Ben put down the icepack and answered, “You must mean the man at the little house.”
“Yes. Can you explain what happened?”
“I was in a fight for my life with him, and my ex-wife managed to get off one shot that killed him.” Inspector Macias crossed his arms and looked at Ben quizzically. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but it happened. Surely you can’t be thinking that she’s culpable in his death.”
The inspector was quiet for a minute then asked, “Who was this man? What did he have to do with the events in London?”
It was painful for Ben to talk. Ana put the icepack in his hand and guided it back to his jaw then said she would explain. About twenty minutes later she finished telling the story of the attacks and kidnap attempts in London, the threats and demands received by Paris, and the coincidence of the women’s trip to Pamplona. Ana added that Olivia had been seeing someone new in London, and the same man had turned up as one of their captors. She said they still had no details about the ruse used to abduct the women upon their arrival at the airport outside Pamplona.
Inspector Macias shook his head and said, “Es muy complicado …” His voice trailed away as if he were organizing the whole scenario in his head.
“Yes, very complicated— and also quite hard to believe.”
Hugh McKinnon pushed aside the curtain and stepped into the cubicle. Having heard Ana’s comment he asked, “I heard you say that something’s complicated. I guess you were referring to this whole thing—beginning to end.”
Ben introduced his father to Inspector Macias, who seemed anxious to get back to his purpose for being there. Macias explained that Pamplona’s Superintendente was out of sorts because his officers were not made a part of the rescue or informed of what was happening in London. Macias admitted that his superior’s attitude didn’t make sense. He had no idea why the man thought he should have been part of an action in the UK. The Interpol agent in charge was due in Spain the next day to meet with Macias’ superior and explain why information about their actions was late reaching him.
Hugh then posed questions to the Inspector about what would be required of Ben in order to bring the investigation of events at the little house to a close. Macias emphasized that Ben would still have to come to the Comisaria to give a formal statement regarding his part in both of the related deaths. Ben’s father stood taller and tensed his muscles. Macias quickly assured him that it was likely to be just a formality.
“’Likely’ to be a formality?” Hugh said, crossing his arms in a defensive posture.
“A man who was being chased is dead,” Macias said, “and you can’t expect us not to thoroughly investigate.” He was observing Ben’s reaction as he continued. “I’m sure that as soon as there’s a positive identification of both men, especially the one killed by the bull, we will find that your actions were justified.”
At that point Ana jumped in and said, “We know the name he used with Olivia—Clive Warren— but it was probably an alias. Is there any way to trace both men to where they were staying?”
Macias answered, “Well, your sister will have to be questioned before she can leave Pamplona. I’d prefer to do it while I’m here, while certain facts are fresh in her mind. But I must defer to her doctor.”
“I think she’ll be anxious to tell you what she knows.”
“We have the dead men’s wallets and perhaps by now the investigators have found something like a key or a receipt that could provide more information. The passport of the man you chased states his name as Gareth Logan. I hope by the time I see you tomorrow we will have confirmed their identities and be able to release you both and close the case—this part at least.”
Ben sat forward, suddenly remembering the rental car he had left parked on the side of the road. Macias assured him that it would eventually be towed to the police lot where he could retrieve it. As he shook hands with the men and started to leave, he added that any storage fees would be waived. Hugh strongly suggested that as soon as any further tests were completed, Ben should say goodbye to his mother and Olivia and get a taxi back to the hotel. Hugh returned to his daughter, and a few minutes later the doctor who treated Ben came into the cubicle to announce there were no injuries other than superficial bruising to his face, neck and torso. Ben declined the offer for strong pain medication and then was told he could go.
After doing what his father asked, he and Ana left the hospital and were soon on their way to the hotel. Ben rested his hand on hers but stared out the window, obviously pre-occupied.
Curious as to what was troubling him, she asked, “Are you worried about the statement you have to give tomorrow?”
He answered, “No, that isn’t it. It’s the woman—the one who’s really responsible for Valerie and my sister being alive.”
“Annunciata?”
“Yes, Annunciata Domingo. The woman works all the hours God gives and still struggles to raise her children.”
“You sure learned a lot in a short time. Of course you want to do something for her, and rightly you should, but rest tonight and in the morning get the business at the Comisaria over with. Then we’ll figure it out.” Ana thought for a minute and added, “I’ll bet Olivia and your parents will want to meet her.”
“I hope the officer at the desk took down her address yesterday.”
“I would think the police could easily track her down.”
“I don’t remember where she asked to be taken. She might not have gone straight home. You’d think I’d hit my head.”
“You could still be a little disoriented. From what you described, your oxygen supply was compromised. Like I said, you need some rest.” Ana laid her head back on the seat and a minute or so passed in thought before she continued. “It might be a lot to expect of her— to ask that she meet everyone.”
“Maybe, but whatever I have to do I will find her.” Ben turned to Ana with a broad happy smile, the first since they had arrived in Pamplona. Then he winced and rubbed his jaw.
* * *
Back at the hotel Ben settled on the bed holding another icepack to his jaw—this one just a towel filled with ice from the machine. Ana had a feeling of déjà vu, remembering that first night when she had dealt with his shoulder by making the same kind of makeshift ice pack. She went into the adjoining suite to shower, during which time Ben nodded off, the icepack having fallen aside. Wrapped in a fluffy robe provided by the hotel, Ana came back into his room just as the phone rang, startling him awake. She answered then handed it to Ben, saying it was his father. They spoke for several minutes then ended the call. His parents had left the hospital and were back in their hotel room. Olivia was doing well and the last word on Valerie was that she was stable. The caveat was that she would have to remain stable for several days before her ability to recover could be assured.
Ben settled back against the pillows and Ana went to refresh the ice pack. Once it was back on his jaw she excused herself, saying that she needed to sort through her clothes. In truth she needed time alone, time to think. With all the turmoil around her she had no time to sort through her own feelings about all that had happened. Since they first met, she and Ben had shared truly carefree moments only once. Even as their attraction for each other grew, there was always a mutual presence of worry and threat. Those moments were burned into memory— the powerful flow of passion they had tried to stifle because of the obvious threat to his family. The battle had been lost. They didn’t realize, sequestered in the dense growth with birds cawing and circling overhead, that two women Ben cared about were headed for Spain and a horrendous experience.
Ana went to the window and stared out at the last moments of dusk. She was weary, but her mind refused to calm itself. At this point she was sure to have lost the job she was assigned—maybe future ones as well. Her professional reputation was bound to suffer. How would that affect her connection to Ben? The dynamic between them would now change in some way. Ben would no longer have a commitment to make himself availa
ble to her for any reason. Was his attraction to her fueled only by the heightened senses of the situation, or did it go deeper? It had been unnatural—the way they had been forced into a premature intimacy by the events of that first night. Although not sexual intimacy, there existed a sexual undercurrent she had sensed from the moment they met. Should she play it cool now, offer him some space? Surely he would want to return to England, spend time with his family. She would be an outsider. She would have no place at the table. And there was Valerie. Could her heroic actions soften him toward her? If she recovered, might they reconcile?
Overwhelmed by all there was to contemplate, she turned away from the approaching darkness, walked to the bed, threw herself down and began to sob quietly. Emotional and physical exhaustion soon brought sleep. An hour passed before she was awakened by Ben’s knock on the door adjoining their rooms. Startled, she sat up, and without a thought to her red puffy eyes she told him to come in. He had showered and dressed, but still sported the stubble of several days without a shave. His hair was still damp and combed straight back. Other than the bruising on his jaw, he looked fresh and as vital as ever. Ana was suddenly aware of her own appearance. She brushed the hair away from her face and then looked down at the bed in a vain attempt to hide the fact that she had been crying. Her puffy eyes didn’t escape Ben’s scrutiny.
Ben frowned as he asked, “Have you been crying?” He answered his own question. “Of course you have—I can see that.” She didn’t reply. “I can understand that this whole thing has taken a toll on you too. I know we aren’t your family, but you’ve treated us as if we were.”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she replied. Ben’s expression told her he wasn’t buying it. “Well… I guess it’s not nothing. The gravity of the day’s events just got to me all of a sudden.”
In a tone that reflected doubt he said, “I think there’s more to it than that. I know I frightened you today. One thing is sure: If you had been in a similar situation and able to run off, leaving me wondering what would happen, I would be terrified … and more than a little angry… mad as hell, actually.”
“Of course I’m not angry. But I was terrified. This was my first experience with feeling helpless—being involved in something really serious. I guess I knew all along, from our experiences in London, that if I stuck around, things would get dicey.”
“When I decided to come to Pamplona, I should have insisted you stay in London. I truly didn’t think it would lead to this degree of violence. But once I was involved, I had to follow through. She’s my sister.”
“Of course you did. I admire and respect your decision. But the whole thing had another result—an unexpected one.”
“Unexpected?”
“Yes. I guess it would be easier to refer to an old adage that applies—sorta.” She took a deep breath and began, stumbling slightly with her words. “They say one never realizes what they have until they lose it, or I might say thinks they could lose it.”
Ben cocked his head trying to understand, but didn’t say anything. After a pause Ana blurted out, “You! You! I was afraid of losing you!” Ben backed away slightly, surprised by the intensity of her remark. “The hours after you ran off were excruciating, and as every minute passed I realized how much I didn’t want to lose whatever it was that had started between us.” She began to pace around the room, arms folded to her chest, waiting for a response and feeling as though her honesty could make a fool of her.
“Nothing between us has changed because of this. Well, I guess it will change, actually, because now a murdering crook isn’t chasing me, and I don’t have to worry about Olivia. That sounds pretty good to me.”
Ana smiled self-consciously and abruptly sat down on the small boudoir chair in the corner of the room. She looked down then combed through her tousled hair with her fingers. Ben stood his ground, waiting for her to say something. Finally, in a voice so soft he could scarcely hear it, she said, “Me too.”
Ben walked over and pulled her to her feet. “Hold me gently,” he said, carefully placing her arms around his torso.
She obliged and then kissed him softly on the lips, taking care to avoid the small cut, and then on his jaw. They remained standing in each other’s arms until the ringing phone in his room interfered. Ben went through and answered the call. His father was on the other end, calling to tell him that Valerie was awake, and although they can’t see her until she’s out of ICU, she keeps asking for ‘Ben.’ After he assured his father he would be there soon, he returned to Ana’s room to share the news.
“Valerie’s awake! I think maybe the worst of everything is over—or almost over.”
“That is good news—the best,” Ana said, rising onto her tiptoes and kissing his cheek.
Ben slipped his arms around her waist and in a more serious tone replied, “Well, she’s not completely out of the woods, but at least she survived the surgery.” He hesitated then said, “I have to go—thank her for saving my life. Dad said she’s asking for me.”
Ana maintained her happy expression, but although she was relieved for Ben’s ex-wife, she was also troubled by what this might mean to her connection with him—in spite of the divorce. She couldn’t avoid the thought that he might still feel some sort of obligation to Valerie, both with her recovery and the future status of their previous relationship. Ben had said very little, other than the marriage had been increasingly troubled and difficult. Clearly she could have no control over what happened, but she wanted to be there.
“Let me come with you,” she said immediately. “I can visit with Olivia and your parents while you see Valerie.”
“Thanks, but I have no idea how long I’ll be. Just wait here and I’ll stay in touch—promise,” Ben said, not realizing he had caused Ana to feel like an outsider yet again. She resigned herself to more hours of doubt ahead and put on a happy face when wishing him luck. She feared he could be walking out the door and back into his old life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
In less than an hour Ben was standing outside the ICU entrance, waiting for permission to enter. Shortly the head duty nurse opened the door and in halting English asked his name and the name of the patient he wanted to see.
“Por favor esepere aqui.” she said, then closed the door and disappeared for several minutes, while Ben waited impatiently.
Upon her return she opened the door wider and motioned for him to follow her. She led him into a room where he was ordered to wash his hands thoroughly and to put sterilized scrubs over his clothing. Due to the language gap these instructions were primarily accomplished with pointing and hand gestures. He was then shown to a small room that seemed more like a cubicle. There were walls but no window, and inside he saw only a small table and the bed where Valerie lay sleeping. The wall facing the corridor was glass, which facilitated keeping an eye on the patient. A Venetian blind afforded privacy but was fully opened. She looked small, pale and defenseless. Cords attached her to several monitors, while IV bags were delivering fluids and transfusing blood. Small tubes in her nostrils supplied oxygen and a sterilized bonnet resembling a shower cap covered her hair. She appeared to be sleeping, but soon responded to the slight noise of the door as he entered.
Her eyes opened slowly and she noticed him standing there. She smiled weakly, but there was a vacancy in her eyes that Ben thought might be a result of the drugs she’d been given for pain. He walked to the side of the bed and took her hand in his. Her lips and mouth were very dry when she tried to speak.
“Ben… you’re okay… right?” Her speech was slurred, and when he nodded yes she seemed not to notice the bruising on his face. “I told that ugly man my husband would come for me.” She paused, trying to find her words. “I told him you loved me and you would come. I did, I did… but he didn’t care.” Her speech became more fuzzy and trailed off as she closed her eyes.
Ben had tried not to show his shock when she began to speak of them as a couple. A few minutes later Valerie opened her eyes again and s
poke. She asked when they could go home to their flat in London, and then asked if her parents could visit. Her expression softened as she said that when she was feeling strong again it would be time they had a baby. Valerie was rambling, obviously under the influence of medication, and Ben looked down at the floor, not knowing how to respond. He could tell she was having trouble staying awake and hoped she would drift off so he could step out and find her doctor. Just as he completed the thought Valerie startled, and with one hand she reached for the other, the one Ben was holding. She suddenly tried to move.
The distress in her voice was obvious as she spoke. “Where’s my ring? Someone stole my ring!” She looked at Ben, imploring him for an answer. He was struck speechless. Summoning what strength she had, she demanded, “Ben! I need my ring!”
“Don’t get upset. I’ll see what I can find out.” In order to keep her calm that was the only answer he could give. He excused himself under the guise of making inquiries about the ring.
She called after him in a weak scratchy voice. “Come back soon.”
Ben stopped the first nurse he encountered in the corridor and tried to communicate that he needed badly to talk to Valerie McKinnon’s doctor. He apologized for forgetting the doctor’s name. She seemed to understand and pointed to a chair where he assumed he was meant to wait. After about a quarter of an hour that seemed much longer, he saw a lanky man in a white coat push the ICU door open and stride quickly toward him. It was the doctor who had come to Olivia’s room to tell them about Valerie’s condition. As Doctor Garces re-introduced himself, Ben recalled his difficulty with English, so he proceeded to speak slowly, describing her strange behavior and seeming departure from reality. However, to be very sure of what he was being told, the doctor asked him to wait while he looked for an English-speaking nurse. He soon returned with the nurse who had assisted him when speaking with the family. He told Ben that memory loss could be a side effect of not only the emotional trauma of her experience, but also as a result of blood loss and short term oxygen loss. He then related the fact that while on the operating table her blood pressure had dropped twice, and although her breathing stopped, they had managed revive her. He said the memory loss could be short term, yet there was a possibility it could be emotional—that she could be taking refuge in a time of life where she felt safe. He asked if she had ever experienced psychological problems.
Good Deed Bad Deed : A Novel Mystery Page 31
