FUGITIVE

CHAPTER 5

Day 11

I try not to move as Lorenzo leaves the barn. The events from yesterday have me still pretty shaken up. Why does Lorenzo have the medallion tattooed? How does he even know about the medallion?

As I get out of bed, images of drunk Lorenzo flash in front of me. More than ever, I find myself doubting him and his loyalty. He still hasn't said a word about Luca or any of Javier's men who have not been caught yet.

Today, he left the barn without even looking at the board like he does every morning. As I study the board further, I cannot find any more information than I did yesterday. All my leads are at a dead end. There are only 5 points which stick out to me:

1. I'm somewhat of a suspect in this case.

2. This case has been going on for a while but Lorenzo didn't have any connection to it until two months back. So why choose Lorenzo now?

3. Lorenzo does not have any solid evidence on Luca except for the photo of him meeting Javier. (or does he?)

4. Lorenzo has somehow seen the medallion.

5. My relationship to Luca isn't mentioned in any of the files. So how did Lorenzo know I'm his wife?

My mind is spinning with questions. Who is Lorenzo working for and how exactly do I fit in to this particular case? Is Lorenzo even "protecting" me or am I just bait? Who is he?

I decide I would just confront him point-blank when he comes back today. I have nothing to hide and neither should he.

As I organize the folders back into place, I see a blue folder peeking out that I haven't seen before. As I pull it out, I see my name printed with the words confidential stamped on it. Just as I get ready to read the details, I hear the barn door opening and slip the folder into my tote bag.

"Here are some books that I found for you. I figured you would be pretty bored just sitting here all day and I thought reading a book might help."

I snicker. If only he knew just how "bored" I am.

"Uhm, yes that is a great idea. The boredom is almost killing me", I laugh dryly.

He cracks something that could barely be called a smile and heads over to the board.

"So, any new information or leads recently?", I ask him.

"Nothing so far. I told you, I haven't been able to get in touch with my superior officers so I'm kind of clueless right now. They have no idea where I am or that I have a civilian with me."

"Civilian, Lorenzo?", I scoff. "You have to give me some credit."

"Right, sorry."

~

I sit on my bed and fiddle with my fingers. I'm confused whether or not to confront Lorenzo with my doubts. For all I know, he might not even know any more than me. I don't know what rank he holds and whether his superiors trust him with information as sensitive as this.

As for the tattoo, if he knows that I recognize it, questions may surface, and I'm not sure I'll be able to give him any answers. My knowledge of the medallion goes back to the attack, and that isn't something I want to talk about.

I watch as Lorenzo drinks crappy coffee as he goes through his files and scribbles notes on the side. I'm so curious to know what he's writing when he doesn't have any new information, but if I do talk to him, I will have to talk to him about yesterday and I would prefer it if we could ignore it altogether.

He notices me watching him and opens his mouth with the stupidest words I have ever heard coming out of it. "So, about yesterday..."

"No. We don't have to talk about that. You clearly don't owe me any explanation and I'd rather not hate you any more than I do now", I say, with anger seeping out of my voice. What he did yesterday was unacceptable and anything he says now is going to be to defend it and I don't have the energy to focus on his stupidity with all these unanswered questions floating around in my head.

He hangs his head in what looks like shame, and continues with his notes. I feel bad for him, but I cannot feel sorry for him now, not when he is hiding so many things from me.

I imagine what life must be like, if I was living in Germany with my husband right now. I would probably be baking while cooking beef on the side, because we like to have taco days in the middle of the week. It started as a prank when we were first married, and eventually it became a tradition to have taco day once a month. Mary-Ann would be sitting on the wooden swing on the porch outside, gushing about how my Bethmännchen reminds her of her grandmother's home on Christmas Day.

As I keep my mind busy with the thoughts of home and family, I almost don't notice Lorenzo walking towards me.

He sits on the floor next to me and hands me a journal. "This is from back then. I know there are times when I can act like a, what do you Germans call it? Ah, durchfall. But I promise you I don't mean to."

I resist the urge to laugh. "Okay, first off, apology accepted. Second, I think you meant to say dummkopf, which means idiot, but what you said meant diarrhea."

I laugh out loud as he hides his face in embarrassment. I might hate him, but he sure can make me laugh.

As he recovers, he looks at me. "So, I have been watching the market and I think it's safe enough for you to come with me tomorrow. It doesn't look suspicious and I think it's about time you step out of the barn. I don't know how you haven't lost your mind yet", he says, turning his nose up in the air and looking around.

I nod my head and as he turns in for the night, I stay up making a list of all the things I need to buy. As much as I appreciate Lorenzo's help, its time for me to protect myself.