Читать книгу Reluctant Gemini - Lawrence BSL Warren - Страница 6

Rudy opened his eyes to find himself in a cold dark unfamiliar room. The windows were covered with heavy draperies and the wall air conditioning unit was working at top speed. He got to his feet and surveyed the rest of the motel room. Pamela was wrapped in covers in the bed next to his. The digital clock on the night stand between the two beds showed 1:26 P.M. He had slept for about seven hours on his right side without moving and he felt stiff and cramped.

Quietly he made his way into the bathroom, slowly closed the door and then flipped the light switch on. He did not want to disturb her. He took a long hot shower to sooth the soreness in his muscles and joints. He shaved with a new disposable razor and tried on the white terrycloth robe he found hanging on back of the door. He turned out the light and quietly opened the door.

Pamela was awake and propped up in her bed and she too was dressed in a white motel robe. “Good morning,” she said. “You can adjust the air conditioner to whatever is comfortable to you now. I like it turned up to freezing when I’m trying to sleep, especially when I’m away from home.”

“Did you sleep well then?” he asked.

“Yes, like a rock. How about you?”

“I passed out. I didn’t move a muscle the entire time.”

Pamela watched him gather his clean clothes and return to the bathroom to dress. “I’m going to find us some coffee and something to eat. Are you hungry too?”

“Yes, coffee sounds great and whatever you can find to go with it.”

“You’d better get dressed while I’m gone. We need to leave here as soon as we can.”

“Okay,” she said. And he made sure the door was locked behind him.

He walked to the corner donut shop and bought two coffees and peach danish. During his walk back to the room, he thought he saw the black Lincoln driving slowly past the motel entrance. He stepped behind a telephone pole to watch what the car would do. It continued to move along with the Sunday afternoon traffic. Rudy hurried to his rental car and placed the coffee and pastries on the dash and looked behind himself checking to make sure no one was watching him.

As he opened the motel door Pamela was dressed and zipping her suitcase shut. “Come on, we have to leave right now.”

“What’s the matter?” she asked with wide eyes.

“We may be being watched by some of Juan’s men. I’m not sure, but we can’t take the chance.” He picked up their luggage and motioned to her to go before him with a jerk of his head towards the door. She needed no further persuasion and was to the door holding it open for him this time.

While he put the luggage in the trunk of the Ford, she climbed into the passenger seat and examined the surrounding courtyard. “What makes you think someone may be watching us,” she asked as Rudy started the car.

“When I came out of the donut shop I saw a black Lincoln, just like the one they took me to the mountains in, driving past the motel. I couldn’t see the driver, but the car was moving slowly and looked very suspicious.”

“But Rudy there must be hundreds of black Lincolns in New York City.”

“Yeah, probably thousands. Juan’s firm has a whole fleet of them. But all we need to do is miss the one that’s them.

Pamela thought about that for a moment and then said, “What do you think we should do next?”

Rudy took a deep breath and said, “I think it’s time for us to get out of town. If we stay here, sooner or later, they will find us. I think the best thing would be to go to Mexico and look for Inez or find her family to see if she has been in touch with them. They may be able to explain what happened at your house yesterday and that may be the proof we need to bring charges against Juan.”

“Rudy....finding Inez is the most important thing on my mind. I need to know she’s safe and not in immediate danger.”

“Yes, I know, and this may be our only chance to get away from here. If it’s not Juan’s men killing us, it may be the police locking us up. Either way it looks better to me if we just vanish for a while and Mexico would be my choice.”

“Do you think it smart for us to go to the airport?” she questioned.

“No, not in New York it’s not. But we’re only about 100 miles from Philadelphia and we can drive that in about two and a half hours. It’s just going on two o’clock. We’d be there about 4:30 or 5:00 this evening and be able to catch the 8:10 P.M. flight to El Paso. With the time change and flight time we’d be there around midnight. What do you say?” She looked at him for a long moment and wondered why leaving the country with him sounded so exciting and natural. She simply nodded her head in agreement and became emotional with an overwhelming feeling of pride. He was a good man.

Rudy took the coffees and pastries from the dash and handed them to Pamela. “Peach Danish?” he offered.

“Oh Yes, they’re one of my favorites. How did you know?”

“It’s one of those intuitive skills we Matadors have. We may sometimes not know which end of the bull the horns are on but we never get a lady’s Danish wrong.”

Pamela chuckled at his ability to make light of his profession and took a big bite out of her pastry. “Mmmm, that’s a good one,” she said with icing smeared on both cheeks. Rudy drank his coffee and drove southwest out of the city while watching her relish both of the pastries.

The traffic was light on the parkway and they were making good time.“Have you ever been to Juarez?” Rudy asked.

“No....I’ve been to Mexico a number of times, on vacations with my family when I was younger....but Juarez was never included in any of the resort guides. How about you, Mr. Globetrotter?”

“Yes, I’ve been many times. I have dear friends outside of the city that have become like family to me. We have not seen each other for the last few years. Juarez has become a war zone. The drug cartels are shooting at each other, the police, the Army, the city officials and anybody they find on the streets. As many as 75 people a week are being killed and hundreds of innocent people are being wounded. Stray bullets are flying everywhere and you can’t tell who’s shooting at you or why. So sadly I’ve declined all offers to fight the bulls at the Juarez Plaza de Toros. You can see why I find it ironic that Inez would leave New York City and go to Juarez to get away from danger. But home is home, I guess, and all else be damned.”

“Do you think it’s safe enough for us to go there now?” she asked.

He did not answer for a long moment then said, “I see little difference between the two cities when it comes to us being safer....and maybe that’s what Inez is feeling too.”

They were both in deep thought for the remaining drive. They arrived in Philadelphia at 4:50 P.M. as Rudy had predicted. They drove directly to the Philadelphia International Airport and the Southwest Air Lines curb side baggage check and ticket counter. Rudy hailed a Sky Cap and asked him to return the rental car to the proper vendor and handed him his contract and a forty dollar tip.

After buying two first class tickets to El Paso and making their way though the security maze, Rudy suggested their find the VIP Lounge and have a proper dinner. The lounge was small and had no windows and was lit only by a small candle on each of the dozen tables. The thick dark red carpeting and velour draperies that lined the walls kept the terminal traffic noise to a minimum and made Pamela wish she was wearing a small black dress instead of her casual traveling clothes. The waiters were all dressed in black suits and seemed to speak just above a whisper. They were escorted to a small corner table and Rudy held her chair for her to be seated. He took the corner seat and asked her if she would like a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner. “Yes, a nice red wine would be fine.” Rudy instructed the waiter to send the Wine Steward to their table and ordered a large single malt scotch on the rocks for himself. The Steward arrived wearing the customary silver chain and cup of his trade and carrying a tray with Rudy’s scotch.

“The lady would like a nice red wine. What can you offer us?” Rudy said.

“We have several fine Clarets and Cabernet Sauvignons on hand. Does the lady’s taste lean to the hardy red wines or the softer red?” Rudy looked to Pamela for the answer.

“A hardy Claret would be wonderful,” she replied.

“Bring us a bottle of fine Claret and two glasses,” Rudy ordered.

After the steward had gone to fetch the claret, they opened his dinner menu and Rudy asked, “do you like shellfish?”

“Sure,” she said.

“How about bouillabaisse,” he continued.

“Yes, I like it but I don’t see it listed here.”

“Well let’s see if we can make it a special request. If, of course you don’t object to having fish with your red wine.”

“Not at all. I break that silly little rule all the time,” she said with air an of disregard. They both chuckled at her pretense.

The Wine Steward returned to their table and showed Rudy the bottle he had selected from the wine cellar. He uncorked the wine and placed the cork on the table and poured a small amount of the dark purple liquid into the glass in front of Rudy. Rudy lifted the glass to his nose and inhaled the bouquet. Then swirled the wine around the inside of the glass for a few moments and took another sniff.

He handed the glass to Pamela and said, “Please do the tasting honors. My palate is affected by the scotch.”

She took the glass from him and proceeded to do the same sniffing, swirling and sniffing before taking a small taste of the wine. “It’s excellent, a very fine wine,” she proclaimed.

“Thank you madam, it’s one of our finest, a 1990 Chateau Latour, he said and poured a few drops into his silver cup and took a taste. “Superb, bon appetite,” he said as he poured Pamela’s glass about one third full.

Rudy seemed right at home asking the waiter if the chef was agreeable to preparing non- menu dishes upon request, and if he could make them a special lobster Bouillabaisse.

To their delight the answer was yes and the chef himself would be right out from the kitchen to discuss their order. Within a few minutes the chef arrived at their table. Pamela was amazed as he instantly recognized Rudy as “El Gardo” and wiped his hands on his apron to shake Rudy’s hand. The two men spoke in Spanish as Rudy acknowledged that he was indeed the famed Toreador. After a few moments of polite conversation and hardy hand pumping, Rudy spoke in English as he introduced Pamela to the restauranteur.

“Pamela, we have the honor of being the guests of Chef Fernando Navarro. Chef Navarro, I’d like to introduce my beautiful companion, Doctor Pamela Bean.”

Chef Navarro offered his hand to Pamela and without the prior vigorous shaking with Rudy, smiled and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Doctor, and to have such a beautiful couple as our guests.”

She blushed at the notion that they were considered a couple and said, “Please call me Pamela.”

“That will be my honor Señorita and you must call me Fernando. I would like to make for you and Señor Rodriguez a special banquete.”

Again Rudy and Fernando spoke to each other in Spanish and the only word Pamela understood from their conversation was bouillabaisse. The two men seemed to have reached an agreement. Both were smiling and nodding their heads together.

Rudy was the first to speak in English and said, “Fernando we insist that you join us for your culinary masterpiece and this excellent wine.”

“Sí, sí, yes, I will be delighted to join you for dinner, but now I must return to my kitchen and prepare.”

As soon as he had gone their waiter returned and moved them to a larger table that had been set for four. He quickly removed the fourth place setting and rearranged the remaining three. The Wine Steward, in anticipation of their needs, decanted the second bottle of Chateau Latour and poured a glass for the vacant third place and then refilled their glasses.

After they were alone Pamela asked, “What was it Fernando called you when you met?”

A big smile came to Rudy’s face, “He called me El Gardo. It’s my Spanish nick name. All Matador’s earn one from their audience over a period of time of performing in the bullring. Some are good and some are not so good. I was fortunate to have been dubbed El Gardo.”

“What does it mean?” she coaxed.

“It means The Generous One or He of fine Bearing.”

“Wow....that’s impressive, so why did they nick name you, El Gardo?”

“From my earliest days in the bullring it was well known that I was from a well-to-do family and that I was heir to a large trust fund. My annual allowance, even as a teenager, was more than most established Matadors earn in a year. Although I was still living at the Abby and was a ward of the Monks, I had a very fine lifestyle. From the start I did not need the extra money I was paid at the bullfights and managed to save and invest most of it. By the time I was twenty I owned a sizable villa in the south of Spain and was raising Arabian horses and cattle. We took in any of the local orphans that came looking for food and shelter and soon we had to build a second bunkhouse to hold them all. I had become a very popular and a favored young Matador by this time and the Sunday afternoon crowds would call my name and cheer as I entered the arena. I was very proud to be recognized as one of the best at such a young age and that I made it without any major injuries. About ten years ago, the newspapers carried my picture with the caption “El Gardo” and a story about the orphans I was supporting at the villa. I have been “El Gardo” from that day on.”

Pamela waited to see if Rudy was finished before asking her question, “ How many orphans are you caring for?”

“It changes from time to time, sometimes it’s only about 35 and sometimes it’s as many as 75.”

“You are the generous one,” she confirmed.

“Well it’s not just a handout or pure charity. They have to work for what they get and attend the local schools and go to church every Sunday. We try to teach them the skills of operating a villa and they receive an allowance each month, money they can use any way they wish.”

“Do you ever have any bad apples with problems too big that money can’t solve?” “Yes, ever so often one comes along that has been abused to the point that he can’t trust anyone. I know that I can’t change the damage that’s been done to them so I can’t let them stay and become an abuser to the others. In those casas I try to make a deal with them. I offer to have them accompany me to my prior guardian, Friar Manuel at the Monastery del Durango. If they agree with the deal I will pay 100 Euros a month for them to stay there and study with the monks. They may leave at any time they wish.”

“Is that the Monastery where you and your brother grew up?”

“Yes.”

“Do they stay or do they run off?”

“Some are gone by morning or within a few days, but some have been there for years. It all depends on their attitude.”

“And do you continue to pay them?”

“Yes, of course, as long as they stay. That’s the deal we have.”

“You are a remarkable man Mr. Rodriguez, a true gentlemen. A true El Gardo.” Rudy smiled at her approval and refilled their wine glasses.

Fernando came from the kitchen removing his apron, seated himself at the table, lifted his wine glass in the air and said, “Salute.” Pamela and Rudy raised their glasses and repeated the toast, “Salute.” Each took a drink of wine and Fernando said that their bouillabaisse would be ready to be served after a few minutes of simmering.

“So tell me, what part of the world are you two off to see,” he said looking at Pamela.

“We’re booked on tonight’s flight to El Paso, Texas, and then we’ll cross the boarder into Juarez, Mexico,” she said with a slight slur.

Fernando turned to Rudy and asked, “Do you know what’s going on down there? It’s an all out war between the drug gangs. Thousands of people are being killed. Why would you want to go to such a dangerous place?”

Rudy nodded his head that he understood the cause for concern and said, “we’re looking for a missing friend of Pamela’s, and she’s from Juarez. We’re hoping to find her there. We have no intention of getting involved with the locals feuds. We’ll be in and out before anyone has time to know we’re there.”

“Oh....they’ll know you are there all right. The Juarez Drug Cartel has bribed the corrupt Mexican Authorities for decades. Nothing goes on unreported to them. That’s why they are so powerful. That and ten thousand heavily armed foot soldiers who have no fear of reprisal. You must be very careful. They are smart and ruthless men.”

“Thank you for your advice and concern, amigo. This is something that we do not do lightly, but something we must do. So....for tonight we must celebrate with good friends, good wine and good food, for tomorrow our destiny awaits us.” Rudy raised his glass and said, “Salute.” Pamela and Fernando both raised their glasses but did not offer the cheer.

Three waiters each carrying a silver tray with a single large tureen approached the table. Simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed until perfect, they placed the soup bowls upon the three china platters that had been placed on the table beforehand.

Pamela inhaled the steaming concoction and murmured with delight, “Mmm, Fernando you are a genius.”

“Gracias, Señorita, you are most kind. I hope it’s as Señor Rudy had requested.”

“Yes, it’s even better than I could have imagined,” Rudy said after tasting his first spoon full.

“Tonight is the eve of my 30^th birthday and I am honored to be spending it in such fine company, enjoying a meal fit for a king.”

Pamela raised her wine glass and said, “Here’s to Rudy’s birthday. Happy birthday Gemini.” She sipped her wine and began to giggle saying out loud what had passed through her thoughts. “You’re a twin and you were born under the sign of Gemini, the twins. That’s four...of you.” She started laughing uncontrollably at her irrelevant observation. The two men looked at each other as if they were missing some unexplained humor and smiled at her. After a few minutes of laughing to herself she tried to apologize for her rudeness. Each time she tried to say, “I’m sorry” her giggles and laughter grew louder. She appeared to be happy and without a care in the world and that made Rudy feel good.

After their dinners were finished and the laughter had died down, it was time to make their way to the concourse for their flight, Fernando announced that dinner was on him as his gift to Rudy and Pamela. Rudy thanked him repeatedly and insisted that he pay for the wine and the tip for the waiters. Fernando relented after Rudy took out his money clip and counted out twelve one hundred dollar bills and laid them on the table. The three hugged and shook hands as if they were long lost family that would not be seeing each other for a long time.. Pamela promised Fernando that they would come back sometime to see him.

As the two of them hurried to their gate Pamela asked why he had left so much money for the wine and tip.

“The Chateau Latour is over four hundred dollars a bottle and I could not permit Fernando to be held to such generosity. The outstanding Bouillabaisse he made was from items he had on hand in his kitchen, and his time. Without paying for the wine we could not tip the waiters. It seemed to me like the most fair arrangement.”

“You know a lot about wine?” she asked, with one eye shut.

“All Spaniards like to think they know a lot about wine. It’s our native drink. It’s good for the soul. The Monastery del Durango has a very fine winery, and while growing up there I got to help with the wine making....and drinking,” he added with a knowing smile.

As they arrived at their assigned gate first class boarding was being called and they were escorted to their seats. Rudy told Pamela that he would like to have the aisle seat and that she would be able to sleep more comfortably at the window seat. Without a word she sat down and rested her shoulder against the bulkhead and closed her eyes. She passed out. Rudy had the flight attendant bring her a pillow and blanket. The four hour flight was smooth with no turbulence and the landing at El Paso was perfect.

After taxiing to the terminal Rudy gently shook Pamela awake. “Okay, Sleeping Beauty, we’re here,” he told her.

“We’re here already?” She seemed confused and not sure where here was. She looked around trying to get her bearings and remembered what had happened that made her feel so bad. “The Chateau Latour was so good going down but now I think it might be coming up. Wine may be good for the soul but it’s sure not good on the head and stomach. I feel awful.”

“All you need is a little fresh air and perhaps some water and you’ll be fine.”

“No, I think I need more than just air and water. Like another eight or ten hours of sleep and a hand full of aspirin.”

“We should be able to find you the aspirin inside the terminal but it’ll be two or three more hours before you’ll be getting anymore sleep.”

“Ooooh Rudy never let me drink wine again.”

A flight attendant announced that they would be disembarking at the El Paso terminal in a few minutes and that it was 10:14 P.M. local time and 79 degrees and clear skies.

“10:14, I feel like it’s the middle of the night,” she said as she looked at her wrist watch.

“Yes, El Paso is two hours behind New York, so, guess who gets to live those last two, not-feeling-too-good hours, all over again,” he teased.

She tried to smile at him as if everything was better but her chalky drained complection told the truth of her condition. She had a wine hang over. Pamela staggered as she tried to stand up, bumping into him. Rudy steadied her and offered his arm for her to lean on. She took a firm hold of his wrist and they made their way off the plane. Once they were inside the terminal Rudy found a Sky Cap pushing an empty wheelchair looking for anyone who might need his assistance. Rudy hailed the man over to them and handed him a wad of bills. Without a word of objection, Pamela climbed into the chair and closed her heavy eyes. Rudy took control of the wheelchair and wheeled her though the crowd heading to the baggage check. He took his time getting there knowing that he would have to wait and be one of the last people to collect their four suitcases from the turnstile. He would need to leave the luggage with Pamela while he rented a car.

After fifteen minutes of watching other passengers retrieve their items from the conveyor, Rudy began to collect the four bags. He wheeled Pamela into a far corner and piled the luggage along side of her.

“Pamela....Pamela,” he shook her awake. “You must stay here with the bags while I go for the car. Do you understand? You must promise to stay right here and I’ll be back to get you soon.” Pamela nodded her head in a slow reply without opening her eyes.

He watched her for a moment as she lowered her head and went back to sleep. He wondered if she would be alright left on her own and if he was doing the right thing by leaving her. With a degree of apprehension, he turned and walked out of the terminal, looking back at her every few steps. After all, she is a full grown woman and a doctor certainly capable of taking care of herself. She would probably resent any innuendo or action from him that would imply to the contrary, he thought, trying to reassure himself.

He caught the shuttle to the rental car service and was back to the baggage claim area within thirty minutes. He parked at the curb along side of the main set of automatic doors where he had left Pamela and started inside for her.

The police officer on duty along the walk pointed to Rudy and said, “Hey you, you can’t park here. Move the car.”

“Yes, I know officer, but I’m by myself and have a young women in a wheelchair and four heavy suitcases to get inside.”

“I’m sorry buddy, but no one is permitted to leave a vehicle here. You’ll have to move the car to the short term parking lot and walk back across the street.”

“But I’ll only be a minute,” Rudy pleaded. The Patrolman put his hands on this hips and shook his head from side to side. “Okay,” Rudy said and got back into the car and pulled away.

It took him another fifteen minutes to find the entrance for shot term parking and an open space for the car. He hurried back across the street and passed the Officer, who was now telling another driver to move his car. Inside the baggage area Rudy found the four bags just as he had left them, but Pamela was nowhere in sight. He looked up and down the wide corridor hoping to see her among groups of people. Maybe she woke up and decided to return the wheelchair to the Sky Caps. He looked at his watch, 55 minutes had passed since he had left her. He went back to the police officer on the sidewalk and told him that the young women he had been with was missing and asked if he had seen anyone come out in a wheelchair. The officer asked what she looked like and how old she was. Rudy described her as a very beautiful blond, 5 foot 6 inches tall and about one hundred and fifteen pounds and twenty-seven years old. She was a doctor from New York City here in El Paso to find a missing friend. And that she only needed the wheelchair because she had had too much wine at dinner. The officer told him that no one in a wheelchair had passed him and suggested she probably went to the ladies room. Rudy thanked him and hurried back inside to find the closest rest rooms to where he had last seen her.

He waited outside the ladies room entrance and watched patiently for almost twenty minutes before asking for help from a girl coming out.

“Excuse me miss, I need your help. I’m looking for a lost lady friend named Pamela. She is not feeling well and may be inside the rest room, either sick or asleep. Could you go back inside and ask if Pamela is in there?”

The girl smiled and nodded her head yes and turned back to the door. She opened it and shouted “Pamela....Pamela, are you in there?” After a few moments without an answer back she looked at him and shook her head no, and walked away.

“Thanks” he called out to her back. It was now over an hour and fifteen minutes from the time that he had left her alone.

He walked back to the pile of luggage and had a Sky Cap load it into the trunk of the rental car. He wondered what he should do next to find her. Airport Security should be informed and an official report to the El Paso Police Department. A Missing Persons Report could not be filed prior to 24 hours in the case of a missing adult. It was after mid-night on a Sunday, not much could be done until tomorrow morning. He drove south towards the Rio Grand River and checked into a Mexican style motel just two blocks from Juarez. He wanted to be within walking distance of the border. He told the motel clerk that he would be staying for a week or two, maybe more. He would not be leaving until his business was done. He made a silent solemn vow, he would not leave without the woman he loved.