Memories of a Life That Never Happened

Chapter 98 - Savoir Faire

Lies, crimes and mystery. The story Mica was telling reeked of scandal and ruined reputations. It was too fascinating to pass unnoticed and if either Carolina or Mica assumed to be having a private conversation, they had it wrong. Behind the study door, Theo and Agnes had been following most of their discussion from the start. 

"What did she say?" Agnes whispered as she tilted her head back. 

Theo touched a finger to his lips. "Shhh! Be quiet or we'll both miss it," he chided in an undertone.  

Agnes bit her bottom lip. "Sorry," she apologized and pressed her ear to the wood again.  

"Let me get this straight," they heard Carolina say. "Who else has looked at these?" 

Theo could picture his mother brandishing a few photos in her hand. Mica's voice came much lower and harder to listen.  

"I guess some people your husband trusts." 

Pushing himself away from the door, Theo turned to Agnes. "Was she supposed to say that?" 

Slightly annoyed to be missing out parts of the dialogue, Agnes explained, "Ishikura saw the shots when Escobar showed them to your father." 

"Oh, in that case, great answer!" Theo praised and returned to the eavesdropping. 

"So you have photos that incriminate both my husband and my son. Nicholas, you said, knows about them. Why didn't you hand these pictures over to the police? Why try to cut a deal with us-twice?" 

"The police can't give me what I want." 

"Ah! So in other words, you do want money." 

There was an anxious pause, and then Mica replied. 

"I want the same thing you do. I want my family to be safe. They burned down my house yesterday. We have nothing left. My mom's in the hospital and she doesn't have a home to come back to. If I give these pictures to the police, your family gets in trouble and mine doesn't get any safer." 

Another moment of silence followed. 

"I was not aware that you're homeless." Theo heard his mother say in what he recognized to be her apologetic tone. "I'm under the impression you believe this was not an accident." 

"I asked the fire department chief. He didn't put it in this many words, but he clearly thinks it was arson." 

"I see. And who would be the perpetrator?" 

Agnes tried to stifle a scoff, but something that resembled a short cough got out anyway. "Your husband," she said. Then, seeing that Theo's eyebrow shot up, she added quickly, "I'm sorry. I know he's your dad. But it's really suspicious."  

Saying nothing but giving her a reproachful frown, Theo kept listening. 

"If I had to guess, I'd say it was the man in the woods. I mean, the guy has a history setting things on fire, doesn't he?" 

"To what purpose would he burn your house?" 

"Having me killed. Frightening me. Avenge the dead boy. Take your pick." 

"Well, I suppose he does have his motives," Carolina said and Mica was insulted how she seemed to be condone such a horrible act. "So what do you want, Mica?" Theo's mother continued. "Money? A new house?" 

"I want to give my deposition knowing nothing I say will put my family in more danger. I want to sleep knowing we're safe. Believe it or not, I don't want to cause you trouble. Despite what you think of me, I love Theo. I would never do anything to hurt him or his family, unless there was no other way to protect my own."  

A warm feeling bloomed as a mushroom inside Theo and brought a smile out of him. 

"That's my girl," Agnes cooed proudly.  

"I can make arrangements to have your family moved to another state. Would that suit you?" 

"My mom'll never agree to that. And if she won't go, neither will Escobar." 

"Well, I'm sorry but how can I help if your family won't budge? I hope you don't expect me to pay a troop of bodyguards to look after your whole family. If some drug dealer is trying to kill you, believe me, this won't be over anytime soon." 

"I know." 

Several minutes passed with indistinct discussions and Theo crouched to spy through the keyhole.  

"What do you see?" Agnes asked. 

"Books," he said a little frustrated.  

"I mean," Mica's voice became audible once again. "You are the best connected couple there is. Is there anyone you could call who could make the problem go away?" 

"How exactly?" 

"I don't know. Set off a manhunt. Your husband could end up being the hero. Say he's doing it for the community." 

Carolina's contemptuous whiff was audible. "Don't be naïve, girl. If this man is indeed a drug lord, he knows how to keep himself under the radar. But I'm starting to glimpse a solution." 

"You are?" 

Theo jolted as Agnes gave his back a little celebratory pat. The door trembled loudly and, to avoid being caught, Agnes elbowed him out of sight and swung the door open. 

"Pardon me," she said casually. "Can I get you anything else, Ma'am?" 

"That's ok, Agnes. We're wrapping it up here. Any word from Nicholas yet?" 

"Ishikura called a while ago. They should be here in one hour." 

"Good." Carolina nodded. 

Agnes remained by the door and earned a puzzled glance from her employer.  

"Is there anything else?" 

"Oh, no Ma'am. Excuse me," she said with a bow of her head and closed the door behind her. 

For the remaining time, words were exchanged in hushed voices. It was possible that Carolina had found Agnes' clumsy entrance a bit suspicious.  

After a long period that Theo spent biting his nails and fabricating a number of possible outcomes to the meeting, he heard footsteps inside the study. Stealthily as possible, he ran across the hall and into the dining room. Just as he had taken a seat on the empty table-something in hindsight he realized looked very awkward-Carolina poked her head out of the study. 

"Agnes?" she shouted and the housekeeper's rubber sole shoes screeched throughout the corridor.  

"Yes, Ma'am." 

"Would you please bring me the phone?" Carolina asked. Then she faced Mica, who was standing next to her and, as Theo noticed, did not look very pleased. 

"You asked for my help. This is it," Carolina told her. 

"I'll talk to Escobar." 

"We don't have time for that. I need your answer." 

"I can't. Not before I talk to him." 

Carolina inhaled loudly. "Very well. You have until noon." 

After a short acknowledgment with her head, Mica stepped out of the study, into the corridor. 

"I'll show myself out."  

Taking the phone from Agnes, Carolina murmured, "Hotheaded girl," and locked herself in the study again.  

Theo cursed under his breath. Were they in their city apartment, he would simply pick up a second phone and continue with his espionage. This house, however, had only one telephone set. If he wanted to know how the diplomatic campaign ended, he would have to endure the wait.