Relieved, he took the book from her hand and said, "Gracias."
It would have to do for now. He progressed through the rest of winter, spring, and summer of that year with no results. Then, in the October, 1967, issue he saw Salamanca Acoge con satisfacción los ganadores de becas Tormes. Tormes caught his eye, and the accompanying photo contained a lass that may have been Susan. Duncan searched for the words in his dictionary. Salamanca Welcomes Tormes Scholarship Winners. He made another note for June and one for himself. If Angela could forward these photos to Gerald Campbell, L&G's photo expert, he could determine Susan's height and age her face. That might be helpful in tracking her down.
He trudged through more editions of the school's paper. After memorizing the photos, he thought he would be able to recognize Susan's face. In the issue dated February 12, 1968, Duncan hit the jackpot.
Three snapshots topped an article entitled, Cómo Estudiante de la Estrella Celebra el Día de San Valentín Lejos de Casa, or How Star Student Celebrates a Valentine's Day Away From Home, per his dictionary. The first photo's caption contained the name Ella Peña. Duncan examined a picture of a smiling Susan Gruber standing next to a lass who looked very similar to herself. Two pretty blondes of about the same height and build grinned at him from the microfiche screen. This Ella appeared quite different from the one on the academy I.D. he'd seen earlier. Duncan didn't bother translating the caption. That could wait.
The second picture showed Susan standing in an extravagant library, book opened in her hand, as if she just stopped in her tracks to read some fascinating tidbit of information. Again, Duncan did not bother with discovering what the caption said in English. It was enough to see Susan Gruber's name under the photo.
The name Roberto Dominguez appeared below a third snapshot of Susan holding hands with a handsome young man. The couple walked in the plaza he had crossed earlier in the day. The picture caught the couple glancing at each other and, despite its less than perfect quality, he could see their expressions. They looked like they were in love. Duncan added this article to those June would copy and proceeded to the next film.
After another hour or so, he felt his stomach rumble. He checked his watch and stood to stretch. Straightening his back, he cracked his neck in several directions, pulled his arms over his head and yawned. He jumped when he felt the light tap on his shoulder.
Whipping around, he saw the library worker, grinning at his reaction. Each tooth had a small irregular gap between itself and the next. Laugh lines furrowed deep into her face revealed a happy disposition, and her small, black eyes seemed kind. The tiny Asian woman was stealthy and seemed proud she'd caught him unawares. He wondered if she'd been a Chinese spy before immigrating to Spain. Maybe she still worked for China's Intelligence Service. Who would suspect this little lady? Sometimes, Duncan's mind took a suspicious turn due to his devotion from an early age to Sherlock Holmes novels.
Duncan's stomach made another noise and he grabbed the dictionary, searching for a way to ask where he could get some food.
"Almuerzo?"
"Ciao, sí, lunch," June replied, pointing to the entrance to the microfiche room. "Raol," she added. Then said, "I call?"
"Sí," he answered.
As she left to call the librarian, he tore his notes from the paper he intended to give to her. He had reviewed all school newspapers through May of 1969, the end of the spring term, and discovered nothing else on Ella, Susan, or Roberto Dominguez. Roberto had wed Ella that same year, according to his private investigator. Duncan ran his fingers through his hair. He wondered what had changed between Susan and the young man to induce him to marry her roommate. Lost in thought, he didn't hear Raol enter the room.
"Hola, Duncan. Let us go to the cafeteria and grab luncheon," Raol said.
"Sí!" Duncan replied. He held up the notes he'd made for June and said, "Can June copy these articles and photos for me?"
Raol nodded and called for his assistant. The lady appeared and took the list from Duncan as Raol gave instructions. June smiled and nodded at both men.
"Fine, let's eat then, no?"
Duncan smiled his agreement, grabbed his briefcase, and followed Raol from the microfiche room and down the hall towards the stairs. They descended to the ground floor, where the librarian led him through a side door into a bright lunch room. He realized how spoiled he'd been at the academy. This space looked like he'd stepped back into the 1970's with bright orange molded plastic chairs, fluorescent lighting, and tan ceramic tile floors. He chose the bread crumb dish he recognized from Mary's cooking, along with red grapes, the standard Spanish accompaniment, and a cola. Duncan finished his dish long before Raol had made a dent in his own meal.
Soon, June appeared with a stack of papers. She handed copies of the articles he'd requested to Duncan, who flipped through the pile. Everything he'd asked for was there.
"Muchas Gracias, June," he said, slipping the documents into his briefcase. "Care to join us?"
"No." The little lady smiled. "June eats at her desk, go home early," she added.
Duncan shook her hand before she left and thanked her again.
"Will you need to return to the microfiche?" Raol asked after June disappeared through the exit.
"No, Raol. I think I've seen everything."
"In that case, would you like to see the Temple of Wisdom?"
"Temple of what?"
"The Temple of Wisdom, our old library. It's considered the gem of the university. If you have the time, it's worth seeing. I'd be glad to show it to you."
"Oh, I'd be most grateful," Duncan said, his curiosity peaked.
As Raol finished his lunch, he chatted on about the school, "Did you know that the university was founded in the twelfth century, Duncan? Salamanca itself existed before Christ. Ours is the oldest library in Spain and the university is the third oldest in the world. We are known as the Oxford of the Spanish world," he concluded.
"I wasn't aware of all that."
"Ready?" Raol asked after finishing his meal.
Duncan nodded and followed him outside, down a breezeway, and across another small shaded courtyard. Raol halted in front of a pair of large, carved doors.
He whispered, "Behold the Temple of Wisdom and Knowledge," before pulling open one of the doors with some effort.
Bright light streamed from the interior of the library onto the shaded threshold. Duncan stepped inside and gasped. He stood at the middle of a large rectangular room with a soaring, vaulted ceiling. Tall, arched windows hung high on the sides, cut from meter-thick stone block walls. The sun had dropped behind the building, but these lofty panes of glass still captured its rays. The upper walls and ceiling were plastered in a pristine white, while bright gilded moldings supported by large gold corbels trimmed each individual vault of the roof line.
"Built in 1254, this room houses 500 books published prior to 1500 and over 60,000 books published between 1500 and 1830," Raol said as his guest marveled at the library.
Duncan examined pairs of doors, similar to the set he'd just passed through, in various locations around the room. He admired their heavy carvings. All stood within ornate casements, topped with large crests. Above the entrances and behind each great emblem, stood bookcases filled with tomes bound in shiny gold. Above these special shelves, Duncan spied paintings of popes or cardinals in heavy rococo gilt frames.
Raol continued, "Most of the furnishings and the floor are original to the library."
Duncan looked down. A large wooden herringbone pattern, stretching across the width of the polished floor, impressed. He glanced around noting sizeable tables trailing down the middle and chairs dotting the sides of the room. Large old world globes stood along the perimeter of the library, each supported by its own carved stand. The furnishings were definitely of a Spanish style.
He next turned his attention to the bookcases which covered the walls of the library, two stories high. Their dark stain endured in stark contrast to the white walls and ceil
ing. Columns bordered each shelving unit, and ornate corbels appeared to support a catwalk and the bookshelves on the second level. Elaborate carved plaques rested on top of the cases, giving the reader a clue as to which books were stored where.
He caught his breath as he took in the scent of old wood, furniture polish, leather, parchment, paper, and vellum. The history of the place overwhelmed him.
"I see why you call this the Temple of Wisdom and Knowledge," he whispered to Raol as they strolled towards one end of the building.
They were alone in the library, but the atmosphere there still demanded respect, and even Raol ceased his chatter.
"Thank you so much for the tour," Duncan added as they exited through a corner of the building.
"Do you require anything else today?"
"No, but if you could point me in the direction of a cab, I'd appreciate it, Raol."
"I will drive you wherever you need to go," the librarian said. As Duncan began to protest, he added, "I insist. My car is nearby."
The two walked side by side through another building and out an enormous red door. A crowd had gathered on their left and he noticed young people with their faces raised, examining the building's façade.
"See if you can spot the frog, for good luck, on La Puerte de Salamanca," Raol said, pointing to the intricately carved stone fascia. As Duncan glanced at the front elevation, Raol continued, "Students must find the toad to garner good fortune before they graduate."
There were so many images engraved by the masons that after searching for several minutes, he lost hope of ever locating the small amphibian.
Raol whispered so the nearby crowd of students would not overhear, "I'll give you a hint. The toad sits on a skull. The skull represents a Spanish prince who died young and the frog, the physician who tried to save him. Spot the skulls, and see which has a frog on top."
He continued scanning the façade as an English speaking lass yelled, "I see it, I see it!" jumping up and down while other students congratulated her.
Finally, he spotted the frog, near a corbel on the right side of the portico. He grinned and nodded at his guide, signifying his success and guarantee of future good luck.
As they walked towards the other end of the courtyard, the librarian said, "Here is a statue of our beloved professor, Fray Luis de Léon." He pointed to the large statue before them and continued, "He was a famous poet whom the Inquisition persecuted and imprisoned. When he was finally released, after many, many years, he returned to teach here and began his first lesson back with 'As I was saying,'" Raol reported with a grin.
Duncan laughed out loud, and both men continued to chuckle at the thought of that brave professor with the sense of humor, all the way to Raol's car. Once at the station, they shook hands.
"Thank you for everything. I'm going to tell President Escobar what a help you and your staff have been."
Raol beamed ear to ear, gripping his hand.
"Anytime, Duncan. If you need anything else, do not hesitate to call me."
The librarian slipped him his business card as he eased from the car. Duncan waved and Raol drove away.
As his train pulled from the station, he reflected on the day. With the exception of his hair fiasco, everything went better than he could have hoped. He felt at home in a university environment and found the entire experience relaxing. He started to wonder if he should have stayed in the academic world, as he had originally planned, instead of working in the private sector all these years. Then, he caught a glimpse of Salamanca as his train sped out of town, and all other thoughts scattered.
No wonder they called it the Golden City. The sandstone its Renaissance builders used for construction glowed in the late afternoon sun. From this distance he could even see the river which wrapped the city on one side like a scarf. What a picture.
- 16 -
A Chef's Intentions
"Frogo, does Sunny's jet belong to the academy?" Duncan asked, popping his head in the director's office.
"No, but we use it whenever needed. We keep our account records in order, and the foundation is charged by one of her holding companies for its use," he said tapping a ledger on his desk.
"I'd like to talk to the pilot," Duncan said.
"I can arrange a flight for you."
"No, I'm not going anywhere. I just need to look into procedures for the jet."
Frogo shrugged, opened a cabinet behind his desk and removed a file. He opened the folder and jotted some information down on a notepad, handing a small piece of paper to Duncan.
"There are the names and numbers of the pilot and the gentleman in charge of transportation at Tormes Limited in Madrid. He's who I call when I need the jet."
"Thank you, Frogo."
Once back in his office, Duncan spread the copies June made for him across his desk. He'd already scanned the articles and ran them through a translation program, but learned nothing new. Now, he examined the photos with care, alternating between the naked eye and a magnifying glass. Betty, or Susan, Gruber was an attractive lass. She and Ella Peña could pass for sisters based upon the photo he scrutinized. What happened to Betty Gruber? It was as if she fell off the earth. Duncan also questioned what changed Ella from the lovely girl in the news article to the, for want of a better word, ugly woman on her academy identification card.
The buzzing of his cellular interrupted his thoughts.
He tapped his phone and said, "Hallo, Angela."
"Hello, Duncan. I just wanted to tell you that Robert is checking on ownership of the Alcala Equipment Company. He's going to get back to me with an update before the day is over. Also, Frogo's maternal grandfather was Alfonso Esperanza's cousin. Alfonso was married to Sunny, you know."
"Yes, Angela, I know. Frogo mentioned she owed his aunt a favor and that's how he got his job with the academy."
"Just keep in mind, blood is thicker than water, Duncan. I've looked at Nigel and he seems all clear. He never came to Spain before meeting Sunny. So, it's improbable he had a past with Ella. He and Sunny lived in France and England during their marriage. Also, there's no reason to believe he ever crossed paths with our victim. He wasn't in Spain while she worked at the academy, and he wasn't present at Mondo's interview when she acted as the chef's assistant."
He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair.
"I think it's time to question Mondo. Keep me posted on what Robert comes up with, will you?" he asked. "You've done a great job. Why don't you enjoy the pool at the casa and take it easy the rest of the day," he added.
"One more thing, Duncan. I forwarded those photos of Gruber to Gerald. He's going to perform an analysis and get back to me."
Angela signed off. He knew that Gerald, L&G's photo expert, would be helpful with the case. Duncan trudged down to the kitchen. He hated the idea of interrogating Mondo and having to observe the chef with his mum. No matter how innocent she might be, he felt their's was not just a professional relationship. The chef had confided too much in Margaret for him to only view her as an assistant.
"Chef Mondo," he called into Armondo Berluca's Inner Sanctum, careful to remain outside this special domain.
Mondo's head popped out from around the corner, but his body stayed hidden from view.
"Yes, Peasant. What do you want? The tea is on the counter over there," he said, wriggling his fingers in the direction of some cabinets like a magician casting a spell.
Duncan almost asked, Where's Mum? but he caught himself.
"I need to speak with you regarding Ella Peña. When can you set aside some time for me?" he asked, elevating the volume of his voice as he spoke.
Mondo rolled his eyes towards heaven and exhaled through his mouth, his lips producing a sound akin to a chain saw.
"Come," he said, his head vanishing back around the corner.
Duncan entered the Inner Sanctum and found Armondo seated at the table where they'd had their first real encounter. The chef patted sweat from his forehead with a whit
e linen serviette and waited for him to take a seat. A small glass vase in the middle of the table held fresh daisies, and ice water filled crystal goblets at each place. He took a gulp of water.
"You know I'm here looking into the circumstances surrounding Ms. Peña's death. I need to hear everything you know about the woman."
"Why?" the chef asked.
Duncan had not expected Mondo's response and he was briefly flummoxed. Wasn't it obvious? He deliberated which approach might produce best results, taking into account what he knew of the chef's character. He chose his words with care.
"Because Ella's death was no simple accident."
He monitored Armondo's face for any response that might shed light on the cook's death.
"Is Armondo a suspect?" Mondo asked, after a pause.
"Not yet," Duncan answered, grinning.
He had already checked Mondo's whereabouts the night Ella died. Armondo worked in Madrid that night, cooking for the same restaurant where Ella Peña had been his sous chef. It was possible he could have made the trip to Manchiego and dropped the cooker on her, but unlikely the chef arranged for the crane company to leave its load hanging above the courtyard.
"Good," Mondo replied. "Because I want to get on with my personal life."
The chef flashed his own grin now. Duncan didn't like where this was heading.
Mondo continued, "I think I have a future with this new sous chef. She's unlike anyone Mondo has ever met, and Mondo has always adored the older women, no?"
Duncan's jaw dropped to the table.
Mondo kept on, "And her food, it is delicious. For someone so inexperienced, she is amazing in the kitchen. That says something about a woman, no?"
Duncan, frozen in shock until now, went apoplectic. He wished to say something, but sputtered incoherent syllables instead. He wanted to punch Mondo, but shook all over with fury and seemed unable to move beyond his chair.
The chef roared with laughter and pounded the table so hard with his open hand that ice water sloshed from the goblets. What a nightmare! Mondo's lips moved, but Duncan couldn't make out what he said anymore. Everything seemed to shift to slow motion until Duncan found his voice.
Mystery: The Cook's Comeuppance: A Duncan Dewar Mystery of Murder and Romantic Suspense (Duncan Dewar Mysteries Book 3) Page 18
