Saharas revenge, p.11
Talented Amateur, page 11
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.” Peel pulled out two other bras in equally revealing styles. Anna hid her grin. When she got to the bottom of the bag, she pulled out the boy shorts, which matched the bras in colors and styles. Peel looked at Anna. “Would it have helped if I’d mentioned I’m gay?”
Anna laughed out loud. “Nope. I already knew.”
“Oh God, did I come out during the bath?” Peel turned a deep red.
Anna laughed even harder. “No, no, I have excellent ’dar.”
“Realllly.” Peel stretched out the word. “Are you gay, too?”
“So, you’re telling me you have no ’dar at all?” Anna teased.
Peel blushed again. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Then she stopped. “Why are you telling me this? Isn’t that revealing too much?”
Anna shrugged. “It’s not a secret. Everyone here knows I date women.”
“Even Sebastien?”
“He used to be a university professor. He’s surprisingly open-minded for a Mexican man.”
“And a drug lord,” Peel added.
“That, too.” She paused, then despite her reservations said, “I’ll be down in the kitchen if you want to come downstairs today. We can walk around the grounds if you like. There are sunglasses in one of the bags. Oh, and sunscreen.”
“Anna.” Peel put a hand on Anna’s forearm, stopping her from leaving. “Please don’t be cold to me. I promise I won’t ask any more questions.”
Anna nodded and looked away. The guilt resurfaced. “Okay.”
* * *
An hour later, Peel walked into the kitchen wearing shorts, one of the low-cut T-shirts, and sunglasses. Anna thought she looked amazing. “Buenas tardes,” she said to Rosita. “Lunch was wonderful.” She looked at Anna, who translated her words to the housekeeper. Rosita smiled and patted Peel’s arm.
“Are the sunglasses helping?”
“So far. Do you have a baseball cap? I think that would help when we go outside.”
“Sure. Have another cup of coffee with Rosita while I get it.”
“I could just go with you?” Peel made the statement sound like a question.
“No, have some more coffee,” Anna said as she walked out. Within minutes she was back with a blue Cubs hat. Peel snorted at the logo and put the cap on. “Does anyone in that town cheer for the White Sox?”
“Yes, but we don’t speak to them.” Anna gestured to the doors. “Come on. The grounds are beautiful.”
Anna opened a pair of French doors and motioned for Peel to step out onto a stone patio that ran the length of the back of the house. Dining and café tables were interspersed with cushioned chaises and benches. Potted plants broke up the hardscape with lush greenery. Three matching fountains were spaced along the length providing calming background sounds. A long bar top with stools facing an oversized TV filled one corner.
“Wow, I’d be out here all of the time,” Peel said. “Does anyone ever use this?”
“Sebastien does. He likes to have parties. Sometimes if there is a big fútbol—you know, soccer—game, he lets the men sit at the bar and watch. Do you want to sit here, or do you want to see the pool area?”
“Let’s go to the pool, but then can we come and sit up here for a while?” Peel asked.
“Sure. C’mon.”
They followed a wide stone pathway over an expanse of grass. “Who takes care of all of this?”
“Gardeners come from Tierra. They’re here every morning. I’m surprised you haven’t heard them.”
“I haven’t heard anything. But I think I’ve been pretty drugged up.” Peel looked around. “Where’s the pool?”
Anna walked several feet ahead of her, then pointed below them. “Right there.” The estate was landscaped in terraces. The upper terrace held the main house, the patio, and an expanse of lawn. As they continued down the path, the lower terrace opened up before them.
Peel stopped and turned a slow circle. “All of this is Sebastien’s?” she asked.
“Yes. Rosita said it has been the family home for generations. You can see that all of this is relatively new, probably added by Sebastien.” They continued walking, taking the stairs to the lower terrace. Sunlight sparkled off the deep blue mosaic tiles, giving the edges a jewel-like quality. The pool deck was wide and made of the same stone as the upper patio. Lounge chairs protected by large umbrellas surrounded the pool on three sides. On the fourth was a pool house and another covered patio, underneath which was another bar and kitchen area. TVs were mounted along the wall. “This is my favorite spot to be, even though the men are close by,” Anna told her.
“The men?”
“They live in barracks behind that line of trees.”
“Do you live in barracks?”
“No, thankfully I stay in a little casita right over there.” She pointed to the small structure barely visible through a stand of trees. A stone walkway connected the building to the pool deck.
Peel grabbed her forearm. “Can we see it?”
Anna ground her teeth. “No.”
Peel must have seen the set of her jaw, because she dropped it. “Do you use the pool much?”
“I swim laps every morning. Rosita thinks I’m crazy, but it’s a form of meditation for me.”
“Well, that explains why your arms are so defined.”
“Oh?” Anna cocked her head. “Have you been checking out my arms?”
“You’ve been lifting me in and out of bed for days now. It’s hard not to notice.” Peel bumped up against Anna.
After they’d walked all the way around the pool deck, Anna asked, “Back up to the patio, or do you want to stay down here?”
“Let’s stay here. I want to put my feet in the pool. Is it warm?”
“You’ll love it. I’ll get some towels and set up the loungers.” When Anna came out of the pool house, she saw Peel had removed her new sandals and was dipping the toes of one foot into the water. She lowered herself onto the deck and stretched her feet in front of her. Anna watched as Peel stared at the water, moving her feet in circles.
Anna walked up behind her. “Do you want to sit on one of these towels?”
Peel startled, then turned, taking the towel. “Thanks. I was lost in thought.” Anna sat down beside her and dropped her own feet into the water.
Peel took off her sunglasses and looked at Anna. Very quietly, she said, “Anna, could you just answer one thing for me? I promise this is it.”
Anna looked straight ahead into the blue of the pool. Finally, she said, “If I can.”
“Don’t answer me if you aren’t going to tell me the truth, okay?”
Now Anna turned to her, puzzled. “Okay.”
“Is there a reason other than loyalty to Sebastien that you won’t help me?” At Anna’s grimace, she rushed on. “I guess, I really need to know if you are unwilling or unable.”
Anna continued to stare into the pool. She found she wanted to tell this woman the truth and ignore potential consequences. “My family.”
Peel nodded. “I understand. I promise, I won’t bother you again.” Peel paused. “Are they safe?”
“One question only? I should have known better.” She shook her head and then stood up. “I’m going to get us bottles of water, then I’m going to sit in the shade.”
* * *
Anna was awakened by a ringing phone. She fumbled around until Peel picked it up and placed it in her hand. She was in the chair next to Anna, smiling at her confusion. Anna rubbed her eyes and answered. “Hola, Rosita.” After listening for a few moments, she said, “Un momento,” then pulled the phone away from her ear. “Rosita wants to know where we want to have our snack.”
“McDonald’s,” Peel answered.
“Ha ha, very funny. Do you want to eat down here?”
“That’s too much bother. Let’s go up to the house. Maybe we can get our plates and sit on the patio. The reflection of the sun off the water is beginning to get to me anyway.”
Anna talked to Rosita, then put her phone away. “You should have said something sooner. I don’t want you to have another setback.”
Peel shook her head. “It’s nothing like that. Plus, I’m being really careful. I’ll probably take a nap just to be sure.”
“Good.” Anna stood and held out her hand to help Peel up. Peel stood but didn’t release Anna’s hand. They looked at each other for a long moment, then Anna stepped closer, starting to speak. The ringing of her phone stopped her. She pulled it out of her pocket and started to swipe across the bottom when her hand stopped in midair. Sebastien. She straightened, turned her back, and walked away from Peel. For several minutes, she had a quiet conversation. When the call ended, she took a deep breath and turned to face Peel.
“He’s here,” Peel said, her face ashen.
“Tonight. He’ll be here after dinner. I’m supposed to bring you to his study at eight.”
Peel nodded. “Please tell Rosita I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well. I’m going to lie down.”
“Peel…” Anna reached for her.
“It’s okay. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter Thirteen
Peel paced from the bathroom to the sitting room. After nearly a week, she would finally find out why she was here. But as much as she wanted answers, she was terrified to meet Sebastien Gutierrez. There was a knock at her door, then Anna called, “Peel, it’s Anna.”
She pulled it open. “Anna,” she began, but stopped abruptly when she saw her.
Anna was dressed in a black T-shirt tucked into black military-style pants. Her hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail. The grim line of her mouth and distant eyes warned Peel. Still, she tried to connect with her. “Anna?” she asked tentatively.
Anna’s expression didn’t change. “This way,” she said, her voice flat. They walked down the staircase to a set of double doors Peel hadn’t noticed before. Anna opened one side to reveal a long hallway that Peel guessed ran parallel with the back of the house. Anna led her past three closed doors, only stopping when they reached a massive wooden door at the end of the hallway. Anna knocked, opened the door, and gestured for her to enter. Peel stepped in and heard the door quietly close behind her. She looked back, but Anna was gone.
“Miss Primm, it is so nice to finally meet you.” The man who spoke stood in front of a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. He walked toward her, his hand extended. “I’m Sebastien Gutierrez.” Without thinking, she clasped his hand.
Sebastien was taller than she, but not by much. He was dressed in dark pants, boots, and a white button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal tanned forearms. His watch was military style, the band an army-green canvas strap. He wore rimless glasses, and his salt-and-pepper hair was trimmed close to his head.
Without asking, Sebastien went to a cart of liquor bottles, selected two balloon glasses, and poured two inches of liquor in each. “Cognac,” he said as he handed the glass to her. Since it wasn’t a question, she took the glass and murmured her thanks. The glass vibrated in her hand. Peel was sure he noticed.
Sebastien directed her to a chair in front of the window. “This is one of my favorite rooms in the house.” His tone was conversational, friendly. Peel looked away from him and took in her surroundings. One side of the room was lined with glass cabinets lit from within. They were filled with a variety of objects Peel couldn’t identify. Sebastien followed her gaze. “Are you interested in archaeology?” Without waiting for a reply, he continued. “I spent many years unearthing the treasures of my country for museums and universities. All that hard work only for the most valuable and unique artifacts to be stolen from the people and sold on the black market.” He stood and walked over to the cabinets. “When I left the university, I decided that I would no longer participate in the misappropriation of the Mexican culture. Now I, too, buy off the black market.” He took a sip of his drink. “Please try the cognac.” Mechanically, she complied. The alcohol was smooth on her tongue, then burned pleasantly as she swallowed. She took another, larger sip.
Sebastien stood and beckoned for her to join him in front of the cases. She walked to the glass and looked at shelves of pottery, figurines, disks, and even a couple of masks. The condition of the artifacts surprised her. These weren’t the shards or reassembled objects like she’d seen on her visits to the museums around Denver. Each piece was pristine. For the first time, she spoke. “Did you find all of these pieces?”
“Some,” he said. “But many of my discoveries have been lost to private collections all over the world.” His accent was lyrical, his English formal. “I have contacts who keep me informed when an artifact shows up. I make sure I am the highest bidder. Someday, when I am convinced the museums in Mexico are no longer corrupted by politicians, I will give this collection to the people. For now, I am merely a guardian.” He walked over to the tray of bottles, refilled his glass, and then lifted the bottle to Peel. “Another?”
Other than the two swallows she had taken on command, Peel hadn’t touched her drink. “No, thank you.” Her voice was steadier.
He returned to his chair, crossed his legs, and straightened the pressed seam of his pants. “From the time I was a child, I was fascinated with Mesoamerica and our indigenous civilizations.” She followed him and sat. “I wanted to unearth our ancient history and preserve it so generations of Mexicans could learn of the powerful people we once were. I wanted schoolchildren to go to museums and see all that was accomplished before the invaders destroyed Mexico. This is what is left of my dreams.” There was a passion in Sebastien’s voice and an intensity in his eyes that mesmerized Peel.
“Gabriel Devin killed my dreams.”
Peel started in her chair. She sat up and placed the glass on a side table. “Who’s Gabriel Devin? My great-grandfather’s name was Charles Devin.”
“So I’ve been told. Gabriel Devin is his grandson. For a while, I thought Gabriel Devin might be your father, but”—Sebastien gestured to Peel—“once I saw your picture, I knew that was unlikely.”
“My picture? Where did you see my picture?”
In answer, he walked around his desk and picked up a piece of paper. He held it up so she could see. It was a printout from the Plains Public Library homepage. Peel’s picture was there along with the other librarians and staff members. “You looked me up? Was this because I called the library in Tierra de Oro?”
“Yes. That was fortunate. It was also fortunate that you spoke to the wife of one of my longtime employees. She recognized the name right away.”
“You kidnapped me because my great-grandfather is Charles Devin?” Even though Peel had suggested the connection to Detective Bellamy, the reality was hard to believe.
“No.” Sebastien took a sip of his cognac, clearly enjoying the moment. “I brought you here to find Gabriel Devin.”
“I have no idea who he is. I didn’t even know the name Devin until a few weeks ago,” Peel protested.
“Tell me how that is possible.” The command was polite, but she heard the doubt in his voice.
Peel explained her family history and the discovery of the birth certificate. Sebastien tapped his middle finger on his crossed leg as she spoke. When she finished, he looked at her as if he were judging her honesty. After a long moment of silence, he said, “Gabriel Devin was in charge of the police force in the Tierra de Oro region. He was an angry and bitter man who despised my family and did everything in his power to destroy us. He and his brothers very nearly succeeded.”
“Brothers?”
“Yes, he had three brothers, Pedro, Hector, and Cesar.”
“Had? What happened to them?”
“Gabriel Devin’s blind hatred of my family killed them.” He looked at the glass on the table. “May I replenish your drink?”
“No, thank you,” she replied.
“In Mexico, marijuana and heroin are big business. They are an essential part of our economy providing a guaranteed income to farmers and jobs for those who don’t own land. In Tierra de Oro, the people depend on it, and they depend on my family to take care of them. We are an industry, just like any other. Gabriel Devin sought to destroy that industry.”
Peel blinked and shook her head in confusion, “But isn’t your business illegal in Mexico? If he was a policeman, wasn’t it his job to stop you?”
He waved aside her question. “Yes, in the same way smoking marijuana is illegal in much of the United States. Does your police force waste time finding people who smoke marijuana?” He paused, but the question was rhetorical. “No, because it is not a crime they care about. That is how it is in Mexico. The drug trade benefits the people. It puts food on their tables.”
Peel stared at him. Was that really how it was in Mexico?
“You’ve never heard this side of the story before, have you? Tell me, what does your government do about tobacco? They know it is harmful. What have they done to stop it?” Against her better judgment, Peel found herself nodding.
“It is easy for the United States to interfere in Mexico. No American farmers have to lose their farms, no husbands are out of work. The Mexican government has to appease Washington by making our industry illegal, but they don’t have to enforce these laws.”
“I don’t understand,” Peel said. “I’ve heard of the Mexican police arresting cartel leaders. What about El Chapo?”
Sebastien laughed. “And where is El Chapo now? The United States. Another form of appeasement.” He looked at his watch, frowned, and set his glass down. “I’m sorry, I must cut our conversation short. There is business I must attend to.” He stood and gestured for her to precede him. When they reached the door, he opened it for her. “We will talk more tomorrow.” He looked at a man just outside the door. “Please escort Miss Primm back to her room.”
The door closed softly behind her. That was it? She was no closer to understanding why she was here or when she could go home. With a heavy sigh, she followed the man back to her room.
She got ready for bed but was too agitated to lie down. Again, she paced, her mind whirling with the information she had learned. Gabriel Devin had been a policeman in Tierra de Oro who tried to bring down the Gutierrez family. What happened to his brothers? What happened to him? She wished she could talk to Anna. Maybe Anna couldn’t help her escape, but maybe she could help her find out what happened. But then she remembered how Anna behaved when she escorted Peel downstairs. There would be no help there.
