Page 15 of V-Day
Aguado came around the vehicle and leaned against the back corner of it and blew out his breath. “I feel as if I’m watching you ride a bronco, Peña,” he said in Spanish. “How does a man rise so high in the ranks with such sloppy impulse control?”
The driver, who had also stepped out, cleared his throat. He was a pink cheeked private and looked to be barely twenty years old. He even had freckles. “General Thorne’s sister was at the benefit when the hospital blew up, Mr. President.” He spoke perfect Spanish.
Duardo looked at Aguado.
“Just great…” Aguado muttered, rolling his eyes. Then he grinned and patted Duardo’s arm. “You’re the President, Peña. I’m just a general.”
Just great… Duardo echoed in his mind and sighed.
*
THE TAXI DRIVER KNEW HOWto get to the big house on the north side of Acapulco, so Adán didn’t need to give directions. The driver also knew who Adán was. His gaze would shift to the mirror so he could examine him. Tonight, he would tell his family about his famous passenger.
Normally, Adán would talk to the man and draw him out. Today, though, he was just too tired to cope with it. He let the silence stretch and watched the resorts and the condo complexes slide past. In between, he glimpsed the blue of the Pacific.
The taxi turned into the grand graveled circular drive of the house and pulled up beside a minivan.
The door of the minivan was open and Minnie and Téra hovered in front of the opening as Rubén Rey eased himself down to the ground. His left leg was encased in a thick cast, as rigid as steel and possibly as heavy, too.
Adán shoved pesos at the driver, murmured his thanks, grabbed the walking stick and his duffle bag and pushed out of the back of the cab. He hobbled over to the minivan and dropped the duffle bag. “Here, let me help.” He rested the cane against the side of the vehicle and thrust his arm under Rey’s back and hoisted him onto his one good foot.
Rey blew out his breath. “Thanks.” He reached for the crutches leaning against the open door.
“Been there,” Adán said. “Sort of.” He grabbed the cane and resettled his own balance.
“You’re back, Adán?” Minnie said, as Téra wrapped herself around Rey, beneath the crutches.
“Did you think I would stay in Los Angeles? Now?” he asked her.
Minnie squinted into the sun, studying him. She was such a tiny thing and Adán only remembered it when he saw her in person. She was larger in his mind. “You can’t go to Vistaria,” she said.
Rey and Téra made their way into the house, making slow progress. Rey was getting used to the crutches, still. He was leaning on them with his shoulders, instead of his hands.
“I’m here to help,” Adán told Minnie. “If I can do that from here, fine.”
“I don’t know if there is much more we can do from the house,” Minnie said. “You are aware of what is happening over there?”
Adán grinned. “Probably more than you. I know the American side of it, too.”
Minnie grinned. “I heard about…Parris, is that her name?”
“I call her Parris. Everyone else just salutes her,” Adán said.
Minnie’s smile broadened. Then it fell. “Oh shit…” she breathed.
“What?” Adán asked, alarm touching him.
“I just remembered.” She chewed her lip, doubt clouding her expression. Then, with an air of confession, she said, “Nick took your boat over to Vistaria. At least, wethinkthat’s what he did. He took Chloe with him, too. At least, we think he did. She disappeared, too, and neither of them are answering their phones.”
Adán shrugged. “So I’m stuck here. It sounds as though you need the help.”
“Only if you know how to ladle soup without spilling it.”
He took her elbow and turned her around to face the house. “Let’s find out.”
*
OLIVIA GAVE INTO TEMPTATION FORa glorious moment. She slid her arms around Daniel’s neck and kissed his cheek.
