Inamorata (9 page)

Carmella smiled and took a drink of beer. “That inept mayor is my sister’s cousin.”

“Oh.”

“But you are correct, he is inept,” she said, “and fat. Let me guess. He was no help to you.”

“Correct. But the bartender was, at least I think so,” Mick said. “He mentioned Señor Reyes, but couldn’t elaborate either. And I have a feeling if pressed, he’d never admit to knowing anything.”

Carmella nodded. “I will tell you a story. Many years ago, when Luis tried to build the clinic, which, by the way, was nothing compared to your undertaking here, he discovered something deep in these woods. If there is one thing worth more than tourism to Central America, it is drugs. The poison that kills so many young people.”

Mick sat back, slack-jawed. Sean frowned deeply as he drank his beer. The rest sat in stunned silence.

“The other night, Sean and I heard something late at night. We thought it was some animal or something. But as I got farther away from the campsite, someone attacked me. I got the better of them, and they took off, probably because Sean was yelling.” She looked at Carmella, who stared at the ground. “Are you suggesting there are drug dealers in this forest? And that Alejandro—”

“I have known Alejandro most of my life,” Isabella said. “He may be many things but…”

“What does he do for a living?” Juan asked; he now watched Alejandro.

“Imports and exports,” Isabella said quietly.

Sean snorted. “I bet.”

“There are many stories of Señor Reyes. Stories of threats, beatings, all of them unable to prove. So many years,” Carmella said. “This is what you are up against. I tell you this because I worry for my grandson. He adores you, Mick. And you, Isabella.”

“He won’t be harmed, Carmella. I won’t let him come back,” Mick said.

“That is not what I am saying, Mick,” Carmella said. “I do not want this in my village any longer. I will not always be around. I want this ended.”

“Am I interrupting?”

They all looked up when Alejandro walked to the circle. “Not at all,” Maria said. “The food is almost ready…”

“I must apologize. I have to be going. A problem at one of my warehouses.” He looked at Isabella. “I’m afraid we’ll have to leave, Isabella.”

“Why don’t you go, Alejandro? I have not seen Carmella in such a long while. It is nice to visit. I know you’re busy.”

“But…”

“Please, do not feel bad. I’m sure Mick or Juan can drive me back. I might stay in Los Rios tonight anyway.”

Before he could argue further, Mick, Sean, and Juan stood and faced him. “Thanks for coming.  Sorry you can’t stay for the food,” Mick said.

Juan stood right in front of Alejandro. “Do not worry. We will make sure Isabella gets home safely. Thank you. I’m sorry you have to go so soon.”

“Well,” Alejandro said, awkwardly. “I…I will call you soon, Isabella.” He bowed then, “Thank you all.”

They watched him as he pulled down the road, the sun beaming off his silver Lexus. They all breathed a sigh of relief. Mick collapsed back in her chair.

Carmella grinned. “
Una cerveza
, Mick?”

Chapter 14

“So now what?” Sean asked.

Maria and Isabella, along with the other women, prepared the food, which smelled heavenly to Mick.

“Why aren’t you with the womenfolk?” Sean asked his sister.

“Shut up,” she replied, drinking her beer.

As Carmella laughed, Mick took the time to regard this woman. She was a striking woman with snow-white hair, pulled back, skin the same color as Isabella’s, and soft, soulful brown eyes. Though weathered, there was so much character in the deep lines of her face. It showed a great deal of life, Mick thought.

She realized Carmella had been watching her as well. Suddenly, she felt very self-conscious. “Um, so…”

“You like Isabella?” Carmella asked, out of the blue.

“Um, so…”

“Nice out,” Sean said quietly.

“I know how it is, Mick,” Carmella said. “I do not pretend to understand the love between two women, but I do understand love. And love speaks to love, no matter who it is. It is the one thing we have no control over in this life…Who we love, even if it is a woman you love.”

“
Inamorata
,” Mick said, absently.

Carmella raised an eyebrow. “I see you have been talking to Isabella.”

Mick blushed to her roots, much to the pleasure of her brother who snorted through his beer.

Mercifully, the feast was ready. And soon, there was food, beer, and song. And not long after that, no one felt any pain. The laughter rang out through the tropical forest and all seemed right in their world.

Mick should have known it was too good to last too long. They all stopped singing when they heard the engines roar. Through the moonlight, several pickup trucks screamed down the narrow road toward them. Women screamed as they and their husbands grabbed their children out of harm’s way.

Mick and Sean quickly got Carmella out of the way, not knowing where a safe place would be. Carmella screamed for Zeke, who Mick could not find. The trucks ran through the site, knocking down the wood frame of the clinic, and several men who sat in the bed of the truck tossed lit torches, starting the wood ablaze.

In the darkness and now the smoke, Mick couldn’t see enough of the trucks to identify them. Between the screaming and the roar of their engines, the noise was deafening. And just as soon as it started they were gone, they made a loop around the campsite, then headed back down the paved road and out of sight.

With the wooden frame of the clinic on fire, it lit up the entire area. The men tried to put it out, but it went up like a matchstick. For the first time, Mick was grateful they had not finished their work. The entire forest could have been ablaze if they had.

And as luck would have it, it started to rain.

“We have to find Zeke,” Isabella called out to Mick.

They searched for him while Juan and Maria took care of the other families. Sean helped the men get the fire under control, dousing it with buckets full of water, and water from the coolers, anything.

“Mick! Over here!”

She heard Isabella’s voice and ran toward it. Isabella knelt beside Zeke as he lay on the ground, so still Mick’s heart stopped beating. “God, please, no.” She ran up to Isabella and knelt next to her. “Is he…?”

“Get the Land Rover, quickly. He is not dead, but I think he was struck by one of the trucks. Hurry, Mick.”

Mick ran back, calling to Juan and Maria. She told them what had happened.

“Oh, God,” Maria said, blessing herself. “I will get Carmella. We will follow you to the hospital.”

“I’ll stay here.” Sean waved them on, then turned back to the campsite.

Mick carefully picked up Zeke’s limp body and gently placed him in the back of the Land Rover. Isabella climbed in after him, covering him with a blanket. “Hurry, Mick.”

It seemed to take forever to get to the hospital in Panama City. Isabella had called ahead; they were waiting for her with a gurney when they pulled up to the ER.

Mick stepped out of the way, and helplessly watched as they put Zeke on a gurney and ran in, with Isabella right behind them. She turned to Mick then. “Wait in the ER. I will come to you when I know. I love you,” she called to her.

Mick, trying desperately not to cry, nodded, and choked out an “I love you too” but Isabella was already through the sliding doors, and out of sight.

She heard Juan pull up right behind her, and come to a screeching halt. He vaulted out with Maria helping Carmella.

“Where are they?” Juan asked, frantically.

Mick tried to calm him. “Isabella is with him. He’s alive, but she thinks he might have been hit by one of the trucks. She told me to wait in the ER and she’d come down when she knew.” She turned to Carmella, who was in tears. “It’ll be okay, Carmella. Isabella is with him.”

*******

They sat in the ER for the next hour. Mick got coffee for everyone as they sat, helplessly, watching the television. In the time, several of their workers came into the ER, all with minor burns and cuts, all of them staying to see about Zeke.

Carmella sat, stone-faced, staring at nothing in particular. Maria had her arm around her shoulders, talking to her, but Mick knew the old woman wasn’t listening.

Juan and the others paced nervously back and forth. Pedro walked up to both of them, with his hat in hand.

“I must tell you something,” he said quietly.

Juan stopped pacing and stood next to Mick. “What is it, Pedro?” he asked. “Out with it. This is not time for…”

Mick gently placed her hand on Juan’s arm. “Go ahead, Pedro.”

“One of the trucks, on the door…” he looked around as if to make sure no one heard him.

“What about it?” Mick asked; now she was getting impatient.

“There was something written on the side door. It said Imports, but I can’t remember the whole name. But I know the truck. I have seen it in Los Rios many times.”

“Could you point it out if you saw it again?” Juan asked.

“
Sí
.” Pedro nodded.

“But would you?”

They all turned around when Carmella’s voice quietly called to Pedro. Mick said nothing as Pedro, head bowed, walked up to Carmella and knelt down in front of her. “
Sí
, Carmella. I will. I am sorry for this. It should never have happened.”

Carmella nodded and placed her hand on Pedro’s head. “It must end,” she said, looking at the others in the ER. Several men glanced at each other, but said nothing. One or two of them left the room.

“Cowards,” Juan said, watching them.

Mick was about to say something when Isabella walked into the room. She wore the hospital greens, with her hair pulled back, and looking tired, but absolutely wonderful.

“How is he?” Carmella asked.

“He is unconscious. His right leg is broken as is his left arm. But he will be all right, Carmella. He will live and be strong again.”

Carmella covered her eyes and cried. Maria put her arm around her once again, murmuring words of thanks.

Mick swallowed the lump in her throat and said a few thankful words as well. Isabella walked over to her, and Mick pulled her into a fierce embrace. Isabella sobbed quietly into her shoulder. “I was so afraid,” she whispered. “So worried for everyone. For you.”

Mick held on, fighting the wave of tears. “I know. I was too. I’m so grateful Zeke had you.”

Isabella sniffed and pulled away. She kissed Mick, then turned back to Carmella. “He will be in the hospital for some time.”

Carmella nodded. “Thank you, Isabella. I am so grateful to you.” She looked beyond Isabella to Mick and the others. “And now…”

“And now it must end,” Mick said.

Carmella nodded.

Chapter 15

Pedro touched Mick on the shoulder as she drove through the village of Los Rios. “There, Mick. That is the truck.”

She slowed down and saw the black pickup truck parked by the village tavern. As she drove past it, she got a good look at the logo on the side
Mundo Imports.

“You’re sure Pedro?” Juan asked as Mick drove by.

“Yes. I will swear to it.”

“Okay, let’s get back to the hospital and tell the others. We have to find out who owns that truck,” Mick said, heading for Panama City.

They met Maria and Carmella outside Zeke’s room. Carmella looked tired and worn; Maria looked much the same.

Mick explained what they had found. As they spoke, Isabella stepped out of the room. She smiled when she saw Mick.

“How is he?” Mick asked.

“He has regained consciousness,” she said. “Carmella, why don’t you and Maria go in first? Not too long now.”

“So, what have you found out?” Isabella asked.

“You look tired,” Mick said. “But beautiful.”

Isabella grinned. “Thank you. Now tell me.”

“Well, Pedro saw the truck he thinks was at the site that night. It had a logo on the side
—Mundo Imports, whatever Mundo means.”

“World,” Juan said.

Isabella nearly dropped her clipboard. Mick noticed the change. “What?”

“What is it, Isabella?” Juan asked.

“I hope I am wrong. But Alejandro owns an import-export company. Long ago when I asked him what he wanted out of life, he jokingly said the world.” She looked from Juan to Mick. “It is just a coincidence, no?”

“I bet not. Let’s go talk to the local police.”

“Los Rios will not help,” Juan said.

“I’m not talking about Los Rios. I’m talking here, in Panama City,” Mick said.

*******

They sat in the police office waiting for a detective. A tall young man smiled as he walked up to them. “Good afternoon. I am Detective Bolivar. Please, come with me.”

Mick, Sean, and Juan sat at the small desk, while the detective read their statement. He looked up and took off his glasses. “The only proof you have of this is Señor Pedro Gonzalez who claims to have seen this truck the night of the attack. I am running the vehicle ID and should have an answer shortly.”

“Yes,” Mick said. “And…”

He held up his hand. “And stories that you cannot substantiate.” He sat back, looking at the documents. “I can go to Los Rios and talk to the owner of the truck. And see if it truly belongs to Mundo Imports.”

“There is nothing else?” Juan asked, angrily.

“You have filed a complaint in Los Rios, which was the correct thing to do.”

“And the mayor is a…” Mick stopped.

The detective raised an eyebrow. “A what?”

“No help, I guess is what I was thinking.”

“Miss Brennan, small villages here in Panama have their own municipal laws and as such…”

“I get it. I get it.” Mick sat back in a dejected heap. She was about to expound when a young woman handed the detective a file. She perked up and leaned forward.

Detective Bolivar skimmed the report and sighed. “It appears that Mundo Imports is indeed owned by one Alejandro Reyes…”

“Good,” Mick said, sitting forward.

“But this truck has been reported as stolen two weeks ago. Long before the accident.”

“Attempted murder,” Sean corrected him.

The detective looked from Sean to Mick. “You are Americans no? Here to build a hospital for a Dr. Rivera, who works here at the hospital? You are under contract and have a permit for one year in this country, which is half over. I suggest you go back and fulfill your contract with our government. I will do what I can here. But I cannot promise anything. I have no proof. Señor Reyes reported the truck stolen. That you say you saw it in Los Rios, only tells me the man who stole the truck is a fool, or he left it there, abandoned. In any event, I now have to contact Señor Reyes and let him know we found the truck. At that time, I will go and speak with him about this.” He tossed his glasses down. “It is the best I can do.”

Mick shook her head and looked at Sean who shrugged. They thanked the detective and left.

“Well, that sucked,” Mick said as she drove back to the hospital.

“It truly did,” Sean agreed.

“I really do not want to tell Carmella about this. It is so frustrating and so unfair.”

*******

They sat at the table in the hospital cafeteria, explaining what had happened with the police. Carmella reacted as Mick and the others thought. She was one minute livid and the next sadly resigned.

“That can’t be all they can do,” Maria said.

“Yes. It can,” Carmella said.

Mick noticed how tired she looked, and how old. She worried for her health. With all that has happened with little Zeke. “Carmella, how is Zeke? When can I see him?”

“Isabella said he can have visitors tomorrow, Mick. It would be good for him to see you. But now, I must go to him. They let me stay here overnight. It is very kind. Isabella is a wonderful human being, Mick. You are lucky. Now, I must go.”

By the time they got back to the campsite, it was about four in the afternoon.

“What is this?” Mick asked.

All the men were at the site. Mick and Sean were shocked when they saw they had built the frame of the clinic once again.

“I’ll be damned,” Sean said. She looked at Juan who smiled.

“I had them working the past few days while we were doing detective work and at the hospital.”

“Where did you get lumber?” Mick asked she parked the Land Rover.

“I have my connections,” Juan said proudly.

“I’m amazed,” Mick said, looking around.

The men waved and continued working. The charred remnants of the old frame had been moved by a Bobcat, which was still moving the wood to the far end of the site. Pedro wiped his brow and met them as they walked up to the foundation.

“We will work as long as we have to, Mick. We all decided. How did it go at the
policía
?”

Mick explained while Pedro shook his head. The other men watched, and Pedro called out to them in Spanish to relate what Mick had said. One man slammed his hammer onto the ground in anger.

“Um, Pedro, let’s not start a riot, okay?” Mick said quickly.

“There has got to be a way to end this, Mick,” he said.

“Well, it won’t be today. Now, it’s quitting time. Tell the men thanks, and go home. We’ll start again in the morning, bright and early.”

Maria had already started dinner over the fire. Mick, Sean, and Juan sat around the fire, just staring at it. Maria opened a cooler and peered in. “We are having steaks and…”

“Tequila,” Juan called out.

Maria glared at him, then turned to Mick. She took Mick’s wrist and looked at her watch. “And you will be getting a call…”

With that, her cell went off. Maria grinned.

“What are you some kind a freak…?” She answered it, and smiled, then walked away from the fire.

“Who’s on the phone?” Sean asked. When Maria grinned, he laughed. “Really. She’s calling?”

Juan’s head shot up. “Who?”

Sean avoided Juan. Maria abruptly got up and put the steaks on the plates for each of them.

“What does he mean?” Juan asked.

Maria rolled her eyes. “What do you think he means?” She glared at Sean. “You are what they call a blabbermouth.”

Juan cleared his throat in fatherly fashion. “Tell me…”

“Do not fuss like an old man,” she whispered and kissed his cheek.

“I am not fussing. Is it Isabella? She is my cousin, and I am looking out for her.”

“And you think you have to worry about Michaela?” Maria asked.

“I would,” Sean said, eating his steak. He laughed then looked up. “Sorry…”

Michaela walked back to the fire, grinning like a fool.

Juan cleared this throat once again. “So, tell me…”

Maria kissed Mick on the cheek. “You will not come back tonight, or tomorrow. Doctor’s orders, I believe.”

Mick blinked totally stunned. “O-Okay.”

“What?” Juan asked. “Where are you going? Who was on the phone?”

Sean turned his back on them and vigorously ate his dinner.

“What?” Juan asked helplessly.

Maria pulled at her husband. “Come, you will injure yourself if you think anymore. I will explain. Goodnight, children.”

Sean and Mick watched them retreat to their tent.

“That was odd,” Mick said. “But I’m leaving. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Do you have protection?”

“Bite me,
mi hermano
.”