The Siren's Code

Carlos Martinez

Carlos's home office was pleasantly dark and cool during the midday heat where he sat at his cedar desk, he remembered the day his father proudly gave it to him, if he's honest it's weighed on him ever since. Son, his father had said with the family standing round, I have worked hard all my life and only just made enough to look after you all. Now I pass this on as you graduate from law school, it is your turn to carry the family name forward, they all held up a coupe of rompope to the moment but he knew what his father really meant 'I've tried and failed, now it's your turn to earn some bloody money."

The irony weighed heavier than the desk at this moment, as blood money is exactly what he had earned. An astute young lawyer, best in class, with an eye to spot the cracks and interpretations of the law, he was groomed by one of the largest cartels around. At first it was a bit of cash here, a bit of cash there, how could he have been so naive he sighed heavily.

Now, he was 'the cartel's lawyer' if he put a foot wrong, his wife and daughter would be in danger, the stress had driven them both away but he could never tell them what was going on, the burden was all his. He felt old and tired, his gilded homes across the world just a reminder of how owned he was. He had seen too much, helped too much, his hands were as dirty as theirs, but while his girls were in danger he could see no other option, despair welled up inside him, quietly, alone, where only he knew his secret.

Carlos closed his eyes and bowed his head heavily, as of course even that wasn't true. The cartel saw what he saw, nothing was secret, they knew where he was and who he talked to.

As he sat there, wondering not for the first time if he should get the gun from the safe, his banking app pinged. Gabriela! Mon Dieu, mi amore, Carlos kissed his phad in pure relief, she had made a transaction, so he knew where she was. He had been waiting for this every day since she left three months and three days ago. The Sixth Sense Ecotique Hotel, Nicaragua, he had never been so happy to see his daughter spend his money.

Gabriela had been living with him since she started her degree in law at Mexico City Universidad, something he was exquisitely proud of, she was a sharp cookie and after his wife had moved into their home in the UK permanently, he did wonder if he would see either of them ever again. But this delight turned sour all too quickly, they rubbed each other up the wrong way. He only wanted the best for her, but the more he departed his wisdom on her, about studying hard and partying less hard, the more she defied him. His wife had always said they were like peas in a pod, he couldn't see it, she was wasting her opportunities, opportunities he had worked so hard to give her.

And on top of that he was petrified she would be picked up by a rival cartel. On reflection, of which he had plenty of time for recently, he could see the darkness in himself and how this creeping malaise was more likely to be the route of their disconnect, not perhaps the length of her skirt after all, which he made a mental note not to comment on when he did finally see her.

He slept his multi-Phad, collected a few things from the safe, leaving the gun to live another day, asking Xena to organise his trip and let him know when the helicopter was ready. He would go himself to see that his daughter was safe, he needed a break, maybe they could have a nice time, talvez, talvez, so many maybe's.

Carlos felt a glimmer of hope that he had not felt in months.. years.

***

"Papa!" Gabby exclaimed as she arrived at breakfast, genuinely taken aback.

Her father stood up and opened his arms to give his daughter a hug. "You look like you have seen a ghost, don't say you weren't expecting me?"

"I.. I... was actually expecting your goffas."

"They have names mi amor, we need to show respect."

Gabby rolled her eyes at her father before giving him a warm hug, she had missed him in spite of everything. "You've taken time off Pa?"