by Gerard Denza
-Octavio was working for Romo-Ark. Why give up the stone fragments at Central Park? Makes no friggin' sense. Why not just keep them or sell them off to the highest bidder? Why would Romo-Ark let them go?
-I've been wondering about that myself. It's like they wanted us to have the segments.
Yolanda was incredulous.
-To blow ourselves up?
-Yes. Miss Estravades. I think you just might be right about that. Or maybe our own government is connected with Romo-Ark in some way.
Not that he cared, but Edward had to ask.
-What about Linda Silverman? Did you get anything out of her?
Lt. Donovan lit up.
-That's kind of tough. The chick slipped into a catatonic state. They've got her up at Bellevue for observation.
-Catatonic state? What the hell is the prognosis?
-Don't know. Why, Mendez? You look kind of lost yourself.
-It's just that when you said “catatonic” it rang a bell somewhere in the back of my head. But never mind that. What's the latest on Ricardo Montenegro?
-We're still on to that case. He might turn up. We're hoping that he does.
Edward shook his head.
-Not likely.
Yolanda smiled at Lt. Donovan.
-Now what, Lieutenant?
-Well, Miss Estravades- Yolanda, the case is officially closed. The city's functioning on all cylinders except for the subway tunnel on the BMT line which had to be shut down for repairs.
Edward lit a much needed cigarette...and a moment of apprehension seized him as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
Epilogue
-MOTHER, WHAT do you make of this article?
-Which one, dear? You know that I have varied interests.
-This one about an unmanned rocket to orbit the moon.
-Yes. Exploring the infinite frontier of space. I approve.
-I wonder if they'll find anything interesting.
-I'm certain they will. Perhaps, something even more interesting than they expect.
Susan cast her mother a significant look.
-What exactly do you mean by that?
-I'm merely hypothesizing, but theories do abound.
-Name me one, please.
-That before life began on this planet, an advanced civilization thrived on the moon.
-Do you believe it's actually true and worth the expense of a research rocket?
-Of course. It's quite thrilling, the prospect...and, perhaps, dangerous.
-Why dangerous?
-There is always danger in the “unknown.”
-Mother, to change the subject, there's been a blue Buick parked outside our house for several days now. It moves only when it has to avoid being ticketed. I saw an elderly man get out of that car just once. You know who he is, don't you?
-Yes. And, you're a very observant girl. Good. I've trained you well
-Well, who is he? You're not going to hold out on me, are you? Oh God! I sound like Edward.
Marlena took a puff on her just lit cigar.
-Manuel Mendez: Edward's father.
Next
Romo-Ark
An Edward Mendez, P. I. Thriller
Book VI
About the Author
GERARD DENZA has worked in the Publicity Dept. at Random House and Little, Brown, and Company in New York City. He's worked with such authors as Kevin and Todd Berger, Pete Hamill, Willie Morris and Arthur C. Clarke.
He's also the playwright and director of six Off-Off Broadway plays which include: ICARUS, MAHLER: THE MAN WHO WAS NEVER BORN, THE DYING GOD: A VAMPIRE'S TALE, SHADOWS BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS and THE HOUSEDRESS. His noir play, EDMUND: THE LIKELY, has been recorded for radio broadcast.
Mr. Denza is a graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center where he majored in psychology and graduated with honors: Magna Cum Laude. He lives in New York City and is hard at work on his next novel.
