by Al Cooper
VII
It took less than a month to the Party convention. It would ratify the nomination of Harold to the November presidential. It was not just a formality but the moment to reveal the best kept secret, making public the name of his new vice president. On the other hand, no one, including polls, doubted about Harold's victory over the candidate of the opposition Party, who, in the absence of policy weaknesses of the current president, was limited to insult Harry, the grim vice president that his rival had the misfortune to carry around during his entire legislature. Poor resource that little or nothing was going to serve from the time that Harold himself revealed the name of his future vice president. However, without discounting the positive effect of that last blow, the advantage between the two candidates was more than twenty points. It had to go many years back in history to find such a fact.
However, Carol was still hoping to discourage her husband.
For a long time they could not enjoy a weekend together, so the site they chose could not be other one: their ranch in the heart of Tennessee. If this place could talk, could have written the biography of both. It belonged to the family of Carol. They had spent the most romantic moments of their courtship and marriage. But it also hid other worse memories, as that depression that Harold had managed to overcome thanks to his wife, when the policy had disappointed him so much. Or when they took refuge there trying to overcome the shock after an abortion that would prevent Carol being a mother for the rest of her life. After the death of Carol's father, had become their last refuge, where they fled when they wanted to be alone, away from the world, the only place they perceived as theirs and only theirs, where there was a communion between them that became both in only one being melted with their environment.
That hot afternoon in early July had decided to go horseback riding, one of their favorite hobbies that both of them practiced since Carol had managed to transmit to Harold practically from the first day that he had first stepped on that ranch.
Carol looked around, could see that everything seemed to be like forever. She thought that, if it wasn't by the court of police and bodyguards guarding the perimeter of the ranch, if they closed their eyes and opened them again would not know be able to guess at what point in their lives they really were. The only important thing is that when she opened them again, she could see Harold at his side. Everything else was incidental, almost anecdotal. Carol didn’t care to be the wife of the young graduate in law that the one of President of the United States of America. She let her thoughts be translated into words.
- This is the only place where I am myself, where we are ourselves. I feel even better here than at home. You just need to let the imagination fly a bit to not fix our look at the bodyguard.
Harold showed a smile of approval. Carol took a deep breath and continued.
- And this air ...This air is pure gold!
Harold approached his horse to her, close enough to get giving her a kiss. Then he whispered in her ear:
- Without you nothing would make sense. You know that I would change everything, everything, for having you by my side - he paused and continued - Luckily, I don’t need, I can afford to be selfish!
Carol took the occasion to present once again her emotional claim, conscious that it might be the last chance that she had to do it.
- However, you've ignored. You've committed to present to re-election. Do you really think that America needs you more than me? ...
- No, my love, no. But I can’t let down people who so much supported me, who has been fighting side by side with me, sacrificing hours to their life, their family. It would be unfair.
- And is it fair to sacrifice the little time that life gives us to be together?
- No, my love, no. It's not fair. But life is made of choices that require setting aside part of oneself. Don’t you think I insisted that they should seek another candidate? ...
He looked into her eyes, then continued.
- You know me as nobody in this world could imagine. Tell me, do you think that I did not insist? That I just limit myself to follow the script dragging my feet?... - He slightly raised his voice - Tell me, do you really think that? ...
Carol looked at him tenderly, almost pleadingly, then took his hand and answered.
- You know that it would be enough that you had pointed with your finger to one of your dolphins and people would dump with him. And it had been enough that you supported him so his chances of success had been almost yours.
- As much as I insisted, were not able to find another candidate that satisfied their expectations. In addition ... it would still be a little fraud, a hoax. And you know perfectly well that if people trust me is because I have not disappointed them so far, because I have tried to lead my honesty beyond reasonable limits.
They were arriving. They got off their horses. Carol ran her hand across his waist and pressed her body against Harold's.
- You don’t even know the desire I have of having you only for me. I realize that I can seem somewhat hoarder, but you'll at least agree that ... it's about time! ...
Harold hugged her and stood in silence for a long time. Then, without releasing her, whisper in her ear:
- And you'll got me. We'll have time again to deal with what we like most: to enjoy of ourselves.
Then he separated slightly her until he could look into her eyes, and declared:
- But first, we have another four years of hard work ahead.
She knew him well enough to know that those words, far from being mandatory, were an appeal, claiming once again the support that he needed. And, once again, she couldn’t fail. So she said what he was expecting to hear, but not before a few tears surfaced. Harold noticed it and very gently wiped them with his handkerchief.
- Yes, darling, and though I'd been happy if you had taken other determination, you will not get rid of me so easily!
- Listen. These next two months will be especially hard. In fact we hardly are going to have a chance to meet. The campaign demands all my time. But ... Knowing that I always have you by my side will give me the strength I need.
Both were merged into a long, warm kiss. The wind began to blow so that Harold's hat flew away without he bothered to avoid it.
VIII
Marvin was not more fortunate than Hanson on his visit to the biotechnology company where worked Mills, the second scientist who had committed suicide.
As a starting point only had a few common data between the two scientists, such as character, shy and introverted, age (both were around forties years old), their terminal illness and the way they had decided, apparently, ending his life. But Hanson and Marvin could verify several facts that astounded them. They didn’t know each other, at least everything pointed in that direction. Their companies did not maintain any contentious, moreover, their lines of inquiry were apparently different. Their economic situations seemed to be well off. They had no close family and very few friends. Their social life was almost nonexistent. But, yes, they both enjoyed a remarkable reputation among their colleagues.
For some days Marvin and Hanson visited to their few friends and all those who maintained a minimum daily relationship with them, without finding any relevant information. But yes, they concluded that no one was aware about the serious illnesses they had, absolutely no one. Perhaps it was not surprising given the nature of those two scientists.
It seemed that all data were on the table, and that would be sufficient to write the report that his boss was looking forward anxiously in his office. So, true to their custom, the day before the drafting of the report were to exchange views to Gary's Bar, which was a few blocks from their office. There was not the first time that, between beer and beer, had left suddenly a happy thought, a source of inspiration that never would have occurred within the four walls of their office. However, on this occasion was more by superstition, as the
y didn’t want to break that routine-fetish that had been so successful in the past that interest in finding oil where there was only water. Hanson thought their biggest problem would be to fill out at least five pages with so little and uninteresting information, information that only returned them to the starting point, to a solution that had seemed obvious from the beginning. It had been just a fluke, as many others that occur in life, if there are really coincidences in life.
Marvin took advantage of the opportunity to come close to Hanson. He owed one. Thanks to his reflection he had approached at least to Susan. The other side of the coin was that her reaction did not give rise to hope. Marvin conveyed his dismay. Hanson returned to express a thought.
- Remember that when a woman hates so much, is because before she have loved in the same proportion. You can still retrieve her, you should try. Surely she is waiting for a sign from you.
- No, Hanson, no. You don’t know how she is. You know many women, but not her. I'm sure she is not going to give me another chance. The other day he made it clear.
- Do you hope that she claps you? That she gives you a kiss and says "Yeah, darling, let us forget, welcome home"? Nobody, least of a woman, acts like that. You must persevere, persist.
Marvin turned his head in the negative way and soon found an excuse to change the subject.
- Well, never mind. Returning to the case at hand and the reason, after all, to be here.
Hanson sighed as way of resignation and made summary that both were waiting.
- As you wish. I am sure certainly we agree in that. It seems clear. Two renowned biotechnologists with rare and unsociable character that were working on projects that have no special significance. They ill with cancer, with different tumors that develop at different times, but so aggressive that they only have weeks to live.
Marvin then intervened to apostille.
- Whereupon they choose to commit suicide. After all they also had something else in common.
While Marvin hurried his drink, Hanson continued.
- Yeah, I guess you mean that they were unmarried, had no immediate family, no one whom addresses a farewell letter.
Now was Hanson who drank the last sip, put the glass on the table rather abruptly and finally said sententiously, as he gestured to go:
- Closed case, then.
Marvin put his hand on his shoulder.
- Hanson, Hanson, always so impetuous. There's more.
Hanson looked at him with renewed attention while Marvin took out two newspaper clippings from the bottom of his jacket, extending and putting them on Hanson's hands. While Hanson was reading, Marvin made a comment.
- This morning it occurred to me dip into the files. I found nothing like to what happened in the last ten years, but, as you can see, if anything more than interesting.
Hanson returned him the cuts.
- Do not understand. How? Missing? So, no more? ... he asked to Marvin.
- Yeah, without any vestiges, no apparent reason. Note that curious. Nearly six years ago and over a period of just three months, two biotechnologists of those who never know more. And they weren’t precisely undistinguished, no. They were among the most reputable scientific community.
- What about their personal circumstances?
- They were similar to our case. Well, one of them had recently widowed and the other one was separated.
- Anyway, I think you miss that ... that is not our problem, and that has nothing to do with the matter at hand. Those two probably are alive, ours are dead.
- Okay, but is not one, but two strange coincidences.
- Well, we do not lose anything by requesting an autopsy on the bodies.
- No, I think it would not hurt, although the report .... have to wait a week.
Hanson made a circumstances face, it was not difficult for Marvin to interpret his thoughts.
- Do not worry, I'll see to tell the boss.
IX
As expected, the boss was furious. He didn’t understand neither the interest that it could have to do an autopsy on the bodies nor the hypothesized relationship that might exist between the two cases. He told them that, by that same token, one should study the relationship between a policeman that had been killed and another who had decided to withdraw from the body. But then something came to his mind. It could be just another way to self-disqualify Marvin and Hanson detectives facing with their coworkers, of keeping them away definitely from circulation. By their own feet, without costing him any effort. So he decided to accept their request.
Another ordeal would be to convince the forensic expert of the Department to do a meticulous and exhaustive work. The coroner was a guy with a really curious character. A consummate professional whose intrinsic skills and experience needed of the confluence of two prerequisites to conduct a successful request: first, that the relationship at a personal level with who had requested the report was at least good. In that sense they were lucky, because Hanson was understood to perfection with him. Second, the case motivated him. He was not careful at all with routine matters. So Hanson would have to deploy all its charms and seek an incentive where apparently the interest was zero.
As the coroner told them he had done the two autopsies and he would have on his table the results the next morning, they lacked time to go to his office, knowing that their overzealous professional could play them a trick if that case did not exceed what appeared to be. The price would be that their popularity would drop to unusual levels, on par with their professional prestige. So, when they sat in front of the coroner, shirt not reached the neck. The coroner loved to be begged, they had to get the words out with pliers, and they knew it. It was Marvin who broke the ice.
- Well, doctor?...
- We have just finished the exam of the second corpse. You will receive the report officially in the morning - said the coroner with a very serious and circumspect look.-
It was time for Hanson to intervene, perhaps he could have more luck so did not think twice.
- But ... Couldn’t you anticipate us anything? ... Have you seen anything ... strange? ...
- Do not be impatient, gentlemen! - the coroner answered visibly angry - however ...
Both stared at him. This time it was Marvin who could not restrain his impulses.
- What? ...
- In one case it was a brain tumor, in the other one a bone tumor, but with something in common, both of them were very aggressive. Moreover, there are remains of poisonous substances, but from different sources. However, there’s not sign of violence.
- As pointed out in the first report ... - Said Hanson -
- Yes, it seems that they decided to be out of the way. Nothing new, sorry.
In a desperate attempt not to give up and admit the obvious, Marvin outlined another possibility.
- There is always the possibility that someone had poisoned them.
- Come on, sir, do not be ridiculous! If so, their hypothetical murderers had bothered to look for other toxic substances, which leave no tracks ... Besides, what interest can have someone in killing a person who has only two months of life?..., coroner snapped.
Despite his usually calm and quiet character, Marvin had to do not to lose his temper. Apart from the hurtful tone with which those words were spoken, another of the peculiarities of the coroner was to take powers that did not correspond. He should be limited to do his job, but always ended up getting involved and giving their views, although no one had previously asked for. After all, perhaps he always wanted to be a detective, Marvin thought.
Hanson got up and said goodbye kindly to the doctor. While returning to their office, not only thought the case was closed but their own career would follow quickly the same way.
X
They had not courage enough to write the report, so having a
beer at the bar as usual, decided to leave that slab hanging over their heads until Monday. Instead, that weekend should serve more than ever like a soothing balm mission. About Marvin, he decided to shut up tight in his apartment, provisioned, and devote his time to read and watch television. In the end, he had to admit that he was deceiving himself. His confinement was more internal than external, because he could not concentrate on anything, his thoughts were always looking for the same purpose. And the much more he thought, the more he concluded that his family was as broken as his heart, and he would have to learn to live again, or survive with that regret for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile Hanson was isolated from his labor problems as he always used to do. He was one of those people that many admire for his ability to break out and learn to enjoy life. His relationship with Ingrid, the busty blonde, was booming. On Friday they released all their adrenaline in bed, to the point that they barely managed to sleep. He had to admit that he was extremely attracted to that woman, who added, to her impressive physical, a nature that fit perfectly with him. On Saturday they decided to leave, going to the cinema and taking a few drinks, but the end for the night was the same as the previous day, so at ten o'clock, when the phone rang, he thought someone was playing tricks. But his surprise was great when he heard the voice of his mate on the other side of the handset.
