Blake
-This is a complete disaster," Elvira said.
A few dropped cups, the TV on and the cane on the floor next to some stains of something that looks like blood do not bode well.
I walk through the room. The bag sits on a chair. I open it. The money and her cards are inside.
-It is not a robbery. But who? -I repeat, as if the answer could be found in repetition. Who would want to take an old woman who has no wealth, no heirs and no... I bend down to see a crumpled pack of cigarettes on the floor. I pick it up and open it. Fuck!
-What's up!
-It's an intuition. That's all it is. Don't leave her alone. I'll be back soon.
-Where are you supposed to go! -Anthony blocks my door.
-To Barcelona.
-To Barcelona? Why... shit! -She shrieks, opening her eyes. I'm going with you.
-No. Stay with her.
-The girls will take care of her. I'm coming with you.
-I don't have time to argue.
-Then run," he says, hopping down the stairs, "there are flights every hour. We'll take the first one.
I go down beside him and jump up the steps two at a time.
-Mariam? Paul? -What are you doing here?
-Sofia told me everything. When you didn't answer, I called Paul.
-Is there any word? -Paul cut off my sister's explanation.
-No. I'm going to Barcelona.
-Barcelona? You won't believe that...
-I have suspicions.
-I will accompany you.
-Anthony will travel with me. I'll feel better if you stay with Sophia. Please, Paul, don't leave her side. She is...
-Quiet. If anyone tries to touch it, I'll hang him.
He doesn't say that as a joke. His experience in the army's special forces backs up his fierceness.
-Thank you brother.
-Come on! -Anthony's deep voice cut through the air.
We both raised our hands when we saw a cab.
-To terminal four!
We have not finished climbing the stairs four by four when Raul's impeccable shirt stands out on the newly polished mahogany table. It is lunchtime and he and the secretary walk out the meeting room door.
-Where is it!
-I think you should learn some manners, don't you Loli? These rich kids are a bag full of bad manners.
-Get out of my way. I won't say it twice.
-What's the rush?
-We are looking for Elvira.
-To whom? -Raul steps away from Simon's office door, sparing me the discomfort of cracking my knuckles against his face. The office is pitch black. The lights off and the lack of tobacco smell indicate that he hasn't come in for days.
-Mr. . Your uncle had important business that prevented him from arriving.
-Where is it!
-The secretary answers Anthony with fear in her body. The poor woman holds her bow tie with trembling hands.
-Loli, it is very important that we find him. An old woman's life is at stake.
-Life? Your uncle hasn't been here for two days. I can't tell you more. The woman strokes her sweaty forehead.
-What old lady?
-If you are involved in this, I assure you that you will not live to tell the tale.
-Eeee," Raul raises his arms, "a few loose lies are one thing. My ambition does not recognize kidnapping or murder. I have principles.
I drag my fingers over my head. I'm frustrated. As much as I hate to admit it, the bastard is right. My uncle only uses it for petty crime. Nothing that deserves jail time.
-We have to find him. Anthony nervously retraces his steps.
-If you're not going to tell me what's going on, I'm going for a coffee. Last night I went to a bachelor party with a tireless lady. You know what I mean.
I hold the cynic by the elbow.
-Sofia's neighbor has disappeared," Raul listens on the side. She is an old woman who suffers from sugar. Without her insulin she could die in a few hours.
-His neighbor? Too uninteresting for him," he replies, shaking his head. The jerk knows Simon better than Simon himself.
-She's like her grandmother. I'd give anything for her. Does that answer your question? -I shriek so loudly that I manage to stop him in his flight down the hallway.
He turns to stab me with his eyes.
-That's more his style.
-I found this," I pull the empty, crumpled pack of Marlboros out of my jeans pocket.
-Many people smoke.
-These are Americans. Help me find her and I will reward you.
Raul strokes his forehead. He's an ambitious man with few ethics capable of selling his mother on the way up, but kidnapping, that's already a crime. I'm not sure he's interested in getting into such serious trouble.
-That management position you are looking for. If you help me find Elvira it will be yours. The real business is...
-You don't let me think with all this talk. That little girlfriend of yours has turned you into a chatterbox. I prefer you as you were before -Raul presses the bridge of his nose before facing the secretary-. Loli, the chip warehouses from Taiwan, do you know the exact address?
-Chips? -I ask without knowing what he is talking about.
-Your uncle has started to expand the business, didn't he tell you? Oh, I feel sorry for you," he says before turning around, "Loli, do you have the address?
-Yes, Mr. Raul. But it's a long way out of town. There is nothing there. Shall I call you a cab?
Anthony and I looked at each other nervously.
-No need precious, can you send me the location to my cell phone? -The elderly woman who could be her mother turned as red as a baboon's ass. We'll go in my car.
-So you're going to help us?
-The pale of the bars does not suit me. Besides, I understand they don't iron shirts well. The scoundrel answered me before turning to order in a deep voice, "If Simon has your old lady, she should be there.
-How do we know it's not a trap? -Anthony shakes in his own footsteps.
-Look nice gym, see these arms? They're from training on the street of life. I know Simon. I know exactly what he's capable of. Either I make you eat a punch and prove I'm better than you or we rescue the dead granny's understudy. It's up to you.
Anthony blows smoke out of his nose. He is ready to beat him until he passes out.
-If he lies to us, I'll help you kill him, I swear. I slap Anthony's tense back. Frustration runs through his body. I don't know his story, but it's clear that Elvira is also very important to him.
-And now that I have the pretty boy's esteemed confidence, what do we do? -Raul jingles the remote control of his car above his head.
Anthony insults him in the hallway. In the elevator, when opening the car door, and continues to insult him all the way to the warehouses.
Elvira, hold on, I'm coming for you.