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CH 6: What did you expect

For the past two weeks, my phone has been ringing with job calls from Jess instead of Elio. He was out of the country visiting with some family in Italy.

As I sit in this Cuban diner with Jess, surrounded by the aroma of authentic Cuban food, the lively chatter of the Cuban people blends with the rhythmic beats of Cuban music. The melodic tunes evoke a sense of nostalgia, even though I ain't ever immersed myself in this vibrant culture.

Jess told me the music that was playing was Afro-Cuban. "Daymé Arocena." And he goes on to tell me she was his favorite artist.

I ain't know shit on the menu and Jess kind of explains what each dish was. When a waitress comes to take our order, I get a Cuban sandwich.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked Jess.

His shoulders hop a little. "Go ahead."

"Does Elio kill people?"

There's a long silence from Jess. He looks around the diner before his eyes settle back on me.

"Depends. The guy usually has people to handle his more dirty work," he said.

I drove by Yemaya's place a couple of days ago. Knocked on the door. No answer. Called her cell. No answer. Texted her. No response. 

Eventually, her family reports her missing. I was the last person to see her before Elio did away with her.

Our food came. Jess takes a spoonful of his soup, blowing on it for a bit, then lowers the spoon.

"You want to go to the police, right?"

"Yeah," I said. "Her family is stressed and it's all my fault their daughter is gone."

"Listen, Houston is a large city that Elio invested money into. From politicians to all local police departments."

"Okay?"

Jess shakes his head. "You don't get it do you?"

"What is it I'm supposed to be getting?"

"You think them police out there searching for that girl? They are probably telling her momma and daddy they are doing all they can and go back and sit on their fat pig asses."

And my stomach dropped and I wasn't hungry anymore. I left the diner and stopped at Yemaya's parents ′ place. I sat in my car for a while trying to gather what I wanted to say.

Three swift knocks on the door. Her mama opens the door, and as soon as she sees it is me she collapses into tears. I try to soothe her the best I can.

Inside, she offers me some tea. We sat in the kitchen. Her husband sat in the living room with the news on.

"Sorry, I ain't come by sooner," I said. "Is there anything I can do?"

But what right did I have to come here, when it was my fault she was gone in the first place? The dimly lit room weighed heavily on my conscience, its musty smell clinging to the air. What did I tell her mama?

"Nobody ain't seen nothing the night she was taken. And I find that hard to believe with all them people at that place. The police are just dragging their asses. She's black. They don't care."

I heard the news anchor's urgent voice on TV, mentioning Yemaya and the lack of leads. They pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

If I called Elio... and... and what, Everest? I left without saying anything else to her mama. The police station was the last place I wanted to be. I ain't ever given information or ratted a person out. A police officer working the desk looks at me with annoyance in his eyes.