Amazon's Coliseum III (ENG)

Chapter 59: Tierra Santa

In some hotel on the outskirts of the Metropolitan Area

-...Yes, it's me. Armando Cabrera.

-I'm sorry that we have to speak for the first time in such a horrible situation. Ms. Fazekas has been a great collaborator, and I must admit she was a woman with a lot of potential.

-What ties does she have with you?

-You literally don't have the authority to ask those kinds of questions, ex-prosecutor.

-I'd like to know at least the reason why she left me your contact number.

-I don't think you're that careless; there's a reason you headed the state prosecutor's office for so long...

-...

-Haven't you got it yet?

-Yes, it's just that I'm thinking of all the possible scenarios.

-Now I see why many people there hated you: they wanted you to act before thinking. But that's how things have been done in this country for generations. We're a functional mess. Although it seems we're now running a small risk of that chaos devouring everything like a Lovecraftian entity.

-I'd like to talk about cosmic horror with you, but it would be good if we got to the point.

-The point is this: I'm sorry about what happened to Ms. Fazekas, but right now I can't help you... or rather, I shouldn't have to help you.

-So all that verbiage was just to tell me that you won't help me?

-If you're familiar with that state that decided to break away from the fold because they thought they could survive without federal intervention, you should understand a lot of what I'm talking about. You should know that sometimes it's chaos that makes things go our way here.

Armando, speaking on the phone with the director of the National Intelligence Center, was frustrated listening to the man speaking so cryptically.

-Do you still have friends there? -The man on the other end of the phone asks.

-...

-Don't think it so much, just tell the truth.

-Yes, but I don't know what to think anymore. One of them betrayed me.

-So, for now, trust those you have left. False ones fall on their own.

-Will you help me with that?

-I just said they fall on their own. For now rely on the true ones. Who knows? Maybe I'll have good news for you after that meeting with the president. Now, if you'll excuse me...

-No! Wait! Do you have information that...?

-You have to learn one thing: you weren't a detective anymore, you were the state attorney general. Maybe it was exciting to be out in the field, catching bad guys and being the hero, but sometimes you have to choose people who can execute your vision instead of you hovering over your subordinates. I do, although sometimes I wish I was out there doing something I'm good at.

-Heh... well... but you already said I'm the former prosecutor, and that I don't have many friends left.

-But you still do. Now, I really must go. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me; I'll do it.

The call hangs up, leaving Armando confused. He felt frustrated, but it seemed like his brain was giving him some clues, as if he seemed to have, at least, made a step along that winding path that would lead to the ultimate solution of this situation.