never sai d t hat t o anot her
woman.
Damn t he man, she t hought . Wel l , he' s not my pr obl em.
Out si de t he t aver na she paused and t ook a deep br eat h.
She f or ced a smi l e and wal ked i nsi de t o j oi n hi m.
Chapt er 25
The news medi a wer e i n a f eedi ng f r enzy. The headl i nes
t umbl ed over one anot her . Ther e was t he at t ack on t he
convent ; t he whol esal e ar r est of t he nuns f or shel t er i ng
t er r or i st s; t he escape of f our nuns; t he mur der of hal f a
dozen sol di er s by one of t he nuns bef or e she was shot and
ki l l ed. The i nt er nat i onal news wi r es wer e on f i r e.
Repor t er s had ar r i ved i n Madr i d f r omal l par t s of t he
wor l d and Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez, i n an ef f or t t o cool
t hi ngs down, had agr eed t o a pr ess conf er ence. They wer e
gat her ed i n hi s of f i ce, al most f our dozen r epor t er s, f r omal l
over t he wor l d. Col onel Ramon Acoca and Col onel Fal
Sost el o wer e at t he Pr i me Mi ni st er ' s si de. The Pr i me Mi ni st er
had seen t hat af t er noon' s headl i ne i n t he London Ti mes:
TERRORI STS AND NUNS EVADE SPAI N' S ARMY
AND POLI CE.
A r epor t er f r omPar i s Mat ch was aski ng, ' Mr Pr i me Mi ni st er ,
do you have any i dea wher e t he mi ssi ng nuns ar e now?'
Pr i me Mi ni st er Leopol do Mar t i nez r epl i ed, ' Col onel
Acoca i s i n char ge of t he sear ch oper at i on. I wi l l l et hi m
answer t hat . '
Col onel Acoca sai d, ' We have r eason t o bel i eve t hat t hey
ar e i n t he hands of t he Basque t er r or i st s. I ' mal so sor r y t o
say t her e i s evi dence t o i ndi cat e t hat t he nuns ar e col l abor at i ng
wi t h t he t er r or i st s. '
The r epor t er s wer e scr i bbl i ng f ever i shl y.
' What about t he shoot i ng of Si st er Ter esa and t he
sol di er s?'
' We have i nf or mat i on t hat Si st er Ter esa was wor ki ng wi t h
J ai me Mi r o. Under t he pr et ext of hel pi ng us f i nd Mi r o, she
went i nt o an ar my camp and mur der ed hal f a dozen sol di er s
bef or e she coul d be st opped. I can assur e you t hat t he ar my
and t he GOE ar e bendi ng ever y ef f or t t o br i ng t he cr i mi nal s
t o j ust i ce. '
' And t he nuns who wer e ar r est ed and t aken t o Madr i d?'
' They ar e bei ng i nt er r ogat ed, ' Col onel Acoca sai d.
The Pr i me Mi ni st er was anxi ous t o end t he meet i ng. I t
was di f f i cul t f or hi mt o keep hi s t emper i n check. The
f ai l ur e t o l ocat e t he nuns or capt ur e t he t er r or i st s made hi s
gover nment - and hi msel f - l ook i nept and f ool i sh, and t he
pr ess was t aki ng f ul l advant age of t he si t uat i on.
' Can you t el l us anyt hi ng about t he backgr ounds of t he
f our nuns who escaped. Pr i me Mi ni st er ?' asked a r epor t er
f r omOGGI .
' I ' msor r y. I can gi ve you no f ur t her i nf or mat i on. I r epeat ,
l adi es and gent l emen, t he gover nment i s doi ng ever yt hi ng i n
i t s power t o f i nd t he nuns. '
' Pr i me Mi ni st er , t her e have been r epor t s about t he br ut al i t y
of t he at t ack on t he convent at Avi l a. Woul d you r espond
t o t hat ?'
I t was a sor e poi nt wi t h Mar t i nez because i t was t r ue.
Col onel Acoca had gr ossl y exceeded hi s aut hor i t y. But he
woul d deal wi t h t he Col onel l at er . Thi s was t he t i me f or a
show of uni t y.
He t ur ned t o t he Col onel and sai d smoot hl y, ' Col onel
Acoca can r espond t o t hat . '
Col onel Acoca sai d, ' I , t oo, have hear d t hose unf ounded
r epor t s. The f act s ar e si mpl e. We r ecei ved r el i abl e i nf or mat i on
t hat t he t er r or i st J ai me Mi r o and a dozen of hi s men
wer e hi di ng i n t he Abbey Ci st er ci an and t hat t hey wer e
heavi l y ar med. By t he t i me we r ai ded t he abbey, t hey had
f l ed. '
' Col onel , we hear d t hat some of your men mol est ed '
' That i s an out r ageous accusat i on. '
Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez sai d, ' Thank you, l adi es and
gent l emen. That wi l l be al l . You wi l l be i nf or med of any
f ur t her devel opment s. '
The pr ess conf er ence was over . When t he r epor t er s l ef t ,
t he Pr i me Mi ni st er t ur ned t o Col onel Acoca and Col onel
Sost el o. ' They' r e maki ng us l ook l i ke savages i n t he eyes of
t he wor l d. '
Col onel Acoca had not t he sl i ght est i nt er est i n t he Pr i me
Mi ni st er ' s opi ni on. What concer ned hi mwas a t el ephone
cal l he had r ecei ved i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght .
Chapt er 26
I ' mgoi ng t o ki l l her , Ri car do Mel l ado t hought . coul d
st r angl e her wi t h my bar e hands, t hr ow her of f t he mount ai n,
or si mpl y shoot her . No, I t hi nk st r angl i ng her woul d gi ve me
t he gr eat est pl easur e.
Si st er Gr aci el a was t he most exasper at i ng human bei ng he
had ever encount er ed. She was i mpossi bl e. I n t he begi nni ng
when J ai me Mi r o had assi gned hi mt o escor t her , Ri car do
Mel l ado had been pl eased. Tr ue, she was a nun, but she was
al so t he most r avi shi ng beaut y he had ever l ai d eyes on. He
was det er mi ned t o get t o know her , t o f i nd out why she had
deci ded t o l ock up al l t hat exqui si t e beaut y behi nd convent
wal l s f or t he r est of her l i f e. Under t he ski r t and bl ouse she
was wear i ng, he coul d di scer n t he r i ch, nubi l e cur ves of a
woman. I t ' s goi ng t o be a ver y i nt er est i ng t r i p, Ri car do
deci ded.
But t hi ngs had t aken a t ot al l y unexpect ed t ur n. The pr obl em
was t hat Si st er Gr aci el a r ef used t o speak t o hi m. She
had not sai d one wor d si nce t hei r j our ney began, and what
compl et el y baf f l ed Ri car do was t hat she di d not appear t o
be angr y or f r i ght ened or upset . Not at al l . She si mpl y
r et r eat ed i nt o some r emot e par t of her sel f and appear ed
t ot al l y uni nt er est ed i n hi mand i n what was goi ng on ar ound
her . They had t r avel l ed at a good pace, wal ki ng al ong hot ,
dust y si de r oads, past f i el ds of wheat , r i ppl i ng gol den i n
t he sunl i ght , and f i el ds. - of bar l ey, oat s and gr apevi nes.
They ski r t ed t he l i t t l e vi l l ages al ong t he way and went by
f i el ds of sunf l ower s wi t h t hei r wi de yel l ow f aces f ol l owi ng
t he sun.
238
When t hey cr ossed t he Mor os Ri ver , Ri car do asked,
Woul d you l i ke t o r est awhi l e. Si st er ?'
Si l ence.
They wer e appr oachi ng Segovi a bef or e headi ng nor t heast
t o t he snow- capped Guadar r ama mount ai ns. Ri car do kept
t r yi ng t o make pol i t e conver sat i on, but i t was compl et el y
hopel ess.
' We wi l l be at Segovi a soon. Si st er . '
No r eact i on.
What coul d I have done t o of f end her ? ' Ar e you hungr y,
Si st er ?'
Not hi ng.
I t was as t hough he wer e not t her e. He had never f el t so
f r ust r at ed i n hi s l i f e. Per haps t he woman i s r et ar ded, he
t hought . That must be t he answer . God gave her an unear t hl y
beaut y and t hen cur sed her wi t h a f eebl e mi nd. But he di d
not bel i eve i t .
When t hey r eached t he out ski r t s of Segovi a, Ri car do not ed
t hat t he t own was cr owded, whi ch meant t hat t he guar di a
ci vi l woul d be even mor e al er t t han usual .
As t hey appr oached t he Pl aza del Conde de Chest e,
Ri car do saw sol di er s of t he guar di a ci vi l st r ol l i ng i n t hei r
di r ect i on. He whi sper ed, ' Hol d my hand. Si st er . We must
l ook l i ke t wo l over s out f or a st r ol l . '
She i gnor ed hi m.
J esus, Ri car do t hought . Maybe she' s deaf and dumb.
He r eached over and t ook her hand i n hi s, and her sudden
f i er ce r esi st ance sur pr i sed hi m. She pul l ed away as i f she had
been st ung.
The guar ds wer e get t i ng cl oser .
Ri car do l eaned t owar ds Gr aci el a. ' You must n' t be angr y, '
he sai d l oudl y. ' My si st er f eel s t he same way. Af t er di nner
l ast ni ght when she put t he chi l dr en t o bed she was sayi ng
t hat i t woul d be much bet t er i f we men di dn' t si t ar ound
t oget her smoki ng smel l y ci gar s and t el l i ng st or i es whi l e you
women went of f by your sel ves. I ' l l bet '
239
1 ne guar ds nad passed. Ki car do t ur ned t o l ook at Gr aci el a.
Her f ace was expr essi onl ess. Ment al l y, Ri car do began t o
cur se J ai me, wi shi ng he had gi ven hi mone of t he ot her nuns.
Thi s one was made of st one, wi t h no chi sel har d enough t o
penet r at e t hat col d ext er i or .
I n al l modest y, Ri car do Mel l ado knew t hat he was at t r act i ve
t o women. Enough of t hemhad t ol d hi mso. He was l i ght
compl exi oned, t al l and wel l - bui l t , wi t h a pat r i ci an nose, an
i nt el l i gent f ace and per f ect whi t e t eet h. He came f r omone
of t he most pr omi nent Basque f ami l i es. Hi s f at her was a
banker f r omt he Basque count r y i n t he nor t h and had seen
t o i t t hat Ri car do was wel l educat ed. He had gone t o t he
Uni ver si t y of Sal amanca, and hi s f at her had l ooked f or war d t o hi s son j oi ni ng
hi mi n t he f ami l y busi ness.
When Ri car do r et ur ned home, he dut i f ul l y went t o wor k
at t he bank, but wi t hi n a shor t per i od of t i me he became
i nvol ved wi t h t he pr obl ems of hi s peopl e. He began at t endi ng
meet i ngs and r al l i es and pr ot est s agai nst t he gover nment and
he soon became one of t he l eader s of ETA. Hi s f at her
l ear ned about hi s son' s act i vi t i es and cal l ed hi mi nt o hi s
huge, panel l ed of f i ce and l ect ur ed hi m.
' I ama Basque, t oo, Ri car do, but I amal so a busi nessman.
We cannot f oul our own nest by encour agi ng a r evol ut i on i n
t he count r y wher e we make our l i vi ng. '
' None of us i s t r yi ng t o over t hr ow t he gover nment . Fat her .
Al l we' r e demandi ng i s f r eedom. The gover nment ' s oppr essi on
of t he Basques and t he Cat al ans i s i nt ol er abl e. '
The seni or Mel l ado l eaned back i n hi s chai r and st udi ed
hi s son. ' My good f r i end t he Mayor had a qui et wor d wi t h
me yest er day. He suggest ed i t woul d be t o your benef i t not
t o at t end any mor e r al l i es. I t woul d be bet t er i f you expended
your ener gy on bank busi ness. '
' Fat her '
' Li st en t o me, Ri car do. When I was young, my bl ood r an
hot , t oo. But t her e ar e ot her ways t o cool i t of f . You' r e
engaged t o a l ovel y gi r l . I hope you wi l l have many chi l dr en. '
He waved hi s hand at t hei r sur r oundi ngs. ' And you have
much t o l ook f or war d t o i n your f ut ur e. '
' But don' t you see ?'
I see mor e cl ear l y t han you, my son. Your pr ospect i ve
f at her - i n- l aw i s al so unhappy wi t h your act i vi t i es. I woul d
not want anyt hi ng t o happen t hat woul d pr event t he weddi ng.
Do I make mysel f cl ear ?'
Yes, Fat her . '
The f ol l owi ng Sat ur day Ri car do Mel l ado was ar r est ed
l eadi ng a Basque r al l y i n an audi t or i umi n Bar cel ona. He
r ef used t o l et hi s f at her bai l hi mout unl ess he woul d al so
bai l out t he ot her demonst r at or s who had been ar r est ed. Hi s
f at her r ef used. Ri car do' s car eer was ended and so was hi s
engagement . That had been f i ve year s ear l i er . Fi ve year s
of danger and nar r ow escapes. Fi ve year s f i l l ed wi t h t he
exci t ement of f i ght i ng f or a cause he passi onat el y bel i eved
i n. Now he was on t he r un, a f ugi t i ve f r omt he pol i ce,
escor t i ng a r et ar ded and mut e nun acr oss Spai n.
' We' l l go t hi s way, ' he sai d t o Si st er Gr aci el a. He was
car ef ul not t o t ouch her ar m.
They t ur ned of f t he mai n st r eet on t o St Val ent i n. On t he
cor ner was a shop t hat sol d musi cal i nst r ument s.
Ri car do sai d, ' I have an i dea. Wai t her e. Si st er . I ' l l be
r i ght back. '
He ent er ed t he shop and wal ked up t o a young cl er k
st andi ng behi nd t he count er .
' Buenos di as. May I hel p you?'
' Yes. I woul d l i ke t o buy t wo gui t ar s. '
The cl er k smi l ed. ' Ah, you ar e i n l uck. We' ve j ust got i n
some Rami r ezes. They ar e t he best . '
' Per haps somet hi ng of not such a hi gh qual i t y. My f r i end
and I ar e onl y amat eur s. '
' As you wi sh, senor . What about t hese?' The cl er k wal ked
over t o a sect i on of t he st or e wher e a dozen gui t ar s wer e on
di spl ay. ' I can l et you have t wo Konos f or f i ve t housand
peset as api ece. '
' I t hi nk not . ' Ri car do sel ect ed t wo i nexpensi ve gui t ar s.
' These wi l l do ni cel y, ' he sai d.
A f ew moment s l at er Ri car do wal ked back out t o t he
st r eet , car r yi ng t he t wo gui t ar s. He had hal f hoped Si st er
Gr aci el a woul d be gone. She was st andi ng t her e, pat i ent l y
wai t i ng.
Ri car do opened t he st r ap on one of t he gui t ar s and hel d
out t he i nst r ument t o her . ' Her e, Si st er . Put t hi s over your
shoul der . '
She st ar ed at hi m.
' I t i sn' t necessar y f or you t o pl ay i t , ' Ri car do sai d pat i ent l y.
' I t i s onl y f or ef f ect . '
He shoved t he gui t ar at her , and she r el uct ant l y t ook i t .
They wal ked al ong t he wi ndi ng st r eet s of Segovi a under t he
enor mous vi aduct bui l t by t he Romans cent ur i es ago.
Ri car do deci ded t o t r y agai n. ' You see t hi s vi aduct . Si st er ?
Ther e i s no cement bet ween t he st ones. Legend has i t t hat
i t was bui l t by t he devi l t wo t housand year s ago, st one pi l ed
on st one, wi t h not hi ng but t he devi l ' s magi c t o hol d i t
t oget her . ' He l ooked at her f or some r eact i on.
Not hi ng.
To hel l wi t h her , Ri car do Mel l ado t hought . I gi ve up.
The member s of t he guar di a ci vi l wer e ever ywher e, and
whenever t hey passed t hem, Ri car do woul d pr et end t o be i n
ear nest conver sat i on wi t h Gr aci el a, al ways car ef ul t o avoi d
body cont act .
The number s of pol i ce and sol di er s seemed t o be i ncr easi ng,
but Ri car do f el t r easonabl y saf e. They woul d be l ooki ng
f or a nun i n r obes and a gr oup of J ai me Mi r o' s men, but
t hey woul d have no r eason t o suspect t wo young t our i st s
al one, car r yi ng gui t ar s.
Ri car do was f eel i ng hungr y, and even t hough Si st er
Gr aci el a had sai d not hi ng, he was sur e t hat she must be
hungr y al so. They passed a smal l bodega.
' We' l l st op i n her e and have a bi t e t o eat . Si st er . '
She st ood t her e, wat chi ng hi m.
He si ghed. ' Ri ght . Sui t your sel f . '
He wal ked i nsi de t he smal l caf e. A moment l at er Gr aci el a
f ol l owed hi m.
When t hey wer e seat ed, Ri car do asked, ' What woul d you
l i ke t o or der . Si st er ?'
Ther e was no r esponse. She was i nf ur i at i ng.
Ri car do sai d t o t he wai t r ess, ' Two gazpachos and t wo
hel pi ngs of chor i zos. '
When t he soup and sausages came, Gr aci el a at e what was
put i n f r ont of her . He not i ced t hat she at e aut omat i cal l y,
wi t hout enj oyment , as t hough f ul f i l l i ng some dut y. The men
seat ed at ot her t abl es wer e st ar i ng at her , and Ri car do coul d
not bl ame t hem. ( woul d t ake t he young Goya t o capt ur e her
beaut y, he t hought .
I n spi t e of Gr aci el a' s sul l en behavi our , Ri car do f el t a l ump
i n hi s t hr oat ever y t i me he l ooked at her , and he cur sed
hi msel f f or a r omant i c f ool . She was an eni gma, bur i ed
behi nd some ki nd of i mpenet r abl e wal l . Ri car do Mel l ado
had known dozens of beaut i f ul women, but none of t hem
had ever af f ect ed hi mt hi s way. Ther e was somet hi ng al most
myst i cal about her beaut y. The i r ony was t hat he had absol ut el y
no i dea what l ay behi nd t he br eat h- t aki ng f asade. Was
she i nt el l i gent or st upi d? I nt er est i ng or dul l ? Col d- bl ooded
or passi onat e? hope she' s st upi d, dul l , and col d- bl ooded, Ri car do t hought , or I
won' t be abl e t o st and l osi ng her . As
t hough I coul d ever have her . She bel ongs t o God. He l ooked
away, af r ai d t hat she mi ght sense what he was t hi nki ng.
When i t was t i me t o l eave, Ri car do pai d t he bi l l and t hey
r ose. Dur i ng t he j our ney he had not i ced t hat Si st er Gr aci el a
was l i mpi ng sl i ght l y. I ' l l have t o get us some ki nd of t r anspor t at i on, he
t hought . We st i l l have a l ong way t o go.
They st ar t ed down t he st r eet , and at t he f ar end of t own,
i n t he Manzanar es el Real , t hey came upon a gypsy car avan.
Ther e wer e f our col our f ul l y decor at ed wagons i n t he car avan,
pul l ed by hor ses. I n t he back of t he wagons wer e women
and chi l dr en, al l dr essed i n gypsy cost umes.
Ri car do sai d, ' Wai t her e. Si st er . I ' mgoi ng t o t r y t o get us
a l i f t . '
He appr oached t he dr i ver of t he f r ont wagon, a bur l y man
i n f ul l gypsy r egal i a, i ncl udi ng wear i ng ear r i ngs.
' Buenos t ar des, sehor . I woul d consi der i t a gr eat ki ndness
i f you coul d gi ve my f i ancee and me a l i f t . '
The gypsy l ooked over t o wher e Gr aci el a was st andi ng.
' I t i s possi bl e. Wher e ar e you headed?'
9' - ' - ' U' '
" I can t ake you as f ar as Cer ezo. '
" That woul d be of gr eat val ue. Thank you. '
He shook t he gypsy' s hand and put money i n i t .
' Get i n t he l ast wagon. '
' Gr aci as. '
Ri car do r et ur ned t o wher e Gr aci el a was wai t i ng. " The
gypsi es ar e goi ng t o t ake us as f ar as Cer ezo de Abaj o, ' he
t ol d her . ' We' l l go i n t he l ast wagon. '
For an i nst ant , he was sur e she was goi ng t o r ef use. She
hesi t at ed, t hen st ar t ed t owar ds t he wagon.
Ther e wer e hal f a dozen gypsi es i nsi de t he wagon and t hey
made r oomf or Ri car do and Gr aci el a. As t hey cl i mbed
aboar d, Ri car do st ar t ed t o hel p t he si st er up, but t he moment
he t ouched her ar m, she pushed hi maway wi t h a f i er ceness
t hat t ook hi mby sur pr i se. Al l r i ght , t o hel l wi t h you. He
caught a gl i mpse of Gr aci el a' s bar e l eg as she l i f t ed her sel f
on t o t he wagon, and he coul d not hel p t hi nki ng: She has t he
most beaut i f ul l egs I ' ve ever seen.
They made t hemsel ves as comf or t abl e as possi bl e on
t he har d wooden f l oor of t he wagon and t he l ong j our ney
began. Gr aci el a sat i n a cor ner , her eyes cl osed and her
l i ps movi ng i n pr ayer . Ri car do coul d not t ake hi s eyes of f
her .
As t he day wor e on, t he sun became a hot f ur nace, beat i ng
down on t hem, baki ng t he ear t h, and t he sky was a deep,
cl oudl ess bl ue. Fr omt i me t o t i me as t he wagon cr ossed t he
pl ai ns, huge bi r ds soar ed over head. Bui t r e l eonado, Ri car do
t hought . The l i on- col our ed gr i f f on vul t ur es.
Lat e i n t he af t er noon t he gypsy car avan came t o a st op.
The l eader appr oached t hei r wagon.
' Thi s i s as f ar as we can t ake you. We' r e headed f or
Vi nuel as. '
Wr ong di r ect i on. ' Thi s i s f i ne, ' Ri car do assur ed hi m.
' Thank you. '
He st ar t ed t o r each out a hand f or Gr aci el a and qui ckl y
t hought bet t er of i t .
Ri car do t ur ned t o t he l eader of t he gypsi es. ' I woul d
consi oer i t a Ki ndness i t you woul d sel l some f ood t o my
f i ancee and me. '
The chi ef t ur ned t o one of t he women and sai d somet hi ng
i n a f or ei gn t ongue, and a f ew moment s l at er t wo packages
of f ood wer e handed t o Ri car do.
' Muchas gr aci as. ' He pul l ed out some money.
The gypsy chi ef st udi ed hi mf or a moment . ' You and t he
si st er have al r eady pai d f or t he f ood. '
You and t he si st er . So he knew. Yet Ri car do f el t no sense
of danger . The gypsi es wer e as oppr essed by t he gover nment
as wer e t he Basques and Cat al ans.
' VayanconDi os. '
Ri car do st ood t her e wat chi ng t he car avan move out of
si ght . He t ur ned t o Gr aci el a. She was wat chi ng hi m, si l ent ,
i mpassi ve.
' You won' t have t o put up wi t h my company much l onger , '
Ri car do assur ed her . ' I n t wo days we wi l l be i n Logr ono.
You' l l meet your f r i ends t her e and you' l l be on your way t o
t he convent at Mendavi a. '
No r eact i on. He coul d have been t al ki ng t o a st one wal l .
amt al ki ng t o a st one wal l .
They had been dr opped of f i n a peacef ul val l ey r i ch wi t h
or char ds of appl e, pear and f i g t r ees. A f ew f eet away f r om
t hemwas t he Tor mes Ri ver , f i l l ed wi t h f at t r out . I n t he past ,
Ri car do had f i shed t her e of t en. I t woul d have been an i deal
pl ace t o st ay and r est , but t her e was a l ong r oad t o t r avel .
He t ur ned t o st udy t he Guadar r ama mount ai ns, t he r ange
t hat l ay ahead of t hem. Ri car do knew t he ar ea wel l . Ther e
wer e sever al t r ai l s t hat wound t hr ough t he l engt h of t he
mount ai ns. Cabr as, wi l d mount ai n goat s, and wol ves r oamed
t he passes, and Ri car do woul d have chosen t hat i f he had
been t r avel l i ng al one. But wi t h Si st er Gr aci el a at hi s si de,
he deci ded on t he saf est .
' Wel l , we' d bet t er get st ar t ed, ' Ri car do sai d. ' We have a
l ong cl i mb ahead of us. '
He had no i nt ent i on of mi ssi ng t he r endezvous wi t h t he
ot her s i n Logr ono. Let t he si l ent si st er become someone
el se' s headache.
Si st er Gr aci el a st ood t her e wai t i ng f or Ri car do t o l ead t he
way. He t ur ned and began t o cl i mb. As t hey st ar t ed up t he
st eep mount ai n pat h, Gr aci el a sl i pped on some l oose pebbl es
and Ri car do i nst i nct i vel y r eached out t o hel p her . She j er ked
away f r omhi s hand and r i ght ed her sel f . Fi ne, he t hought
angr i l y. Br eak your neck.
They kept movi ng upwar ds, headi ng t owar ds t he maj est i c
peak hi gh above. The t r ai l st ar t ed t o get st eeper and nar r ower
and t he chi l l ed ai r became t hi nner . They wer e headi ng
east , passi ng t hr ough a f or est of pi ne t r ees. Ahead of t hem
l ay a vi l l age t hat was a haven f or ski er s and mount ai n
cl i mber s. Ther e woul d be hot f ood and war mt h and r est
t her e, Ri car do knew. I t was t empt i ng. Too danger ous, he
deci ded. I t woul d be a per f ect pl ace f or Acoca t o set a t r ap.
He t ur ned t o Si st er Gr aci el a. ' We' l l ski r t t he vi l l age. Can
you go on a l i t t l e f ar t her bef or e we r est ?'
She l ooked at hi mand, as her answer t ur ned and began
t o wal k.
The unnecessar y r udeness of f ended hi m, and he t hought :
Thank heavens at Logr ono I wi l l be r i d of her . Why i n t he
name of God do I have mi xed f eel i ngs about t hat ?
They ski r t ed t he vi l l age, wal ki ng al ong t he edge of t he f or est ,
and soon t hey wer e on t he pat h agai n, cl i mbi ng upwar ds. I t
was get t i ng mor e di f f i cul t t o br eat he, and t he pat h gr ew
st eeper . As t hey r ounded a bend, t hey came upon an empt y
eagl e' s nest . They ski r t ed anot her mount ai n vi l l age, qui et
and peacef ul i n t he af t er noon sun, and r est ed out si de i t ,
st oppi ng at a mount ai n st r eamwher e t hey dr ank t he i cy
wat er .
By dusk t hey had r eached a r ugged ar ea t hat was f amous
f or i t s caves. Af t er t hat t he t r ai l woul d st ar t downwar ds.
Fr omnow on, Ri car do t hought , i t wi l l be easy. The wor st
i s over .
He hear d a f ai nt buzzi ng sound over head. He l ooked up,
sear chi ng f or t he sour ce of i t . An ar my pl ane appear ed
suddenl y over t he t op of t he mount ai n, f l yi ng t owar ds t hem.
' Down! ' Ri car do shout ed. ' Down! '
Gr aci el a kept wal ki ng. The pl ane ci r cl ed and began t o
swoop l ower .
' Get down! ' Ri car do yel l ed agai n.
He j umped on her and pushed her down t o t he gr ound,
hi s body on t op of her s. What happened next t ook hi m
compl et el y by sur pr i se. Wi t hout any war ni ng, Gr aci el a began
yel l i ng hyst er i cal l y, f i ght i ng hi m. She was ki cki ng hi mi n
t he gr oi n, cl awi ng at hi s f ace, t r yi ng t o r i p at hi s eyes. But
t he most ast oni shi ng t hi ng was what she was sayi ng. She was
scr eami ng out a st r i ng of obsceni t i es t hat sent Ri car do i nt o
shock, a ver bal t or r ent of f i l t h t hat assai l ed hi m. He coul d
not bel i eve t hat t hese wor ds wer e comi ng f r omt hat beaut i f ul ,
i nnocent mout h.
He t r i ed t o gr ab her hands t o pr ot ect hi msel f f r omher
r aki ng nai l s. She was l i ke a wi l dcat under hi m.
' St op i t ! ' he shout ed. ' I ' mnot goi ng t o hur t you. I t ' s an
ar my scout pl ane. They' ve seen us. We' ve got t o get out of
her e. '
He hel d her down unt i l her f r ant i c st r uggl i ng f i nal l y ceased.
St r ange, st r angl ed sounds wer e comi ng f r omher , and he
r eal i zed t hat she was sobbi ng. Ri car do, wi t h al l hi s exper i ence
wi t h women, was compl et el y baf f l ed. He was st r addl ed
at op a hyst er i cal nun who had t he vocabul ar y of a t r uck
dr i ver , and he had no not i on of what t o do next .
He made hi s voi ce as cal mand as r easonabl e as possi bl e.
' Si st er , we have t o f i nd a pl ace t o hi de qui ckl y. The pl ane
wi l l have r epor t ed us and i n a f ew hour s t her e' l l be sol di er s
swar mi ng al l over t he pl ace. I f you ever want t o r each t he
convent , you' l l get up and come wi t h me. '
He wai t ed a moment , t hen car ef ul l y r ai sed hi msel f of f her
and sat al ongsi de her unt i l t he sobs subsi ded. Fi nal l y Gr aci el a
sat up. Her f ace was smudged f r omt he di r t , her hai r was
t ousl ed, her eyes wer e r ed f r omcr yi ng, and yet her beaut y
made Ri car do ache.
He sai d qui et l y, ' I ' msor r y I f r i ght ened you. I don' t seem
i o unow now 10 oenave wnn you. i pr omi se 10 t r y 10 oe mor e
car ef ul i n t he f ut ur e. '
She l ooked up at hi mwi t h her l umi nous bl ack eyes f i l l ed
wi t h t ear s, and Ri car do had no i dea what she was t hi nki ng.
He si ghed and r ose. She f ol l owed sui t .
' Ther e ar e dozens of caves ar ound her e, ' Ri car do t ol d her . ' We' l l hi de i n one of
t hemf or t he ni ght . By dawn we can be
on our way agai n. '
Hi s f ace was r aw and bl eedi ng wher e she had cl awed at
hi m, but i n spi t e of what had happened, he f el t a def encel essness
about her , a f r agi l i t y t hat t ouched hi m, t hat made hi m
want t o say somet hi ng t o r eassur e her . But now he was t he
one who was si l ent .
He coul d not t hi nk of a si ngl e t hi ng t o say.
The Cuevas del Agui l a have been car ved out by aeons of
wi nds and f l oods and ear t hquakes, and t hey come i n an
i nf i ni t e var i et y. Some of t he caves ar e mer e i ndent at i ons i n
t he mount ai n r ocks, ot her s ar e endl ess t unnel s never expl or ed
by man.
A mi l e f r omwher e t hey had spot t ed t he pl ane, Ri car do
f ound a cave t hat was t o hi s sat i sf act i on. The l ow ent r ance was al most cover ed
by under br ush.
' St ay her e, ' he sai d.
He ducked i nt o t he ent r ance and wal ked i nt o t he cave. I t was
dar k i nsi de, wi t h onl y f ai nt l i ght spi l l i ng t hr ough t he openi ng.
Ther e was no t el l i ng what t he l engt h of t he cave was, but i t di d
not mat t er , f or t her e was no r eason t o expl or e i t .
He went back out si de t o Gr aci el a.
' I t l ooks saf e, ' Ri car do sai d. ' Wai t i nsi de, pl ease. I ' l l
gat her some br anches t o cover up t he mout h of t he cave. I ' l l
be back i n a f ew mi nut es. '
He wat ched Gr aci el a as she went si l ent l y i nt o t he cave,
and Ri car do wonder ed whet her she woul d be t her e when he
r et ur ned. He r eal i zed t hat he desper at el y want ed her t o be.
I nsi de t he cave, Gr aci el a wat ched hi ml eave. She sank t o
t he col d gr ound i n despai r .
I can' t st and any mor e, she t hought . Wher e ar eyou, J esus?
Pl ease r el ease me f r omt hi s hel l .
And i t had been hel l . Fr omt he begi nni ng Gr aci el a had
been f i ght i ng t he at t r act i on she f el t t owar ds Ri car do. She
t hought of t he Moor . I ' maf r ai d of mysel f . Of t he evi l i n me.
I want t hi s man, and I must not .
And so she had bui l t a bar r i er of si l ence bet ween t hem,
t he si l ence she had l i ved wi t h i n t he convent . But now,
wi t hout t he di sci pl i ne of t he convent , wi t hout t he I nst r ument
and pr ayer s, wi t hout t he cr ut ch of t he r i gi d r out i ne, Gr aci el a
f ound her sel f unabl e t o bani sh her i nner dar kness. She had
spent year s f i ght i ng t he sat ani c ur ges of her body, f i ght i ng
t he r emember ed sounds, t he moans and si ghs t hat came f r om
her mot her ' s bed.
The Moor was l ooki ng at her naked body.
You' r e j ust a chi l d. Get your cl ot hes on and get out of
her e . . .
I ' ma woman.
She had spent so many year s t r yi ng t o f or get t he f eel of
t he Moor i nsi de her , t r yi ng t o push out of her mi nd t he
r hyt hmof t hei r bodi es movi ng t oget her , f i l l i ng her , gi vi ng
her a f eel i ng of bei ng al i ve at l ast .
Her mot her scr eami ng. You bi t ch!
And t he doct or sayi ng: Our chi ef sur geon deci ded t o sew
you up hi msel f . He sai d you wer e t oo beaut i f ul t o have scar s.
Al l t he year s of pr ayi ng had been t o pur ge her sel f of gui l t .
And t hey had f ai l ed.
The f i r st t i me Gr aci el a l ooked at Ri car do Mel l ado, t he
past had come f l oodi ng back. He was handsome and gent l e
and ki nd. When Gr aci el a was a l i t t l e gi r l , she had dr eamed
of someone l i ke Ri car do. And when he was near her , when
he t ouched her , her body was i nst ant l y af l ame and she was
f i l l ed wi t h a deep shame. amt he br i de of Chr i st , and my
t hought s ar e a bet r ayal of God. I bel ong t o You, J esus. Pl ease
hel p me now. Cl eanse my mi nd of i mpur e t hought s.
Gr aci el a had t r i ed desper at el y t o keep t he wal l of si l ence
bet ween t hem, a wal l t hat no one but God coul d penet r at e,
a wal l t o keep out t he devi l . But di d she want t o keep t he
devi l out ? When Ri car do had j umped on her and pushed her
t o t he gr ound, i t was t he Moor maki ng l ove t o her , and t he
f r i ar t r yi ng t o r ape her , and i n her sur gi ng pani c, i t was t hem
she was f i ght i ng of f . No, she admi t t ed t o her sel f , t hat ' s not
t he t r ut h. I t was her own deep desi r e she was f i ght i ng. She
was t or n bet ween her spi r i t and t he cr avi ngs of her f l esh.
must not gi ve i n. I must get back t o t he convent . He' l l be back
any mi nut e. What shoul d 1 do?
Gr aci el a hear d a l ow mewi ng f r omt he back of t he cave
and qui ckl y t ur ned. Ther e wer e f our gr een eyes st ar i ng at
her i n t he dar k, movi ng t owar ds her . Gr aci el a' s hear t began
t o beat f ast er .
Two baby wol f cubs t r ot t ed up t o her on sof t , padded f eet ,
r ubbi ng t hei r heads agai nst her . She smi l ed and began t o
st r oke t hemgent l y. Ther e was a sudden r ust l e f r omt he
ent r ance of t he cave. Ri car do i s back, she t hought .
The next i nst ant , an enor mous gr ey wol f was f l yi ng at her
t hr oat .
250
Chapt er 27
Luci a Car mi ne paused out si de t he t avema i n Ar anda de
Duer o and t ook a deep br eat h. Thr ough t he wi ndow she
coul d see Rubi o Ar zano seat ed i nsi de, wai t i ng f or her .
must not l et hi msuspect , she t hought . At ei ght o' cl ock
I ' l l have a new passpor t and be on my way t o Swi t zer l and.
She f or ced a smi l e and ent er ed t he t aver na. Rubi o gr i nned
i n r el i ef when he saw her , and as he r ose, t he l ook i n hi s
eyes gave Luci a a pang.
' I was ver y wor r i ed, quer i da. When you wer e gone f or so
l ong, I was af r ai d somet hi ng t er r i bl e had happened t o you. '
Luci a put her hand over hi s. ' Not hi ng happened. ' Except
t hat I ' ve bought my way t o f r eedom. I ' l l be out of t he count r y
t omor r ow.
Rubi o sat t her e l ooki ng i nt o her eyes, hol di ng her hand,
and t her e was such an i nt ense f eel i ng of l ove comi ng f r om
hi mt hat Luci a f el t uneasy. Doesn' t he know i t coul d never
wor k? No. Because I haven' t t he cour age t o t el l hi m. He' s not
i n l ove wi t h me. He' s i n l ove wi t h t he woman he t hi nks I am.
He' l l be much bet t er of f wi t hout me.
She t ur ned away and l ooked ar ound t he r oomf or t he f i r st
t i me. I t was f i l l ed wi t h l ocal s. Most of t hemseemed t o be
st ar i ng at t he t wo st r anger s.
One of t he young men i n t he caf e st ar t ed t o si ng and ot her s
j oi ned i n. A man wal ked over t o t he t abl e wher e Luci a and
Rubi o wer e si t t i ng.
' You' r e not si ngi ng, senor . J oi n us. '
Rubi o shook hi s head. ' No. '
' What ' s t he pr obl em, ami goT
251
Luci a' s f ace, and expl ai ned. ' I t i s one of t he ol d songs pr ai si ng
Fr anco. '
Ot her men began t o gat her ar ound t he t abl e. I t was obvi ous
t hat t hey had been dr i nki ng.
' You wer e agai nst Fr anco, senor T
Luci a saw Rubi o' s f i st s cl ench. Oh, God, not now. He
must n' t st ar t anyt hi ng t hat wi l l at t r act at t ent i on.
She sai d t o hi mwami ngl y, ' Rubi o . . . '
And, t hank God, he under st ood.
He l ooked up at t he young men and sai d pl easant l y, ' I
have not hi ng agai nst Fr anco. I j ust don' t know t he wor ds. '
' Ah. Then we' l l al l humt he song t oget her . '
They st ood t her e wai t i ng f or Rubi o t o r ef use.
Rubi o gl anced at Luci a. ' Bueno. '
The men began t o si ng agai n, and Rubi o hummed l oudl y.
Luci a coul d f eel t he t ensi on i n hi mas he hel d hi msel f under
cont r ol . He' s doi ng t hi s f or me.
When t he song ended, a man sl apped Rubi o on t he back.
' Not bad, ol d man. Not bad at al l . '
Rubi o sat t her e si l ent l y wi l l i ng t hemt o go away.
One of t he men saw t he package i n Luci a' s l ap.
' What ar e you hi di ng t her e, quer i daT
Hi s compani on sai d, ' I ' l l bet she' s got somet hi ng bet t er
t han t hat up her ski r t . '
The men l aughed.
' Why don' t you pul l your pant i es down and show us what
you' ve got t her e?'
Rubi o spr ang t o hi s f eet and gr abbed one of t he men by
t he t hr oat . He punched hi mso har d t hat he f l ew acr oss t he
r oom, br eaki ng a t abl e.
' No! ' Luci a scr eamed. ' Don' t ! '
But i t was t oo l at e. I n an i nst ant i t became a f r ee- f or - al l ,
wi t h ever ybody eager l y j oi ni ng i n. A wi ne bot t l e shat t er ed
t he gl ass behi nd t he bar . Chai r s and t abl es wer e knocked
over as men went f l yi ng t hr ough t he ai r , scr eami ng cur ses.
Rubi o knocked down t wo men and a t hi r d r an t owar ds hi m
and hi t hi mi n t he st omach. He gave a gr unt of pai n.
' Rubi o! Let ' s get out of her e! ' Luci a scr eamed.
He nodded. He was cl ut chi ng hi s st omach. They pushed
t hei r way t hr ough t he mel ee and f ound t hemsel ves out si de
on t he st r eet .
' We' ve got t o get away, ' Luci a sai d.
You wi l l have your passpor t t oni ght . Come back af t er ei ght
o' cl ock.
She had t o f i nd a pl ace t o hi de unt i l t hen. Damn hi m! Why
coul dn' t he have cont r ol l ed hi msel f ?
They t ur ned down Cal l e Sant a Mar i a, and t he noi ses of
t he f i ght behi nd t hemgr adual l y di mi ni shed. Two st r eet s
away t hey came t o a l ar ge chur ch, t he I gl esi a Sant a Mar i a.
Luci a r an up t he st eps, opened t he door and peer ed i nsi de.
The chur ch was deser t ed.
' We' l l be saf e i n her e, ' she sai d.
They wal ked i nt o t he di mness of t he chur ch. Rubi o was
st i l l hol di ng hi s st omach.
' We can r est f or a whi l e. '
' Yes. '
Rubi o l et hi s hand f al l away f r omhi s st omach, and bl ood
came gushi ng out .
Luci a f el t si ck. ' My God! What happened?'
' A kni f e, ' Rubi o whi sper ed. ' He used a kni f e. ' He sl umped
t o t he f l oor .
Luci a knel t at hi s si de, pani cky. ' Don' t move. '
She r emoved hi s shi r t and pr essed i t agai nst hi s st omach,
t r yi ng t o st emt he f l ow of bl ood. Rubi o' s f ace was chal k
whi t e.
' You shoul dn' t have f ought t hem, you i di ot , ' Luci a sai d
angr i l y.
Hi s voi ce was a sl ur r ed whi sper . ' I coul d not l et t hem
speak t o you t hat way. '
coul d not l et t hemspeak t o you t hat way.
Luci a was t ouched as she had never been t ouched bef or e.
She st ood t her e st ar i ng at hi mand t hought : How many t i mes
has t hi s man r i sked hi s l i f e f or me?
' I won' t l et you di e, ' she sai d f i er cel y. ' I ' mnot goi ng t o l et
you di e. ' She st ood up abr upt l y. ' I ' l l be r i ght back. '
n>, l uui i u wai i ai i u i vt ci s 111 me pnc! >i s ( - nangi ng r oom
i n t he r ear of t he chur ch and she bat hed Rubi o' s wound. Hi s
f ace was hot t o t he t ouch, and hi s body was soaked i n
per spi r at i on. Luci a put col d t owel s on hi s f or ehead. Rubi o' s
eyes wer e cl osed and he seemed t o be asl eep. Luci a cr adl ed
hi s head i n her ar ms and t al ked t o hi m. I t di d not mat t er
what she sai d. She was t al ki ng t o keep hi mal i ve, f or ci ng hi m
t o hol d on t o t he t hi n t hr ead of hi s exi st ence. She babbl ed
on, af r ai d t o st op f or even a second.
' We' l l wor k your f ar mt oget her , Rubi o. I want t o meet
your mot her and si st er s. Do you t hi nk t hey' l l l i ke me? I want
t hemt o, so much. And I ' ma good wor ker , car o. You' l l see.
I ' ve never wor ked on a f ar m, but I ' l l l ear n. We' l l make i t
t he best f ar mi n al l of Spai n. '
She spent t he af t er noon t al ki ng t o hi m, bat hi ng hi s f ever ed
body, changi ng t he dr essi ng. The bl eedi ng had al most
st opped.
' You see, car o? You' r e get t i ng bet t er . You' r e goi ng t o be
wel l . I t ol d you. You and I wi l l have such a wonder f ul l i f e
t oget her , Rubi o. Onl y pl ease don' t di e. Pl ease! '
She f ound t hat she was weepi ng.
She wat ched t he af t er noon shadows pai nt t he chur ch wal l s
t hr ough t he st ai ned- gl ass wi ndows and sl owl y f ade away.
The set t i ng sun di mmed t he sky and f i nal l y i t was dar k. Luci a
changed Rubi o' s bandage agai n, and so cl ose t hat i t st ar t l ed
her , t he chur ch bel l began t o r i ng. She hel d her br eat h and
count ed. One . . . t hr ee . . . f i ve . . . seven . . . ei ght . Ei ght
o' cl ock. I t was cal l i ng her , t el l i ng her i t was t i me t o r et ur n
t o t he Casa de Empenos. Ti me t o escape f r omt hi s ni ght mar e
and save her sel f .
She knel t down besi de Rubi o and f el t hi s f or ehead agai n.
He was bur ni ng wi t h f ever . Hi s body was soaked wi t h per spi r at i on
and hi s br eat hi ng was shal l ow and r aspi ng. She coul d
see no si gn of bl eedi ng, but t hat coul d mean t hat he was
bl eedi ng i nt er nal l y. God damn i t . Save your sel f , Luci a.
' Rubi o . . . dar l i ng . . . '
254
He opened hi s eyes, onl y hal f consci ous.
" I have t o l eave f or a l i t t l e whi l e, ' Luci a sai d.
He gr i pped her hand. ' Pl ease . . . '
' I t ' s al l r i ght , ' she whi sper ed. ' I ' l l be back. '
She r ose and t ook a l ong l ast l ook at hi m. can' t hel p hi m, she t hought .
Luci a pi cked up t he gol d cr oss and t ur ned and hur r i ed out
t he chur ch door , her eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. She st umbl ed out
on t o t he st r eet and began t o wal k r api dl y, headi ng t owar ds
t he pawnshop. The man and hi s cousi n woul d be t her e
wai t i ng f or her wi t h her passpor t t o f r eedom. I n t he mor ni ng
when chur ch ser vi ces begi n, t hey' l l f i nd Rubi o and get hi mt o
a doct or . They' l l t r eat hi mand he' l l get wel l . Except t hat he
wi l l not l i ve t hr ough t he ni ght , Luci a t hought . Wel l , t hat ' s not
my pr obl em.
The Casa de Empenos was j ust ahead. She was onl y a f ew
mi nut es l at e. She coul d see t hat t he l i ght s wer e on i n t he
shop. The men wer e wai t i ng f or her .
She began wal ki ng f ast er , t hen r unni ng. She cr ossed t he
st r eet and bur st t hr ough t he open door .
I nsi de t he pol i ce st at i on, a uni f or med of f i cer was behi nd
t he desk. He l ooked up as Luci a appear ed.
' I need you, ' Luci a cr i ed. ' A man has been st abbed. He
may be dyi ng. '
The pol i ceman di d not ask quest i ons. He pi cked up a
t el ephone and spoke i nt o i t . When he put t he phone down,
he sai d, ' Someone wi l l be wi t h you i n a moment . '
Two det ect i ves appear ed al most i mmedi at el y.
' Someone has been st abbed, senor i t aT
' Yes. Pl ease f ol l ow me. Hur r y! '
' We' l l pi ck up t he doct or on t he way, ' one of t he det ect i ves
sai d. " Then you can t ake us t o your f r i end. '
They pi cked up t he doct or at hi s home and Luci a hur r i ed
t he gr oup t o t he chur ch.
When t hey ent er ed t he chur ch t he doct or wal ked over t o
t he st i l l f i gur e on t he f l oor and knel t besi de hi m.
A moment l at er he l ooked up. ' He' s al i ve, but bar el y. I ' l l
cal l f or an ambul ance. '
255
FR1; I ' ve done al l I can. Now l et me get away saf el y and I ' l l never
bot her you agai n.
One of t he det ect i ves had been st ar i ng at Luci a al l t he way
t o t he chur ch. She l ooked so f ami l i ar . And t hen he suddenl y
r eal i zed why. She bor e an uncanny r esembl ance t o t he pi ct ur e
i n t he Red, Top Pr i or i t y Ci r cul at i on f r omI nt er pol .
The det ect i ve whi sper ed somet hi ng t o hi s compani on and
now t hey bot h t ur ned t o st udy her . The t wo of t hemwal ked
over t o Luci a.
' Excuse me, senor i t a. Woul d you be good enough t o come
back t o t he st at i on wi t h us? We have a f ew quest i ons we
wi sh t o ask you. '
Chapt er 28
Ri car do Mel l ado was a shor t di st ance away f r omt he mount ai n
cave when suddenl y he saw a l ar ge gr ey wol f t r ot t i ng
t owar ds t he ent r ance. He f r oze f or a si ngl e i nst ant , t hen
moved as he had never moved i n hi s l i f e. He r aced t owar ds
t he mout h of t he cave, and bur st t hr ough t he ent r ance.
Si st er ! '
I n t he di ml i ght he saw t he huge, gr ey shape l eapi ng
t owar ds Gr aci el a. I nst i nct i vel y, he r eached f or hi s pi st ol and
f i r ed. The wol f l et out a yel p of pai n and t ur ned t owar ds
Ri car do. He f el t t he shar p f angs of t he wounded beast t ear i ng
at hi s cl ot hi ng and smel l ed t he ani mal ' s f et i d br eat h. The
wol f was st r onger t han he had expect ed, heavi l y muscl ed and
power f ul . Ri car do t r i ed t o f i ght f r ee, but i t was i mpossi bl e.
He f el t hi msel f begi nni ng t o l ose consci ousness. He was
onl y di ml y awar e of Gr aci el a comi ng t owar ds hi mand he
cal l ed, ' Get away! '
He saw Gr aci el a' s hand r ai sed above hi s head, and as i t
st ar t ed t o descend t owar ds hi m, he gl i mpsed a huge r ock i n
i t and he t hought : She' s goi ng t o ki l l me.
An i nst ant l at er t he r ock swept past hi mand smashed i nt o
t he wol f s skul l . Ther e was a l ast savage gasp and t he ani mal
l ay st i l l on t he gr ound. Ri car do was huddl ed on t he f l oor ,
f i ght i ng f or br eat h. Gr aci el a knel t at hi s si de.
' Ar e you al l r i ght ?' Her voi ce was t r embl i ng wi t h concer n.
He managed t o nod. He hear d a whi mper i ng sound behi nd
hi mand t ur ned t o see t he cubs huddl ed i n a cor ner .
He l ay t her e, gat her i ng hi s st r engt h. Then he r ose wi t h
di f f i cul t y.
- - - - . - - . . . . . . vumci i i i an, snaKen.
Ri car do st ood t her e, t aki ng deep, l ung- f i l l i ng br eat hs unt i l
hi s head cl ear ed. The physi cal and emot i onal shock of t hei r
cl ose br ush wi t h deat h had t aken a sever e t ol l on bot h of
t hem.
' Let ' s get away f r omt hi s pl ace. They may come l ooki ng
f or us her e. '
Gr aci el a shudder ed at t he r emi nder of how much danger t hey wer e st i l l i n. af t
a
They t r avel l ed al ong t he st eep mount ai n pat h f or t he next
hour , and when t hey f i nal l y r eached a smal l st r eam, Ri car do
sai d, ' Let ' s st op her e. '
Wi t h no bandages or ant i sept i c, t hey cl eaned t he scr at ches
as best t hey coul d, bat hi ng t hemi n t he cl ean, col d spr i ng
wat er . Ri car do' s ar mwas so st i f f t hat he had t r oubl e movi ng
i t . To hi s sur pr i se, Gr aci el a sai d, ' Let me do i t . '
He was even mor e sur pr i sed by t he gent l eness wi t h whi ch
she di d t he t ask.
Wi t hout war ni ng, Gr aci el a began t r embl i ng vi ol ent l y i n
an af t er mat h of shock.
' I t ' s al l r i ght , ' Ri car do sai d. ' I t ' s al l over . '
She coul d not st op shaki ng.
Ri car do t ook her i n hi s ar ms and sai d soot hi ngl y, ' Ssh. I t ' s
dead. Ther e' s not hi ng mor e t o f ear . '
He was hol di ng her cl osel y, and he coul d f eel her t hi ghs
pr essi ng agai nst hi s body and her sof t l i ps wer e on hi s and
she was hol di ng hi mcl ose, whi sper i ng t hi ngs he coul d not
under st and.
I t was as t hough he had known Gr aci el a al ways. And yet he
knew not hi ng about her . Except t hat she' s God' s mi r acl e, he
t hought .
Gr aci el a was al so t hi nki ng of God. Thank you, God,
f or t hi s j oy. Thank you f or f i nal l y l et t i ng me f eel what l ove
i s.
I t r i i i o dcci i an ca( - i ci i chi ; c mr wni cn sne nad no wor ds,
beyond anyt hi ng she had ever i magi ned.
Ri car do was wat chi ng her , and her beaut y st i l l t ook hi s br eat h away. She bel ongs
t o me now, Ri car do t hought . She
doesn' t have t o go back t o a convent . We' l l get mar r i ed and
have beaut i f ul chi l dr en - st r ong sons. ' I l ove you, ' he sai d. ' I ' l l never l et
you go, Gr aci el a. '
Ri car do '
' Dar l i ng, I want t o mar r y you. Wi l l you mar r y me?'
And wi t hout even t hi nki ng, Gr aci el a sai d, ' Yes. Oh, yes. '
And she was i n hi s ar ms agai n, and she t hought : Thi s i s
what I want ed and t hought I woul d never have.
Ri car do was sayi ng, ' We' l l l i ve i n Fr ance f or a whi l e,
wher e we' l l be saf e. Thi s f i ght wi l l be over soon, and we' l l
r et ur n t o Spai n. '
She knew t hat she woul d go anywher e wi t h t hi s man, and
t hat i f t her e was danger , she want ed t o shar e i t wi t h hi m.
They t al ked of so many t hi ngs. Ri car do t ol d her how he
had f i r st become i nvol ved wi t h J ai me Mi r o, and of t he
br oken engagement and of hi s f at her ' s di spl easur e. But when
Ri car do wai t ed f or Gr aci el a t o speak about her past , she was
si l ent .
She l ooked at hi mand t hought : can' t t el l hi m. He' l l hat e
me. ' Hol d me, ' Gr aci el a begged.
They sl ept and woke up at dawn t o wat ch t he sun cr eepi ng
over t he r i dge of t he mount ai n, bat hi ng t he hi l l s i n a war m
r ed gl ow.
Ri car do sai d, ' We' l l be saf er hi di ng out her e t oday. We' l l
st ar t t r avel l i ng when i t get s dar k. '
They at e f r omt he sack of f ood t hat t he gypsi es had gi ven
t hem, and pl anned t hei r f ut ur e.
' Ther e ar e wonder f ul oppor t uni t i es her e i n Spai n, ' Ri car do
sai d. ' Or t her e wi l l be when we have peace. I have dozens
of i deas. We' l l own our own busi ness. We' l l buy a beaut i f ul
home and r ai se handsome sons. '
' And beaut i f ul daught er s. '
' And beaut i f ul daught er s. ' He smi l ed. ' I never knew I
coul d be so happy. '
. . . . . 111 i - ugr uno i n t wo days and meet t he ot her s'
Ri car do sai d. He t ook her hand. ' We' l l t el l t hemyou won' t
be r et ur ni ng t o t he convent . '
' I wonder i f t hey' l l under st and. ' Then she l aughed. ' I don' t
r eal l y car e. God under st ands. I l oved my l i f e i n t he convent '
she sai d sof t l y, ' but - ' She l eaned over and ki ssed hi m.
Ri car do sai d, ' I have so much t o make up t o you. '
She was puzzl ed. ' I don' t under st and. '
' Those year s you wer e i n t he convent , shut away f r omt
wor l d. Tel l me, dar l i ng - does i t bot her you t hat you' ve l o
al l t hose year s?'
How coul d she make hi msee? ' Ri car do - I di dn' t l o;
anyt hi ng. Have I r eal l y mi ssed so much?'
He t hought about i t , not knowi ng wher e t o begi n. He
r eal i zed t hat event s he t hought of as i mpor t ant woul d not
r eal l y have mat t er ed t o t he nuns i n t hei r i sol at i on. War s,
l i ke t he Ar ab- I sr ael i War ? Assassi nat i ons of pol i t i cal l eader s
such as t he Amer i can Pr esi dent J ohn Kennedy and hi s
br ot her Rober t Kennedy? And of Mar t i n Lut her Ki ng, J r . ,
t he gr eat bl ack l eader of t he non- vi ol ence movement f or
bl ack equal i t y? The Ber l i n Wal l ? Fami nes? Fl oods? Ear t hquakes?
St r i kes and demonst r at i ons pr ot est i ng at man' s i nhumani t y
t o man?
I n t he end, how deepl y woul d any of t hese t hi ngs have
af f ect ed her per sonal l i f e? Or t he per sonal l i ves of t he
maj or i t y of peopl e on t hi s ear t h?
Fi nal l y, Ri car do sai d, ' I n one sense, you haven' t mi ssed
much. But i n anot her sense, yes. Somet hi ng i mpor t ant has
been goi ng on. Li f e. Whi l e you wer e shut aw. ay al l t hose
year s, babi es have been bor n and have gr own up; l over s
have mar r i ed; peopl e have suf f er ed and been happy; peopl e
have di ed, and al l of us out her e wer e a par t of t hat , a par t
of t he l i vi ng. '
' And you t hi nk I never was?' Gr aci el a asked. And t he
wor ds came t umbl i ng out bef or e she coul d st op t hem. ' I was
once a par t of t hat l i f e you ar e t al ki ng about , and i t was a
l i vi ng hel l . My mot her was a whor e, and ever y ni ght I had
260
i ni t ; ! - " 1 " " - " - " " - - " <" oJ ui i cci i year s oi a i gave my
, J v ( o a man because I was at t r act ed t o hi mand j eal ous of my mot her and what
she was doi ng. ' The wor ds wer e comi ng
. y t or r ent now. ' I woul d have become a whor e, t oo, i f I
had st ayed t her e t o be par t of t he l i f e you t hi nk i s so pr eci ous.
No I don' t bel i eve I r an away f r omanyt hi ng. I r an t o somet hi ng. I f ound a saf e
wor l d t hat i s peacef ul and good. '
Ri car do was st ar i ng at her , hor r i f i ed. ' I - I ' msor r y, ' he
sai d. ' I di dn' t mean t o '
She was sobbi ng now, and he t ook her i n hi s ar ms and
sai d, ' Sh! I t ' s al l r i ght . That ' s over . You wer e a chi l d. I l ove
you. '
And i t was as t hough Ri car do had gi ven her absol ut i on.
She had t ol d hi mabout t he awf ul t hi ngs she had done i n t he
past , and st i l l he f or gave her . And - wonder of wonder s l oved
her .
He hel d her ver y cl ose. ' Ther e i s a poemby Feder i co
Gar cf aLor ca:
The ni ght does not wi sh t o come
so t hat you cannot come
and I cannot go.
But you wi l l come
wi t h your t ongue bur ned by t he sal t r ai n.
The day does not wi sh t o come
so t hat you cannot come
and I cannot come
and I cannot go.
But I wi l l come
t hr ough t he muddy wat er s of dar kness.
Nei t her ni ght nor day wi shes t o come
so t hat I may di e f or you and you di e
f or me. '
And suddenl y she t hought of t he sol di er s who wer e hunt i ng
t hemand she wonder ed i f she and her bel oved Ri car do wer e
goi ng t o l i ve l ong enough t o have a f ut ur e t oget her .
261
Chapt er 29
Ther e was a l i nk mi ssi ng, a cj ue t o t he past , and Al an Tucke
was det er mi ned t o f i nd i t . Ther e had been no ment i on i n t he
newspaper of a baby bei ng abandoned, but i t shoul d be easy
enough t o f i nd out t he dat e i t was br ought t o t he or phanage. !
I f t he dat e coi nci ded wi t h t he t i me of t he pl ane cr ash, E) l en
Scot t woul d have some i nt er est i ng expl ai ni ng t o do. She
coul dn ' t be t hat st upi d, Al an Tucker t hought . To r i sk pr et endi ng
t hat t he Scot t hei r ess was dead, and t hen l eave her on t he
door st ep of a f ar mhouse. Ri sky. Ver y r i sky. On t he ot her
hand, l ook at t he r ewar d: Scot t I ndust r i es. Yes, she coul d
have pul l ed i t of f . I f i t i s a skel et on i n her cl oset , i t ' s a l i ve
one, and i t ' s goi ng t o cost her pl ent y.
Tucker knew t hat he had t o be ver y car ef ul . He had no i l l usi on about whomhe was
deal i ng wi t h. He was conf r ont i ng
r aw power . He knew he had t o have al l t he evi dence i n handj
bef or e he made hi s move.
Hi s f i r st st op was t o r et ur n t o Fat her Ber r endo.
' Fat her - 1 woul d l i ke t o speak t o t he f ar mer and hi s wi f ea
wher e Pat r i ci a - Megan was dr opped of f . ' H
The ol d pr i est smi l ed. ' I hope your conver sat i on wi t h t hem
wi l l not t ake pl ace f or a l ong t i me. '
Tucker st ar ed at hi m. ' You mean ?'
' They di ed many year s ago. '
Damn. But t her e had t o be ot her avenues t o expl or e. ' You
sai d t he baby was t aken t o a hospi t al wi t h pneumoni a?'
' Yes. '
Ther e woul d be r ecor ds t her e. ' Whi ch hospi t al was i t ?'
' I t bur ned down i n ni net een si xt y- one. Ther e i s a new
nospi i t " ' " - ' " c ! >aw ' " e i ook of di smay on hi s vi si t or ' s
f ace. ' You must r emember , senor , t hat t he i nf or mat i on you
ar e seeki ng goes back t went y- ei ght year s. Many t hi ngs have
changed. '
Not hi ng' s goi ng t o st op me, Al an Tucker t hought . Not
when I ' ve come t hi s cl ose. Ther e must be a f i l e on her somewher e.
Ther e was st i l l one pl ace l ef t t o i nvest i gat e. The or phanage.
He was r epor t i ng dai l y now t o El l en Scot t .
' Keep me i nf or med of ever y devel opment . I want t o know
t he moment t he gi r l i s f ound. '
And Al an Tucker wonder ed about t he ur gency i n her
voi ce.
She seems i n an awf ul bi g r ush over somet hi ng t hat happened
al l t hose year s ago. Why? Wel l , t hat can wai t . Fi r st I
have t o get t he pr oof I ' ml ooki ng f or .
That mor ni ng Al an Tucker vi si t ed t he or phanage. He l ooked
ar ound t he dr ear y communi t y r oomwher e a noi sy, chat t er i ng
gr oup of chi l dr en wer e pl ayi ng, and he t hought : Thi s i s wher e
t he hei r ess t o t he Scot t dynast y gr ew up, whi l e t hat bi t ch i n
New Yor k kept al l t he money and al l t he power . Wel l , she' s
goi ng t o shar e some of t hat wi t h your s t r ul y. Yes, si r , we' l l
make a gr eat t eam, El l en Scot t and me.
A young woman came up t o hi mand sai d, ' May I hel p
you, senor T
He smi l ed. Yeah. You can hel p me t o about a bi l l i on
dol l ar s. ' I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o whoever ' s i n char ge her e. ' " That woul d be Senor a
Angel es. '
' I s she her e?'
' ' , senor . I wi l l t ake you t o her . '
He f ol l owed t he woman t hr ough t he mai n hal l t o a smal l
of f i ce at t he r ear of t he bui l di ng.
' Go i n, pl ease. '
- - . _. . - - - . w. i su me uni ce. me woman seat ed at t he
desk was i n her ei ght i es. She had once been a ver y l ar ge
woman, but her f r ame had shr unk, so she l ooked as t hough
her body had at one t i me bel onged t o someone el se.
Her hai r was gr ey and t hi n, but her eyes wer e br i ght and
cl ear .
' Good mor ni ng, senor . May I hel p you? You have come
t o adopt one of our l ovel y chi l dr en? We have so many
del i ght f ul ones t o choose f r om. ' ?1
' No, sehor a. I have come t o i nqui r e about a chi l d who was
l ef t her e many year s ago. '
Mer cedes Angel es f r owned. ' I do not under st and. ' '
' A baby gi r l was br ought i n her e - ' He pr et ended t o
consul t a pi ece of paper - ' i n Oct ober of ni net een f or t y-
ei ght . '
' That i s so l ong ago. She woul d not be her e now. You see,
we have a r ul e, senor , t hat at t he age of f i f t een '
' No, sehor a. I know she' s not her e. What I wi sh t o know
i s t he exact dat e she was br ought her e. '
' I ' maf r ai d I cannot hel p you, senor . '
Hi s hear t sank.
' You see, so many chi l dr en ar e br ought i n her e. Unl ess
you know her name - '
Pat r i ci a Scot t , he t hought . Al oud, he sai d, ' Megan. Her
name i s Megan. '
Mer cedes Angel es' f ace l i t up. ' No one coul d f or get t hat
chi l d. She was a devi l , and ever yone ador ed her . Do you
know t hat one day she - '
Al an Tucker had no t i me f or anecdot es. Hi s i nst i nct s t ol d
hi mhow cl ose he was t o get t i ng hol d of a pi ece of t he Scot t
f or t une. And t hi s gabby ol d woman was t he key t o i t . I must
be pat i ent wi t h her . ' Senor a Angel es - I don' t have much
t i me. Woul d you have t hat dat e i n your f i l es?'
' Of cour se, senor . We ar e commanded by t he st at e t o keep
ver y accur at e r ecor ds. '
Tucker ' s hear t l i f t ed. shoul d have br ought a camer a t o
t ake a pi ct ur e of t he f i l e. Never mi nd. I ' l l have i t phot ocopi ed. , ' Coul d I see
t hat f i l e, senor aT i
264
She f r owned. " I don' t know. Our r ecor ds ar e conf i dent i al
and '
Of cour se, ' Tucker sai d smoot hl y, ' and I cer t ai nl y r espect
t hat . You sai d you wer e f ond of l i t t l e Megan, and I know you' d want t o do
anyt hi ng you coul d t o hel p her . Wel l , t hat ' s
why I ' mher e. I have some good news f or her . '
' And f or t hi s you need t he dat e she was br ought i n her e?'
He sai d gl i bl y, ' That ' s j ust so I ' l l have t he pr oof t hat she' s
t he per son I t hi nk she i s. Her f at her di ed and l ef t her a smal l
i nher i t ance, and I want t o make sur e she get s i t . '
The woman nodded wi sel y. ' I see. '
Tucker pul l ed a r ol l of bi l l s f r omhi s pocket . ' And t o show
my appr eci at i on f or t he t r oubl e I ' ve put you t o, I ' d l i ke t o
cont r i but e a hundr ed dol l ar s t o your or phanage. '
She was l ooki ng at t he r ol l of bi l l s, an uncer t ai n expr essi on
on her f ace.
He peel ed of f anot her bi l l . ' Two hundr ed. '
She f r owned.
' Al l r i ght . Fi ve hundr ed. '
Mer cedes Angel es beamed. " That i s ver y gener ous of you, senor . I wi l l go and get
t he f i l e. '
I ' ve done i t , he t hought j ubi l ant l y. J esus Chr i st , I ' ve done
i t ! She st ol e Scot t I ndust r i es f or her sel f . I f i t hadn' t been f or
me, she woul d have got t en away wi t h i t .
When he conf r ont ed El l en Scot t wi t h hi s evi dence t her e
was no way she coul d deny i t . The pl ane cr ash happened on
1 Oct ober . Megan was i n t he hospi t al f or t en days. So she
woul d have been br ought i nt o t he or phanage ar ound 11
Oct ober .
Mer cedes Angel es r et ur ned t o t he of f i ce, hol di ng a f i l e i n
her hands. ' I f ound i t , ' she sai d pr oudl y.
I t was al l Al an Tucker coul d do t o keep f r omgr abbi ng i t
out of her hands. ' May I l ook at i t ?' he asked pol i t el y.
' Cer t ai nl y. You have been so gener ous. ' She f r owned. ' I
hope you wi l l not ment i on t hi s t o anyone. I shoul d not be
doi ng t hi s at al l . '
' I t wi l l be our secr et , senor a. '
She handed hi mt he f i l e.
265
He i ook a deep br eat h and opened i t . At t he t op i t sai d- Megan. Baby Gi r l .
Par ent s unknown. ' And t hen t he dat ef But t her e was some mi st ake. J
' I t says her e t hat Megan was br ought i n her e on 14 J un
1948. '
' Ssenor . '
' That ' s i mpossi bl e! ' He was al most scr eami ng. The pi
cr ash happened on I Oct ober .
Ther e was a puzzl ed expr essi on on her f ace. ' I mpossi bl el senar y I do not
under st and. '
' Who - who keeps t hese r ecor ds?'
' I do. When a chi l d i s l ef t her e, I put down t he dat e and
what ever i nf or mat i on i s gi ven t o me. '
Hi s dr eamwas col l apsi ng. ' Coul dn' t you have made a
mi st ake? About t he dat e, I mean - coul dn' t i t have beer
Oct ober t he el event h?'
' Senor , ' she sai d i ndi gnant l y. ' I know t he di f f er ence bet ween J une t he
f our t eent h and Oct ober t he el event h. '
I t was over . He had bui l t a dr eamon t oo f l i msy a f oundat i on.
So Pat r i ci a Scot t had r eal l y di ed i n t he pl ane cr ash.
I t was a coi nci dence t hat El l en Scot t was sear chi ng f or a gi r l
who had been bor n ar ound t he same t i me.
Al an Tucker r ose heavi l y and sai d, ' Thank you, senor a. '
' De nada, senor . '
She wat ched hi ml eave. He was such a ni ce man. And so
gener ous. Hi s f i ve hundr ed dol l ar s woul d buy many t hi ngs
f or t he or phanage. So woul d t he hundr ed t housand dol l ar
cheque sent by t he ki nd l ady who had t el ephoned f r omNew
Yor k. Oct ober t he el event h was cer t ai nl y a l ucky day f or our ,
or phanage. Thank you. Lor d.
Al an Tucker was r epor t i ng.
' St i l l no har d news, Mr s Scot t . They' r e r umour ed t o
headi ng nor t h. As f ar as I know, t he gi r l i s saf e. '
The t one of hi s voi ce has compl et el y changed, El l en Scot
t hought . The t hr eat i s gone. So he' s vi si t ed t he or phanage!
ue- s hack t o bei ng an empl oyee. Wel l . af t er he f i nds Pat r i ci a,
t hat wi l l change, t oo.
Repor t i n t omor r ow. '
Yes, Mr s Scot t . '
Chapt er 30
i
' Pr eser ve me, Oh God, f or i n Thee I t ake r ef uge. Thou ar t
my Lor d; I have no good apar t f r omThee. I l ove Thee, 0
Lor d, my st r engt h. The Lor d i s my r ock and my f or t r ess and my del i ver er . . . '
Si st er Megan gl anced up t o see Fel i x Car pi o wat chi ng he
a concer ned expr essi on on hi s f ace. l
She' s r eal l y f r i ght ened, he t hought .
Ever si nce t hey had st ar t ed on t hei r j our ney, he had seei
Si st er Megan' s deep anxi et y. Of cour se. I t ' s onl y nat ur al . She' si
been l ocked up i n a convent f or God onl y knows how manyi , year s, and now she' s
suddenl y t hr own out i nt o a st r ange, t er r i f y i ng wor l d. We' I I have t o be ver y
gent l e wi t h t he poor gi r l .
Si st er Megan was i ndeed f r i ght ened. She had been pr ayi ng
har d ever si nce l eavi ng t he convent .
For gi ve me. Lor d, f or I l ove t he exci t ement of what i s{
happeni ng t o me, and I know t hat i s wi cked of me.
But no mat t er how har d Si st er Megan pr ayed, she coul d
not hel p t hi nki ng. don' t r emember when I ' ve had such a
good t i me. I t was t he most amazi ng advent ur e she had ever
had. I n t he or phanage she had of t en pl anned dar i ng escapes,
but t hat was chi l d' s pl ay. Thi s was t he r eal t hi ng. She was i n n
t he hands of t er r or i st s, and t hey wer e bei ng pur sued by t he
pol i ce and t he ar my. But i nst ead of bei ng t er r i f i ed. Si st er
Megan f el t st r angel y exhi l ar at ed, al
I
Af t er t r avel l i ng al l ni ght t hey st opped at dawn. Megan and
Ampar o J i r on st ood by as J ai me Mi r o and Fel i x Car pi c
huddl ed over a map.
I t ' s f our mi l es t o Medi na del Campo, ' J ai me sai d. ' Let ' s
voi d i t . Ther e' s a per manent ar my gar r i son st at i oned t her e.
We' l l keep headi ng nor t h- east t o Val l adol i d. We shoul d
r each i t by ear l y af t er noon. ' Easi l y, Si st er Megan t hought happi l y.
I t had been a l ong and gr uel l i ng ni ght wi t hout r est , but
Meean f el t wonder f ul . J ai me was del i ber at el y pushi ng t he
er oup, but Megan under st ood what he was doi ng. He was
t est i ng her , wai t i ng f or her t o cr ack. Wel l , he' s i n f or a
sur pr i se, she t hought .
As a mat t er of f act , J ai me Mi r o f ound hi msel f i nt r i gued
by Si st er Megan. Her behavi our was not at al l what he woul d
have expect ed of a nun. She was mi l es away f r omher
convent , t r avel l i ng t hr ough st r ange t er r i t or y, bei ng hunt ed,
and she seemed t o be act ual l y enj oyi ng i t . What ki nd of nun
i s she? J ai me Mi r o wonder ed.
Ampar o J i r on was l ess i mpr essed. I ' l l be gl ad t o be r i d of
her , she t hought . She st ayed cl ose t o J ai me, l et t i ng t he nun
wal k wi t h Fel i x Car pi o.
The count r ysi de was wi l d and beaut i f ul , car essed by t he
sof t f r agr ance of t he summer wi nd. They passed ol d vi l l ages,
some of t hemdeser t ed and f or l or n, and saw an anci ent
abandoned cast l e hi gh on a hi l l .
Ampar o seemed t o Megan l i ke a wi l d ani mal - gl i di ng
ef f or t l essl y over hi l l s and val l eys, never seemi ng t o
t i r e.
When f i nal l y hour s l at er Val l adol i d l oomed up i n t he
di st ance, J ai me cal l ed a hal t .
J ai me t ur ned t o Fel i x. ' Ever yt hi ng i s ar r anged?'
' Yes. '
Megan wonder ed exact l y what had been ar r anged. She
f ound out ver y qui ckl y.
Tomas i s i nst r uct ed t o cont act us at t he bul l r i ng. '
' What t i me does t he bank cl ose?'
' Fi ve o' cl ock. Ther e wi l l be pl ent y of t i me. '
J ai me nodded. ' And t oday t her e shoul d be a f at payr ol l . '
Good Lor d, t hey' r e goi ng t o r ob a bank, Megan t hought .
FR1; i i was a ni ne mor e excuemeni man sne nad Bar gai ned f or .
' What about a car ?' Ampar o was aski ng.
' No pr obl em, ' J ai me assur ed her .
They' r e goi ng t o st eal one, Megan t hought . God i sn' t goi ng
t o l i ke t hi s.
When t he gr oup r eached t he out ski r t s of Val l adol i d, J ai me
war ned, ' St ay wi t h t he cr owds. Today i s bul l f i ght day and
t her e wi l l be t housands of peopl e. Let ' s not get separ at ed. '
J ai me Mi r 6 had been r i ght about t he cr owds. Megan had
never seen so many peopl e. The st r eet s wer e swar mi ng wi t h
pedest r i ans and car s and mot or cycl es, f or t he bul l f i ght had
dr awn not onl y t our i st s, but ci t i zens f r omal l t he nei ghbour i ng
t owns. Even t he chi l dr en on t he st r eet wer e pl ayi ng at
bul l f i ght i ng.
. Megan was f asci nat ed by t he cr owds and t he noi se and t he
bust l e ar ound her . She l ooked i nt o t he f aces of passer s- by and
wonder ed what t hei r l i ves wer e l i ke. Soon enough I ' l l be back
i n t he convent wher e I won' t be al l owed t o l ook at anyone' s f ace
agai n. I mi ght as wel l t ake advant age of t hi s whi l e I can.
The pavement s wer e f i l l ed wi t h vendor s di spl ayi ng
t r i nket s, r el i gi ous medal s and cr osses, and ever ywher e was
t he pungent smel l of f r i t t er s f r yi ng i n boi l i ng oi l .
Megan suddenl y r eal i zed how hungr y she was.
I t was Fel i x who sai d, ' J ai me, we' r e al l hungr y. Let ' s t r y
some of t hose f r i t t er s. '
Fel i x bought f our of t hemand handed one t o Megan. Tr y
t hi s. Si st er . You' l l l i ke i t . '
I t was del i ci ous. For so many of her year s, f ood was not
meant t o be enj oyed, but t o sust ai n t he body f or t he gl or y
of t he Lor d. Thi s one' s f or me, Megan t hought i r r ever ent l y.
' The ar ena i s t hi s way, ' J ai me sai d.
They f ol l owed t he cr owds past t he par k i n t he mi ddl e of
t own t o t he Pl aza Poi nent e, whi ch f l owed i nt o t he Pl aza
de Tor os. The ar ena i t sel f was i nsi de an enor mous adobe
st r uct ur e, t hr ee st or eys hi gh. Ther e wer e f our t i cket wi ndows
at t he ent r ance. Si gns on t he l ef t sai d, ' Sol ' , and on t he r i ght ,
. cQnbr a' . Sun or shade. Ther e wer e hundr eds of peopl e l andi ng i n queues wai t i ng
t o pur chase t i cket s.
Wai t her e, ' J ai me or der ed.
They wat ched hi mas he wal ked over t o wher e hal f a dozen
t out s wer e hawki ng t i cket s.
Megan t ur ned t o Fel i x. ' Ar e we goi ng t o wat ch a bul l f i ght ?'
Yes, but don' t wor r y. Si st er , ' Fel i x r eassur ed her . ' You
wi l l f i nd i t exci t i ng. '
Wor r y? Megan was t hr i l l ed by t he i dea. At t he or phanage,
one of her f ant asi es had been t hat her f at her had been a gr eat t or er o, and Megan
had r ead ever y book on bul l f i ght i ng
t hat she coul d get her hands on.
Fel i x was sayi ng, ' The r eal bul l f i ght s ar e hel d i n Madr i d
and Bar cel ona. The bul l f i ght her e wi l l be by novi l l er os, i nst ead of
pr of essi onal s. They ar e amat eur s. They have not
been gr ant ed t he al t er nat i va.
Megan knew t hat t he al t er nat i va was t he accol ade gi ven
onl y t o t he t op- r anked mat ador s.
The ones we wi l l see t oday f i ght i n r ent ed cost umes i nst ead
of t he gol d- encr ust ed sui t of l i ght s, agai nst bul l s wi t h f i l ed,
danger ous hor ns t hat t he pr of essi onal s r ef use t o f i ght . '
' Why do t hey do i t ?'
Fel i x Car pi o shr ugged. ' Mas cor nadas da el hambr e. Hunger i s mor e pai nf ul t han
hor ns. '
J ai me r et ur ned, hol di ng f our t i cket s. ' We' r e al l set , ' J ai me
sai d. ' Let ' s go i n. '
Megan f el t a gr owi ng sense of exci t ement .
As t hey appr oached t he ent r ance t o t he huge ar ena, t hey
passed a post er pl ast er ed t o t he wal l . Megan st opped and
st ar ed at i t .
' Look! '
Ther e was a pi ct ur e of J ai me Mi r 6, and under i t :
WANTED FOR MURDER
J AI ME MI R6
ONE MI LLI ON PESETAS REWARD
FOR HI S CAPTURE
DEAD OR ALI VE
- . . - . . r aveni ng wnn, t he t er r or i st who
hel d her l i f e i n hi s hands.
J ai me was st udyi ng t he pi ct ur e. ' Not a bad l i keness. ' He
r i pped of f t he post er , f ol ded i t and put i t i n hi s pocket .
What good wi l l t hat do? Ampar o wonder ed. They must
have post ed hundr eds of t hem.
J ai me gr i nned. ' Thi s par t i cul ar one i s goi ng t o br i ng us a
f or t une, quer i da. '
What a st r ange r emar k, Megan t hought . She coul d not hel p
admi r i ng hi s cool ness. Ther e was an ai r of sol i d compet ence
about J ai me Mi r o t hat Megan f ound r eassur i ng. The sol di er s
wi l l never cat ch hi m, she t hought . ' ' Let ' s go i nsi de. '
Ther e wer e t wel ve wi del y spaced ent r ances t o t he bui l di ng, j
The r ed i r on door s had been f l ung open, each one number ed. I
I nsi de t he ent r ance t her e wer e puest os sel l i ng col a and beer ,
and next t o t hemsmal l t oi l et cubi cl es. I n t he st ands, each I
sect i on and seat wer e number ed. The t i er s of st one benches I
made a compl et e ci r cl e, and i n t he cent r e was t he l ar ge ar ena
cover ed wi t h sand. Ther e wer e commer ci al si gns ever y1
wher e: BANCO CENTRAL . . . BOUTI QUE CAL- J
ZADOS . . . SCHWEPPES . . . RADI O POPULAR . . .
J ai me had pur chased t i cket s on t he shady si de and as t hey I
sat down on t he st one benches, Megan l ooked ar ound i n
wonder . I t was not at al l as she had i magi ned i t . When she was a young gi r l ,
she had seen r omant i c col our phot ogr aphs
of t he bul l r i ng i n Madr i d, huge and el abor at e. Thi s was
a makeshi f t r i ng. The t r i bunas wer e r api dl y f i l l i ng up wi t h
spect at or s.
A t r umpet sounded. The bul l f i ght began.
Megan l eaned f or war d i n her seat , her eyes wi de. A huge
bul l char ged i nt o t he r i ng and a mat ador st epped out f r om
behi nd a smal l wooden bar r i er at t he si de of t he r i ng andl
began t easi ng t he ani mal . '
' The pi cador s wi l l be next , ' Megan sai d exci t edl y.
J ai me Mi r 6 l ooked at her i n wonder . He had been concer ned
t hat t he bul l f i ght woul d make her i l l and t hat she
, . . . . i i . o. - i oi i ci i i i ui i i d mem. i nst ead, she seemed t o be
havi ng a wonder f ul t i me. St r ange.
A pi cador was appr oachi ng t he bul l , r i di ng a hor se cover ed
wi t h a heavy bl anket . The bul l l ower ed i t s head and char ged
at t he hor se, and as i t bur i ed i t s hor ns i n t he bl anket , t he
pi cador dr ove an ei ght f oot pi ca i nt o t he bul l ' s shoul der .
Megan was wat chi ng, f asci nat ed. ' He' s doi ng t hat t o
weaken t he bul l ' s neck muscl es, ' she expl ai ned, r emember i ng
t he wel l - l oved books she had r ead al l t hose year s
ago.
Fel i x Car pi o bl i nked i n sur pr i se. ' That ' s r i ght . Si st er . '
Megan wat ched as t he pai r s of col our f ul l y decor at ed
bander i l l as wer e sl ammed i nt o t he bul l ' s shoul der s.
Now i t was t he mat ador ' s t ur n. He st epped i nt o t he r i ng
hol di ng at hi s si de a r ed cape wi t h a swor d i nsi de i t . The bul l
t ur ned and began t o char ge.
Megan was get t i ng mor e exci t ed. ' He wi l l make hi s passes
now, ' she sai d. ' Fi r st t he pose ver oni ca, t hen t he medi a
ver oni ca, and l ast t he r ebol er a. '
J ai me coul d cont ai n hi s cur i osi t y no l onger . ' Si st er - wher e
di d you l ear n al l t hi s?'
Wi t hout t hi nki ng, Megan sai d, ' My f at her was a bul l f i ght er .
Wat ch! '
The act i on was so swi f t t hat Megan coul d bar el y f ol l ow
i t . The maddened bul l kept char gi ng at t he mat ador , and
each t i me he near ed hi m, t he mat ador swung hi s r ed cape
t o t he si de and t he bul l f ol l owed t he cape. Megan was
concer ned.
' What happens i f t he bul l f i ght er get s hur t ?'
J ai me shr ugged. ' I n a pl ace l i ke t hi s, t he t own bar ber wi l l
t ake hi mover t o t he bar n and sew hi mup. '
The bul l char ged agai n, and t hi s t i me t he mat ador l eapt
out of t he way. The cr owd booed.
Fel i x Car pi o sai d apol oget i cal l y, ' I amsor r y t hi s i s not a
bet t er f i ght . Si st er . You shoul d see t he gr eat ones. I have
seen Manol et e and el Cor dobes and Or donez. They made
bul l f i ght i ng a spect acl e never t o be f or got t en. '
' I have r ead about t hem, ' Megan sai d.
' I
. - _. . - - , . . . . . . . uu ever near d t he wonder f ul st or y i
about Manol et e?'
' Whi ch st or y?'
' At one t i me, t he st or y goes, Manol et e was j ust anot her
bul l f i ght er , no bet t er and no wor se t han a hundr ed ot her s.
He was engaged t o a beaut i f ul young gi r l , but one day when
Manol et e was i n t he r i ng a bul l gor ed hi mi n t he gr oi n and
t he doct or pat ched hi mup and t ol d hi mt hat he woul d no
l onger be abl e t o have chi l dr en. Manol et e l oved hi s f i ancee
so much t hat he di dn' t t el l her , because he was af r ai d she
woul dn' t mar r y hi m. They mar r i ed and a f ew mont hs l at er
she pr oudl y t ol d Manol et e t hat she was goi ng t o have a baby.
Wel l , of cour se he knew t hat i t wasn' t hi s baby, and he l ef t
her . The hear t br oken gi r l ki l l ed her sel f . Manol et e r eact ed
l i ke a madman. He had no mor e desi r e t o l i ve, so he went
i nt o t he bul l r i ng and di d t hi ngs t hat no mat ador had ever
done bef or e. He kept r i ski ng hi s l i f e, hopi ng t o be ki l l ed,
and he became t he gr eat est mat ador i n t he wor l d. Two year s
l at er he f el l i n l ove agai n and mar r i ed t he young l ady. A f ew
mont hs af t er t he weddi ng she came t o hi mand pr oudl y
announced t hat she was goi ng t o have hi s baby. And t hat ' s ,
when Manol et e di scover ed t hat t he doct or had been wr ong. '
Megan sai d, ' How awf ul . ' a
J ai me l aughed al oud. ' That ' s an i nt er est i ng st or y. I wonder
i f t her e i s any t r ut h t o i t . '
' I woul d l i ke t o t hi nk so, ' Fel i x sai d.
Ampar o was l i st eni ng, her f ace i mpassi ve. She had
wat ched J ai me' s gr owi ng i nt er est i n t he nun wi t h r esent ment .
The si st er had bet t er wat ch her st ep. I
Apr oned f ood vendor s wer e movi ng up and down t he ai sl es I
cal l i ng out t hei r war es. One of t hemappr oached t he r ow I
wher e J ai me and t he ot her s wer e seat ed. I
1 Empanadas, ' he cal l ed out . ' Empanadas cal i ent es. '
J ai me r ai sed a hand. ' Aqui . '
The vendor ski l f ul l y t ossed a wr apped package acr oss t he
cr owd i nt o J ai me' s hands. J ai me handed t en peset as t o t he
man next t o hi mt o be passed t o t he vendor . Megan wat ched
as J ai me l ower ed t he wr apped empanada t o hi s l ap and
car ef ul l y opened i t . I nsi de t he wr appi ng was a pi ece of paper .
J ai me r ead i t , t hen r ead i t agai n, and Megan saw hi s j aw
t i ght en.
J ai me sl i pped t he paper i nt o hi s pocket . ' We' r e l eavi ng, '
he sai d cur t l y. ' One at a t i me. ' He t ur ned t o Ampar o. ' You
f i r st . We' l l meet at t he gat e. '
Wor dl essl y, Ampar o got up and made her way acr oss t o
t he ai sl e.
J ai me nodded t o Fel i x, and Fel i x r ose and f ol l owed
Ampar o.
' What i s happeni ng?' Megan asked. ' I s somet hi ng wr ong?'
' We' r e l eavi ng f or Logr ono. ' He r ose. ' Wat ch me. Si st er .
I f I ' mnot st opped, go t o t he gat e. '
Megan wat ched, t ense, as J ai me made hi s way t o t he ai sl e
and st ar t ed t owar ds t he exi t . No one seemed t o pay any
at t ent i on t o hi m. When J ai me had di sappear ed f r omsi ght ,
Megan r ose and st ar t ed t o l eave. Ther e was a r oar f r omt he
cr owd and she t ur ned t o l ook back at t he bul l r i ng. A young
mat ador was l yi ng on t he gr ound bei ng gor ed by t he savage
bul l . Bl ood was pour i ng on t o t he sand. Megan cl osed her
eyes and of f er ed up a si l ent pr ayer : Oh, bl essed J esus, have
mer cy on t hi s man. He shal l not di e, but he shal l l i ve. The
Lor d has chast ened hi msor el y, but he has not gi ven hi mover
t o deat h. Amen. She opened her eyes, t ur ned and hur r i ed
out .
J ai me, Ampar o and Fel i x wer e wai t i ng f or her at t he
ent r ance.
' Let ' s move, ' J ai me sai d.
They st ar t ed wal ki ng.
' What ' s wr ong?' Fel i x asked J ai me.
' The sol di er s shot Tomas, ' J ai me sai d t er sel y. ' He' s dead.
And t he pol i ce have Rubi o. He was st abbed i n a bar f i ght . '
Megan cr ossed her sel f . ' What ' s happened t o Si st er Ter esa
and Si st er Luci a?' she asked anxi ousl y.
' I don' t know. ' J ai me t ur ned t o t he ot her s. ' We must
hur r y. ' He l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' The bank shoul d be busy. '
- - , - - - - _, _- . . - . . f . . mi , > >- ha auggcsi cu. HSgOi ngi
t o be danger ous f or j ust t he t wo of us t o hol d up t he bank
now. '
Megan l i st ened t o what he was sayi ng and t hought : TAaj won' t st op hi m. She was
r i ght .
The t hr ee of t hemwer e headed f or t he huge car - par k
behi nd t he ar ena. When Megan caught up wi t h t hem, Fel i x
was exami ni ng a bl ue Seat sedan.
Thi s shoul d do, ' Fel i x sai d.
He f umbl ed wi t h t he l ock on t he door f or a moment ,
opened i t and put hi s head i nsi de. He cr ouched down under
t he wheel , and a moment l at er t he engi ne st ar t ed.
' Get i n, ' J ai me t ol d t hem.
Megan st ood t her e, uncer t ai nl y. ' You' r e st eal i ng a car ?'
' For Chr i st ' s sake, ' Ampar o hi ssed. ' St op act i ng l i ke a nun
and get i nt o t he car . '
The t wo men wer e i n t he f r ont seat , wi t h J ai me at t he
wheel . Ampar o scr ambl ed i nt o t he back.
' Ar e you comi ng or not ?' J ai me demanded.
Megan t ook a deep br eat h and got i nt o t he car next t o
Ampar o. They st ar t ed of f . Megan cl osed her eyes. Dear
Lor d, wher e ar e You l eadi ng me?
' I f i t makes you f eel any bet t er . Si st er , ' J ai me sai d, ' we' r e
not st eal i ng t hi s car . We' r e conf i scat i ng i t i n t he name of t he
Basque ar my. '
Megan st ar t ed t o say somet hi ng, t hen st opped. Ther e was
not hi ng she coul d say t hat woul d make hi mchange hi s mi nd.
She sat t her e i n si l ence as J ai me dr ove t owar ds t he cent r e of
t own.
He' s goi ng t o r ob a bank, Megan t hought , and i n t he eyes
of God, I ' l l be as gui l t y as he i s. She cr ossed her sel f and
began si l ent l y t o pr ay.
The Banco de Bi l bao i s on t he gr ound f l oor of a ni ne- st or ey
apar t ment bui l di ng on t he Cal l e de Cer vant es at t he Pl aza
de Ci r cul ar .
When t he car pul l ed up i n f r ont of t he bui l di ng, J ai me sai d
t o hel i x, ' Keep t he engi ne r unni ng. I f t her e' s any t r oubl e,
t ake of f and meet t he ot her s i n Logr ono. '
Fel i x st ar ed at hi mi n sur pr i se. ' What ar e you t al ki ng
about ? You' r e not goi ng i n t her e al one? You can' t . The odds
ar e t oo gr eat , J ai me. I t ' s t oo danger ous'
J ai me sl apped hi mon t he shoul der . ' I f t hey get hur t , t hey
get hur t , ' he sai d wi t h a gr i n. He st epped out of t he car .
They wat ched as J ai me wal ked i nt o a l eat her goods shop
next door t o t he bank. A f ew mi nut es l at er he emer ged
car r yi ng an at t ache case. He nodded t o t he gr oup i n t he car
and ent er ed t he bank.
Megan coul d har dl y br eat he. She began t o pr ay:
Pr ayer i s a cal l i ng.
Pr ayer i s a l i st eni ng.
Pr ayer i s a dwel l i ng.
Pr ayer i s a pr esence.
Pr ayer i s a l amp
af l ame wi t h J esus.
I amcal mand f i l l ed wi t h peace.
She was not cal mand f i l l ed wi t h peace.
J ai me Mi r o wal ked t hr ough t wo set s of door s t hat l ed t o t he
mar bl e l obby of t he bank. I nsi de t he ent r ance, mount ed hi gh
on t he wal l , he not ed a secur i t y camer a. He gave i t a casual
gl ance, t hen l ooked t he r oomover . Behi nd t he count er s a
st ai r case l ed t o a second f l oor , wher e bank of f i cer s wer e
wor ki ng at desks. I t was near cl osi ng t i me and t he bank
was f i l l ed wi t h cust omer s eager t o f i ni sh t r ansact i ng t hei r
busi ness. Ther e wer e queues of peopl e i n f r ont of t he t hr ee
t el l er s' cages, and J ai me not i ced t hat sever al of t he cust omer s
wer e car r yi ng packages.
J ai me st epped i nt o a queue and pat i ent l y wai t ed hi s t ur n.
When he r eached t he t el l er ' s cage, he smi l ed pl easant l y
and sai d, ' ' Buenos t ar des. '
' Buenos t ar des, senor . What can we do f or you t oday?'
J ai me l eaned agai nst t he wi ndow and pul l ed out t he f ol ded
wci i i i cu pusi ci . nc i i dnucu n l u me i ci i er . woul U you l ane
a l ook at t hi s, pl ease?'
The t el l er smi l ed. ' Cer t ai nl y, senor . '
He unf ol ded i t , and as he saw what i t was, hi s eyes
wi dened. He l ooked up at J ai me, and pani c was i n hi s eyes.
' I t ' s a ni ce l i keness, i sn' t i t ?' J ai me sai d sof t l y. ' As you can
t el l f r omt hat , I have ki l l ed many peopl e, so one mor e
r eal l y won' t make a di f f er ence t o me. Do I make mysel f
under st ood?'
' P- per f ect l y, senor . P- per f ect l y. I have a f ami l y. I beg of
you '
' I r espect f ami l i es, so I wi l l t el l you what I want you t o do
t o save your chi l dr en' s f at her . ' J ai me pushed t he at t ache
case t owar ds t he t el l er . ' I want you t o f i l l t hi s f or me. I want
you t o do i t qui ckl y and qui et l y. I f you t r ul y bel i eve t hat t he
money i s mor e i mpor t ant t han your l i f e, t hen go ahead and
r ai se t he al ar m. '
The t el l er shook hi s head. ' No, no, no. '
He began t o pul l money out of t he cash dr awer and st uf f j i t i nt o t he at t ache
case. Hi s hands wer e t r embl i ng.
When t he at t ache case was f ul l , t he cashi er sai d, ' Ther e
you ar e, senor . I - I pr omi se you I won' t r ai se any al ar m. '
' That ' s ver y wi se of you, ' J ai me sai d. ' I ' l l t el l you why, ami go. ' He t ur ned
ar ound and poi nt ed t o a mi ddl e- aged
woman st andi ng near t he end of t he l i ne, car r yi ng a package
wr apped i n br own paper . ' Do you see t hat woman? She i s
one of us. Ther e i s a bomb i n t hat package. I f t he al ar m
shoul d sound, she wi l l set of f t he bomb i nst ant l y. '
The cashi er t ur ned even pal er . ' No, pl ease! '
' You wi l l wai t unt i l t en mi nut es af t er she l eaves t he bank
bef or e you make a move, ' J ai me war ned.
' On my chi l dr en' s l i f e, ' t he t el l er whi sper ed.
' Buenos t ar des. '
J ai me t ook t he at t ache case and moved t owar ds t he door .
He f el t t he cashi er ' s eyes r i vet ed on hi m. I
J ai me st opped at t he si de of t he woman wi t h t he package.
' I must compl i ment you, ' J ai me sai d. ' That i s a most J
becomi ng dr ess you ar e wear i ng. ' '
She Di usneo. wny i nanK you, senor - gr aci as.
' De nada. "
J ai me t ur ned t o nod t o t he cashi er , t hen st r ol l ed out of
t he bank. I t woul d be at l east f i f t een mi nut es bef or e t he
woman f i ni shed her busi ness and l ef t . By t hat t i me, he and
t he ot her s woul d be l ong gone.
As J ai me came out of t he bank and wal ked t owar ds t he
car , Megan al most f ai nt ed wi t h r el i ef .
Fel i x Car pi o gr i nned. The bast ar d got away wi t h i t . ' He
t ur ned t o Megan. ' I beg your par don. Si st er . '
Megan had never been so gl ad t o see anyone i n her l i f e. He di d i t , she t hought .
And al l by hi msel f . Wai t unt i l I t el l
t he si st er s what happened. And t hen she r emember ed. She
coul d never t el l t hi s t o anyone. When she went back t o t he
convent , t her e woul d be onl y si l ence f or t he r est of her l i f e.
I t gave her an odd f eel i ng.
J ai me sai d t o Fel i x, ' Move over , ami go. I ' l l dr i ve. ' He
t ossed t he br i ef case i nt o t he back seat .
' Ever yt hi ng went wel l ?' Ampar o asked.
J ai me l aughed. ' Coul dn' t have gone bet t er . I must r emember
t o t hank Col onel Acoca f or hi s cal l i ng car d. '
The car st ar t ed down t he st r eet . At t he f i r st cor ner , Cal l e
de Tudel a, J ai me made a l ef t t ur n. Suddenl y, appear i ng out
of nowher e, a pol i ceman moved i n f r ont of t he car and hel d
out a hand si gnal l i ng hi mt o st op. J ai me st epped on t he
br ake. Megan' s hear t began t o pound.
The pol i ceman wal ked over t o t he car .
J ai me asked cal ml y, ' What ' s t he pr obl em, of f i cer ?'
' The pr obl em, senor , i s t hat you ar e dr i vi ng t he wr ong way
down a one- way st r eet . Unl ess you can pr ove you ar e l egal l y
bl i nd, you ar e i n t r oubl e. ' He poi nt ed t o t he si gn at t he ent r ance. " The st r eet
i s cl ear l y mar ked. Mot or i st s ar e expect ed t o r espect
a si gn l i ke t hat . That i s t he r eason i t has been pl aced t her e. '
J ai me sai d apol oget i cal l y, ' A t housand par dons. My
f r i ends and I wer e i n such a ser i ous di scussi on t hat I di d not
see t he si gn. '
The pol i ceman was l eani ng i nt o t he dr i ver ' s wi ndow. He was st udyi ng J ai me, a
puzzl ed expr essi on on hi s f ace.
. . . . . . . . . , f , w, u aa l u i ci me sec your r egi st r at i on,
pl ease. '
' Of cour se, ' J ai me sai d.
He r eached down f or t he r evol ver whi ch was under hi s
j acket . Fel i x was r eady t o spr i ng i nt o act i on. Megan hel d her
br eat h.
J ai me pr et ended t o be sear chi ng hi s pocket s. ' I know I
have i t her e somewher e. '
At t hat moment f r omacr oss t he Pl aza came a l oud scr eam
and t he pol i ceman t ur ned t o l ook. A man on t he st r eet cor ner was beat i ng a
woman, hi t t i ng her about t he head and
shoul der s wi t h hi s f i st s.
' Hel p! ' she cr i ed. ' Hel p me! He' s ki l l i ng me! ' j
The pol i ceman hesi t at ed f or onl y an i nst ant . ' Wai t her e, ' ;
he commanded.
He r aced back down t he st r eet t owar ds t he man and
woman. ;
J ai me put t he car i nt o gear and sl ammed down on t he
accel er at or . The car shot down t he one- way st r eet , scat t er i ng
t r af f i c headed t owar ds t hem, hor ns angr i l y bl ar i ng at t hem.
When t hey r eached t he cor ner , J ai me made anot her t ur n
t owar ds t he br i dge t hat l ed out of t own on t he Aveni da
Sanchez Ar j ona.
Megan l ooked at J ai me and cr ossed her sel f . She coul d
har dl y br eat he.
' Woul d you - woul d you have ki l l ed t he pol i ceman i f t hat
man had not at t acked t he woman?'
J ai me di d not bot her t o answer .
' The woman wasn' t bei ng at t acked. Si st er , ' Fel i x expl ai ned.
' Those wer e our peopl e. We ar e not al one. We have
many f r i ends. '
J ai me' s f ace was gr i m. ' We' r e goi ng t o have t o get r i d of
t hi s car . '
They wer e l eavi ng t he out ski r t s of Val l adol i d. J ai me
t ur ned on t o N620, t he hi ghway t o Bur gos, on t he way t o
Logr or i o. He was car ef ul t o st ay wi t hi n t he speed l i mi t .
' We' l l get r i d of t he car as soon as we get past Bur gos, ' he
announced.
can' t bel i eve t hi s i s happeni ng t o me, Megan t hought . escaped f r omt he
convent , I ' mr unni ng away f r omt he ar my,
and I ' mt r avel l i ng i n a st ol en car wi t h t er r or i st s who have j ust
r obbed a bank. Lor d, what el se do You have i n mi nd f or me?
FR1; FR2; Chapt er 31
Col onel Ramon Acoca and hal f a dozen member s of t h
GOE wer e i n t he mi ddl e of a st r at egy meet i ng. They wer
st udyi ng a l ar ge map of t he count r ysi de.
The scar r ed gi ant sai d, ' I t ' s obvi ous t hat Mi r o i s headi ng nor t h t owar ds Basque
count r y. '
That coul d mean Bur gos, Vi t or i a, Logr ono, Pampl ona i
San Sebast i an. '
San Sebast i an, Acoca t hought . But I ' ve got t o cat ch hi m
bef or e he r eaches t her e.
He coul d hear t he voi ce on t he phone: You' r e r unni ng ouA
of t i me. "
He coul d not af f or d t o f ai l .
They wer e dr i vi ng t hr ough t he r ol l i ng hi l l s t hat her al ded t he
appr oach t o Bur gos.
J ai me was qui et behi nd t he wheel . When he f i nal l y
spoke, he sai d, ' Fel i x, when we get t o San Sebast i an, I want
t o make ar r angement s t o get Rubi o away f r omt he
pol i ce. '
Fel i x nodded. ' I t wi l l be a pl easur e. I t wi l l dr i ve t hem
cr azy. '
Megan sai d, ' What about Si st er Luci a?'
' What ?'
' Di dn' t you say t hat she had been capt ur ed, t oo?'
J ai me sai d wr yl y, ' Yes, but your Si st er Luci a t ur ned out
t o be a cr i mi nal want ed by t he pol i ce f or mur der . '
The news shook Megan. She r emember ed how Luci a had
ki m- i i ' - " " ' f e' - " ' " - " " ' ' - ouaucu l l i ci l l 10 ni UC i n I DC Ol i l S.
She l i ked Si st er Luci a.
She sai d st ubbor nl y, ' Si nce you' r e goi ng t o r escue Rubi o,
you shoul d save t hembot h. '
What t he devi l ki nd of nun i s t hi s? J ai me wonder ed.
But she was r i ght . Smuggl i ng Rubi o and Luci a out f r om
under t he noses of t he pol i ce woul d be wonder f ul pr opaganda
and woul d make headl i nes.
Ampar o had sunk i nt o a sul l en si l ence.
Suddenl y, i n t he di st ance, on t he r oad ahead of t hemwer e
t hr ee ar my t r ucks f i l l ed wi t h sol di er s.
We' d bet t er get of f t hi s r oad, ' J ai me deci ded.
At t he next i nt er sect i on he t ur ned on t o Hi ghway N120
and headed east .
' Sant o Domi ngo de l a Cal zada i s up ahead. Ther e' s an ol d
deser t ed cast l e t her e. We can spend t he ni ght i n i t . '
They coul d see i t s out l i ne f r omt he di st ance, hi gh on a
hi l l . J ai me t ook a si de r oad, avoi di ng t he t own, and t he cast l e
l oomed l ar ger and l ar ger as t hey appr oached i t . A f ew
hundr ed yar ds f r omi t was a l ake.
J ai me st opped t he car . ' Ever ybody out , pl ease. '
When t hey wer e al l out of t he car , J ai me poi nt ed t he st eer i ng
wheel down t he hi l l t owar ds t he l ake, j ammed t he accel er at or
down, r el eased t he handbr ake and j umped cl ear . They st ood
t her e wat chi ng as t he car di sappear ed i nt o t he wat er .
Megan was about t o ask hi mhow t hey wer e goi ng t o get
t o Logr ono. She st opped her sel f . Fool i sh quest i on. He wi l l
st eal anot her car , of cour se.
The gr oup t ur ned t o exami ne t he abandoned cast l e. Ther e
was a huge st one wal l ci r cl i ng i t , wi t h cr umbl i ng t ur r et s on
each cor ner .
' I n t he ol d days, ' Fel i x t ol d Megan, ' pr i nces used t hese
cast l es as pr i sons f or t hei r enemi es. '
And J ai me i s an enemy of t he st at e, and i f he i s caught ,
t her e wi l l be no pr i son f or hi m. Onl y deat h, Megan t hought . He has no f ear . She
r emember ed hi s wor ds:
have f ai t h i n what I ' mf i ght i ng f or . I have f ai t h i n my
men, and i n my guns.
FR1; - - - - - - - - - - - y, - - - - - - . v. . i o i - i i ui . i wu i ( . l i e l l UI l l gat e
The gat es wer e i r on and had r ust ed away so badl y t hat t hey
wer e abl e t o push t hemopen and squeeze t hr ough i nt o a
cour t yar d paved i n st one.
The i nsi de of t he cast l e seemed enor mous t o Megan. Ther e
wer e nar r ow passageways and r ooms ever ywher e, and f aci ng
t he out si de wer e gun por t s, wher e t he def ender s of t he cast l e
coul d r epel at t acker s.
St one st eps l ed t o a second f l oor and t her e was anot her cl aust r o, an i nner
pat i o. The st one st eps nar r owed as t hey
wal ked up t o a t hi r d f l oor , and t hen a f our t h. The cast l e was
deser t ed.
' Wel l at l east t her e ar e pl ent y of pl aces t o sl eep her e, '
J ai me sai d. ' Fel i x and I wi l l go f or age f or f ood. Pi ck out your
r ooms. '
The t wo men st ar t ed downst ai r s agai n. T!
Ampar o t ur ned t o Megan. ' Come on. Si st er . ' 4
They wal ked down t he cor r i dor and t he r ooms al l l ooked
al i ke t o Megan. They wer e empt y st one cubi cl es, col d and
aust er e, some l ar ger t han ot her s.
Ampar o pi cked out t he l ar gest . ' J ai me and I wi l l sl eega
her e. ' She l ooked at Megan and asked sl yl y, ' Woul d you l i k '
t o sl eep wi t h Fel i x?'
Megan l ooked at her and sai d not hi ng.
' Or per haps you' d r at her sl eep wi t h J ai me. ' Ampai Q st epped cl oser t o Megan.
' Don' t get any i deas. Si st er . He
much t oo much man f or you. ' j
' You don' t have t o concer n your sel f . I ' mnot i nt er est edI
And even as she sai d i t , Megan wonder ed whet her J ai me
Mi r o was much t oo much man f or her .
When J ai me and Fel i x r et ur ned t o t he cast l e an hour l at er
J ai me was cl ut chi ng t wo r abbi t s and Fel i x was car r yi ng;
f i r ewood. Fel i x bol t ed t he f r ont door behi nd t hem. Megar f
wat ched as t he men made a f i r e i n t he l ar ge f i r epl ace. 8 J ai me ski nned and cooked
t he r abbi t s on a spi t over t he
f i r e.
" Sor r y we van i uncr yuu i ci ui es a r eal l easi , r enx sai d,
' but we' l l eat wel l i n Logr ono. Meanwhi l e - enj oy. '
When t hey had f i ni shed t hei r meagr e meal , J ai me sai d,
Let ' s get t o sl eep. I want t o make an ear l y st ar t i n t he
mor ni ng. '
Ampar o sai d t o J ai me, ' Come, quer i do. I have our bedr oom
pi cked out . '
' Bueno. Let ' s go. '
Megan wat ched t hemgo upst ai r s, hand i n hand.
Fel i x t ur ned t o Megan. ' Have you chosen your bedr oom,
Si st er ?'
' Yes, t hank you. '
' Al l r i ght , t hen. '
Megan and Fel i x wal ked up t he st ai r s t oget her .
' Good ni ght , ' Megan sai d.
He handed Megan a sl eepi ng- bag. ' Good ni ght . Si st er . '
Megan want ed t o ask Fel i x about J ai me, but she hesi t at ed.
J ai me mi ght t hi nk she was pr yi ng, and f or some r eason,
Megan want ed ver y much f or J ai me t o have a good opi ni on
of her . That ' s r eal l y odd, Megan t hought . He' s a t er r or i st , a
mur der er , a bank r obber , and heaven onl y knows what el se,
and I ' mwor r i ed about whet her t he man t hi nks wel l of me.
But even as Megan t hought i t , she knew t hat t her e was
anot her si de t o i t . He' s a f r eedomf i ght er . He r obs banks t o
f i nance hi s cause. He r i sks hi s l i f e f or what he bel i eves i n.
He' s a br ave man.
As Megan passed t hei r bedr oom, she hear d J ai me and
Ampar o i nsi de l aughi ng. She wal ked i nt o t he smal l , bar e
r oomwher e she was t o sl eep and knel t on t he col d st one
f l oor . ' Dear God, f or gi ve me f or - ' For gi ve me f or what ?
What have I done?
For t he f i r st t i me i n her l i f e, Megan was unabl e t o pr ay.
Was God up t her e l i st eni ng?
Megan cr awl ed i nt o t he sl eepi ng- bag Fel i x had gi ven her ,
but sl eep was as r emot e as t he col d st ar s she coul d see
t hr ough t he nar r ow wi ndow.
What amI doi ng her e? Megan wonder ed. Her t hought s
dr i f t ed back t o t he convent . . . t he or phanage. And bef or e
. - . . . , . - wi ui er or a gr eat bul l f i ght er . Bi woul dn ' t i t be wonder f ul t o know? I t
was al most dawn bef or e Megan dr i f t ed of f t o sl eep.
At t he pr i son i n Ar anda de Duer o, Luci a Car mi ne was a
cel ebr i t y.
' You' r e a bi g f i sh i n our l i t t l e pond, ' t he guar d t ol d her .
The I t al i an gover nment i s sendi ng someone t o escor t you
home. I ' d l i ke t o escor t you t o my house, boni t aput a. What
bad t hi ng di d you do?'
' I cut of f a man' s bal l s f or cal l i ng me boni t aput a. Tel l me
- how i s my f r i end?'
' He' s goi ng t o l i ve. '
Luci a sai d a si l ent pr ayer of gr at i t ude. She l ooked ar ound
t he st one wal l s of her gr i m, gr ey cel l and t hought : How t he
hel l do I get out of her e? ! s
Chapt er 32
The r epor t of t he bank r obber y was handl ed t hr ough r egul ar
pol i ce channel s, and i t was not unt i l t wo hour s af t er t he
r obber y occur r ed t hat a pol i ce l i eut enant not i f i ed Col onel
Acoca about i t .
An hour l at er , Col onel Acoca was i n Val l adol i d. He was
f ur i ous at t he del ay.
' Why wasn' t I i nf or med i mmedi at el y?'
' I ' msor r y. Col onel , but i t never occur r ed t o us t hat '
' You had hi mi n your hands and you l et hi mget
away! '
' I t wasn' t our '
' Send i n t he bank t el l er . '
The bank t el l er was f i l l ed wi t h a sense of sel f - i mpor t ance.
' I t was my wi ndow he came t o. I coul d t el l he was a ki l l er
by t he l ook i n hi s eye. He '
' Ther e i s no doubt i n your mi nd t hat t he man who hel d
you up was J ai me Mi r o?'
' None. He even showed me a want ed post er of hi msel f . I t
was '
' Di d he come i nt o t he bank al one?'
' Yes. He poi nt ed t o a woman i n t he queue and he sai d she
was a member of hi s gang, but af t er Mi r o l ef t I r ecogni zed
her . She' s a secr et ar y who' s a r egul ar cust omer and '
Col onel Acoca sai d i mpat i ent l y, ' When Mi r o l ef t , di d you
see i n whi ch di r ect i on he went ?'
' Out t he f r ont door . '
The i nt er vi ew wi t h t he t r af f i c pol i ceman was no mor e
hel pf ul .
, - - _- - . - - . J ai ui c i vi i r o
and anot her man and t wo women i n t he back. '
' I n what di r ect i on wer e t hey headed?'
The pol i ceman hesi t at ed. ' They coul d have gone i n any
di r ect i on, si r , once t hey got of f t he one- way st r eet . ' Hi s f ace
br i ght ened. ' I can descr i be t he car , t hough. '
Col onel Acoca shook hi s head i n di sgust . ' Don' t bot her . '
She was dr eami ng, and i n her dr eamt her e wer e t he voi ces
of a mob and t hey wer e comi ng f or her t o bur n her at t he
st ake f or r obbi ng a bank. ( wasn' t f or me. I t was f or t he
cause. The voi ces gr ew l ouder .
Megan opened her eyes and sat up, st ar i ng at t he unf ami l i ar
cast l e wal l s. The sound of voi ces was r eal . They
wer e comi ng f r omout si de.
Megan r ose and hur r i ed over t o t he nar r ow wi ndow.
Di r ect l y bel ow, i n f r ont of t he cast l e, was an encampment
of sol di er s. Megan was f i l l ed wi t h a sudden pani c. They' ve
caught us. I ' ve got t o f i nd J ai me.
She hur r i ed t o t he r oomwher e he and Ampar o had sl ept
and l ooked i nsi de. I t was empt y. She r an down t he st eps t o
t he r ecept i on hal l on t he mai n f l oor . J ai me and Ampar o
wer e st andi ng near t he bol t ed f r ont door , whi sper i ng.
Fel i x r an up t o t hem. ' I checked t he back. Ther e' s n
ot her way out of her e. '
' What about t he back wi ndows?'
' Too smal l . The onl y way out i s t hr ough t he f r ont door . '
Wher e t he sol di er s ar e, Megan t hought . We' r e t r apped.
J ai me was sayi ng, ' I t ' s j ust our damned bad l uck t hat t hey
pi cked t hi s pl ace t o camp. '
' What ar e we goi ng t o do?' Ampar o whi sper ed.
' Ther e' s not hi ng we can do. We' l l have t o st ay her e unt i l
t hey l eave. I f '
And at t hat moment t her e was a l oud knock at t he f r ont
door . An aut hor i t at i ve voi ce cal l ed out , ' Open up i n t her e. '
J ai me and Fel i x exchanged a qui ck l ook, and wi t hout a
wor d dr ew t hei r guns.
i ne voi ce caned out agai n, ' We know t her e' s someone i n
t her e. Open up. '
J ai me sai d t o Ampar o and Megan, ' Get out of t he way. '
I t ' s hopel ess, Megan t hought , as Ampar o moved behi nd
J ai me and Fel i x. Ther e must be t wo dozen ar med sol di er s out
t her e. We haven' t got a chance.
Bef or e t he ot her s coul d st op her , Megan moved swi f t l y t o
t he f r ont door and opened i t .
' Thank t he Lor d you' ve come! ' Megan excl ai med. ' You
must hel p me. '
Chapt er 33
The ar my of f i cer st ar ed at Megan. ' Who ar e you? What
ar e you doi ng i n t her e? I ' mCapt ai n Rodr i guez, and we' r e l ooki ng f or - '
' You' r e j ust i n t i me. Capt ai n. ' She gr abbed hi s ar m. ' My
t wo l i t t l e sons have t yphoi d f ever , and I ' ve got t o get t hem
t o a doct or . You must come i n and hel p me wi t h t hem. '
' Typhoi d f ever ?'
' Yes. ' Megan was pul l i ng on hi s ar m. ' I t i s t er r i bl e. They
ar e bur ni ng up. They ar e cover ed wi t h sor es and ar e ver y
si ck. Br i ng your men i n and hel p me car r y t hemout t o - '
' Senor a You must be mad. That i s hi ghl y cont agi ous. '
' Never mi nd t hat . They need your hel p. They may be
dyi ng. ' She was pul l i ng on hi s ar m.
' Let go of me. '
' You can' t l eave me. What wi l l I do?'
' Get back i nsi de and st ay t her e unt i l we can not i f y t he
pol i ce t o send an ambul ance or a doct or . '
' But - '
' That ' s an or der , senor a. Get i nsi de. '
He cal l ed out , ' Ser geant , we' r e movi ng out of her e. '
Megan cl osed t he f r ont door , l eani ng agai nst i t , dr ai ned.
J ai me was st ar i ng at her i n st unned amazement . ' My God,
t hat was br i l l i ant . Wher e di d you l ear n t o l i e l i ke t hat ?'
Megan t ur ned t o hi mand si ghed. ' When I was i n t he
or phanage, we had t o l ear n t o def end our sel ves. I hope God
wi l l f or gi ve me. '
' I wi sh I coul d have seen t he l ook on t hat Capt ai n' s f ace. '
J ai me bur st i nt o l aught er . ' Typhoi d f ever ! J esus Chr i st ! ' He
saw t he i ook on Megan s i ace. ' i oeg your par don, si st er .
Fr omout si de t hey coul d hear t he sounds of t he sol di er s packi ng t hei r t ent s and
movi ng out .
When t he t r oops had depar t ed, J ai me sai d, ' The pol i ce
wi l l be her e soon. Anyway, we have an appoi nt ment i n
Logr ono. '
Fi f t een mi nut es af t er t he sol di er s had depar t ed, J ai me sai d,
' I t shoul d be saf e t o l eave now. ' He t ur ned t o Fel i x. ' See
what you can pi ck up i n t own. Pr ef er abl y a sedan. '
Fel i x gr i nned. ' No pr obl em. '
Hal f an hour l at er t hey wer e i n a beat - up gr ey sedan
headi ng east .
To Megan' s sur pr i se, she was seat ed next t o J ai me. Fel i x
and Ampar o wer e i n t he back seat . J ai me gl anced at Megan,
a gr i n on hi s f ace.
' Typhoi d f ever , ' he sai d. And bur st out l aughi ng.
Megan smi l ed. ' He di d seemeager t o get away, di dn' t he?'
' Di d you say you wer e i n an or phanage. Si st er ?'
' Yes. '
Wher e?'
' I n A vi l a. '
' You don' t l ook Spani sh. '
' So I ' ve been t ol d. '
' I t must have been hel l f or you i n t he or phanage. '
She was st ar t l ed by t he unexpect ed concer n. ' I t coul d have
been, ' she sai d. ' But i t wasn' t . ' woul dn' t l et i t be, she
t hought .
' Have you any i dea who your par ent s wer e?'
Megan r ecal l ed her f ant asi es. ' Oh, yes. My f at her was a
br ave Engl i shman who dr ove an ambul ance f or t he l oyal i st s
i n t he Spani sh Ci vi l War . My mot her was ki l l ed i n t he f i ght i ng
and I was l ef t on t he door st ep of a f ar mhouse. ' Megan
shr ugged. ' Or my f at her was a f or ei gn pr i nce who had an
af f ai r wi t h a peasant gi r l and abandoned me t o avoi d a
scandal . '
J ai me gl anced at her , sayi ng not hi ng.
. . ou aui uny. i aon i Know who my par ent s
wer e. '
They dr ove on i n si l ence f or a whi l e, a
' How l ong wer e you behi nd t he wal l s of t he convent ?' I
' About f i f t een year s. '
J ai me was ast oni shed. ' J esus! ' Hast i l y, he added, ' I beg
your par don. Si st er . But i t ' s l i ke t al ki ng t o someone f r om
anot her pl anet . You have no i dea what ' s happened i n t he
wor l d i n t he past f i f t een year s. '
' I ' msur e t hat what ever changed i s onl y t empor ar y. I t wi l l
change agai n. '
' Do you st i l l want t o go back t o a convent ?'
The quest i on t ook Megan by sur pr i se.
' Of cour se. '
' Why?' J ai me made a sweepi ng gest ur e. ' I mean - t her e i s
so much t hat you must mi ss behi nd t he wal l s. Her e we
have musi c and poet r y. Spai n gave t he wor l d Cer vant es and
Pi casso, Lor ca, Pi zar r o, DeSot o, Cor t ez. Thi s i s a magi cal count r y. '
Ther e was a sur pr i si ng mel l owness about t hi s man, a sof t J
f i r e. J
Unexpect edl y J ai me sai d, ' I ' msor r y f or want i ng t o deser t J
you ear l i er . Si st er . I t was not hi ng per sonal . I have had badJ
exper i ences wi t h your Chur ch. '
' That i s di f f i cul t t o bel i eve. '
' Bel i eve i t . ' Hi s voi ce was bi t t er .
I n hi s mi nd' s eye he coul d see t he bui l di ngs and st at ues
and st r eet s of Guer ni ca expl odi ng i n shower s of deat h. He coul d st i l l hear t he
scr eams of t he bombs mi ngl i ng wi t h t he
scr eams of t he hel pl ess vi ct i ms bei ng t or n apar t . The onl y
pl ace of sanct uar y was t he chur ch.
The pr i est s have l ocked t he chur ch. They won' t l et us i n.
And t he deadl y hai l of bul l et s t hat had mur der ed hi s
mot her and f at her and si st er s. No. Not t he bul l et s, J ai me
t hought . The Chur ch.
' Your Chur ch st ood behi nd Fr anco and al l owed unspeakabl e
t hi ngs t o be done t o i nnocent ci vi l i ans. '
' I ' msur e t he Chur ch pr ot est ed, ' Megan sai d.
' No. I t wasn' t unt i l nuns wer e bei ng r aped by hi s Fal angi st s
and pr i est s wer e bei ng mur der ed and chur ches wer e bei ng
bur ned t hat f i nal l y t he Pope br oke wi t h Fr anco. But
t hat di dn' t br i ng my mot her or f at her or si st er s back t o
l i f e. '
The passi on i n hi s voi ce was f r i ght eni ng.
' I ' msor r y. But t hat was l ong ago. The war i s over . '
' No. Not f or us i t i sn' t . The gover nment wi l l st i l l not per mi t
us t o f l y t he Basque f l ag or cel ebr at e our nat i onal hol i days
or speak our own l anguage. No, Si st er . We' r e st i l l bei ng
oppr essed. We' l l keep on f i ght i ng unt i l we gai n our i ndependence.
Ther e ar e hal f a mi l l i on Basques i n Spai n
and a hundr ed and f i f t y t housand mor e i n Fr ance. We
want our i ndependence - but your God i s t oo busy t o hel p
us. '
Megan sai d ear nest l y, ' God cannot t ake si des, f or He i s
i n al l of us. We ar e al l a par t of Hi m, and when we t r y t o
dest r oy Hi m, we dest r oy our sel ves. '
To Megan' s sur pr i se, J ai me smi l ed. ' We ar e a l ot al i ke,
you and I , Si st er . '
' We ar e?'
' We may bel i eve i n di f f er ent t hi ngs, but we bel i eve wi t h a
passi on. Most peopl e go t hr ough l i f e wi t hout car i ng deepl y
about anyt hi ng. You devot e your l i f e t o God; I devot e my
l i f e t o a cause. We car e. '
And Megan t hought : Do I car e enough? And i f I do, why
amI enj oyi ng bei ng wi t h t hi s man? I shoul d be t hi nki ng onl y
of r et ur ni ng t o a convent . Ther e was a power i n J ai me Mi r o
t hat was l i ke a magnet . I s he l i ke Manol et e? Ri ski ng hi s l i f e
t aki ng dar i ng chances because he has not hi ng t o l ose?
' What wi l l t hey do t o you i f t he sol di er s cat ch you?' Megan
asked.
' Execut e me. ' He sai d i t so mat t er - of - f act l y t hat f or a
moment Megan t hought she had mi sunder st ood.
' Ar en' t you af r ai d?'
' Of cour se I ' maf r ai d. We' r e al l af r ai d. None of us want s
t o di e. Si st er . We' l l meet your God soon enough. We don' t
want t o r ush i t . '
1 nai depends on your poi nt of vi ew. The di f f er ence be- i
t ween a pat r i ot and a r ebel depends on who i s i n power at
t he moment . The gover nment cal l s us t er r or i st s. We cal l ,
our sel ves f r eedomf i ght er s. J ean J acques Rousseau sai d t hat
f r eedomi s t he power t o choose our own chai ns. I want t hat ,
f r eedom. ' He st udi ed her a moment . ' But you don' t have t o' '
concer n your sel f wi t h any of t hese t hi ngs, do you? OnceJ
you' r e back i n t he convent , you' l l no l onger be i nt er est ed i n
t he wor l d out si de. ' :
Was t hat t r ue? Bei ng out i n t he wor l d agai n had t ur ned I
her l i f e upsi de down. Had she gi ven up her f r eedom? Ther e
was so much she want ed t o know, so much she had t o l ear n.
She f el t l i ke an ar t i st wi t h a bl ank canvas about t o st ar t
sket chi ng a new l i f e. I f I go back t o a convent , she t hought ,
wi l l be shut away f r oml i f e agai n. And even as she t hought
i t , Megan was appal l ed by t he wor d i f . When I go back, she
cor r ect ed her sel f hast i l y. Of cour se I ' mgoi ng back. I have
nowher e el se t o go.
They camped t hat ni ght i n t he woods.
J ai me sai d, ' We' r e about t hi r t y mi l es f r omLogr ono and
we ar en' t supposed t o meet t he ot her s f or t wo days. I t wi l l
be saf er f or us t o st ay on t he move unt i l t hen. So t omor r ow
we wi l l head t owar d Vi t or i a. The next day we' l l go i nt o
Logr ono and j ust a f ew hour s af t er t hat . Si st er , you' l l be at
t he convent i n Mendavi a. '
For ever . ' Wi l l you be al l r i ght ?' Megan asked.
' Ar e you wor r i ed about my soul . Si st er , or my body?'
Megan f ound her sel f bl ushi ng.
' Not hi ng wi l l happen t o me. I ' l l cr oss t he bor der i nt o
Fr ance f or a whi l e. '
' I wi l l pr ay f or you, ' Megan t ol d hi m.
" Thank you, ' he sai d gr avel y. ' I wi l l t hi nk of you pr ayi ng
f or me and i t wi l l make me f eel saf er . Get some sl eep now.
We' l l make Leon t omor r ow. '
As Megan t ur ned t o l i e down, she saw Ampar o st ar i ng at
her f r omme r ar end of t he cl ear i ng. Ther e was a l ook of
naked hat r ed on Ampar o' s f ace.
f o one t akes my man f r omme. No one.
Chapt er 34
- i
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, t hey r eached t he out ski r t s of
Nancl ar es, a smal l vi l l age west of Vi t or i a. They came t o a
f i l l i ng st at i on wi t h a gar age, wher e a mechani c was wor ki ng
on a car . J ai me pul l ed i nt o t he gar age.
' Buenos di as, ' t he mechani c sai d. ' What i s t he pr obl em?'
' I f I knew, ' J ai me r epl i ed, ' I woul d f i x i t mysel f and char ge
f or i t . Thi s car i s as usel ess as a mul e. I t sput t er s l i ke an ol d
woman and has no ener gy. '
' I t sounds l i ke my wi f e, ' t he mechani c gr i nned. ' I t hi nk
you may have a car bur et t or pr obl em, senor . '
J ai me shr ugged. ' I know not hi ng about car s. Al l I know
i s t hat I have a ver y i mpor t ant appoi nt ment i n Madr i d
t omor r ow. Can you have i t f i xed by t hi s af t er noon?'
The mechani c sai d, ' I have t wo j obs ahead of you,
senor , but - ' He l et t he r est of t he sent ence hang i n t he
ai r .
' I wi l l be gl ad t o pay you doubl e. '
The mechani c' s f ace br i ght ened. ' Wi l l t wo o' cl ock be al l
r i ght ?'
' Wonder f ul . We' l l get somet hi ng t o eat and come back at
t wo. '
J ai me t ur ned t o t he ot her s, who had been l i st eni ng t o t he
conver sat i on i n amazement . ' We' r e i n l uck, ' J ai me sai d.
' Thi s man i s goi ng t o f i x t he car f or us. Let ' s go eat . '
They got out of t he car and f ol l owed J ai me down t he
st r eet .
' Two o' cl ock, ' t he mechani c sai d.
' Two o' cl ock. '
When t hey wer e out of ear shot , Fel i x sai d, ' What ar e you
doi ng? Ther e' s not hi ng wr ong wi t h t he car . '
Except t hat by now t he pol i ce wi l l be l ooki ng f or i t , Megan
t hought . But t hey' l l be l ooki ng on t he r oad, not i n a gar age.
I t ' s a cl ever way t o get r i d of i t .
' By t wo o' cl ock we' l l be gone, won' t we?' Megan
asked.
J ai me l ooked at her and gr i nned. ' I have t o make a phone
cal l . Wai t her e. '
Ampar o t ook J ai me' s ar m. ' I ' l l go wi t h you. '
Megan and Fel i x wat ched t hemwal k of f .
Fel i x l ooked at Megan and sai d, ' You and J ai me ar e
get t i ng al ong wel l , yes?'
' Yes. ' She f el t suddenl y shy.
' He i s not an easy man t o know. But he i s a man of gr eat
honour and gr eat br aver y. He i s a ver y car i ng man. Ther e
i s no one l i ke hi m. Di d I t el l you how he saved my l i f e,
Si st er ?'
' No. I woul d l i ke t o hear . '
' A f ew mont hs ago t he gover nment execut ed si x f r eedom
f i ght er s. I n r evenge, J ai me deci ded t o bl ow up t he damat
Puent e l a Rei na, sout h of Pampl ona. The t own bel ow was
headquar t er s f or t he ar my. We moved i n at ni ght , but someone
t i pped of f t he GOE, and Acoca' s men caught t hr ee of
us. We wer e sent enced t o di e. I t woul d have t aken an ar my
t o st or mour pr i son, but J ai me f i gur ed out a way. He set t he
bul l s l oose i n Pampl ona, and i n t he conf usi on got t wo of us
away. The t hi r d one was beat en t o deat h by Acoca' s men.
Yes, Si st er , J ai me Mi r o i s ver y speci al . '
When J ai me and Ampar o r et ur ned, Fel i x asked, ' What i s
happeni ng?'
' Fr i ends ar e pi cki ng us up. We' l l have a l i f t i nt o Vi t or i a. '
Hal f an hour l at er , a t r uck appear ed. The back of i t was
cover ed by canvas.
' Wel come, ' t he dr i ver sai d cheer f ul l y. ' Hop i n. '
' Thank you, ami go. '
' I t ' s a pl easur e t o be of assi st ance t o you, senor . I t ' s good
t hat you cal l ed. The damned Sol di er s ar e swar mi ng ar ound
i i i vi . i i t aa. 11 i s nui sai c n- >i yuu anu your mends 10 De out i n
t he open. '
They cl i mbed i nt o t he back of t he t r uck, and t he huge
vehi cl e headed nor t heast .
' Wher e wi l l you be st ayi ng?' t he dr i ver asked.
' Wi t h f r i ends, ' J ai me sai d.
And Megan t hought : He doesn' t t r ust anyone. Not even
someone who i s hel pi ng hi m. But how can he? Hi s l i f e i s i n
danger . And she t hought of how t er r i bl e i t must be f or J ai me
t o be l i vi ng under t hat shadow, r unni ng f r omt he pol i ce and
t he ar my. And al l because he bel i eved i n an i deal so much
t hat he was wi l l i ng t o di e f or i t . What was i t he had sai d? The di f f er ence
bet ween a pat r i ot and a r ebel depended on who
was i n power at t he moment .
The dr i ve was a pl easant one. The t hi n canvas cover of f er ed
secur i t y, and Megan r eal i zed how much t ensi on she had f el t
when t hey wer e out i n t he open f i el ds, knowi ng t hat t hey
wer e al l bei ng hunt ed. And J ai me l i ves under t hat t ensi on
const ant l y. How st r ong he i s.
She and J ai me t al ked, and t he conver sat i on f l owed easi l y
as t hough t hey had known each ot her f or ever . Ampar o J i r on
sat l i st eni ng t o t hem, sayi ng not hi ng, her f ace i mpassi ve.
' When I was a boy, ' J ai me t ol d Megan, ' I want ed t o be an
ast r onomer . '
Megan was cur i ous. ' What made you ?'
' I had seen my mot her and f at her and si st er s shot down,
and f r i ends mur der ed, and I coul dn' t f ace what was happeni ng
her e on t hi s bl oody ear t h. The st ar s wer e an escape.
They wer e mi l l i ons of l i ght year s away, and I used t o dr eam
of goi ng t o t hemone day and get t i ng away f r omt hi s awf ul
pl anet . '
She was wat chi ng hi m, si l ent .
' But t her e i s no escape, i s t her e? I n t he end, we al l have
t o f ace up t o our r esponsi bi l i t i es. So I came back down t o
ear t h. I used t o bel i eve t hat one per son coul d not make a
di f f er ence. But I know now t hat t hat i s not t r ue. J esus
made a di f f er ence, Muhammad and Gandhi and Ei nst ei n and
Chur chi l l . ' He smi l ed wr yl y. ' Don' t mi sunder st and. Si st er .
I ' mnot compar i ng mysel f t o any of t hem. But i n my smal l
way, I do what I can. I t hi nk we must al l do what we can. '
And Megan wonder ed whet her hi s wor ds wer e meant t o
have a speci al meani ng f or her .
' When I got t he st ar s out of my eyes, I st udi ed t o be an
engi neer . I l ear ned t o bui l d bui l di ngs. Now I bl ow t hemup.
And t he i r ony i s t hat some of t he bui l di ngs I ' ve bl own up
ar e ones t hat I ' ve bui l t . '
They r eached Vi t or i a at dusk.
' Wher e shal l I t ake you?' t he t r uck dr i ver asked.
' You can dr op us of f her e, at t he cor ner , ami go. '
The t r uck dr i ver nodded. ' Ri ght . Keep up t he good f i ght . '
J ai me hel ped Megan down f r omt he t r uck. Ampar o
wat ched, her eyes bl azi ng. She al l owed her man t o t ouch no
ot her woman. She' s a whor e, Ampar o t hought . And J ai me
i s hor ny f or t hat bi t ch of a nun. Wel l , t hat won' t l ast . He wi l l
soon f i nd t hat her mi l k i s t hi n. He needs a r eal woman.
The gr oup t ook t o t he si de st r eet s, keepi ng a war y eye
out f or t r oubl e. Twent y mi nut es l at er , t hey ar r i ved at a
one- st or ey st one house nest l ed i n a nar r ow st r eet and sur r ounded
by a hi gh f ence.
' Thi s i s i t , ' J ai me sai d. ' We wi l l st ay her e t oni ght and l eave
t omor r ow when i t i s dar k. '
They ent er ed t hr ough t he f r ont gat e and went t o t he door .
I t t ook J ai me but a moment t o sl i p t he l ock and t hey al l went
i nsi de.
' Whose house i s t hi s?' Megan asked.
' You ask t oo many quest i ons, ' Ampar o sai d. ' J ust be
gr at ef ul we' ve kept you al i ve. '
J ai me l ooked at Ampar o a moment . ' She' s pr oved her
r i ght t o ask quest i ons. ' He t ur ned t o Megan. ' I t ' s t he house
of a f r i end. You' r e i n Basque count r y now. Fr omher e on our
j our ney wi l l be easi er . Ther e wi l l be comr ades ever ywher e,
wat chi ng and pr ot ect i ng us. You' l l be at t he convent t he day
af t er t omor r ow. '
And Megan f el t a smal l , chi l l t hat was al most a sor r ow.
vr nt i i i s me mul i vr wi mmy: sne wonuer eu. uj cour se I want
t o go hack. For gi ve me. Lor d. I asked t hat You br i ng me
home t o Your saf et y, and You ar e.
' I ' mst ar ved, ' Fel i x sai d. ' Let ' s see what ' s i n t he ki t chen. '
I t was compl et el y st ocked.
J ai me sai d, ' He l ef t pl ent y of f ood f or us. I wi l l make us
a wonder f ul di nner . ' He smi l ed at Megan. ' I t hi nk we deser ve
i t , don' t you?'
Megan sai d, ' I di dn' t know men cooked. '
Fel i x l aughed. ' Basque men t ake pr i de i n t hei r cooki ng.
You ar e i n f or a t r eat . You wi l l see. '
Handi ng J ai me t he i ngr edi ent s he asked f or , t hey wat ched
as he pr epar ed a pi per ade of f r esh r oast ed, peel ed gr een
pepper s, sl i ced whi t e oni ons, t omat oes, eggs and ham
saut eed t oget her . As i t st ar t ed t o cook, Megan sai d, ' I t smel l s
del i ci ous. '
' Ah, t hat ' s j ust t he appet i zer . I ' mgoi ng t o make a f amous
Basque di sh f or you, pol i o at chi l i ndr on. '
He di dn' t say ' f or us' , Ampar o not ed. He sai d, ' f or you' .
For t he bi t ch.
J ai me cut up sl i ces of chi cken, spr i nkl ed sal t and pepper
over t hemand br owned t he chi cken i n hot oi l whi l e i n a
separ at e pan he st ar t ed cooki ng oni ons, gar l i c and t omat oes.
' We' l l l et i t si mmer f or hal f an hour . '
Fel i x had f ound a bot t l e of r ed wi ne. He passed out gl asses.
' The r ed wi ne of Ri oj a. You wi l l l i ke t hi s. ' He of f er ed a gl ass
t o Megan. ' Si st er ?'
The l ast t i me Megan t ast ed wi ne had been at communi on.
' Thank you, ' she sai d.
Sl owl y Megan r ai sed t he gl ass t o her l i ps and t ook a si p.
I t was del i ci ous. She t ook anot her si p and she coul d f eel a
war mt h movi ng down her body. I t f el t wonder f ul . must
enj oy al l t hi s whi l e I can, Megan t hought . ( wi l l be over
soon.
Dur i ng di nner , J ai me seemed unusual l y pr eoccupi ed.
' What ' s t r oubl i ng you, ami goT Fel i x asked.
J ai me hesi t at ed. ' We have a t r ai t or i n t he movement . '
Ther e was a shocked si l ence.
' What - what makes you t hi nk t hat ?' Fel i x demanded.
' Acoca. He keeps get t i ng t oo cl ose t o us. '
Fel i x shr ugged. ' He' s t he f ox and we' r e t he r abbi t s. '
' I t ' s somet hi ng mor e t han t hat . '
' What do you mean?' Ampar o asked.
' When we wer e goi ng t o bl ow up t he damat Puent e l a
Rei na, Acoca was t i pped of f . ' He l ooked at Fel i x. ' He set a
t r ap and caught you and Ri car do and Zamor a. I f I hadn' t
been del ayed, I woul d have been capt ur ed wi t h you. And
l ook what happened at t he par ador . '
' You hear d t he manager t el ephoni ng t he pol i ce, ' Ampar o
poi nt ed out .
J ai me nodded. ' Ri ght . Because I had a f eel i ng t hat somet hi ng
was wr ong. '
Ampar o' s f ace was sombr e. ' Who do you t hi nk i t i s?'
J ai me shook hi s head. ' I ' mnot sur e. Someone who knows
al l our pl ans. '
' Then l et ' s change our pl ans, ' Ampar o sai d. ' We' l l meet
t he ot her s at Logr ono and ski p Mendavi a. '
J ai me gl anced at Megan. ' We can' t do t hat . We have t o
get t he si st er s t o t hei r convent . '
Megan l ooked at hi mand t hought : He' s al r eady done
enough f or me. I must n' t put hi mi n gr eat er danger t han he' s
al r eady i n.
' J ai me, I can '
But he knew what she was goi ng t o say. ' Don' t wor r y,
Megan. We' r e al l goi ng t o get t her e saf el y. '
He' s changed, Ampar o t hought . I n t he begi nni ng he want ed
not hi ng t o do wi t h any of t hem. Now he' s wi l l i ng t o r i sk hi s
l i f e f or her . And he cal l s her Megan. I t ' s no l onger Si st er .
J ai me was goi ng on. ' Ther e ar e at l east f i f t een peopl e who
know our pl ans. '
' We have t o f i nd out whi ch one i t i s, ' Ampar o i nsi st ed.
' How do we do t hat ?' Fel i x asked. He was ner vousl y
pi cki ng at t he edges of t he t abl ecl ot h.
J ai me sai d, ' Paco i s i n Madr i d doi ng some checki ng f or
me. I ' ve ar r anged f or hi mt o t el ephone me her e. ' He l ooked
at Fel i x f or a moment , t hen l ooked away.
peopl e knew t he exact r out e t hat t he t hr ee gr oups wer e
t aki ng. I t was t r ue t hat Fel i x Car pi o had been i mpr i soned
by Acoca. I t was al so t r ue t hat t hat woul d have pr ovi ded a
per f ect al i bi f or Fel i x. At t he pr opi t i ous moment , an escape
coul d have been pl anned f or hi m. Except t hat got hi mout
f i r st , J ai me t hought . Paco i s checki ng on hi m. I hope he cal l s
soon.
Ampar o r ose and t ur ned t o Megan. ' Hel p me wi t h t he
di shes. '
The t wo women began cl ear i ng t he t abl e and t he men
went i nt o t he l i vi ng r oom.
' The nun - she' s hol di ng up wel l , ' Fel i x sai d.
' Yes. '
' You l i ke her , don' t you?'
J ai me f ound i t di f f i cul t t o l ook at Fel i x. ' Yes. I l i ke her . ' 3 And you woul d
bet r ay her al ong wi t h t he r est of us.
' What about you and Ampar o?'
' We' r e cut f r omt he same cl ot h. She bel i eves i n t he cause
as much as I do. Her ent i r e f ami l y was ki l l ed by Fr anco' s
Fal angi st s. ' J ai me r ose and st r et ched. Ti me t o t ur n i n. '
' I don' t t hi nk I ' mgoi ng t o be abl e t o sl eep t oni ght . Ar e
you cer t ai n t her e' s a spy?'
J ai me l ooked at hi mand sai d, ' I ' mcer t ai n. '
When J ai me came downst ai r s f or br eakf ast i n t he mor ni ng,
Megan di d not r ecogni ze hi m. Hi s f ace had been dar kened
and he was wear i ng a wi g and a moust ache. He was dr essed
i n scr uf f y cl ot hes. He l ooked t en year s ol der .
' Good mor ni ng, ' he sai d. And hi s voi ce comi ng out of t hat
body st ar t l ed her .
' Wher e di d you ?'
' Thi s i s a house I use f r omt i me t o t i me. I keep an
assor t ment of t hi ngs her e t hat I need. '
He sai d i t casual l y, but i t gave Megan a sudden i nsi ght
i nt o t he ki nd of l i f e he l ed. How many ot her houses and
di sgui ses di d he need t o st ay al i ve? How many ot her cl ose
cal l s had ne naa mat she knew not hi ng about ? She r emember ed
t he r ut hl essness of t he men who had at t acked t he
convent and she t hought : t hey cat ch J ai me, t hey' l l show
hi mno mer cy. I wi sh I knew how t o pr ot ect hi m.
And Megan' s mi nd was f i l l ed wi t h t hought s she had no
r i ght t o be t hi nki ng.
Ampar o pr epar ed br eakf ast . Bacal ao - st eamed, sal t ed codf i sh
- goat ' s mi l k, cheese and t hi ck, hot chocol at e wi t h chur r os.
As t hey wer e eat i ng, Fel i x asked, ' How l ong ar e we goi ng
t o st ay her e?'
J ai me r epl i ed casual l y, ' We' l l l eave when i t get s dar k. '
But he had no i nt ent i on of l et t i ng Fel i x use t hat i nf or mat i on.
' I have some er r ands t o do, ' he t ol d Fel i x. ' I ' l l need your
hel p. '
' Ri ght . '
J ai me cal l ed Ampar o asi de. ' When Paco cal l s, t el l hi mI ' l l
be back shor t l y. Take a message. '
She nodded. ' Be car ef ul . '
' Don' t wor r y. ' He t ur ned t o Megan. ' Your l ast day.
Tomor r ow you' l l be at t he convent . You must be eager t o
get t her e. '
She l ooked at hi ma l ong moment . ' Yes. ' Not eager , Megan
t hought . Anxi ous. I wi sh I wer en' t anxi ous. I ' mgoi ng t o shut
mysel f away f r omt hi s, but f or t he r est of my l i f e, I ' mgoi ng
t o wonder what happened t o J ai me and Fel i x and t he ot her s.
Megan st ood t her e wat chi ng as J ai me and Fel i x l ef t . She
sensed a t ensi on bet ween t he t wo men t hat she di d not
under st and.
Ampar o was st udyi ng her , and Megan r emember ed her
wor ds: J ai me i s t oo much man f or you.
Ampar o sai d cur t l y, ' Make up t he beds. I ' l l pr epar e l unch. '
' Al l r i ght . '
Megan went i nt o t he bedr oom. Ampar o st ood t her e wat chi ng
her , t hen wal ked i nt o t he ki t chen.
r or me nexi nour , Megan wor ked, busi l y concent r at i ng
on cl eani ng and dust i ng and pol i shi ng, t r yi ng not t o t hi nk,
t r yi ng t o keep her mi nd of f what was bot her i ng her .
must put hi mout of my mi nd, she t hought .
I t was i mpossi bl e. He was l i ke a f or ce of nat ur e, t aki ng
over ever yt hi ng i n hi s pat h.
She pol i shed har der .
When J ai me and Fel i x r et ur ned, Ampar o was wai t i ng f or
t hemat t he door . Fel i x l ooked pal e.
' I ' mnot f eel i ng t oo wel l . I t hi nk I ' l l l i e down f or a bi t . '
They wat ched hi mdi sappear i nt o a bedr oom.
' Paco cal l ed, ' Ampar o sai d exci t edl y.
' What di d he say?'
' He has some i nf or mat i on f or you, but he di dn' t want t o
di scuss i t on t he phone. He' s sendi ng someone t o meet you.
Thi s per son wi l l be at t he t own squar e at noon. '
J ai me f r owned, t hought f ul . ' He di dn' t say who i t i s?'
' No. J ust t hat i t was ur gent . '
' Damn i t . I - never mi nd. Al l r i ght . I ' l l go and meet hi m.
I want you t o keep an eye on Fel i x. '
She l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' I don' t un- ?'
' I don' t want hi musi ng t he t el ephone. '
A f l ash of under st andi ng cr ossed her f ace. ' You t hi nk t hat
Fel i x i s ?'
' Pl ease. J ust do as I ask. ' He l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' I t ' s
al most noon. I ' l l l eave now. I shoul d be back i n an hour .
Take car e, quer i da. '
' Don' t wor r y. '
Megan hear d t hei r voi ces.
don' t want hi musi ng t he t el ephone.
You t hi nk t hat Fel i x i s ?
Pl ease. J ust do as I ask.
So Fel i x i s t he t r ai t or , Megan t hought . She had seen hi m
go i nt o hi s bedr oomand cl ose t he door . She hear d J ai me
l eave.
Megan wal ked i nt o t he l i vi ng r oom.
Ampar o t ur ned. ' Have you f i ni shed?'
' Not qui t e, I - ' She want ed t o ask wher e J ai me had gone,
what t hey wer e goi ng t o do wi t h Fel i x, what was goi ng t o
happen next , but she di d not want t o di scuss t hat wi t h t hi s
woman. ' wai t unt i l J ai me r et ur ns.
' Fi ni sh up, ' Ampar o sai d.
Megan t ur ned and went back i nt o t he bedr oom. She
t hought about Fel i x. He had seemed so f r i endl y, so war m.
He had asked her many quest i ons, but now t hat seemi ng act
of f r i endl i ness t ook on a di f f er ent meani ng. The bear ded
man was l ooki ng f or i nf or mat i on t hat he coul d pass on t o
Col onel Acoca. Al l t hei r l i ves wer e i n danger .
Ampar o may need hel p, Megan t hought . She st ar t ed
t owar ds t he l i vi ng r oom, t hen st opped.
A voi ce was sayi ng, ' J ai me j ust l ef t . He wi l l be al one on
a bench i n t he mai n pl aza. Your men shoul d have no t r oubl e
pi cki ng hi mup. '
Megan st ood t her e, f r ozen.
' He' s wal ki ng, so i t shoul d t ake hi mabout f i f t een mi nut es
t o get t her e. '
Megan l i st ened wi t h gr owi ng hor r or .
' Remember our deal . Col onel , ' Ampar o sai d i nt o t he
t el ephone. ' You pr omi sed not t o ki l l hi m. '
Megan backed i nt o t he hal l way. Her mi nd was i n a t ur moi l .
So Ampar o was t he t r ai t or . And she had sent J ai me i nt o a
t r ap.
Backi ng away qui et l y, so Ampar o woul d not hear her ,
Megan t ur ned and r an out t he back door . She had no i dea
how she was goi ng t o hel p J ai me. She knew onl y t hat she
had t o do somet hi ng. She st epped out si de t he gat e and
st ar t ed down t he st r eet , movi ng as f ast as she coul d wi t hout
at t r act i ng at t ent i on, headi ng t owar ds t he cent r e of t he t own.
' Pl ease, God. Let me be on t i me, ' Megan pr ayed.
The wal k t o t he t own squar e was a pl easant one, wi t h si de
st r eet s shaded by t ower i ng t r ees, but J ai me was unawar e of
hi s sur r oundi ngs. He was t hi nki ng about Fel i x. He had been
l i ke a br ot her t o Fel i x, had gi ven hi mhi s f ul l t r ust . What
had t ur ned Fel i x i nt o a t r ai t or wi l l i ng t o put al l t hei r l i ves i n
_. - . . . , cui awcr . r r ny coui an t f aco have di scussed i t on t he t el ephone? J ai me
wonder ed.
J ai me was appr oachi ng t he t own squar e. I n t he mi ddl e of
t he pl aza was a f ount ai n and shady t r ees wi t h benches scat t er ed
ar ound. Chi l dr en wer e pl ayi ng games. A coupl e of ol d
men wer e pl ayi ng boul e. Hal f a dozen men wer e seat ed on
par k benches, enj oyi ng t he sunshi ne, r eadi ng, dozi ng, or
f eedi ng t he pi geons. J ai me cr ossed t he st r eet , sl owl y movi ng
al ong t he pat h, and t ook a seat on one of t he benches. He
l ooked at hi s wat ch j ust as t he t ower cl ock began chi mi ng
noon. Pace' s man shoul d be comi ng.
Out of t he cor ner of hi s eye, J ai me saw a pol i ce car pul l up at t he f ar end of
t he squar e. He l ooked i n t he ot her
di r ect i on. A second pol i ce car ar r i ved. Of f i cer s wer e get t i ng
out , movi ng t owar ds t he par k. Hi s hear t began t o beat f ast er , i I t was a t r ap.
But who had set i t ? Was i t Paco, who sent t he ;
message, or Ampar o who del i ver ed i t ? She had sent hi mt o
t he par k. But why? Why? f
Ther e was no t i me t o wor r y about t hat now. He had t o
escape. But J ai me knew t hat t he moment he t r i ed t o make
a r un f or i t , t hey woul d shoot hi mdown. He coul d t r y t o
bl uf f i t out , but t hey knew he was t her e.
Thi nk of somet hi ng. Fast !
A st r eet away, Megan was hur r yi ng t owar ds t he par k. As i t
came i nt o vi ew, she t ook i n t he scene at a gl ance. She saw
J ai me seat ed on a bench, and t he pol i cemen cl osi ng i n on
t he par k f r ombot h si des.
Megan' s mi nd was r aci ng. Ther e was no way f or J ai me t o
escape.
Megan was wal ki ng past a t i enda. Ahead of her , bl ocki ng
her pat h, a mot her was pushi ng a pr am. The woman st opped,
set t he pr amagai nst t he wal l of t he shop and went i nsi de t o
make a pur chase. Wi t hout a moment ' s hesi t at i on, Megan
gr abbed t he handl e of t he pr amand moved acr oss t he st r eet
i nt o t he par k.
The pol i ce wer e wal ki ng al ong t he benches now, quest i oni ng t he men seat ed t her e.
Megan el bowed her way past a
pol i ceman and went up t o J ai me, pushi ng t he pr amahead
of her .
She yel l ed, ' j Madr e de Di os! Ther e you ar e, Manuel ! I ' ve
been l ooki ng ever ywher e f or you. I ' ve had enough! You pr omi sed t o pai nt t he
house t hi s mor ni ng, and her e you ar e
si t t i ng i n t he par k l i ke some mi l l i onai r e. Mot her was r i ght .
You' r e a good- f or - not hi ng bum. I never shoul d have mar r i ed
you i n t he f i r st pl ace! '
I t t ook J ai me l ess t han a f r act i on of a second. He got t o
hi s f eet . ' Your mot her i s an exper t on bur ns. She mar r i ed
one. I f she- - '
' Who ar e you t o t al k? I f i t wasn' t f or my mot her , our baby
woul d st ar ve t o deat h. You cer t ai nl y don' t br i ng any br ead
i nt o t he house . . . '
The pol i cemen had st opped, t aki ng i n t he ar gument .
' I f t hat one was my wi f e, ' one of t hemmut t er ed, ' I ' d send
her back t o her mot her . '
' I ' mdamned t i r ed of your naggi ng, woman, ' J ai me r oar ed.
' I ' ve war ned you bef or e. When we get home, I ' mgoi ng t o
t each you a l esson. '
' Good f or hi m, ' one of t he pol i cemen sai d.
J ai me and Megan noi si l y quar r el l ed t hei r way out of t he
par k, pushi ng t he pr ambef or e t hem. The pol i cemen t ur ned
t hei r at t ent i on back t o t he men seat ed on t he benches.
' I dent i f i cat i on, pl ease?'
' What ' s t he pr obl em, of f i cer ?'
' Never mi nd. J ust show me your paper s. '
Al l over t he par k, men wer e pul l i ng out wal l et s and ext r act i ng
bi t s of paper t o pr ove who t hey wer e. I n t he mi dst
of t hi s, a baby began t o cr y. One of t he pol i cemen l ooked up.
The pr amhad been abandoned at t he cor ner . The quar r el l i ng
coupl e had vani shed.
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er , Megan wal ked i n at t he f r ont door of
t he house. Ampar o was ner vousl y paci ng up and down.
' Wher e have you been?' Ampar o demanded. ' You
shoul dn' t have l ef t t he house wi t hout t el l i ng me. '
' I had t o go out t o t ake car e of somet hi ng. '
' What ?' Ampar o asked suspi ci ousl y. ' You don' t know
anyone her e. I f you - '
J ai me wal ked i n t hr ough t he door . The bl ood dr ai ned
f r omher f ace. She qui ckl y r egai ned her composur e.
' What - what happened?' Ampar o asked. ' Di dn' t you go
t o t he par k?'
J ai me sai d qui et l y, ' Why, Ampar o?'
And she l ooked i nt o hi s eyes and she knew i t was over .
' What made you change?'
She shook her head. ' I haven' t changed. You have. I ' ve
l ost ever yone I l oved i n t hi s st upi d war you' r e f i ght i ng. I ' m
si ck of al l t he bl oodshed. Can you st and hear i ng t he t r ut h
about your sel f , J ai me? You' r e as bad as t he gover nment
you' r e f i ght i ng. Wor se, because t hey' r e wi l l i ng t o make
peace, and you' r e not . You t hi nk you' r e hel pi ng our count r y?
You' r e dest r oyi ng i t . You r ob banks and bl ow up car s and
mur der i nnocent peopl e, and you t hi nk you' r e a her o. I l oved
you, and I bel i eved i n you once, but - Her voi ce br oke.
Thi s bl oodshed has t o end. '
J ai me wal ked up t o her , and hi s eyes wer e i ce. ' I shoul d
ki l l you. '
' No, ' Megan gasped. ' Pl ease! You can' t . '
Fel i x had come i nt o t he r oomand was l i st eni ng t o t he
conver sat i on. ' J esus Chr i st ! So she' s t he one. What do we
do wi t h t he bi t ch?'
J ai me sai d, ' We' l l have t o t ake her wi t h us and keep an
eye on her . ' He t ook Ampar o by t he shoul der s and sai d
sof t l y, ' I f you t r y one mor e t r i ck, I pr omi se you you' l l di e. '
He shoved her away and t ur ned t o Megan and Fel i x. ' Let ' s
get out of her e bef or e her f r i ends ar r i ve. '
Chapt er 35
' You had Mi r o i n your hands and you l et hi mescape?'
' Col onel - wi t h al l due r espect - my men '
' Your men ar e asshol es. You cal l your sel ves pol i cemen?
You' r e a di sgr ace t o your uni f or ms. '
The chi ef of pol i ce st ood t her e, cr i ngi ng under t he wi t her i ng
scor n of Col onel Acoca. Ther e was not hi ng el se he coul d
do, f or t he Col onel was power f ul enough t o have hi s head.
And Acoca was not yet t hr ough wi t h hi m.
' I hol d you per sonal l y r esponsi bl e. I ' l l see t hat you' r e
r el i eved f r omdut y. '
' Col onel '
' Get out . You make me si ck t o my st omach. '
Col onel Acoca was boi l i ng wi t h f r ust r at i on. Ther e had not
been enough t i me f or hi mt o r each Vi t or i a and cat ch J ai me
Mi r o. He had had t o ent r ust t hat t o t he l ocal pol i ce. And
t hey had bungl ed i t . God al one knew wher e Mi r o had gone
t o now.
Col onel Acoca went t o t he map spr ead out on a t abl e i n
f r ont of hi m. They wi l l be st ayi ng i n Basque count r y, of
cour se. That coul d be Bur gos or Logr ono or Bi l bao or San Sebast i an. I ' l l
concent r at e on t he nor t h- east . They' l l have t o
sur f ace somewher e.
He r ecal l ed hi s conver sat i on wi t h t he Pr i me Mi ni st er t hat
mor ni ng.
' Your t i me i s r unni ng out . Col onel . Have you r ead t he
mor ni ng paper s? The wor l d pr ess i s maki ng us l ook l i ke
cl owns. Mi r o and t hose nuns have made us a l aughi ngst ock. '
' Pr i me Mi ni st er , you have my assur ance '
' Ki ng J uan Car l os has or der ed me t o set up an of f i ci al
i nqui r y boar d i nt o t he whol e mat t er . I can' t hol d i t of f any
l onger . '
' Del ay t he i nqui r y f or j ust a f ew mor e days. I ' l l have Mi r 6
and t he nuns by t hen. '
Ther e was a pause. ' For t y- ei ght hour s. '
I t was not t he Pr i me Mi ni st er whomCol onel Acoca was
af r ai d of di sappoi nt i ng, nor was i t t he Ki ng. I t was t he OPUS
MUNDO. When he had been summoned t o t he panel l ed
of f i ce of one of Spai n' s l eadi ng i ndust r i al i st s, hi s or der s had
been expl i ci t : ' J ai me Mi r 6 i s cr eat i ng an at mospher e har mf ul
t o our or gani zat i on. St op hi m. You wi l l be wel l r ewar ded. '
And Col onel Acoca knew what t he unspoken par t of t he
conver sat i on was: Fai l and you wi l l be puni shed. Now hi s
car eer was i n j eopar dy. And al l because some st upi d pol i cemen
had l et Mi r 6 wal k away under t hei r noses. J ai me Mi r 6
mi ght hi de anywher e. But t he nuns. . . A wave of exci t ement
cour sed t hr ough Col onel Acoca. The nuns! They wer e t he
key. J ai me Mi r 6 mi ght hi de anywher e, but t he si st er s coul d
f i nd sanct uar y onl y i n anot her convent . And i t woul d al most
cer t ai nl y be i n a convent of t he same or der .
Col onel Acoca t ur ned t o st udy t he map agai n. And t her e
i t was: Mendavi a. Ther e was a convent of t he Ci st er ci an or der
at Mendavi a. That ' s wher e t hey' r e headed, Acoca t hought
t r i umphant l y. Wel l , so amI .
Onl y I ' l l be t her e f i r st , wai t i ng f or t hem.
The j our ney f or Ri car do and Gr aci el a was comi ng t o an end.
The l ast f ew days had been t he happi est t hat Ri car do had
ever known. He was bei ng hunt ed by t he mi l i t ar y and t he
pol i ce, hi s capt ur e meant cer t ai n deat h, and yet none of t hat
seemed t o mat t er . I t was as t hough he and Gr aci el a had
car ved out an i sl and i n t i me, a par adi se wher e not hi ng coul d
t ouch t hem. They had t ur ned t hei r desper at e j our ney i nt o a
wonder f ul advent ur e t hat t hey shar ed t oget her .
They t al ked endl essl y, expl or i ng and expl ai ni ng, and t hei r
wor ds wer e t endr i l s t hat dr ew t hemeven cl oser t oget her .
310
They spoke of t he past , t he pr esent , and t he f ut ur e. Par t i cul ar l y
t he f ut ur e.
' We' l l be mar r i ed i n chur ch, ' Ri car do sai d. ' You' l l be t he
most beaut i f ul br i de i n t he wor l d . . . '
And Gr aci el a coul d vi sual i ze t he scene and was t hr i l l ed
by i t .
' And we' l l l i ve i n t he most beaut i f ul house . . . '
And she t hought : I ' ve never had a house of my own, or a
r eal r oomof my own.
Ther e was t he l i t t l e casa she shar ed wi t h her mot her and
al l t he uncl es, and t hen t he convent cel l , l i vi ng wi t h t he
si st er s.
' And we' l l have handsome sons and beaut i f ul
daught er s . . . '
And I wi l l gi ve t hemal l t he t hi ngs I never had. They wi l l
be so l oved.
And Gr aci el a' s hear t soar ed.
Ther e was one t hi ng t r oubl i ng her . Ri car do was a sol di er
f i ght i ng f or a cause he passi onat el y bel i eved i n. Woul d he
be cont ent ed l i vi ng i n Fr ance, wi t hdr awi ng f r omt he bat t l e?
She knew she had t o di scuss i t wi t h hi m.
Ri car do - how much l onger do you t hi nk t hi s r evol ut i on
i s goi ng t o go on?
I t was a quest i on she had not asked.
I t ' s al r eady gone on t oo l ong, Ri car do t hought . The gover nment
had made peace over t ur es, but ETA had r ej ect ed
t hem. I t had done wor se t han r ej ect t hem. I t had r esponded
t o t he of f er s wi t h a ser i es of i ncr eased t er r or i st at t acks.
Ri car do had t r i ed t o di scuss i t wi t h J ai me.
" They' r e wi l l i ng t o compr omi se, J ai me. Shoul dn' t we meet
t hemhal f way?'
" Thei r of f er i s a t r i ck - t hey want t o dest r oy us. They' r e
f or ci ng us t o go on f i ght i ng. '
And because Ri car do l oved J ai me and bel i eved i n hi m,
he cont i nued t o suppor t hi m. But t he doubt s r ef used t o di e.
And as t he bl oodshed i ncr eased, so di d hi s uncer t ai nt y. And
now Gr aci el a was aski ng. How much l onger do you t hi nk
t hi s r evol ut i on i s goi ng t o go on?
311
1 oon i Know, Ki car do t ol d her . ' I wi sh i t wer e over . But
I wi l l t el l you t hi s, my dar l i ng. Not hi ng wi l l ever come
bet ween us - not even a war . Ther e wi l l never be wor ds
enough t o t el l you how much I l ove you. '
And t hey went on dr eami ng.
They t r avel l ed dur i ng t he ni ght , maki ng t hei r way t hr ough
t he f er t i l e, gr een count r ysi de, past El Bur go and Sor i a. At
dawn, f r omt he t op of a hi l l , t hey saw Logr ono i n t he f ar
di st ance. To t he l ef t of t he r oad was a st and of pi ne t r ees
and beyond t hat a f or est of el ect r i c power l i nes. Gr aci el a
and Ri car do f ol l owed t he wi ndi ng r oad down t o t he out ski r t s
of t he bust l i ng ci t y.
' Wher e ar e we goi ng t o meet t he ot her s?' Gr aci el a asked.
Ri car do poi nt ed t o a post er on a bui l di ng t hey wer e passi ng.
I t r ead:
CI RQUE J APON. '
THE WORLD' S MOST SENSATI ONAL CI RCUS FRESH FROM J APAN!
24 J ULY FOR ONE WEEK
AVENI DA CLUB DEPORTI VO
Ther e, ' Ri car do t ol d her . ' We' l l meet t hemt her e t hi s
af t er noon. '
I n anot her par t of t he ci t y, Megan, J ai me, Ampar o and Fel i x
wer e al so l ooki ng at a ci r cus post er . Ther e was a f eel i ng of
enor mous t ensi on i n t he gr oup. Ampar o was never out of
t hei r si ght . Ever si nce t he i nci dent at Vi t or i a, t he men t r eat ed
Ampar o as an out cast , i gnor i ng her most of t he t i me and
speaki ng t o her onl y when necessar y.
J ai me l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' The ci r cus shoul d be st ar t i ng, '
he sai d. ' Let ' s go. '
At pol i ce headquar t er s i n Logr ono, Col onel Ramdn Acoca
was f i nal i zi ng hi s pl ans.
' Ar e t he men depl oyed ar ound t he convent ?'
' Yes, Col onel . Ever yt hi ng i s i n pl ace. '
Excel l ent . '
Acoca was i n an expansi ve mood. The t r ap he had set was
f ool pr oof , and t her e woul d be no bungl i ng pol i cemen t o
spoi l hi s pl ans t hi s t i me. He was per sonal l y conduct i ng t he
oper at i on. The OPUS MUNDO was goi ng t o be pr oud of
hi m. He went over t he det ai l s wi t h hi s of f i cer s once agai n.
" The nuns ar e t r avel l i ng wi t h Mi r 6 and hi s men. I t ' s i mpor t ant
t hat we cat ch t hembef or e t hey wal k i nt o t he convent .
We' l l be spr ead out i n t he woods ar ound i t . Don' t move unt i l
I gi ve t he si gnal t o cl ose i n. '
' What ar e our or der s i f J ai me Mi r 6 r esi st s?'
Acoca sai d sof t l y, ' I hope he does t r y t o r esi st . '
An or der l y came i nt o t he r oom. ' Excuse me. Col onel .
Ther e i s an Amer i can her e who woul d l i ke t o speak t o you. '
' I have no t i me now. '
' Yes, si r . ' The or der l y hesi t at ed. ' He says i t ' s about one
of t he nuns. '
' Oh? An Amer i can, di d you say?'
' Yes, Col onel . '
' Send hi mi n. '
A moment l at er , Al an Tucker was usher ed i n.
' I ' msor r y t o di st ur b you. Col onel . I ' mAl an Tucker . I ' m
hopi ng you can hel p me. '
' Yes? How, Mr Tucker ?'
' I under st and t hat you' r e l ooki ng f or one of t he nuns f r om
t he Abbey Ci st er ci an - a Si st er Megan. '
. The Col onel sat back i n hi s chai r , st udyi ng t he Amer i can.
' How does t hat concer n you?'
' I ' ml ooki ng f or her t oo. I t ' s ver y i mpor t ant t hat I f i nd
her . '
I nt er est i ng, Col onel Acoca t hought . Why i s i t so i mpor t ant
f or t hi s Amer i can t o f i nd a nun? ' You have no i dea wher e
she i s?'
' No. The newspaper s '
The goddamn pr ess agai n. ' Per haps you coul d t el l me why
you ar e l ooki ng f or her . '
' Then I ' maf r ai d I can' t hel p you. '
' Col onel - coul d you l et me know i f you f i nd her ?'
Acoca gave hi ma t hi n smi l e. ' You' l l know. '
The whol e count r y was f ol l owi ng t he hegi r a of t he nuns. The
pr ess had r epor t ed t he nar r ow escape of J ai me Mi r 6 and one
of t he nuns i n Vi t or i a.
So t hey' r e headi ng nor t h, Al an Tucker t hought . Thei r best
bet t o get out of t he count r y i s pr obabl y San Sebast i an. I ' ve
got t o get hol d of her . He sensed t hat he was i n t r oubl e wi t h
El l en Scot t . handl ed t hat badl y, he t hought . can make up f or i t by br i ngi ng
her Megan.
He pl aced a cal l t o El l en Scot t .
The Ci r que J apon was hel d i n Logr ono' s out l yi ng di st r i ct of l !
Guanos, i n a huge t ent , and t en mi nut es bef or e t he ci r cus
was due t o begi n, t he t ent was f i l l ed t o capaci t y. Megan, J ai me, Ampar o and
Fel i x made t hei r way down t he cr owded I ai sl e t o t hei r r eser ved seat s. Ther e
wer e t wo empt y seat s
next t o J ai me.
He st ar ed at t hemand sai d, ' Somet hi ng' s wr ong. Ri car dc
and Si st er Gr aci el a wer e supposed t o be her e. ' He t ur ned t o
Ampar o. ' Di d you ?'
' No. I swear i t . I know not hi ng about i t . '
The l i ght s di mmed and t he show began. Ther e was a r oar l
f r omt he cr owd, and t hey t ur ned t o l ook at t he ar ena. A
bi cycl e r i der was ci r cl i ng t he r i ng, and as he pedal l ed an
acr obat l eaped ont o hi s shoul der . Then, one by one, a swar m
of ot her per f or mer s j umped on, cl i ngi ng t o t he f r ont andj back and si des of t he
bi cycl e unt i l i t was i nvi si bl e. Thej
audi ence cheer ed, j
A t r ai ned bear act was on next , and t hen a t i ght r ope
wal ker . The audi ence was enj oyi ng t he show t r emendousl y,
but J ai me and t he ot her s wer e t oo ner vous t o pay any
at t ent i on. Ti me was r unni ng out .
' We' l l wai t anot her f i f t een mi nut es, ' J ai me deci ded. ' I f
t hey' r e not her e by t hen '
A voi ce sai d, ' Excuse me - ar e t hese seat s t aken?'
J ai me l ooked up t o see Ri car do and Gr aci el a, and gr i nned.
' No. Pl ease si t down. ' And t hen, i n a r el i eved whi sper , ' I ' m
damned gl ad t o see you. '
Ri car do nodded at Megan and Ampar o and Fel i x. He
l ooked ar ound. ' Wher e ar e t he ot her s?'
' Haven' t you seen t he newspaper s?'
' Newspaper s? No. We' ve been i n t he mount ai ns. '
' I have bad news, ' J ai me sai d. ' Rubi o i s i n a pr i son hospi t al . '
Ri car do st ar ed at hi m. ' How ?'
' He was st abbed i n a bar f i ght . The pol i ce pi cked hi mup. '
' Mi er daf Ri car do was si l ent a moment , t hen si ghed. ' We' l l
j ust have t o get hi mout , won' t we?'
' That ' s my pl an, ' J ai me agr eed.
' Wher e' s Si st er Luci a?' Gr aci el a asked. ' And Si st er
Ter esa?'
I t was Megan who answer ed. ' Si st er Luci a has been ar r est ed.
She was - she was want ed f or mur der . Si st er Ter esa
i s dead. '
Gr aci el a cr ossed her sel f . ' Oh, my Lor d. '
I n t he ar ena a cl own was wal ki ng a t i ght r ope, car r yi ng a
poodl e under each ar m, and t wo Si amese cat s i n hi s capaci ous
pocket s. As t he dogs t r i ed t o r each t he cat s, t he wi r e swayed
wi l dl y and t he cl own pr et ended t o be f i ght i ng t o keep hi s
bal ance. The audi ence was r oar i ng. I t was di f f i cul t t o hear
anyt hi ng over t he noi se of t he cr owd. Megan and Gr aci el a
had so much t o t el l each ot her . Al most si mul t aneousl y, t hey
began t o t al k i n t he si gn l anguage of t he convent . The t wo
men l ooked on i n ast oni shment .
Ri car do and I ar e goi ng t o mar r y . . .
That ' s wonder f ul . . .
What has been happeni ng t o you?
Megan st ar t ed t o r epl y and r eal i zed t her e wer e no si gns
t o convey t he t hi ngs she want ed t o say. I t woul d have t o
wai t .
Let ' s move, J ai me sai d. ' 1 her e' s a van out si de wai t i ng t o
t ake us t o Mendavi a. We' l l dr op t he si st er s of f t her e and be
on our way. '
They st ar t ed up t he ai sl e, J ai me hol di ng Ampar o' s ar m.
When t hey wer e out si de i n t he car - par k, Ri car do sai d,
' J ai me, Gr aci el a and I ar e get t i ng mar r i ed. '
A gr i n l i t up J ai me' s f ace. ' That ' s wonder f ul ! Congr at ul at i ons. '
He t ur ned t o Gr aci el a. ' You coul dn' t have pi cked
a bet t er man. '
Megan put her ar ms ar ound Gr aci el a. ' I ' mver y happy f or
you bot h. '
And she t hought : Was i t easy f or her t o make t he deci si on
t o l eave t he convent ? AmI wonder i ng about Gr aci el a? Or
amI wonder i ng about mysel f ?
Col onel Acoca was r ecei vi ng an exci t ed r epor t f r oman ai de.
' They wer e seen at t he ci r cus l ess t han an hour ago. By
t he t i me we coul d br i ng up r ei nf or cement s, t hey had gone.
They l ef t i n a bl ue and whi t e van. You wer e r i ght . Col onel .
They ar e headed f or Mendavi a. '
So i t ' s f i nal l y over . Col onel Acoca t hought . The chase had
been an exci t i ng one, and he had t o admi t t hat J ai me Mi r o
had been a wor t hy opponent . The OPUS MUNDO wi l l have
even bi gger pl ans f or me now.
Thr ough a pai r of hi gh- power ed Zei ss bi nocul ar s. Col onel
Acoca wat ched t he bl ue and whi t e van appear over t he cr est
of a hi l l and head f or t he convent bel ow. Heavi l y ar med
t r oops wer e hi dden among t he t r ees al ong bot h si des of t he
r oad and ar ound t he convent i t sel f . Ther e was no way t hat
anyone coul d escape.
As t he van appr oached t he ent r ance t o t he convent and
br aked t o a st op. Col onel Acoca bar ked i nt o hi s wal ki e-
t al ki e, ' Cl ose i n! Now! '
The manoeuvr e was execut ed per f ect l y. Two squads of
sol di er s ar med wi t h aut omat i c weapons swung i nt o posi t i on,
bl ocki ng t he r oad and sur r oundi ng t he van. Col onel Acoca
st ood wat chi ng t he scene f or an i nst ant , savour i ng hi s
moment of gl or y. Then he sl owl y appr oached t he van, gun
i n hand.
' You' r e sur r ounded, ' he cal l ed out . ' You haven' t got a
chance. Come out wi t h your hands up. One at a t i me. I f you
t r y t o r esi st , you' l l al l di e. '
Ther e was a l ong moment of si l ence, and t hen t he van door
sl owl y opened and t hr ee men and t hr ee women emer ged,
t r embl i ng, t hei r hands r ai sed hi gh above t hei r heads.
They wer e st r anger s.
Chapt er 36
Hi gh on a hi l l above t he convent , J ai me and t he ot her s
obser ved Acoca and hi s men move i n on t he van. They saw
t he t er r i f i ed passenger s get out , hands r ai sed, and wat ched
t he scene pl ayed out i n pant omi me.
J ai me Mi r o coul d al most hear t he di al ogue:
Who ar e you?
We wor k at a hot el out si de Logr ono.
What ar e you doi ng her e?
A man gave us f i ve t housand peset as t o del i ver t hi s van t o
t he convent .
What man?
I don' t know. I never saw hi mbef or e.
I s t hi s hi s pi ct ur e?
Yes. That ' s hi m.
' Let ' s get out of her e, ' J ai me sai d.
They wer e i n a whi t e st at i on wagon, headi ng back t o
Logr ono. Megan was l ooki ng at J ai me i n wonder .
' How di d you know?'
" That Col onel Acoca woul d be wai t i ng f or us at t he convent ?
He t ol d me. '
' What ?'
" The f ox has t o t hi nk l i ke t he hunt er , Megan. I put mysel f
i n Acoca' s pl ace. Wher e woul d he set a t r ap f or me? He di d
exact l y what I woul d have done. '
' And i f he had not shown up?'
' Then i t woul d have been saf e t o t ake you i nt o t he convent . '
' What happens now?' Fel i x asked.
I t was t he quest i on upper most i n al l t hei r mi nds.
' Spai n i sn' t saf e f or any of us f or a whi l e, ' J ai me deci ded.
' We' l l head di r ect l y f or San Sebast i an and i nt o Fr ance. '
He l ooked at Megan. ' Ther e ar e Ci st er ci an convent s
t her e. '
I t was mor e t han Ampar o coul d bear .
' Why don' t you gi ve your sel f up? I f you keep on t hi s way,
t her e wi l l be mor e bl ood spi l l ed and mor e l i ves t aken - '
' You' ve l ost t he r i ght t o speak, ' J ai me sai d cur t l y. ' J ust be
gr at ef ul you' r e st i l l al i ve. ' He t ur ned t o Megan. ' Ther e ar e
t en mount ai n passes acr oss t he Pyr enees l eadi ng f r omSan
Sebast i an t o Fr ance. We' l l cr oss t her e. '
' I t ' s t oo danger ous, ' Fel i x obj ect ed. ' Acoca' s goi ng t o be
l ooki ng f or us i n San Sebast i an. He' l l be expect i ng us t o
cr oss t he bor der i nt o Fr ance. '
' I f i t ' s t hat danger ous - ' Gr aci el a began.
' Don' t wor r y, ' J ai me assur ed her . ' San Sebast i an i s Basque
count r y. '
The st at i on wagon was appr oachi ng t he out ski r t s of
Logr ono agai n.
' Al l t he r oads t o San Sebast i an wi l l be wat ched, ' Fel i x
war ned. ' How do you pl an f or us t o get t her e?'
J ai me had al r eady deci ded. ' We' l l t ake t he t r ai n. '
' The sol di er s wi l l be sear chi ng t he t r ai ns, ' Ri car do
obj ect ed.
J ai me gave Ampar o a t hought f ul l ook. ' No. I don' t t hi nk
so. Our f r i end her e i s goi ng t o hel p us. Do you know how
t o r each Col onel Acoca?'
She hesi t at ed. ' Yes. '
' Good. You' r e goi ng t o cal l hi m. '
They st opped at one of t he t el ephone boot hs al ong t he
hi ghway. J ai me f ol l owed Ampar o i nt o t he boot h and cl osed
t he door . He was hol di ng a pi st ol t o her si de.
' You know what t o say?'
' Yes. '
He wat ched her di al a number , and when a voi ce answer ed,
she sai d, " Thi s i s Ampar o J i r on. Col onel Acoca i s expect i ng
my i - ui i . . . ni ci i i K yuu. ami uukcu up ai J ai me. " i ney' r e
put t i ng me t hr ough. ' The gun was pr essi ng agai nst her . ' Do
you have t o ?'
' J ust do as you wer e t ol d. ' Hi s voi ce was i ce.
A moment l at er , J ai me hear d Acoca' s voi ce come over
t he phone. ' Wher e ar e you?'
The gun pr essed agai nst her har der . ' I - I ' m- we' r e j ust
l eavi ng Logr ono. '
' Do you know wher e our f r i ends ar e goi ng?'
Yes. '
J ai me' s f ace was i nches f r omher , hi s eyes har d.
' They' ve deci ded t o r ever se t hemsel ves t o t hr ow you of f .
They' r e on t hei r way t o Bar cel ona. He' s dr i vi ng a whi t e
Seat . He' l l be t aki ng t he mai n hi ghway. '
J ai me nodded at her .
' I - 1 have t o go now. The car i s her e. '
J ai me pr essed down t he r ecei ver . ' Ver y good. Let ' s go.
We' l l gi ve hi mhal f an hour t o cal l of f hi s men her e. '
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er t hey wer e at t he r ai l way st at i on.
Ther e wer e t hr ee cl asses of t r ai ns f r omLogr ono t o San
Sebast i an: t he Tal go was t he l uxur y t r ai n; t he second cl ass
t r ai n was t he Ter ; and t he wor st and cheapest t r ai ns, uncomf or t abl e
and di r t y, wer e mi snamed t he expr esos, whi ch
st opped at ever y l i t t l e st at i on f r omLogr ono t o San Sebast i an.
J ai me sai d, ' We' l l t ake t he expr eso. By now al l of Acoca' s
men wi l l be busy st oppi ng ever y whi t e Seat on t he r oad t o
Bar cel ona. We' l l buy our t i cket s separ at el y and meet i n t he
l ast compar t ment of t he t r ai n. ' J ai me t ur ned t o Ampar o.
' You go f i r st . I ' l l be r i ght behi nd you. '
And she knew why, and hat ed hi mf or i t . I f Col onel Acoca
had set a t r ap, she woul d be t he bai t . Wel l , she was Ampar o" J i r on. She woul d
not f l i nch.
She wal ked i nt o t he st at i on whi l e J ai me and t he ot her s
wat ched. Ther e wer e no sol di er s.
They r e an oui cover i ng me mgnway t o t f ar cel ona. I t s goi ng t o be a madhouse,
J ai me t hought wr yl y. Ever y ot her
car i s a whi t e Seat .
One by one t he gr oup pur chased t hei r t i cket s and headed
f or t he t r ai n. They boar ded wi t hout i nci dent . J ai me t ook
t he seat next t o Megan. Ampar o sat i n f r ont of t hem,
next t o Fel i x. Acr oss t he way Ri car do and Gr aci el a sat
t oget her .
J ai me sai d t o Megan, ' We' l l r each San Sebast i an i n t hr ee
hour s. We' l l spend t he ni ght t her e and i n t he ear l y mor ni ng
we' l l cr oss over i nt o Fr ance. '
' And af t er we get t o Fr ance?'
She was t hi nki ng of what woul d happen t o J ai me, but
when he r epl i ed, he sai d, ' Don' t wor r y. Ther e' s a Ci st er ci an
convent j ust a f ew hour s acr oss t he bor der . ' He hesi t at ed.
' I f t hat ' s what you st i l l want . '
So he had under st ood her doubt s. I s t hat what I want ? They wer e comi ng t o mor e
t han a bor der t hat di vi ded t wo
count r i es. Thi s bor der woul d di vi de her ol d l i f e f r omher
f ut ur e l i f e . . . whi ch woul d be . . . what ? She had been
desper at e t o r et ur n t o a convent , but now she was f i l l ed wi t h
doubt s. She had f or got t en how exci t i ng t he wor l d out si de
t he wal l s coul d be. I ' ve never f el t so al i ve. Megan l ooked
over at J ai me and admi t t ed t o her sel f : And J ai me Mi r o i s a
par t of i t .
He caught her gl ance and l ooked i nt o her eyes, and Megan
t hought : He knows i t .
The expr eso st opped at ever y haml et and vi l l age al ong t he
t r ack. The t r ai n was packed wi t h f ar mer s and t hei r wi ves,
mer chant s and sal esmen, and at each st op passenger s noi si l y
embar ked and di sembar ked.
The expr eso made i t s way sl owl y t hr ough t he mount ai ns,
f i ght i ng t he st eep gr adi ent s.
When t he t r ai n f i nal l y pul l ed i nt o t he st at i on i n San
Sebast i an, J ai me sai d t o Megan, " The danger i s over . Thi s i s
our ci t y. I ' ve ar r anged f or a car t o be her e f or us. '
A l ar ge sedan was wai t i ng i n f r ont of t he st at i on. A dr i ver
wear i ng a l ar ge boi na vasca, t he wi de- br i mmed ber et of t he
d<i sl ucs, gi cci cu J ouuc wi i n wai i n nugs, anu me gr oup got
i nt o t he car .
Megan not i ced t hat J ai me st ayed cl ose t o Ampar o, r eady
t o gr ab her i f she t r i ed t o make a move. What ' s he goi ng t o
do wi t h her ? Megan wonder ed.
' We wer e wor r i ed about you, J ai me, ' t he dr i ver sai d.
' Accor di ng t o t he pr ess, Col onel Acoca i s conduct i ng a bi g
hunt f or you. '
J ai me l aughed. ' Let hi mkeep hunt i ng, Gi l . I amout of
season. '
They dr ove down t he Aveni da Sancho el Sabi o, t owar ds
t he beach. I t was a cl oudl ess summer day and t he st r eet s
wer e cr owded wi t h st r ol l i ng coupl es bent on pl easur e, and
t he har bour was al i ve wi t h yacht s and smal l er cr af t . The
di st ant mount ai ns f or med a pi ct ur esque backdr op f or t he
ci t y. Ever yt hi ng seemed so peacef ul .
' What ar e t he ar r angement s?' J ai me asked t he dr i ver .
' The Hot el Ni za. Lar go Cor t ez i s wai t i ng f or you. '
' I t wi l l be good t o see t he ol d pi r at e agai n. '
The Ni za was a medi umcl ass hot el i n t he Pl aza J uan de
Ol ezabal , of f San Mar t i n St r eet on t he cor ner of a busy
squar e. I t was a whi t e bui l di ng wi t h br own shut t er s and a
bi g bl ue si gn on t he t op of t he r oof . The r ear of t he hot el
backed on t o a beach.
When t he car pul l ed up i n f r ont of t he hot el , t he gr oup
got out and f ol l owed J ai me i nt o t he l obby.
Lar go Cor t ez, t he hot el owner , r an up t o gr eet t hem. He
was a l ar ge man. He had onl y one ar mas t he r esul t of a dar i ng
expl oi t , and he moved awkwar dl y, as t hough of f - bal ance.
' Wel come, ' he beamed. ' I have been expect i ng you f or a
week now. '
J ai me shr ugged. ' We had a f ew del ays, ami go. '
Lar go Cor t ez gr i nned. ' I r ead about t hem. The paper s
ar e f ul l of not hi ng el se. ' He t ur ned t o l ook at Megan and
Gr aci el a. ' Ever yone i s suppor t i ng you. Si st er s. I have your
r ooms al l pr epar ed. '
We 11 oe st ayi ng over ni gm, J ai me t ol d hi m. ' We' l l l eave f i r st t hi ng i n t he
mor ni ng and cr oss i nt o Fr ance. I want a
good gui de who knows al l t he passes - ei t her Cabr er a I nf ant e
or J ose Cebr i an. '
' I wi l l ar r ange i t , ' t he hot el owner assur ed hi m. ' Ther e wi l l
be si x of you?'
J ai me gl anced at Ampar o. ' Fi ve. '
Ampar o l ooked away.
' I suggest t hat none of you r egi st er s, ' Cor t ez sai d. ' What
t he pol i ce don' t know won' t hur t t hem. Why don' t you l et
me t ake you t o your r ooms, wher e you can r ef r esh your sel ves?
Then we' l l have a magni f i cent supper . '
' Ampar o and I ar e goi ng t o t he bar t o have a dr i nk, ' J ai me
sai d. ' We' l l j oi n you l at er . '
Lar go Cor t ez nodded. ' As you wi sh, J ai me. '
Megan was wat chi ng J ai me, puzzl ed. She wonder ed what
he pl anned t o do wi t h Ampar o. Was he goi ng t o
col d- bl oodedl y - ? She coul d not bear even t o t hi nk about i t .
Ampar o was wonder i ng, t oo, but she was t oo pr oud t o
ask.
J ai me l ed her i nt o t he bar at t he f ar end of t he l obby and
t ook a t abl e i n t he cor ner .
When t he wai t er appr oached t hem, J ai me sai d, ' A gl ass
of wi ne, por f avor .
' One?'
' One. '
Ampar o wat ched as J ai me t ook out a smal l packet and
opened i t . I t cont ai ned a f i ne, powder y subst ance.
' J ai me - ' Ther e was desper at i on i n Ampar o' s voi ce.
' Pl ease l i st en t o me! Tr y t o under st and why I di d what I di d.
You' r e t ear i ng t he count r y apar t . Your cause i s hopel ess.
You must st op t hi s i nsani t y. '
The wai t er r eappear ed and set a gl ass of wi ne on t he t abl e.
When he wal ked away, J ai me car ef ul l y pour ed t he cont ent s
of t he packet i nt o t he gl ass and st i r r ed i t . He pushed t he
gl ass i n f r ont of Ampar o.
' Dr i nk i t . "
' No! '
Not many of us ar e pr i vi l eged t o choose t he way we di e, '
J ai me sai d qui et l y. ' Thi s way wi l l be qui ck and pai nl ess.
I f I t ur n you over t o my peopl e, I can' t make any such
pr omi se. '
' J ai me - I l oved you once. You must bel i eve me.
Pl ease '
' Dr i nk i t . ' Hi s voi ce was i mpl acabl e.
Ampar o l ooked at hi mf or a l ong moment , t hen pi cked up
t he gl ass. ' I ' l l dr i nk t o your deat h. '
He wat ched as Ampar o put t he gl ass t o her l i ps and
swal l owed t he wi ne i n one gul p.
She shudder ed. ' What happens now?'
' I ' l l hel p you upst ai r s. I ' l l put you t o bed. You' l l sl eep. '
Ampar o' s eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. ' You' r e a f ool , ' she whi sper ed.
' J ai me - I ' mdyi ng, and I t el l you t hat I l oved you
so - ' Her wor ds wer e begi nni ng t o sl ur .
J ai me r ose and hel ped Ampar o t o her f eet . She st ood up,
unst eady. The r oomseemed t o be r ocki ng.
' J ai me '
He gui ded her out of t he door and i nt o t he l obby, hol di ng
her up. Lar go Cor t ez was wai t i ng f or hi mwi t h a key.
' I ' l l t ake her t o her r oom, ' J ai me sai d. ' See t hat she' s not
di st ur bed. '
' Ri ght . '
Cor t ez wat ched as J ai me hal f - car r i ed Ampar o up t he
st ai r s.
I n her r oom, Megan was t hi nki ng how st r ange i t f el t t o be
by her sel f i n a hot el i n a r esor t t own. San Sebast i an was
f i l l ed wi t h peopl e on hol i day, honeymooner s, l over s enj oyi ng
t hemsel ves i n a hundr ed ot her hot el r ooms.
But what had J ai me done t o Ampar o? Coul d he possi bl y
have . . . but no, he coul d never have done t hat . Or coul d
he?
And suddenl y Megan wi shed J ai me wer e t her e wi t h her ,
and wonder ed what i t woul d be l i ke t o have hi mmaki ng l ove
t o her . Al l t he f eel i ngs t hat she had been suppr essi ng f or so
l ong came f l oodi ng i nt o her mi nd i n a wi l d t or r ent of
emot i ons. I want hi m, she t hought . Oh, Lor d, what ' s happeni ng
t o me? What can I do?
Ri car do was whi st l i ng as he dr essed. He was i n a wonder f ul
mood. I ' mt he l ucki est man i n t he wor l d, he t hought . We' l l
be mar r i ed i n Fr ance. Ther e' s a beaut i f ul chur ch acr oss t he
bor der i n Bayonne. Tomor r ow . . .
I n her r oom, Gr aci el a was t aki ng a bat h, l uxur i at i ng i n
t he war mwat er , t hi nki ng of Ri car do. She smi l ed t o her sel f
and t hought : I ' mgoi ng t o make hi mso happy. Thank you,
God.
Fel i x Car pi o was t hi nki ng about J ai me and Megan. A bl i nd
man can see t he el ect r i ci t y bet ween t hem, he t hought . I t i s
goi ng t o br i ng bad l uck. Nuns bel ong t o God. I t ' s bad enough
t hat Ri car do has t aken Si st er Gr aci el a f r omher cal l i ng. But
J ai me had al ways been r eckl ess. What was he goi ng t o do
about t hi s one?
The f i ve of t hemmet f or supper i n t he hot el di ni ng r oom.
No one ment i oned Ampar o.
Looki ng at J ai me, Megan f el t suddenl y embar r assed,
as t hough he coul d r ead her mi nd. I t ' s bet t er not t o ask
quest i ons, she deci ded. I know he coul d never do anyt hi ng
br ut al .
They f ound t hat Lar go Cor t ez had not exagger at ed about
t he supper . The meal began wi t h gazpacho, t he t hi ck, col d
soup made f r omt omat oes, cucumber s and wat er - soaked
br ead, f ol l owed by a sal ad of f r esh gr eens, a huge di sh of pael l a - r i ce,
shr i mp, chi cken and beef i n a wonder f ul sauce,
and ended wi t h a del i ci ous f l an. I t was t he f i r st hot meal
Ri car do and Gr aci el a had had i n a l ong t i me.
When t he meal was over , Megan r ose. ' I shoul d be get t i ng
t o bed. '
- _. - . - e, " - w " " " l u y" " - r i e escor t ed ' her t o a deser t ed cor ner of t he
l obby. ' About t omor r ow . . . ' J
Yes?'
And she knew what he was goi ng t o ask. What she di d not
know was what she was goi ng t o answer . I ' ve changed, Megan
t hought . was so sur e about my l i f e bef or e. I bel i eved I had
ever yt hi ng 1 want ed.
And J ai me was sayi ng, ' You don' t r eal l y want t o go back
t o a convent , do you?'
Do I ?
He was wai t i ng f or an answer .
have t o be honest wi t h hi m, Megan t hought . She l ooked! i nt o hi s eyes and sai d,
' I don' t know what I want , J ai me. I ' m
conf used. '
J ai me smi l ed. He hesi t at ed, choosi ng hi s wor ds car ef ul l y.
' Megan - t hi s f i ght wi l l be over soon. We' l l get what we want I because t he
peopl e ar e behi nd us. I can' t ask you t o shar e
t he danger wi t h me now, but I woul d l i ke you t o wai t f or
me. I have many Basque f r i ends l i vi ng i n Fr ance. You woul d
be saf e wi t h t hem. '
Megan l ooked at hi ma l ong t i me bef or e she answer ed, a
' J ai me - gi ve me t i me t o t hi nk about i t . ' "
' Then you' r e not sayi ng no?'
Megan sai d qui et l y, ' I ' mnot sayi ng no. '
None of t he gr oup sl ept t hat ni ght . They had t oo much t o
t hi nk about , t oo many conf l i ct s t o r esol ve. Megan st ayed
awake, r el i vi ng t he past . The year s i n t he or phanage, and
t he sanct uar y of t he convent . . . The sudden expul si on i nt o
a wor l d she had gi ven up f or ever . J ai me Mi r 6 was r i ski ng
hi s l i f e f i ght i ng f or what he bel i eved i n. And what do I bel i eve
i n? Megan asked her sel f . How do 1 want t o spend t he r est of
my l i f e?
She had made a choi ce once. Now she was f or ced t o choose
agai n. She woul d have t o have an answer by mor ni ng.
Gr aci el a was t hi nki ng about t he convent , t oo. They wer e
such happy, peacef ul year s. I f el t so cl ose t o God. Wi l l I mi ss
t hat ?
J ai me was t hi nki ng about Megan. She must n' t go back. I want her at my si de. What
wi l l her answer be?
Ri car do was t oo exci t ed t o sl eep, busi l y maki ng pl ans f or
t he weddi ng. The chur ch at Bayonne . . .
Fel i x was wonder i ng how t o di spose of Ampar o' s body. Let
Lar go Cor t ez t ake car e of i t .
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, t he gr oup met i n t he l obby.
J ai me appr oached Megan.
' Good mor ni ng. '
' Good mor ni ng. '
' Have you t hought about our conver sat i on?'
She had t hought of not hi ng el se al l ni ght . ' Yes, J ai me. '
He l ooked i nt o her eyes, t r yi ng t o r ead t he answer t her e.
' Wi l l you wai t f or me?'
' J ai me '
At t hat moment Lar go Cor t ez hur r i ed up t o t hem. Wi t h
hi mwas a l eat her y- l ooki ng man i n hi s f i f t i es.
' I ' maf r ai d t her e won' t be any t i me f or br eakf ast , ' Cor t ez
sai d. ' You shoul d be l eavi ng. Thi s i s J ose Cebr i an, your
gui de. He wi l l t ake you acr oss t he mount ai ns i nt o Fr ance.
He' s t he best gui de i n San Sebast i an. '
' I ' mgl ad t o see you, J ose, ' J ai me sai d. ' What ' s your
pl an?'
' We' r e goi ng t o t ake t he f i r st par t of t he j our ney by f oot , '
J ose Cebr i an t ol d t he gr oup. ' On t he ot her si de of t he bor der ,
I ' ve ar r anged f or car s t o be wai t i ng f or us. We shoul d hur r y.
Come al ong, pl ease. '
1 he gr oup moved out i nt o t he st r eet , pai nt ed yel l ow by
t he r ays of t he br i ght sun.
Lar go Cor t ez came out of t he hot el t o see t hemof f . ' Saf e
j our ney, ' he sai d.
" Thank you f or ever yt hi ng, ' J ai me r epl i ed. ' We' l l be back, ami go. Sooner t han
you t hi nk. '
' We go t hi s way, ' J os6 Cebr i an or der ed.
The gr oup st ar t ed t o t ur n t owar ds t he squar e. And at
t hat moment , sol di er s and member s of t he GOE suddenl y
mat er i al i zed at bot h ends of t he st r eet , seal i ng i t of f . Ther e
wer e at l east a dozen of t hem, al l heavi l y ar med. Col onel
Ramon Acoca and Col onel Fal Sost el o wer e l eadi ng t hem.
J ai me gl anced qui ckl y t owar ds t he beach, l ooki ng f or an
escape r out e. Anot her dozen sol di er s wer e appr oachi ng f r om
t her e. Ther e was no escape. They woul d have t o f i ght . J ai me
i nst i nct i vel y r eached f or hi s gun.
Col onel Acoca cal l ed out , ' Don' t even t hi nk about i t ,
Mi r 6, or we' l l shoot al l of you down wher e you' r e st andi ng. '
J ai me' s mi nd was r aci ng f ur i ousl y, l ooki ng f or a way out .
How had Acoca known wher e t o f i nd hi m? J ai me t ur ned and
saw Ampar o st andi ng i n t he door way, a l ook of pr of ound
sor r ow on her f ace.
Fel i x sai d, ' What t he bl oody hel l ! I t hought you '
' I gave her sl eepi ng pi l l s. They shoul d have knocked her
out unt i l we got acr oss t he bor der . '
" The bi t ch! '
Col onel Acoca wal ked t owar ds J ai me. ' I t ' s over . ' He
t ur ned t o one of hi s men. ' Di sar mt hem. '
Fel i x and Ri car do wer e l ooki ng t owar ds J ai me f or gui dance,
r eady t o f ol l ow hi s l ead. J ai me shook hi s head. Rel uct ant l y,
he handed over hi s gun, and Fel i x and Ri car do
f ol l owed sui t .
' What ar e you goi ng t o do wi t h us?' J ai me asked.
Sever al passer sby st opped t o wat ch t he pr oceedi ngs.
Col onel Acoca' s voi ce was cur t . ' I ' mt aki ng you and your
gang of mur der er s back t o Madr i d. We' l l gi ve you a f ai r
mi l i t ar y t r i al and t hen hang you. I f I had my way, I ' d hang
you her e, now. '
' Let t he si st er s go, ' J ai me sai d. " They had not hi ng t o do
wi t h t hi s. '
They' r e accompl i ces. They' r e as gui l t y as you ar e. '
Col onel Acoca t ur ned and gave a si gnal . The sol di er s
mot i oned t o t he onl ooker s t o move asi de t o l et t hr ee ar my
t r ucks dr i ve up.
' You and your assassi ns wi l l t r avel i n t he mi ddl e t r uck, '
t he Col onel i nf or med J ai me. ' My men wi l l be i n f r ont of you
and at t he back of you. I f any of you makes one f al se move,
t hey have or der s t o ki l l al l of you. Do you under st and?'
J ai me nodded.
Col onel Acoca spat i nt o J ai me' s f ace. ' Good. I nt o t he
t r uck. '
Ther e was an angr y mur mur f r omt he gr owi ng cr owd.
Ampar o wat ched i mpassi vel y f r omt he door way as J ai me
and Megan, Gr aci el a and Ri car do and Fel i x cl i mbed i nt o t he
t r uck, sur r ounded by sol di er s wi t h aut omat i c weapons.
Col onel Fal Sost el o wal ked up t o t he dr i ver of t he f i r st
t r uck. ' We' l l head st r ai ght f or Madr i d. No st ops al ong t he
way. '
' Yes, Col onel . '
By now, many peopl e had gat her ed i n t he st r eet t o wat ch
what was happeni ng. Col onel Acoca st ar t ed t o cl i mb i nt o
t he f i r st t r uck. He cal l ed out t o t hose i n f r ont of t he t r uck,
' Cl ear t he way. '
Fr omt he si de st r eet s mor e peopl e began t o emer ge.
' Move al ong, ' Col onel Acoca cal l ed. ' Out of t he way. '
And st i l l t hey came, t he men wear i ng t he wi de Basque boi nas. I t was as t hough
t hey wer e r espondi ng t o some
i nvi si bl e si gnal . J ai me Mi r 6 i s i n t r oubl e. They came f r om
shops and homes. Housewi ves dr opped what t hey wer e doi ng
and moved out i nt o t he st r eet . Shopkeeper s about t o open
f or busi ness hear d t he news and hur r i ed on t o t he hot el . And
st i l l t hey came. Ar t i st s and pl umber s and doct or s, mechani cs
and sal esmen and st udent s, many car r yi ng shot guns and
r i f l es. They wer e Basques, and t hi s was t hei r homel and. I t
st ar t ed wi t h a f ew, and t hen a hundr ed, and wi t hi n mi nut es
i t had swol l en t o mor e t han a t housand, f i l l i ng t he pavement s
ana si r eei s, compl et el y sur r oundi ng t he ar my t r ucks. They
wer e omi nousl y si l ent .
Col onel Acoca obser ved t he huge cr owd i n desper at i on.
He scr eamed, ' Ever ybody get out of t he way or we' l l st ar t
shoot i ng. '
J ai me cal l ed out , ' I woul dn' t advi se i t . These peopl e hat e
you f or what you' r e t r yi ng t o do t o t hem. A wor d f r omme
and t hey' l l t ear you and your men t o pi eces. Ther e' s one
t hi ng you f or got . Col onel . San Sebast i an i s a Basque t own.
I t ' s my t own. ' He t ur ned t o hi s gr oup. ' Let ' s get out of her e. '
J ai me hel ped Megan down f r omt he t r uck, and t he ot her s
f ol l owed. Col onel Acoca wat ched hel pl essl y, hi s f ace t i ght
wi t h f ur y.
The cr owd was wai t i ng, host i l e and si l ent . J ai me wal ked
up t o t he Col onel . ' Take your t r ucks and get back t o Madr i d. '
Acoca l ooked ar ound at t he st i l l gr owi ng mob. ' I - you
won' t get away wi t h t hi s, Mi r o. '
' I have got away wi t h i t . Now get out of her e. ' He spat i n
Acoca' s f ace.
The Col onel st ar ed at hi mf or a l ong, mur der ous moment . I t can' t end t hi s way,
he t hought desper at el y. was so cl ose.
I t was checkmat e. But he knew t hat i t was wor se t han a
def eat f or hi m. I t was a deat h sent ence. The OPUS MUNDO
woul d be wai t i ng f or hi mi n Madr i d. He l ooked at t he sea
of peopl e sur r oundi ng hi m. He had no choi ce.
He t ur ned t o hi s dr i ver , and hi s voi ce was choked wi t h
f ur y. ' We' r e movi ng out . '
The cr owd st epped back, wat chi ng as t he sol di er s cl i mbed
i nt o t he t r ucks. A moment l at er , t he t r ucks began r ol l i ng
down t he st r eet , and t he cr owd began t o cheer wi l dl y. I t
st ar t ed out as a cheer f or J ai me Mi r o, and i t gr ew l ouder
and l ouder , and t hey wer e cheer i ng f or t hei r f r eedomand
t hei r f i ght agai nst t yr anny, and t hei r comi ng vi ct or y, and t he
st r eet s r ever ber at ed wi t h t he noi se of t hei r cel ebr at i on.
Two t eenager s wer e scr eami ng t hemsel ves hoar se. One
t ur ned t o t he ot her . ' Let ' s j oi n ETA. '
An el der l y coupl e hel d each ot her , and t he woman sai d,
' Now maybe t hey' l l gi ve us back our f ar m. '
An ol d man st ood al one i n t he cr owd, si l ent l y wat chi ng
t he ar my t r ucks l eave. When he spoke, he sai d, " They' l l be
back one day. '
J ai me t ook Megan' s hand and sai d, ' I t ' s over . We' r e f r ee.
We' l l be acr oss t he bor der i n an hour . I ' l l t ake you t o my
aunt . '
She l ooked i nt o hi s eyes. ' J ai me '
A man pushed hi s way t owar ds t hemt hr ough t he cr owd
and hur r i ed up t o Megan.
' Excuse me, ' he sai d br eat hl essl y. ' Ar e you Si st er Megan?'
She t ur ned t o hi m, puzzl ed. ' Yes. '
He br eat hed a si gh of r el i ef . ' I ' ve had qui t e a t i me f i ndi ng
you. My name i s Al an Tucker . I wonder i f I coul d speak t o
you f or a moment ?'
' Yes. '
' Al one. '
' I ' msor r y. I ' mj ust l eavi ng f or '
' Pl ease. Thi s i s ver y i mpor t ant . I ' ve come al l t he way f r om
New Yor k t o f i nd you. '
She l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' To f i nd me? I don' t under st and.
Why ?'
' I ' l l expl ai n i t t o you, i f you' l l gi ve me a moment . '
The st r anger t ook her ar mand wal ked her down t he st r eet ,
t al ki ng r api dl y. Megan gl anced back once at wher e J ai me
Mi r o was st andi ng, wai t i ng f or her .
Megan' s conver sat i on wi t h Al an Tucker t ur ned her wor l d
upsi de down.
' The woman I r epr esent woul d l i ke t o see you. '
' I don' t under st and. What woman? What does she want
wi t h me?'
wi sh I knew t he answer t o t hat , Al an Tucker t hought .
' I ' mnot at l i ber t y t o di scuss t hat . She' s wai t i ng f or you i n
New Yor k. '
I t made no sense. Ther e must be some mi st ake. ' Ar e you
sur e you have t he r i ght per son - Si st er Megan?'
' Yes. But your name i sn' t Megan. I t ' s Pat r i ci a. '
And i n a sudden, bl i ndi ng f l ash, Megan knew. Af t er al l
t hese year s, her f ant asy was about t o come t r ue. She was
f i nal l y goi ng t o l ear n who she was. The ver y i dea of i t was
t hr i l l i ng . . . and t er r i f yi ng.
' When - when woul d I have t o l eave?' Her t hr oat was
suddenl y so dr y t hat she coul d bar el y speak t he wor ds.
want you t o f i nd out wher e she i s and br i ng her back as
qui ckl y as possi bl e.
' Ri ght away. I ' l l ar r ange a passpor t f or you. '
She t ur ned and saw J ai me st andi ng i n f r ont of t he hot el ,
wai t i ng.
' Excuse me a moment . '
Megan wal ked back t o hi mi n a daze, and she f el t as
t hough she wer e l i vi ng a dr eam.
' Ar e you al l r i ght ?' J ai me asked. ' I s t hat man bot her i ng
you?'
' No. He' s- no. '
J ai me t ook Megan' s hand. ' I want you t o come wi t h me
now. We bel ong t oget her , Megan. '
Your name i sn' t Megan. I t ' s Pat r i ci a.
And she l ooked at J ai me' s st r ong, handsome f ace, and she
t hought : want us t o be t oget her . But we' l l have t o wai t . Fi r st
I have t o f i nd out who I am.
' J ai me - I want t o be wi t h you. But t her e i s somet hi ng I
have t o do f i r st . '
He st udi ed her , hi s f ace t r oubl ed. ' You' r e goi ng t o l eave?'
' For a l i t t l e whi l e. But I ' l l be back. '
He l ooked at her f or a l ong t i me, t hen sl owl y nodded. ' Al l
r i ght . You can r each me t hr ough Lar go Cor t ez. '
' I ' l l come back t o you. I pr omi se. '
And she meant i t . But t hat was bef or e t he meet i ng wi t h
El l en Scot t .
Chapt er 37
' Deus I sr ael vos; et i pse si t vobi scum, qui , mi ser t us est duobus
uni ci s pl eni us benedi s cer e . . . The God of I sr ael j oi ns you
t oget her , and He be wi t h you and now. Lor d, make t hem
bl ess Thee mor e f ul l y. Bl essed ar e al l t hey t hat l ove t he
Lor d, t hat wal k i n Hi s ways. Gl or y . . . '
Ri car do l ooked away f r omt he pr i est and gl anced at
Gr aci el a st andi ng at hi s si de. was r i ght . She i s t he most
beaut i f ul br i de i n t he wor l d.
Gr aci el a was st i l l , l i st eni ng t o t he wor ds of t he pr i est
echoi ng t hr ough t he caver nous, vaul t ed chur ch. Ther e
was such a sense of peace i n t he chur ch. I t seemed t o
Gr aci el a t o be f i l l ed wi t h t he ghost s of t he past , al l t he
t housands of peopl e who had come her e gener at i on af t er
gener at i on, t o f i nd f or gi veness and f ul f i l ment and j oy.
I t r emi nded her so much of t he convent . f eel as t hough
I ' ve come home agai n, Gr aci el a t hought . As t hough I
bel ong.
' Exaudi nos, omni pot ens et mi ser i cor s deus; ut quod nost r o
mi ni st r at ur of f i ci o t ua benedi ct i one pot i us i mpl eat ua per
domi num. . . Hear us, Al mi ght y and mer ci f ul God, t hat
what i s done by our mi ni st r y may be abundant l y f ul f i l l ed
wi t h Thy bl essi ng . . . '
He has bl essed me, mor e t han I deser ve. Let me be wor t hy
of Hi m.
' I n t e sper av, domi ne: Di xi : Tues deus meus: i n mani bus
t ui s t empor a mea. . . '
' I n Thee, 0 Lor d, have I hoped; I sai d: Thou ar t my God;
my t i mes ar e i n Thy hands . . . '
. j , . , >uj . i i i n. u wi cmn vuw w aevot e
t he r est of my l i f e t o Hi m.
' Susci pe quaesumus domi ne, pr o sacr a connubi i l ege munus
obl at um. . . '
' Recei ve, we beseech Thee, 0 Lor d, t he of f er i ng we make
t o Thee on behal f of t he hol y hands of wedl ock . . . '
The wor ds seemed t o r ever ber at e i n Gr aci el a' s head. She
f el t as t hough t i me had st opped.
' Deus qui pot est at e vi r t ut i s t uae de ni hi l o cunet a f eci st i . . . '
' Oh, God, who has hal l owed wedl ock t o f or eshadow t he
uni on of Chr i st wi t h t he chur ch . . . l ook i n Thy mer cy upon
t hi s, Thy handmai d, who i s t o be j oi ned i n wedl ock and
ent r eat s pr ot ect i on and st r engt h f r omThee . . . '
But how can He show me mer cy when I ambet r ayi ng Hi m?
Gr aci el a was suddenl y f i ndi ng i t di f f i cul t t o br eat he. The
wal l s seemed t o be cl osi ng i n on her .
' Ni hi l i n ea ex act i bus sui s i l l e auct or pr aevar i cat i oni s
usur pet . . . '
' Let t he f at her of si n wor k none of hi s evi l deeds i n
her . . . '
That was t he moment when Gr aci el a knew. And she f el t
as t hough a gr eat bur den had been l i f t ed f r omher . She was
f i l l ed wi t h an exal t ed, i nef f abl e j oy.
The pr i est was sayi ng, ' May she wi n t he peace of t he
ki ngdomof heaven. We ask Thee t o bl ess t hi s mar r i age,
and '
' I ' mal r eady mar r i ed, ' Gr aci el a sai d al oud.
Ther e was a moment of shocked si l ence. Ri car do and t he
pr i est wer e st ar i ng at her . Ri car do' s f ace was pal e.
' Gr aci el a, what ar e you ?'
She t ook hi s ar mand sai d gent l y, ' I ' msor r y, Ri car do. '
' I - I don' t under st and. Have - have you st opped l ovi ng
me?'
She shook her head. ' I l ove you mor e t han my l i f e. But
my l i f e doesn' t bel ong t o me any mor e. I gave i t t o God a
l ong t i me ago. '
' No! I can' t l et you sacr i f i ce your '
' Dar l i ng Ri car do . . . I t i s not a sacr i f i ce. I t ' s a bl essi ng.
I n t he convent I f ound t he f i r st peace I had ever known.
You' r e a par t of t he wor l d I gave up - t he best par t . But I
di d gi ve i t up. I must r et ur n t o my wor l d. '
The pr i est was st andi ng t her e, l i st eni ng, si l ent .
' Pl ease f or gi ve me f or t he pai n I amcausi ng you, but I
can' t go back on my vows. I woul d be bet r ayi ng ever yt hi ng
I bel i eve i n. I know t hat now. I coul d never make you happy,
because I coul d never be happy. Pl ease under st and. '
Ri car do st ar ed at her , shaken, and no wor ds woul d come.
I t was as t hough somet hi ng i n hi mhad di ed.
Gr aci el a l ooked at hi s st r i cken f ace, and her hear t went
out t o hi m. She ki ssed hi mon t he cheek. ' I l ove you, ' she
sai d sof t l y. Her eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. ' I wi l l pr ay f or you. I
wi l l pr ay f or us bot h. '
Chapt er 38
On a l at e Fr i day af t er noon, a mi l i t ar y ambul ance dr ove up
t o t he emer gency ent r ance t o t he hospi t al at Ar anda de
Duer o. An ambul ance at t endant accompani ed by t wo uni f or med
pol i cemen went t hr ough t he swi ng door s and appr oached
t he super vi sor behi nd t he desk.
' We have an or der her e t o pi ck up a Rubi o Ar zano, ' one
of t he pol i cemen sai d. He handed over t he document .
The super vi sor l ooked at i t and f r owned. ' I don' t t hi nk I
have t he aut hor i t y t o r el ease hi m. I t shoul d be handl ed by
t he admi ni st r at or . '
' Fi ne. Get hi m. '
The super vi sor hesi t at ed. " Ther e' s a pr obl em. He' s away
f or t he weekend. '
' I t ' s not our pr obl em. Ther e' s our r el ease or der , si gned
by Col onel Acoca. Do you want t o cal l hi mand t el l hi myou
won' t honour i t ?'
' No, ' he sai d hast i l y. ' That won' t be necessar y. I ' l l have
t hemget t he pr i soner r eady. '
Hal f a mi l e away, i n f r ont of t he ci t y j ai l , t wo det ect i ves
emer ged f r oma pol i ce car and ent er ed t he bui l di ng. They
appr oached t he desk ser geant .
One of t he men showed hi s badge. ' We' r e her e t o pi ck up
Luci a Car mi ne. '
The ser geant l ooked at t he t wo det ect i ves i n f r ont of hi m
and sai d, ' No one t ol d me anyt hi ng about t hi s. '
One of t he det ect i ves si ghed. ' Goddamned bur eaucr acy.
The l ef t hand never t el l s t he r i ght hand what i t ' s doi ng. '
' Let me see t hat r el ease or der . '
The det ect i ves handed i t t o hi m.
' Col onel Acoca si gned i t , huh?'
' That ' s r i ght . '
' Wher e ar e you t aki ng her ?'
' Madr i d. The Col onel i s goi ng t o quest i on her hi msel f . '
' I s he? Wel l , I t hi nk I ' d bet t er check i t out wi t h hi m. '
' Ther e' s no need t o do t hat , ' t he det ect i ve pr ot est ed.
' Mi st er , we' ve got or der s t o keep a t i ght gr i p on t hi s l ady.
The I t al i an gover nment i s havi ng an or gasmover get t i ng her
back. I f Col onel Acoca want s her , he' s goi ng t o have t o t el l
me hi msel f . '
' You' r e wast i ng t i me, and '
' I have a l ot of t i me, ami go. What I don' t have i s anot her
ass i f I l ose mi ne over t hi s. ' He pi cked up t he phone and
sai d, ' Get me Col onel Acoca i n Madr i d. '
' J esus Chr i st ! ' t he det ect i ve sai d. ' My wi f e i s goi ng t o
ki l l me i f I ' ml at e f or di nner agai n. Besi des, t he Col onel ' s
pr obabl y not even i n, and '
The phone on t he desk r ang. The ser geant r eached f or i t .
' I have t he Col onel ' s of f i ce on t he l i ne. '
The ser geant gave t he det ect i ves a t r i umphant l ook.
' Hel l o. Thi s i s t he desk ser geant at t he pol i ce st at i on i n
Ar anda de Duer o. I t i s i mpor t ant t hat I speak t o Col onel
Acoca. '
One of t he det ect i ves l ooked at hi s wat ch i mpat i ent l y. ' Mi er da! I have bet t er
t hi ngs t o do t han st and ar ound and '
' Hel l o. Col onel Acoca?'
The voi ce boomed out over t he phone. ' Yes. What i s i t ?'
' I have t wo det ect i ves her e. Col onel , who want me t o
r el ease a pr i soner i nt o your cust ody. '
' Luci a Car mi ne?'
' Yes, si r . '
' Di d t hey show you an or der si gned by me?'
' Yes, si r . They '
' Then what t he f uck ar e you bot her i ng me f or ? Rel ease
her . '
' I j ust t hought - '
' Don' t t hi nk. Fol l ow or der s. '
The l i ne went dead.
The ser geant swal l owed. ' He - er '
' He has a shor t f use, hasn' t he?' t he det ect i ve gr i nned.
The ser geant r ose, t r yi ng t o r et ai n hi s di gni t y. ' I ' l l have
her br ought out . '
I n t he al l ey at t he back of t he pol i ce st at i on, a smal l boy
was wat chi ng a man on t he t el ephone pol e di sconnect a
cl amp f r oma wi r e and cl i mb down.
' What ar e you doi ng?' t he boy asked.
The man r uf f l ed hi s hand t hr ough t he boy' s hai r . ' Hel pi ng
out a f r i end, muchacho. Hel pi ng out a f r i end. '
Thr ee hour s l at er , at an i sol at ed f ar mhouse t o t he nor t h, ! Luci a and Rubi o
Ar zano wer e r euni t ed.
He was awakened by t he t el ephone at 3. 00 a. m. The f ami l i i voi ce sai d, ' The
Commi t t ee woul d l i ke t o meet wi t hi
you. ' s!
' Yes, si r . When?' i
' Now, Col onel . A l i mousi ne wi l l pi ck you up i n one hour . J Be r eady, pl ease. ' a
' Yes, si r . ' 1
He r epl aced t he r ecei ver and sat on t he edge of t he bed.
He l i t a ci gar et t e and l et t he smoke bi t e deep i nt o hi s l ungs.
A l i mousi ne wi l l pi ck you up i n one hour . Be r eady, pl ease.
He woul d be r eady.
He went i nt o t he bat hr oomand exami ned hi s i mage i n t he
mi r r or . He was l ooki ng i nt o t he eyes of a def eat ed man.
was so cl ose, he t hought bi t t er l y. 5o cl ose.
Col onel Acoca began t o shave, ver y car ef ul l y, and when
he was f i ni shed, he t ook a l ong, hot shower , t hen sel ect ed
t he cl ot hes he was goi ng t o wear .
Exact l y one hour l at er , he wal ked t o t he f r ont door and
t ook a l ast l ook at t he home he knew he woul d never see
338
agai n. Ther e woul d be no meet i ng, of cour se. They woul d
have not hi ng f ur t her t o di scuss wi t h hi m.
Ther e was a l ong, bl ack l i mousi ne wai t i ng i n f r ont of t he
house. A door opened as he appr oached t he car . Ther e wer e
t wo men i n t he f r ont and t wo i n t he back.
' Get i n, Col onel . '
He t ook a deep br eat h and ent er ed t he car . A moment
l at er , i t sped away i nt o t he bl ack ni ght .
I t ' s l i ke a dr eam, Luci a t hought . I ' ml ooki ng out t he wi ndow
at t he Swi ss Al ps. I ' mact ual l y her e.
J ai me Mi r o had ar r anged f or a gui de t o see t hat she
r eached Zur i ch saf el y. She had ar r i ved l at e at ni ght .
I n t he mor ni ng, I ' l l go t o t he Leu Bank.
The t hought made her ner vous. What i f somet hi ng had
gone wr ong? What i f t he money was no l onger t her e? What
i f . . . ?
As t he f i r st l i ght of dawn i nched over t he mount ai ns, Luci a
was st i l l awake.
A f ew mi nut es bef or e ni ne, she l ef t t he Baur au Lac Hot el
and st ood i n f r ont of t he bank, wai t i ng f or i t t o open.
A ki ndl y- l ooki ng, mi ddl e- aged man unl ocked t he door .
' Come i n, pl ease. I hope you haven' t been wai t i ng l ong?'
Onl y a f ew mont hs, Luci a t hought . ' No. Not at al l . '
He usher ed her i nsi de. ' What can we do f or you?'
Make me r i ch. ' My f at her has an account her e. He asked
me t o come i n and - and t ake i t over . '
' I s i t a number ed account ?'
' Yes. '
' May I have t he number , pl ease?'
' B2A149207. '
He nodded. ' One moment , pl ease. '
She wat ched hi mdi sappear t owar ds a vaul t at t he back.
The bank was begi nni ng t o f i l l wi t h cust omer s. ( must be
t her e, Luci a t hought . Not hi ng must go 339
- - - - . . . . . . . . . , . ui i . ng n>. ; i . J i i c wui q r eaa not hi ng i n
hi s f ace.
" Thi s account - you say i t was i n your f at her ' s name?'
Her hear t sank. ' Yes. Angel o Car mi ne. '
He st udi ed her f or a moment . " The account car r i es t wo
names. '
Di d t hat mean she woul d not be abl e t o t ouch i t ? ' What '
She coul d scar cel y get t he wor ds out . ' - What ' s t he ot her
name?'
' Luci a Car mi ne. '
And i n t hat i nst ant , she owned t he wor l d.
The account amount ed t o a l i t t l e over t hi r t een mi l l i on
dol l ar s.
' How woul d you l i ke i t handl ed?' t he banker asked.
' Coul d you t r ansf er i t t o a bank i n Br azi l ? Ri o?'
' Cer t ai nl y. I t wi l l be t her e t hi s af t er noon. '
I t was t hat si mpl e.
Luci a' s next st op was at a t r avel agency near t he hot el .
Ther e was a l ar ge post er i n t he wi ndow adver t i si ng
Br azi l .
I t ' s an omen, Luci a t hought happi l y. She went i nsi de.
' May I hel p you?'
' Yes. I woul d l i ke t wo t i cket s t o Br azi l . '
Ther e ar e no ext r adi t i on l aws t her e.
She coul d not wai t t o t el l Rubi o how wel l ever yt hi ng was
goi ng. He was i n Bi ar r i t z wai t i ng f or her cal l . They woul d
be goi ng t o Br azi l t oget her .
' We can l i ve i n peace t her e f or t he r est of our l i ves, ' she
had t ol d hi m.
Now, ever yt hi ng was f i nal l y set . Af t er al l t he advent ur e
and t he danger s . . . t he ar r est of her f at her and br ot her s
and her vengeance agai nst Beni t o Pat as and J udge Buscet t a
. . . t he pol i ce l ooki ng f or her and her escape t o t he convent
. . . Acoca' s men and t he phony f r i ar . . . J ai me Mi r 6 and
Ter esa and t he gol d cr oss . . . and Rubi o Ar zano. Most of
al l , dear Rubi o. How many t i mes had he r i sked hi s l i f e f or
her ? He had saved her f r omt he sol di er s i n t he woods . . .
f r omt he r agi ng wat er s at t he wat er f al l . . . f r omt he men i n
t he bar at Ar anda de Duer o. The ver y t hought of Rubi o
war med Luci a.
She r et ur ned t o her hot el r oomand pi cked up t he t el ephone,
wai t i ng f or t he oper at or t o answer .
Ther e wi l l be somet hi ng f or hi mt o do i n Ri o. What ? What
can he do? He' l l pr obabl y want t o buy a f ar msomewher e out
i n t he count r y. But t hen what woul d I do?
An oper at or ' s voi ce sai d, ' Number , pl ease. '
Luci a sat t her e st ar i ng out of t he wi ndow at t he snow-
cover ed Al ps. We have t wo di f f er ent l i ves, Rubi o and I . We
l i ve i n di f f er ent wor l ds. I ' mt he daught er of Angel a Car mi ne.
' Number , pl ease?'
He' s a f ar mer . That ' s what he l oves. How can I t ake hi m
away f r omt hat ? I can' t do t hat t o hi m.
The oper at or was get t i ng i mpat i ent . ' Can I hel p you?'
Luci a sai d sl owl y, ' No. Thank you. ' She r epl aced t he
r ecei ver .
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, she boar ded a Swi ssai r f l i ght
t o Ri o.
She was al one.
Chapt er 39
The meet i ng had t aken pl ace i n t he l uxur i ous dr awi ng r oom
of El l en Scot t ' s t ownhouse. She paced back and f or t h, wai t i ng
f or Al an Tucker t o ar r i ve wi t h t he gi r l . No. Not a gi r l .
A woman. A nun. What woul d she be l i ke? What had l i f e
done t o her ? What have I done t o her ?
The but l er wal ked i nt o t he r oom. ' Your guest s have ar r i ved,
Madam. '
She t ook a deep br eat h. ' Show t hemi n. '
A moment l at er , Megan and Al an Tucker ent er ed.
She' s beaut i f ul , El l en Scot t t hought .
Tucker smi l ed. ' Mr s Scot t , t hi s i s Megan. '
El l en Scot t l ooked at hi mand sai d qui et l y, ' I won' t need
you any mor e. ' And her wor ds had a f i nal i t y t o t hem.
Hi s smi l e f aded.
' Goodbye, Tucker . '
He st ood t her e a moment , uncer t ai n, t hen nodded and
l ef t . He coul d not get over hi s f eel i ng t hat he had mi ssed
somet hi ng. Somet hi ng i mpor t ant . Too l at e, he t hought . Too
bl oody l at e.
El l en Scot t was st udyi ng Megan. ' Si t down, pl ease. '
Megan t ook a chai r , and t he t wo women sat t her e i nspect i ng
each ot her .
She l ooks l i ke her mot her , El l en Scot t t hought . She' s gr own
up t o be a beaut i f ul woman. She r ecal l ed t he t er r i bl e ni ght
of t he acci dent , t he st or mand t he bur ni ng pl ane.
You sai d she was dead . . . Ther e' s anot her way . . . The
pi l ot sai d we wer e near Avi l a. Ther e shoul d be pl ent y of t our i st s t her e. Ther e' s
no r eason f or anyone t o connect t he
baby wi t h t he pl ane cr ash . . . We' l l dr op her of f at a ni ce
f ar mhouse out si de of t own. They' l l adopt her and she' l l gr ow
up t o have a l ovel y l i f e her e . . . You have t o choose, Mi l o.
You can ei t her have me, or you can spend t he r est of your
l i f e wor ki ng f or your br ot her ' s chi l d.
And now her e was t he past conf r ont i ng her . Wher e t o
begi n?
' I ' mEl l en Scot t , Pr esi dent of Scot t I ndust r i es. Have you
hear d of i t ?'
' No. '
Of cour se she woul d not have hear d of i t , El l en Scot t
chi ded her sel f .
Thi s was goi ng t o be mor e di f f i cul t t han she had ant i ci pat ed.
She had concoct ed a st or y about an ol d f r i end of t he f ami l y
who had di ed, and a pr omi se t o t ake car e of hi s daught er , and
- but t he moment she had l ooked at Megan, El l en Scot t knew
t hat i t woul d not wor k. She had no choi ce. She had t o t r ust
Pat r i ci a - Megan - not t o dest r oy t hemal l . El l en Scot t t hought
of what she had done t o t he woman seat ed bef or e her , and her
eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. But i t ' s t oo l at e f or t ear s. I t ' s t i me t o make
amends. I t ' s t i me t o t el l t he t r ut h.
El l en Scot t l eaned acr oss t o Megan and t ook her hand. ' I
have a st or y t o t el l youshe sai d qui et l y.
That had been t hr ee year s ear l i er . For t he f i r st year , unt i l
she became t oo i l l t o cont i nue, El l en Scot t had t aken Megan
under her wi ng. Megan had gone t o wor k f or Scot t I ndust r i es,
and her apt i t ude and i nt el l i gence had del i ght ed t he ol der
woman.
' You' l l have t o wor k har d, ' El l en Scot t sai d. ' You' l l l ear n,
as I had t o l ear n. I n t he begi nni ng, i t wi l l be di f f i cul t , but i n
t he end, i t wi l l become your l i f e. '
And i t had.
Megan wor ked hour s t hat none of her empl oyees coul d
even begi n t o emul at e.
FR1; - . ui wnn- c ai l uui u ci ock i n me mor ni ng and
wor k al l day. How do you do i t ?'
Megan smi l ed and t hought : I f I sl ept unt i l f our o' cl ock i n
t he mor ni ng at t he convent . Si st er Bet i na woul d scol d me.
El l en Scot t was gone, but Megan had kept l ear ni ng, and
kept wat chi ng t he company gr ow. Her company. El l en Scot t
had adopt ed her . ' So we won' t have t o expl ai n why you' r e
a Scot t , ' she sai d. But t her e was a not e of pr i de i n her voi ce.
I t ' s i r oni c, Megan t hought . A I I t hose year s at t he or phanage
when no one woul d adopt me. And now I ' mbei ng adopt ed
by my own f ami l y.
He has a wonder f ul sense of humour .
Chapt er 40
A new man was behi nd t he wheel of t he get away car , and i t
made J ai me Mi r o ner vous.
' I ' mnot sur e of hi m, ' he t ol d Fel i x Car pi o. ' What i f he
dr i ves of f and l eaves us?'
' Rel ax. He' s my cousi n' s br ot her - i n- l aw. He' l l be f i ne.
He' s been beggi ng f or a chance t o go out wi t h us. '
' I have a bad f eel i ng, ' J ai me sai d.
They had ar r i ved i n Sevi l l e ear l y t hat af t er noon, and had
exami ned hal f a dozen banks bef or e choosi ng t hei r t ar get .
The bank was on a si de st r eet , smal l , not t oo much t r af f i c,
cl ose t o a f act or y whi ch woul d be maki ng deposi t s t her e.
Ever yt hi ng seemed per f ect . Except f or t he man i n t he get away
car .
' I s he al l t hat ' s wor r yi ng you?' Fel i x asked.
' No. '
' What , t hen?'
I t was a di f f i cul t one t o answer . ' Cal l i t a pr emoni t i on. '
He t r i ed t o say i t l i ght l y, mocki ng hi msel f .
Fel i x t ook i t ser i ousl y. ' Do you want t o cal l i t of f ?'
' Because I have t he ner ves of an ol d washer man t oday?
No, ami go. I t wi l l al l go as smoot h as si l k. '
I n t he begi nni ng, i t had.
Ther e wer e hal f a dozen cust omer s i n t he bank, and Fel i x
hel d t hemat bay wi t h an aut omat i c weapon whi l e J ai me
cl ear ed out t he cash dr awer s. Smoot h as si l k.
As t he t wo men wer e l eavi ng, headi ng f or t he get away
car , J ai me cal l ed out , ' Remember , ami gos, t he money i s f or
a good cause. '
FR1; I t was out i n t he st r eet t hat i t began t o f al l apar t . Ther e
wer e pol i ce ever ywher e. The dr i ver of t he get away car
on hi s knees on t he pavement , a pol i ce pi st ol at hi s head. H
As J ai me and Fel i x came i nt o vi ew, a det ect i ve cal l ed out 5W' Dr op your weapons. '
J ai me hesi t at ed f or one spl i t second. Then he r ai sed hi s
gun- S
Chapt er 41
The conver t ed 727 was f l yi ng at 35, 000 f eet , over t he Gr and
Canyon. I t had been a l ong, har d day. And i t ' s not over yet , Megan t hought .
She was on her way t o Cal i f or ni a t o si gn t he paper s t hat
woul d gi ve Scot t I ndust r i es one mi l l i on acr es of t i mber l and
nor t h of San Fr anci sco. She had st r uck a har d bar gai n.
I t ' s t hei r f aul t , Megan t hought . They shoul dn' t have t r i ed
t o cheat me. I ' l l bet I ' mt he f i r st bookkeeper t hey' ve ever come
up agai nst f r oma Ci st er ci an convent . She l aughed al oud.
The st ewar d appr oached her . ' Can I get you anyt hi ng,
Mi ss Scot t ?'
' No, t hank you. '
She saw a st ack of newspaper s and magazi nes i n t he r ack.
She had been so busy wi t h t he deal t hat she had had no t i me
t o r ead anyt hi ng. ' Let me see t he New Yor k Ti mes, pl ease. '
The st or y was on t he f r ont page and i t l eaped out at
her . Ther e was a phot ogr aph of J ai me Mi r o. Bel ow i t t he
communi que r ead: ' J ai me Mi r o, l eader of ETA, t he r adi cal
Basque separ at i st movement i n Spai n, was wounded and
capt ur ed by pol i ce dur i ng a bank hol d- up yest er day af t er noon
i n Sevi l l e. Ki l l ed i n t he at t ack was Fel i x Car pi o, anot her
of t he al l eged t er r or i st s. The aut hor i t i es had been conduct i ng
a sear ch f or Mi r o si nce . . . '
Megan r ead t he r est of t he ar t i cl e and sat t her e f or a l ong
t i me, f r ozen, r emember i ng t he past . I t was l i ke a di st ant
dr eam, phot ogr aphed t hr ough a gauze cur t ai n, hazy and
unr eal .
Thi s f i ght wi l l be over soon. We' l l get what we want because
t he peopl e ar e behi nd us . . . I woul d l i ke you t o wai t f or t me . . . ;
Long ago she had r ead of a ci vi l i zat i on t hat bel i eved i f you
saved a per son' s l i f e, t hat you wer e r esponsi bl e f or hi m.
Wel l , she had saved J ai me t wi ce - once at t he cast l e, and
agai n at t he par k. I ' l l be damned i f I ' mgoi ng t o l et t hemki l l
hi mnow.
She r eached f or t he t el ephone next t o her seat and sai d t o
t he pi l ot , ' Tur n t he pl ane ar ound. We' r e goi ng back t o New Yor k. '
A l i mousi ne was t her e f or her at La Guar di a, and by t he
t i me she ar r i ved i n her of f i ce i t was 2. 00 a. m. Lawr ence Gr ay
J r . was wai t i ng f or her . Hi s f at her had been t he company' s
at t or ney f or year s and had r et i r ed. The son was br i ght and
ambi t i ous.
Wi t hout pr eambl e, Megan sai d, ' J ai me Mi r o. What do
you know about hi m?'
The r epl y was i mmedi at e. ' He' s a Basque t er r or i st , head
of ETA. I t hi nk I j ust r ead t hat he was capt ur ed a day or so
ago. '
' Ri ght . The gover nment i s goi ng t o have t o put hi mon
t r i al . I want t o have someone t her e. Who' s t he best t r i al
l awyer i n t he count r y?'
' I ' d say Cur t i s Hayman. '
' No. Too much of a gent l eman. We need a ki l l er . ' She
t hought f or a moment . ' Get Mi ke Rosen. '
' He' s booked f or t he next hundr ed year s, Megan. '
' Unbook hi m. I want hi mi n Madr i d f or t he t r i al . '
He f r owned. ' We can' t get i nvol ved i n a publ i c t r i al i
Spai n. '
' Sur e we can. Ami cus cur ae. We' r e f r i ends of t he def endant . '
He st udi ed her a moment . ' Do you mi nd i f I ask you
per sonal quest i on?'
' Yes. Get on t hi s. '
Ti l do my best . '
Lar r y . . . '
' Yes?'
' And t hen some. ' Ther e was st eel i n her voi ce.
Twent y mi nut es l at er , Lawr ence Gr ay wal ked i nt o Megan' s
of f i ce. ' Mi ke Rosen i s on t he phone. I t hi nk I woke hi mup.
He want s t o t al k t o you. '
Megan pi cked up t he t el ephone. ' Mr Rosen? What a
pl easur e t hi s i s. We' ve never met , but I have a f eel i ng you
and I ar e goi ng t o become ver y good f r i ends. A l ot of peopl e
sue Scot t I ndust r i es j ust f or t he t ar get pr act i ce, and I ' ve
been l ooki ng ar ound f or someone t o t ake char ge of al l our
l i t i gat i on. Your s i s t he one name t hat keeps comi ng up.
Nat ur al l y, I ' mpr epar ed t o pay you a l ar ge r et ai ner f or '
' Mi ss Scot t ?'
' Yes. '
' I don' t mi nd a l i t t l e snow j ob, but you' r e gi vi ng me
f r ost bi t e. '
' I don' t under st and. '
' Then l et me put i t i n l egal par l ance f or you. Cut - out t he
bul l shi t . I t ' s t wo o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng. You don' t hi r e
peopl e at t wo o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng. '
' Mr Rosen '
' Mi ke. We' r e goi ng t o be good f r i ends, r emember ? But
f r i ends have t o t r ust one anot her . Lar r y t el l s me you want
me t o go t o Spai n t o t r y t o save some Basque t er r or i st who' s
i n t he hands of t he pol i ce. '
She st ar t ed t o say, ' He' s not a t er r or i st - ' but st opped
her sel f . ' Yes. '
' What ' s your pr obl em? I s he sui ng Scot t I ndust r i es because
hi s gun j ammed?'
' He '
' I ' msor r y, f r i end. I can' t hel p you. My schedul e i s so t i ght
t hat I gave up goi ng t o t he bat hr oomsi x mont hs ago. I can
r ecommend a f ew l awyer s . . . '
No, Megan t hought . J ai me Mi r o needs you. And she
was suddenl y sei zed by a sense of hopel essness. Spai n was
- r - - - - ' - ' " " i ce suunuea wear y. ' Never mi nd, ' she sai d. ' I t ' s a per sonal
mat t er . I ' msor r y f or comi ng on so st r ongl y. '
' Hey! That ' s what CEOs ar e supposed t o do. Per sonal i s
di f f er ent , Megan. To t el l you t he t r ut h, I ' mdyi ng t o hear
what i nt er est t he head of Scot t I ndust r i es has i n savi ng a
Spani sh t er r or i st . Ar e you f r ee f or l unch t omor r ow?'
She was goi ng t o l et not hi ng st and i n her way. ' Yes. '
' Le Ci r que at one o' cl ock?'
Megan f el t her spi r i t s l i f t i ng. ' Fi ne. '
' You make t he r eser vat i on. But I have t o war n you about
somet hi ng. '
' Yes?'
' I have a ver y nosy wi f e. '
They met at Le Ci r que, and when Si r i o had seat ed t hem,
Mi ke Rosen sai d, ' You' r e bet t er l ooki ng t han your pi ct ur e.
I ' l l bet ever ybody t el l s you t hat . '
He was ver y shor t , and he dr essed car el essl y. But t her e
was not hi ng car el ess about hi s mi nd. Hi s eyes r adi at ed a
bl azi ng i nt el l i gence.
' You' ve ar oused my cur i osi t y, ' Mi ke Rosen sai d. ' What ' s
your i nt er est i n J ai me Mi r o?'
Ther e was so much t o t el l . Too much t o t el l . Al l Megan
sai d was, ' He' s a f r i end. I don' t want hi mt o di e. '
Rosen l eaned f or war d i n hi s seat , hi s l egs swi ngi ng i n t he
ai r . ' I went t hr ough t he newspaper f i l es on hi mt hi s mor ni ng.
I f Don J uan Car l os' gover nment execut es Mi r o onl y once,
he' l l be way ahead of t he game. They' r e goi ng t o get hoar se
j ust r eadi ng t he char ges agai nst your f r i end. ' He saw t he
expr essi on on Megan' s f ace. ' I ' msor r y, but I have t o be
honest . Mi r o has been a ver y busy man. He hol ds up banks,
bl ows up car s, mur der s peopl e - '
' He' s not a mur der er . He' s a pat r i ot . He' s f i ght i ng f or hi s
r i ght s. '
' Okay, okay. He' s my her o t oo. What do you want me t o
do?'
350
aave mm.
' Megan, we' r e such good f r i ends t hat I ' mgoi ng t o t el l you
t he absol ut e t r ut h. J esus Chr i st hi msel f coul dn' t save hi m.
You' r e l ooki ng f or a mi r acl e t hat '
' I bel i eve i n mi r acl es. Wi l l you hel p me?'
He st udi ed her a moment . ' What t he hel l . What ar e
f r i ends f or ? Have you t r i ed t he pat e? I hear t hey make i t
kosher . '
The Fax f r omMadr i d r ead: ' Have spoken t o hal f a dozen
t op Eur opean l awyer s. They r ef use t o r epr esent Mi r 6. Tr i ed
t o have mysel f admi t t ed t o t r i al as ami cus cur ae. Cour t r ul ed
agai nst me. Wi sh I coul d pul l of f t hat mi r acl e f or you, f r i end,
but J esus hasn' t r i sen yet . Amon my way home. You owe
me a l unch. Mi ke. '
The t r i al was set t o begi n on 17 Sept ember .
' Cancel my appoi nt ment s, ' Megan t ol d her assi st ant . ' I
have some busi ness t o t ake car e of i n Madr i d. '
' How l ong wi l l you be gone?'
' I don' t know. '
She pl anned her st r at egy on t he pl ane f l yi ng over t he At l an-
t i c. Ther e has t o be a way, Megan t hought . have money
and I have power . The Pr i me Mi ni st er i s t he key. I have t o
get t o hi mbef or e t he t r i al st ar t s. Af t er t hat , i t wi l l be t oo l at e.
Megan had an appoi nt ment wi t h Pr i me Mi ni st er Leopol do
Mar t i nez t went y- f our hour s af t er she ar r i ved i n Madr i d. He
i nvi t ed her t o Moncl oa Pal ace f or l unch.
' Thank you f or seei ng me so pr ompt l y, ' Megan sai d. ' I
know what a busy man you ar e. '
He r ai sed a hand i n depr ecat i on. ' My dear Mi ss Scot t ,
when t he head of an or gani zat i on as i mpor t ant as Scot t
351
I ndust r i es f l i es t o my count r y t o see me, 1 can onl y be
honour ed. Pl ease t el l me how I can assi st you. '
' I r eal l y came her e t o assi st you, ' Megan sai d. ' I t occur r ed t o
me t hat whi l e we have a f ew f act or i es i n Spai n, we' r e not usi ng
near l y enough of t he pot ent i al t hat your count r y has t o of f er . '
He was l i st eni ng cl osel y now, hi s eyes shi ni ng. ' Yes?'
' Scot t I ndust r i es i s about t o open a huge el ect r oni cs pl ant .
I t shoul d empl oy somewher e bet ween a t housand and f i f t een
hundr ed peopl e. I f i t i s as successf ul as we t hi nk i t wi l l be,
we' l l open sat el l i t e f act or i es. '
' And you have not deci ded i n whi ch count r y you wi sh t o
open t hi s pl ant ?'
' That ' s r i ght . I ' mper sonal l y i n f avour of Spai n, but qui t e
f r ankl y. Your Excel l ency, some of my execut i ves ar e not t oo
happy wi t h your ci vi l r i ght s r ecor d. '
' Real l y?'
' Yes. They f el t t hat t hose who obj ect t o some of t he
pol i ci es of t he st at e ar e t r eat ed t oo har shl y. '
' Do you have anyone i n par t i cul ar i n mi nd?'
' As a mat t er of f act , I do. J ai me Mi r o. '
He sat t her e st ar i ng at her . ' I see. And i f we wer e t o be
l eni ent wi t h J ai me Mi r o, we woul d get t he el ect r oni cs f act or y
and '
' And a l ot mor e, ' Megan assur ed hi m. ' Our f act or i es wi l l
r ai se t he st andar d of l i vi ng i n ever y communi t y t hey' r e i n. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er f r owned. ' I ' maf r ai d t her e i s one smal l
pr obl em. '
' What ? We can negot i at e f ur t her . '
' Thi s i s somet hi ng t hat cannot be negot i at ed. Mi ss Scot t .
Spai n' s honour i s not f or sal e. You cannot br i be us or buy
us or t hr eat en us. '
' Bel i eve me, I ' mnot '
' You came her e wi t h your handout s and expect us t o r un
our cour t s t o pl ease you? Thi nk agai n, Mi ss Scot t . We don' t
need your f act or i es. '
I ' ve made i t wor se, Megan t hought , despai r i ngl y.
352
i ne i nai i asi ea si x weeKs i n a neavny guar ded cour t r oom
t hat was cl osed t o t he publ i c.
Megan r emai ned i n Madr i d, f ol l owi ng t he news r epor t s of
t he t r i al each day. Fr omt i me t o t i me, Mi ke Rosen t el ephoned
her .
' I know what you' r e goi ng t hr ough, f r i end. I t hi nk you
shoul d come home. '
' I can' t , Mi ke. '
She t r i ed t o see J ai me.
' Absol ut el y no vi si t or s. '
On t he l ast day of t he t r i al , Megan st ood out si de t he cour t r oom,
l ost i n a cr owd of peopl e. Repor t er s came st r eami ng
out of t he bui l di ng, and Megan st opped one of t hem.
' What happened?'
' They f ound hi mgui l t y on al l count s. He' s goi ng t o get t he
gar r ot t e. '
353
Chapt er 42
At f i ve a. m. on t he mor ni ng schedul ed f or t he execut i on of
J ai me Mi r o, cr owds began t o gat her out si de t he cent r al
pr i son i n Madr i d. Bar r i cades set up by t he guar di a ci vi l kept
t he swel l i ng mob of onl ooker s acr oss t he wi de st r eet , away
f r omt he f r ont ent r ance t o t he pr i son. Ar med t r oops and
t anks bl ocked t he i r on pr i son gat es.
I nsi de t he pr i son, i n t he of f i ce of War den Gomez de l a
Fuent e, an ext r aor di nar y meet i ng was t aki ng pl ace. I n t he
r oomwer e Pr i me Mi ni st er Leopol do Mar t i nez, Al onzo
Sebast i an, t he new head of GOE, and t he war den' s execut i ve
deput i es, J uani t o Mol i nas and Pedr os Ar r ange.
War den de l a Fuent e was a heavyset , mi ddl e- aged, gr i m-
f aced man who had passi onat el y devot ed hi s l i f e t o di sci pl i ni ng
t he mi scr eant s t hat t he gover nment had pl aced i n hi s
char ge. Mol i nas and Ar r ange, hi s har d- bi t t en assi st ant s, had
ser ved wi t h de l a Fuent e f or t he past t went y year s.
Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez was speaki ng. ' I woul d l i ke t o
know what ar r angement s you have made t o ensur e t hat t her e
wi l l be no t r oubl e i n car r yi ng out Mi r 6' s execut i on. '
War den de l a Fuent e r epl i ed, ' We have pr epar ed f or ever y
possi bl e cont i ngency. Your Excel l ency. As Your Excel l ency
obser ved when you ar r i ved, a f ul l company of ar med sol di er s
i s st at i oned ar ound t he pr i son. I t woul d t ake an ar my t o
br eak i n. '
' And i nsi de t he pr i son i t sel f ?'
" The pr ecaut i ons ar e even mor e st r i ngent . J ai me Mi r o
i s l ocked i n a doubl e secur i t y cel l on t he second f l oor .
The ot her pr i soner s on t hat f l oor have been t empor ar i l y
354
t r ansf er r ed. Two guar ds ar e st at i oned at each end of t he
cel l bl ock. I have or der ed a gener al l ock- down, so t hat al l
pr i soner s wi l l r emai n i n t hei r cel l s unt i l af t er t he execut i on. '
What t i me wi l l t hat t ake pl ace?'
' At noon. Your Excel l ency. I have post poned mess hal l
unt i l one o' cl ock. That wi l l gi ve us enough t i me t o get Mi r o' s
body out of her e. '
' What pl ans have you made f or di sposi ng of i t ?'
' I amf ol l owi ng your suggest i on. Excel l ency. Hi s bur i al i n
Spai n woul d cause t he gover nment embar r assment i f t he Basques shoul d t ur n hi s
gr ave i nt o some ki nd of shr i ne. We
have been i n t ouch wi t h hi s aunt i n Fr ance. She l i ves i n a
smal l vi l l age out si de Bayonne. She has agr eed t o bur y hi m
t her e. '
The Pr i me Mi ni st er r ose. ' Excel l ent . ' He si ghed. ' I st i l l
t hi nk a hangi ng i n t he publ i c squar e woul d have been mor e
appr opr i at e. '
' Yes, Your Excel l ency. But i n t hat case, I coul d no l onger
have been r esponsi bl e f or cont r ol l i ng t he mob out si de. '
' I suppose you' r e r i ght . Ther e' s no poi nt i n st i r r i ng up any
mor e exci t ement t han i s necessar y. The gar r ot t e i s mor e
pai nf ul and sl ower . And i f any man deser ves t he gar r ot t e, i t
i s J ai me Mi r o. '
War den de l a Fuent e sai d, ' Excuse me. Your Excel l ency,
but I under st and t hat a commi ssi on of j udges i s meet i ng t o
consi der a l ast mi nut e appeal f r omMi r 6' s at t or neys. I f i t
shoul d come t hr ough, what shoul d I ?'
The Pr i me Mi ni st er i nt er r upt ed. ' I t won' t . The execut i on
wi l l pr oceed as schedul ed. '
The meet i ng was over .
At 7. 30 a. m. , a br ead t r uck ar r i ved i n f r ont of t he pr i son
gat e.
' Del i ver y. '
One of t he pr i son guar ds st at i oned at t he ent r ance l ooked
i n at t he dr i ver . ' You' r e new, ar en' t you?'
' Yeah. '
355
' Wher e' s J ul i o?'
' He' s si ck i n bed t oday. '
' Why don' t you go j oi n hi m, ami goT
What ?'
' No del i ver i es t hi s mor ni ng. Come back t hi s af t er noon. '
' But ever y mor ni ng '
' Not hi ng goes i n, and onl y one t hi ng i s goi ng out . Now
back up, t ur n ar ound and get your ass out of her e bef or e my
pal s get ner vous. '
The dr i ver l ooked ar ound at t he ar med sol di er s st ar i ng at
hi m. ' Sur e. Okay. '
They wat ched as he t ur ned t he t r uck ar ound and di sappear ed
down t he st r eet . The commander of t he post r epor t ed
t he i nci dent t o t he war den. When t he st or y was checked out ,
i t was l ear ned t hat t he r egul ar empl oyee was i n t he hospi t al ,
a vi ct i mof a hi t and r un dr i ver .
At ei ght a. m. , a car bomb expl oded acr oss t he st r eet f r omt he
pr i son, woundi ng hal f a dozen byst ander s. Under or di nar y
ci r cumst ances, t he guar ds woul d have l ef t t hei r post s
t o i nvest i gat e and assi st t he wounded. But t hey had st r i ct
or der s. They r emai ned at t hei r st at i ons and t he guar di a ci vi l was summoned t o
t ake char ge.
The i nci dent was pr ompt l y r epor t ed t o War den de l a
Fuent e.
' They' r e get t i ng desper at e, ' he sai d. ' Be pr epar ed f or
anyt hi ng. '
At 9. 15 a. m. , a hel i copt er appear ed over t he pr i son gr ounds.
Pai nt ed on i t s si des wer e t he wor ds: LA PRENSA, Spai n' s
pr omi nent dai l y newspaper .
Two ant i - ai r cr af t guns had been set up on t he pr i son r oof .
The l i eut enant i n char ge waved a f l ag t o war n of f t he pl ane.
I t cont i nued t o hover . The of f i cer pi cked up a f i el d t el ephone.
' War den, we have a copt er over head. '
' Any i dent i f i cat i on?'
356
' I t says La Pr ensa, but t he si gn l ooks f r eshl y pai nt ed. '
' Gi ve i t one war ni ng shot . I f i t doesn' t move, bl ow i t out
of t he sky. '
' Yes, si r . ' He nodded t o hi s gunner . ' Put a cl ose one i n. '
The shot l anded f i ve yar ds t o t he si de of t he hel i copt er .
They coul d see t he pi l ot ' s st ar t l ed f ace. The gunner l oaded
agai n. The hel i copt er swooped up and di sappear ed acr oss
t he ski es of Madr i d. What t he hel l i s next ? t he l i eut enant wonder ed.
At 11. 00 a. m. Megan Scot t appear ed at t he r ecept i on of f i ce
of t he pr i son. She l ooked dr awn and pal e. ' I want t o see
War den de l a Fuent e. '
' Do you have an appoi nt ment ?'
' No, but '
' I ' msor r y. The War den i sn' t seei ng anyone t hi s mor ni ng.
I f you t el ephone t hi s af t er noon '
' Tel l hi mi t ' s Megan Scot t . '
He t ook a cl oser l ook at her . So t hi s i s t he r i ch Amer i can
who' s t r yi ng t o get J ai me Mi r o r el eased. I woul dn' t mi nd
havi ng her wor k on me f or a f ew ni ght s. ' I ' l l t el l t he War den
you' r e her e. '
Fi ve mi nut es l at er Megan was seat ed i n War den de l a
Fuent e' s of f i ce. Wi t h hi mwer e hal f a dozen member s of t he
pr i son boar d.
' What can I do f or you. Mi ss Scot t ?'
' I woul d l i ke t o see J ai me Mi r o. '
The war den si ghed. ' I ' maf r ai d t hat i s not possi bl e. '
' But I ' m'
' Mi ss Scot t - we ar e al l awar e of who you ar e. I f we coul d
accommodat e you, I assur e you t hat we woul d be mor e t han
happy t o do so, ' he smi l ed. ' We Spani ar ds ar e r eal l y an
under st andi ng peopl e. We ar e al so sent i ment al , and f r om
t i me t o t i me we ar e not aver se t o t ur ni ng a bl i nd eye t o
cer t ai n r ul es and r egul at i ons. ' Hi s smi l e di sappear ed. ' But
not t oday. Mi ss Scot t . No. Today i s a ver y speci al day. I t
has t aken us year s t o cat ch t he man you wi sh t o see. So t hi s
357
i s a uay ui mi ca ai i u i cgui anuns. i ne next one t o see J ai me
Mi r o wi l l be hi s God - i f he has one. '
Megan st ar ed at hi m, mi ser abl e. ' Coul d - coul d I j ust l ook
at hi mf or a moment ?'
One of t he member s of t he pr i son boar d, t ouched by t he
angui sh i n Megan' s f ace, was t empt ed t o i nt er vene. He
st opped hi msel f .
' I ' msor r y, ' War den de l a Fuent e sai d. ' No. '
' Coul d I send hi ma message?' Her voi ce was choked.
' You woul d be sendi ng a message t o a dead man. ' He
l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' He has l ess t han an hour t o l i ve. '
' But he' s appeal i ng hi s sent ence. I sn' t a panel of j udges
meet i ng t o deci de i f - ?'
' They' ve vot ed agai nst i t . I r ecei ved wor d f r omt hem
f i f t een mi nut es ago. Mi r o' s appeal has been deni ed. The
execut i on wi l l t ake pl ace. Now, i f you' l l excuse me '
He r ose, and t he ot her s f ol l owed sui t . Megan l ooked
ar ound t he r oomat t hei r col d f aces and shudder ed.
' May God have mer cy on al l of you, ' she sai d.
They wat ched, si l ent , as she f l ed f r omt he r oom.
' . m
At t en mi nut es bef or e t he noon hour , t he door t o J ai me
Mi r o' s cel l was opened. War den Gomez de l a Fuent e was
accompani ed by hi s t wo assi st ant s, Mol i nas and Ar r ange,
and Dr Mi guel Anunci on. Four ar med guar ds st ood wat ch
i n t he cor r i dor .
The war den ent er ed t he cel l . ' I t ' s t i me. '
J ai me r ose f r omhi s cot . He was handcuf f ed and shackl ed.
' I was hopi ng you' d be l at e. ' Ther e was an ai r of di gni t y
about hi mt hat War den de l a Fuent e coul d not hel p but
admi r e.
At anot her t i me, under ot her ci r cumst ances, we mi ght have
been f r i ends.
J ai me st epped out i nt o t he deser t ed cor r i dor , hi s movement s
cl umsy because of t he shackl es. He was f l anked by
t he guar ds and Mol i nas and Ar r ange. ' The gar r ot t e?' J ai me
asked.
The war den nodded. ' The gar r ot t e. ' Excr uci at i ngl y pai nf ul ,
i nhuman. I t was a good t hi ng, t he war den t hought , t hat
t he execut i on woul d t ake pl ace i n a pr i vat e r oom, away f r om
t he eyes of t he publ i c and t he pr ess.
The pr ocessi on made i t s way down t he cor r i dor . Fr om
out si de, i n t he st r eet , t hey coul d hear t he chant of t he cr owd:
' J ai me . . . J ai me . . . J ai me . . . ' I t was a swel l i ng, bur st i ng
f r oma t housand t hr oat s gr owi ng l ouder and l ouder .
' They' r e cal l i ng f or you, ' Pedr os Ar r ange sai d.
' No. They' r e cal l i ng f or t hemsel ves. They' r e cal l i ng f or
f r eedom. Tomor r ow t hey' l l have anot her name. I may di e but
t her e wi l l al ways be anot her name. '
They passed t hr ough t wo secur i t y gat es t o a smal l chamber
at t he end of t he cor r i dor , wi t h an i r on gr een door . Fr om
ar ound t he cor ner a bl ack- r obed pr i est appear ed.
' Thank heavens I ' mi n t i me. I ' ve come t o gi ve t he condemned
man t he l ast r i t es. '
As he moved t owar ds Mi r o, t wo guar ds bl ocked hi s way.
' Sor r y, Fat her , ' War den de l a Fuent e sai d. ' Nobody goes
near hi m. '
' But I ' m'
' I f you want t o gi ve hi mhi s l ast r i t es, you' l l have t o do i t
t hr ough cl osed door s. Out of t he way, pl ease. '
A guar d opened t he gr een door . St andi ng i nsi de, next t o
a chai r bol t ed t o t he f l oor , wi t h heavy ar mst r aps, was a huge
man wear i ng a hal f mask. I n hi s hands he hel d t he gar r ot t e.
The war den nodded t owar ds Mol i nas and Ar r ange and
t he doct or , and t hey ent er ed t he r oomaf t er J ai me. The
guar ds r emai ned out si de. The gr een door was l ocked and
bol t ed.
I nsi de t he r oom, assi st ant s Mol i nas and Ar r ange l ed J ai me
t o t he chai r . They unl ocked hi s handcuf f s, t hen st r apped
hi mi n, pul l i ng t he heavy st r aps agai nst hi s ar ms, whi l e Dr
Anunci on and War den de l a Fuent e wat ched. Thr ough t he
t hi ck cl osed door , t hey coul d bar el y hear t he chant i ng, of t he
pr i est .
De l a Fuent e l ooked at J ai me and shr ugged. ' I t doesn' t
mat t er . God wi l l under st and what he i s sayi ng. '
The gi ant hol di ng t he gar r ot t e moved t o t he back of J ai me.
War den Gomez de l a Fuent e asked, ' Do you want a cl ot h
over your f ace?'
' No. '
The war den l ooked at t he gi ant and nodded. The gi ant
l i f t ed t he gar r ot t e i n hi s hand and r eached f or war d.
Out si de t he guar ds at t he door coul d hear t he chant i ng of
t he mob i n t he st r eet .
' You know somet hi ng?' one of t he guar ds gr umbl ed. ' I
wi sh I was out t her e wi t h t hem. '
Fi ve mi nut es l at er , t he gr een door opened.
Dr Anunci on sai d, ' Br i ng i n t he body bag. '
Fol l owi ng i nst r uct i ons, J ai me Mi r o' s body was smuggl ed out
t hr ough a back door of t he pr i son. The body bag was t hr own
i nt o t he back of an unmar ked van. But t he moment t he vehi cl e
pul l ed out of t he pr i son gr ounds, t he cr owd i n t he st r eet
pr essed f or war d, as t hough dr awn t o i t by some myst i c magnet .
' J ai me . . . J ai me . . . '
But t he cr i es wer e sof t er now. Men and women wept , and
t hei r chi l dr en l ooked on i n wonder , not under st andi ng what
was happeni ng. The van made i t s way t hr ough t he cr owd
and f i nal l y t ur ned on t o a hi ghway.
' J esus, ' t he dr i ver sai d. ' That was spooky. The guy must
have had somet hi ng. '
' Yeah. And t housands of peopl e knew i t t oo! '
At t wo o' cl ock t hat af t er noon. War den Gomez de l a Fuent e
and hi s t wo assi st ant s, J uani t o Mol i nas and Pedr os Ar r ange appear ed at t he
of f i ce of Pr i me Mi ni st er Mar t i nez.
' I want t o congr at ul at e you, ' t he Pr i me Mi ni st er sai d. ' I t
was execut ed per f ect l y. '
The war den spoke. ' Mr Pr i me Mi ni st er , we' r e not her e t o
r ecei ve your congr at ul at i ons. We' r e her e t o r esi gn. '
Mar t i nez st ar ed at t hem, baf f l ed. ' I - I don' t under st and.
What ?'
360
' I t ' s a mat t er of humani t y. Your Excel l ency. We j ust
wat ched a man di e. Per haps he deser ved t o di e. But not l i ke
t hat . I t - i t was bar bar i c. I want no mor e par t of t hi s or
anyt hi ng l i ke i t , and my col l eagues f eel t he same way. '
' Per haps you shoul d gi ve t hi s mor e t hought . Your
pensi ons '
' We have t o l i ve wi t h our consci ences. ' War den de l a
Fuent e handed t he Pr i me Mi ni st er t hr ee pi eces of paper .
' Her e ar e our r esi gnat i ons. '
Lat e t hat ni ght , t he van cr ossed t he Fr ench bor der and
headed f or t he vi l l age of Bi dache, near Bayonne. They
pul l ed up bef or e a neat f ar mhouse.
' Thi s i s t he pl ace. Let ' s get r i d of t he body bef or e i t st ar t s
t o smel l . '
The door t o t he f ar mhouse was opened by a woman i n her
mi ddl e f i f t i es. ' You br ought hi m?'
' Yes, ma' am. Wher e woul d you l i ke i t - er - hi m?'
' I n t he par l our , pl ease. '
' Yes, ma' am. I - I woul dn' t wai t t oo l ong t o bur y hi m.
You know what I mean?'
She wat ched t he t wo men car r y i n t he body bag and set i t
on t he f l oor .
' Thank you. '
' De nada. '
She st ood t her e wat chi ng as t hey dr ove away.
Anot her woman wal ked i n f r omt he ot her r oomand r an
t owar ds t he body bag. She hast i l y unzi pped i t .
J ai me Mi r o was l yi ng t her e smi l i ng up at t hem. ' Do you
know somet hi ng? That gar r ot t e coul d be a r eal pai n i n t he
neck. '
' Whi t e wi ne or r ed?' Megan asked.
361
FR1; Chapt er 43
At Bar aj as Ai r por t i n Madr i d, f or mer War den Gomez de l a
Fuent e and hi s f or mer assi st ant s, Mol i nas and Ar r ange, and
Dr Anunci on and t he gi ant i n t he mask wer e i n t he depar t ur e
l ounge.
' I st i l l t hi nk you' r e maki ng a mi st ake not comi ng wi t h me
t o Puer t o Ri co, ' de l a Fuent e sai d. ' Wi t h your f i ve mi l l i on
dol l ar s, you can buy t he whol e f ucki ng i sl and. '
Mol i nas shook hi s head. ' Ar r ange and I ar e goi ng t o
Swi t zer l and. I ' mt i r ed of t he sun. We' r e goi ng t o buy our sel ves
a f ew dozen snow bunni es. '
The, t oo, ' t he gi ant sai d.
They t ur ned t o Mi guel Anunci on.
' What about you, doct or ?'
' I ' mgoi ng t o Bangl adesh. '
" What ?'
' That ' s r i ght . I ' mgoi ng t o use t he money t o open a hospi t al
t her e. You know, I t hought about i t a l ong t i me bef or e I
accept ed Megan Scot t ' s of f er . But I f i gur ed t hat i f I can save
a l ot of i nnocent l i ves by l et t i ng one t er r or i st l i ve, i t ' s a good
t r ade- of f . Besi des, I must t el l you, I l i ked J ai me Mi r o. '
Chapt er 44
I t had been a good season i n t he Fr ench count r ysi de, wi t h
f i ne weat her , shower i ng f ar mer s wi t h an abundance of cr ops.
wi sh t hat ever y year coul d be as wonder f ul as t hi s, Rubi o
Ar zano t hought . has been a good year i n mor e ways t han
one.
Fi r st hi s mar r i age and t hen, a year ago, t he bi r t h of t he
t wi ns. Whoever dr eamed a man coul d be t hi s happy?
I t was st ar t i ng t o r ai n. Rubi o t ur ned t he t r act or ar ound
and headed f or t he bar n. He t hought about t he t wi ns. The
boy was goi ng t o be bi g and st r appi ng. But hi s si st er ! She
was goi ng t o be a handf ul . She' s goi ng t o gi ve her man a l ot
of t r oubl e, Rubi o gr i nned t o hi msel f . She t akes af t er her
mot her .
He dr ove t he t r act or i nt o t he bar n and headed f or t he
house, f eel i ng t he cool r ai n agai nst hi s f ace. He opened t he
door and st epped i nsi de.
' You' r e j ust i n t i me, ' Luci a smi l ed. ' Di nner ' s r eady. '
The Rever end Mot her Pr i or ess Bet i na awakened wi t h a
pr emoni t i on t hat somet hi ng wonder f ul was about t o happen.
Of cour se, she t hought , enough good t hi ngs have al r eady
happened.
The Ci st er ci an convent had l ong si nce been r eopened,
under t he pr ot ect i on of Ki ng Don J uan Car i os. Si st er
Gr aci el a and t he nuns who had been t aken t o Madr i d wer e
saf el y r et ur ned t o t he convent , wher e t hey wer e al l owed t o
r et r eat once agai n i nt o t he bl essed sol i t ude and si l ence.
Shor t l y af t er br eakf ast , t he Mot her Pr i or ess wal ked i nt o
her of f i ce and st opped, st ar i ng. On her desk, shi ni ng wi t h a
dazzl i ng br i ght ness, l ay t he gol d cr oss.
I t was accept ed as a mi r acl e.
364
AFTERWORD
Madr i d has t r i ed t o buy peace by of f er i ng t he Basques
l i mi t ed aut onomy, al l owi ng t hemt o have t hei r own f l ag,
t hei r own l anguage, and a Basque pol i ce depar t ment . ETA
r epl i ed by assassi nat i ng Const ant i n Or t i n Gi l , Madr i d' s mi l i t ar y
gover nor , and l at er Lui s Car r er o Bl anco, t he man
chosen by Fr anco t o be hi s successor .
The vi ol ence keeps escal at i ng.
I n a t hr ee- year per i od, ETA t er r or i st s have ki l l ed mor e
t han 600 vi ct i ms. The sl aught er cont i nues and t he r et al i at i on
by t he pol i ce has been equal l y r ut hl ess.
Not so many year s ago, ETA had t he sympat hy of t he t wo
and a hal f mi l l i on Basque peopl e, but cont i nued t er r or i sm
has er oded t hei r suppor t . I n Bi l bao, t he ver y hear t of t he
Basque homel and, 100, 000 peopl e t ook t o t he st r eet s t o
demonst r at e agai nst ETA. The Spani sh peopl e f eel i t i s t i me
f or peace, t i me t o heal t he wounds.
The OPUS MUNDO i s mor e power f ul t han ever , but f ew
peopl e ar e wi l l i ng t o di scuss i t .
As f or t he Ci st er ci an convent s of t he St r i ct Obser vance,
t her e ar e i n exi st ence t oday f i f t y- f our convent s, wor l dwi de,
seven of t hemi n Spai n.
Thei r t i mel ess r i t ual of et er nal si l ence and secl usi on r emai ns
unchanged.
I f you l i ked t hi s book vi si t www.phoenixuser.blogspot.in t o l eave a r evi ew.