COLMENARES' AUDI STOPPED a few feet before reaching the parking lot's ramp. Gregory Evans rushed toward the car, opening the back door.
— I'm glad you came! — he said, before throwing his backpack inside. People kept looking at me, as if I were some rare animal.
His eyes met those of a very attractive woman in her early thirties who was sitting next to Nicolas. Her smile captivated him instantly.
It must have been Antonia Sala...
Then, without knowing why, he had the feeling that he was being ridiculous.
— If I met someone dressed like that — the cryptographer observed, — I would look over my shoulder at them too.
— Let me introduce you, Antonia — Nicolas said, entering the avenue after turning on his blinker —, your new assistant.
— Delighted. He held out his hand.
— Is there a reason I don't know why you're dressed like this? — Colmenares asked, without taking his eyes off the highway.
— It's a long story... — he said, with an air of mystery, smoothing his hair back with both hands, distressed by the circumstances. — Before I fill you in on what happened, I need you to take me to Santomera, a town nearby. I need to verify something... — he added hoarsely, — ...it's important.
— Tell us, at least, if you found the bricklayer's diary — the lawyer insisted, — that's the only thing we need to know. — Greg hesitated for a few seconds.
— No... not yet — he finally replied. — But there's something worse. The Widow's Sons are following me.
— Are you sure? — it was Antonia who asked this time.
He nodded silently and continued speaking:
— I'll tell you the whole story when we get to Santomera... — he promised, unwilling to satisfy anyone's curiosity without first getting his thoughts in order. — Right now, I need to rest. I haven't slept all night, I have a lump on my head that looks like an almond, and I lost something of great value. Too many adventures for one night.
— Forgive my insistence — Antonia insisted — but I believe you know how important it is for us to stop these criminals.
Evans raised his eyebrows inquisitively.
— Who are you, a librarian, or are you a police officer too? — He was furious, hoping they would understand his situation. — Can you explain what this is all about? — His question was directed at Colmenares. — Can you tell me why she's here?
— Listen, Greg — Nicolas began firmly. — The investigation has been funded, from the beginning, by Clarice's money. We're all involved, much to our chagrin. As the deceased's lawyer and executor, and with her approval during her lifetime, I now represent her interests until the reading of her will. A few days ago, she asked me to take responsibility for the search, should any misfortune occur. She instructed you and Antonia to remain together. In fact, Miss Sala is doing us a great favor. There is no one with a better understanding of the Kabbalistic and esoteric interpretation surrounding the world of Freemasonry.
Greg started laughing spontaneously, without thinking about the consequences of his actions. Then, realizing the girl was watching him with limited patience, he apologized.
— I'm sorry, I wasn't laughing at your qualifications. I just found it quite funny that Nicolas thinks of this matter as a commercial transaction between two companies, when in reality it's much more complex... — He stroked his chin thoughtfully. — You came from Madrid with a different story than mine, with a preconceived idea of what we have to do, as if everything were very easy, but there's a problem. Here in Murcia, we've experienced a situation we hadn't anticipated, and two new innocent people have suffered the consequences. I don't know if they're still alive. They're currently missing.
— I knew it...! You told Geovanna about the manuscript!
Colmenares glanced angrily in the rearview mirror. — The other day, when you left to take care of a household matter,
I went to find you at your house... — he took a deep breath, twice — ... am I right?
— I recognize it was a mistake, but I had to do it.
— No one else should know the real reason for Jorge's murder! — the lawyer was furious. — I'm surprised by such irresponsibility. —
Evans decided to set the record straight.
— Do you remember? Geovanna and I have a relationship that goes beyond the auction house and its rules — he replied scathingly. — I had to warn you.
— Okay, we'd better calm down... — was Antonia's opinion. — ...since there's no way around it... We should take Greg to Santomera and see what surprise awaits us. If you'd like to tell us what happened, we'll listen. If not, there'll be time when you're calmer...does that sound good to you? — Her question was directed at the passenger in the back seat.
— Perfect — Greg replied, closing his eyes as he stretched out his body.
The lawyer maintained a prudent silence, though he would have preferred to prolong the conversation to find out where he had come from dressed in such a ridiculous manner. For now, Antonia was right: they should give him a little more time.