Chapter 5
5
C am bent over in the field, sweat pouring down his face as he shoved the dirt to the side. His stained shirt was plastered to his skin and the mud caked on the bottom of his pants made moving difficult. The mountainside was populated with poppy plants hidden with towering pines and fir trees. The creeks nearby, with the pipe irrigation system, normally kept the plants watered. The earthquake had damaged the system and one of Cam’s jobs was to dig new holes and re-lay pipes.
Standing, he stretched his broad back and glanced around. The other workers were starting to head back toward the hut for the midday break.
He had found the time to send a few cryptic messages through his secure phone but had spent the last three days in hard labor and getting the lay of the land. Most of the workers he was with were healthy, having come from other areas outside the earthquake location and, like his undercover story, were just looking for hourly labor that paid well.
They lived in wooden huts, cooked over a campfire, and worked from sunup to sundown. He had started out at a small independent farm, but with his size and ability to work long hours, it was not long before one of the cartel agents sent him to the hillside to work on the irrigation. If the plants were not watered, they would die, and the cartel was not about to take any more losses than they had to.
“Hey, Big Man,” one of the workers called over. “You ready to take a break? You show us up and the bosses will want us to do more.”
Cam smiled and lumbered over to the group that was sitting under a tree, water bottles and sandwiches as their lunch. In the couple of days, he had been there, he knew that these men were farmers, not cartel members—a great distinction because of Mexico’s need for marketable crops. With the legalization of marijuana in many areas, the Mexican farmers could no longer afford to grow it. But with the increase of heroin, growing poppy was profitable. They did not care what they grew or what happened to the crop after they were paid.
He also found them to be a source of information about the earthquake and the local hierarchy of the cartel.
“How’s your brother?” Cam asked one of the men.
“Haven’t heard from him lately but his wife said he was treated at one of the camps. Said they got some doctors and nurses that’ll patch ‘em up,” Andreas answered. “I got a field that my family works but came here for the money when they needed some extra hands.”
“Who’s taking care of your crops?” another asked.
“Got some kids working my small farm. My oldest is ten—he’ll work it until I can get back.”
Hiding his disgust behind his chewing, Cam thought of the kids working in fields. He watched the men carefully to plan how best to get closer to the central compound where Miriam would be kept. Slow and steady, he thought. Rushing in too soon would do her no good.
“They got a lot of these camps with doctors and nurses?” Cam asked casually.
“Not many, I don’t think. I heard on the radio that Los Mochis had some and I know the workers went to clinics that were closer to the fields. The earthquake hurt mostly where there were buildings.” The man looked at the wooden hut behind them and chortled. “As you can see, our dwelling stood tall.”
The others laughed and Cam grinned along with them.
“I haven’t listened to a radio,” he continued. “Was there a lotta’ people hurt?”
“Oh, yeah,” one of the other men said as the others nodded. “Even the men who own these fields had a lot hurt. Some of their farmworkers or staff were in buildings that would have fallen down.”
The men continued to discuss what the earthquake felt like for several minutes. Cam nodded occasionally as though he had been there too, while his mind worked furiously at a plan for getting closer to the compound.
“Anyone ever come up here to check on things?” Cam asked.
“We should be getting a visitor in the next day or so,” the old farmer replied. “They come to check on us and see that things are moving forward. In fact, they should come soon to check on the pipes.”
“What happens when these pipes are working?” Cam asked. “Don’t want to be without work this winter.”
Nodding, another man agreed. “Yeah, I ain’t got no farm to get back to.”
Andreas said, “Don’t worry. You’ll be taken care of. They always need workers.” Glancing around at the sparse living conditions they had, he added, “But some jobs are better than others.” He landed his gaze back on Cam and said, “You, Big Man. You could be used for hauling or maybe even get a job driving one of the trucks.”
Not going to be around long enough for that, Cam thought, but I gotta find a way to get closer. Someone coming to check on us will be just the ticket.
Standing, the men headed back to the fields, the fall sun beating down on their backs once more.
That evening, Miriam and the other nurses were ready for dinner when a guard showed up, ordering them into vehicles once more. What now, she thought, fear choking her. With a quick glance, she saw the others had the same look on their faces.
This time they were not blindfolded, but with the dark night closing around her, she had no concept of direction. After about ten minutes, she did notice that the vehicle had left the gravel, bumpy roads and now traveled on pavement. Trying to see through the illumination of the headlights, she finally saw a tall wall up ahead with a heavily guarded, ornate gate. As they stopped at the checkpoint, she blinked away as a strong lamp was shone inside the car before they were waved on through.
Within a few more minutes, they approached a brightly lit, massive home with more guards patrolling the area. The paved driveway circled around a fountain and led toward the front. Once out of the vehicle, Miriam and the others were herded up the front steps of the mansion. As the gold-colored doors swung open, the glare of the inside lights blinded her.
As her eyes adjusted, she tried to keep her expression schooled, but found it almost impossible. The inside of the home rivaled the most luxurious mansion seen in any tabloid of the stars’ multimillion dollar homes. Floors of marble in the three-story entranceway with another fountain in the middle led to dark teak floors extending to the room on the left that appeared to be a library.
To the right was another room, equally ostentatious, and the purpose she could not discern. There appeared to be a great many plants, tall palm trees in ornate pots, and to the side was a large cage. Hearing a growl, she jumped as she realized a black panther wearing a jeweled collar was now pacing in the cage.
“Jesus, how rich are these guys?” Sharon commented, her eyes looking around at the room.
Before she could answer, Miriam turned as a door to the back opened and they were escorted into a dining room with a table laden with food that could easily seat twenty people.
Miriam had to admit that her mouth watered as the smell of the delicacies drifted her way. Angered at how the peasants were given nothing to eat while the cartel leaders lived like kings, she pursed her lips. Keep a cool head, she reminded herself. She looked at the others and noticed that Sharon had jumped at the chance to sit as they were instructed. She followed Sister Genovia’s lead and sat down as well, near the end, hoping to stay out of the limelight. It may just be nerves, but I have a bad feeling about this. Placing her shaking hands in her lap, she continually glanced to the side, keeping an eye on the calm nun.
Other doors opened and a handsome man walked in with Dr. Villogas, two beautiful women behind them and a few others trailing behind. Ernesto’s eyes gleamed as they landed on Miriam.
“Juaquim. Let me introduce to you the wonderful nurses that I have been working with,” he said smoothly. He called out their names to the other man, who eyed them carefully before breaking into a huge grin.
“Welcome to my humble home, ladies. We are indeed honored that you have come to help our good doctor in this time of need. ”
Miriam tried to smile but the surreal farce being played out in front of them had her feeling trapped in a tragedy. I thought Dr. Villogas was a victim also, but he’s part of this? He’s part of our kidnapping and captivity?
“You do realize that we were kidn—” Sharon began but was quickly interrupted by Sister Genovia.
“Forgive her, she is unused to our ways,” the nun spoke gently. Turning to Sharon, she gave her a pointed look and said, “We should not speak unless spoken to, my dear.”
Sharon reddened, but wisely kept her mouth shut.
Miriam watched as she was introduced to the others. Serita, Juaquim’s wife, looking bored, gave them a barely-there nod before sitting down at the opposite end from her husband. Her hair was perfectly coiffed, her neck and wrists dripping in jewels, and her clothes were little more than what could be described as slutty couture. It was Ernesto’s wife, Consuella’s expression that concerned her. She glared at Miriam, unconcealed dislike pouring out toward her as she took a seat next to Serita. While equally drenched in jewelry as her friend, she wore her expensive clothing very well.
As the others settled into their chairs, the waitstaff began serving the multi-course dinner. Miriam kept an eye on Lorainne, knowing she could eat very little of the rich food and not become ill. Sharon dove into the meal, exclaiming over its deliciousness. Miriam noticed Juaquim’s eyes found Sharon’s numerous times during the meal and Sharon gave no indication of discouraging it.
Ernesto constantly tried to draw Miriam into a conversation, seemingly oblivious to his wife’s visual daggers thrown her way. Miriam, on the other hand, was very aware. Eating just enough to not seem rude, she tried to keep up with the various players without being obvious. Consuella and Serita chattered amongst themselves, knowing that other than the nun, the nurses did not speak Spanish. Sharon, eyes still wide at the opulence of their surroundings, began talking to the men at the table and for the first time in days was not bemoaning their situation. Poor Lorainne tried not to be sick, and Sister Genovia simply sat as though she did not have a care in the world. I’m either the only sane person in the room or the only crazy one!
After the meal, Serita and Consuella excused themselves and left the nurses with the men. Sharon took the opportunity to scoot her chair closer to Ernesto and Lorainne gave a silent plea to Miriam. Standing, Miriam said, “Please excuse me, but Lorainne and I would like to use the ladies’ room if possible.”
The men immediately jumped to their feet, “Of course, of course,” Juaquim said. Snapping his fingers, a petite women rushed in, and he gave the order for his honored guests to be shown the bathroom.
Sister Genovia stood and with a nod to their hosts she began to follow the other women out of the room. Stopping at Sharon’s chair, she said, “Don’t you wish to join us?”
Smiling at the men, Sharon shook her head. “No, I’ll be just fine here, thank you,” she purred.
The other three women followed the servant into a huge marble bathroom appointed with gold-colored fixtures. Lorainne immediately turned on the faucet and wet one of the plush towels, using the soft cloth to wipe her face. The servant left them, and Miriam turned to the nun and quietly said, “What the hell is?—”
“Shhh,” Sister Genovia said. Holding on to Lorainne, she said loudly, “Hear, hear now, my dear. You just feel a little over heated and overtired.”
Lowering her voice to barely a whisper, she said, “Keep your voice down. This room is probably wired.”
Miriam nodded and walked to the sink, beginning to wash her hands as well. Staring into the mirror she also found herself wondering if it was a two-way mirror. Sucking in a shaky breath, she moved to assist with Lorainne. Standing with her back to the mirror, she mouthed to Sister Genovia, “ What is going on?”
“ I don’t know,” the nun mouthed back. “For some reason they wanted to prove something to us tonight. Power, money…I don’t know, but play their game for now.”
“What about Sharon?” Lorainne mouthed back.
“I’m afraid she now sees this as a way out. What she doesn’t understand is that they will use her and then kill her if needed.”
Miriam and Lorainne jerked their gazes to the composed Sister, knowing that she seemed to understand the situation better than they did.
“No more talking for now,” the nun instructed.
The three women finished using the toilet and then left the room, following the servant who had been waiting outside for them. Taken to the living room, Miriam could not believe the wealth displayed. Her anger at the conditions of the workers compared to the unscrupulous gains of the cartel’s leaders had her shaking.
The men, now settled on one of the large sofas in the room, with Sharon close by, stood as the three nurses walked back in. Before they could speak, Sister Genovia walked straight over to Juaquim and, giving him a conciliatory bow, said, “Dear sir, I must request that you allow us to get Lorainne and Miriam back to their room. Both feel overtired and we must take care of the nurses so that they can take care of us. Don’t you agree?”
Not willing to argue with a nun, he immediately snapped his fingers once more and said, “Of course, my dear Sister.”
Sharon was about to protest, but Sister Genovia answered for her. “Thank you so much and thank your wives for their hospitality.”
Miriam spared a glance at Ernesto who was looking less than pleased at the turn of events. She managed a wobbly smile at him, hoping he would be placated enough. Within a few minutes, the four women were loaded into one SUV and taken back through the dark night to their housing near the medical compound. When they were finally back in their rooms and the guards had left them for the last time, they looked at each other.
“You must never forget that you are prisoners here,” Sister Genovia whispered, pointedly looking at Sharon.
“I know!” Sharon whispered with emotion. “You think they’re ever going to let us go? I’ve been looking for a way out since I got here, and this may be my golden ticket.”
Lorainne and Miriam looked at each other, neither understanding what Sharon was talking about, but Sister Genovia obviously did.
“You think by getting in bed with someone like those men will get you out of here?” she asked. “My child, don’t be a fool.”
“I’m not a fool,” Sharon answered back. “Getting close to one of those men means better treatment for one thing and then it would be easy to slip out sometime when no one is looking.” She smiled as she lay back in her bed. “Did you see the solid gold utensils?”
At that, Miriam was startled. Solid gold? Is that what the bathroom fixtures were also? I thought they were just a gaudy gold color!
“Do not be blinded by the wealth of their gains,” Sister Genovia answered back. “That plan will lead to your destruction as much as theirs.”
“Ugh,” Sharon bit out, rolling back over to face the others. “I want out of this hellhole. And if kissing up to one of those men will get me out of here, it’s worth it. If I play my cards right, I could easily slip away on some shopping trip. Anything to get out of here!” Her gaze drifted over to Miriam, still sitting on her bed. “You could do the same thing too, Miriam. You’re pretty enough.”
Miriam, stunned at the entire evening’s events, shook her head while her gaze sought out Sister Genovia’s.
Before she could answer, the nun ended the conversation. “That’s enough, ladies. We’re all tired and have another long day ahead.” With that, the nun turned out the small flashlight and the room was immediately plunged into darkness.
Miriam lay awake for a long time, the bizarre events of the evening playing through her mind. What was their game? Why had they been brought to the dinner? The more she tried to reason it out, the more confused she became. But one thing was sure—Sharon was on a dangerous path, one Miriam felt sure was exactly what the men had wanted them to go on.
Oh, Jobe. Are you close, brother? Have you sent someone for me? I think it needs to be soon…I don’t know how much more time I’ll have.