Page 27 of Freedom Fighters
When they reached the market itself, Angelo wandered over to greet them. He had been waiting at the entrance to the town square. Garrett acknowledged him with a nod and everyone split up. The strategy had been decided back atthe camp. They would wander the stalls by themselves, checking each other’s backs to see if anyone was following or taking an interest in them. At the appointed hour, Carmen and Garrett would head for the café where the meeting was to take place.
A big clock on a tower at the end of the market square showed the time. There was just over twenty minutes before the meeting.
Carmen made herselfstroll, moving at the same speed as other shoppers. She lingered at stalls whose produce caught her eye, held up shawls for inspection and prodded tomatoes and peppers of all sorts. The fruit on display made her mouth water, only she had no cash with which to buy it. It had been weeks since she’d had any fruit.
Halfway around the edge of the square, she ran into Insurrectos. They were off duty,for they laughed and thumped each other on the shoulder. All three of them carried mugs of beer. They took up the space between the stalls, forcing people to step around them, or move to one side while they passed.
Carmen stayed behind them, slowing even more. If this was a typical small town market, there would be a beer “garden” somewhere in the market. It would be a roped off area where mencould buy beer to offset the heat of the day. They were required to stay within the roped area while they drank their beer. The Insurrectos were making their own rules.
There would be even more Insurrectos in the garden itself. Carmen didn’t want to risk walking past it and be recognized by one of them. So far, no one had called out her name. It was possible that even if they recognized her,these locals would think she was someone who looked like Carmen Escobedo. After all, what would the daughter of the former President be doing wandering in this small town market all by herself, right in front of Insurrectos?
If only you knew.
At the appointed hour, Carmen made her way back to the side of the square where the café was located. With a last casual glance around, she spotted Efraín,who gave her a wide smile. The coast was clear, then. Satisfied, she went inside the café.
There was a booth at the back. It was one of two corner booths that could seat six people around the circular table. A lone man sat at the table, stirring his spiced coffee. He didn’t look up when she stepped inside, yet his was the only table with a single person sitting at it. Carmen walked over to thetable. “Can I share your table?”
He looked up. He was English-looking, with clear skin and blue eyes and a soft tan. This was Nemesis? He looked like a mild-mannered accountant.
“I’m waiting for someone.” He gave her a small smile, as if he was sorry to disappoint her.
“My mistake,” she told him and dropped her voice. “Unless you’re Nemesis?”
He relaxed and nodded. “Have a seat. Is it justyou?”
She shook her head. “The other will be here in a moment.” She slid onto the seat and moved around to give Garrett room when he arrived. She considered Nemesis again. “You’re not what I expected.”
“Good.” His tone was flat. His gaze flickered away as Garrett walked up to the table. His eyes narrowed as he took in Garrett’s appearance.
Without the hat, which Garrett held in his hand, andwithout the beard, Garrett’s scars were clear. The one on his left cheek writhed up into a white spot that made Carmen think of skin peeled away, layer after layer, leaving the dermis exposed.
Garrett sat next to Carmen, putting her between the two of them. He placed his medical bag at his feet so the red symbol faced the other diners. He looked up as the waitress appeared. “Another pot of spicedcoffee, please,” he told the waitress.
Nemesis studied them both. “How good is your English?” he asked softly, in English.
“I’m American,” Garrett said.
“I’m fluent,” Carmen told Nemesis. “I spent years in the States.”
“I know,” he told her. “I bring greetings from your uncle. Directly from your uncle.”
Carmen caught her breath as pleasure shot through her. “Really?” Then the questions surged.“Are they all right? Is Minnie…did she…?” She pressed her lips together. It wasn’t good to speak names aloud. Perhaps the single name among the English would be missed.
“She’s fine,” Nemesis said. “She’s also married.” His mouth quirked up into a one-sided smile. “And pregnant.”
Carmen sat back, relief washing through her. It was so strong it felt as though it was drawing all her energy as itpassed through her limbs. “She found him,” she breathed.
“She did, indeed,” Nemesis said. He paused as the waitress brought the second pot of coffee and two more cups and left again. “I’ve been instructed to tell you that if you want to go home, arrangements can be made.”
Garrett tensed, next to her, but didn’t speak.
“Acapulco isn’t home. There’s no place for me, over there,” Carmen said.
Nemesis gave her a small smile. “That’s what your uncle said you’d say. We were uncertain of your circumstances. There was a possibility the big house would be a haven for you. It’s good to know you don’t need it.” His gaze flickered toward Garrett.
“She’s free to leave if she wants. No one signs a contract with me,” Garrett said stiffly.
“Is she a good soldier?” Nemesis asked.
