A Corpse for Cuamantla (25 page)

Chapter
64

A
fter Cortez finished his story, the three sat quietly, the men sipping their tequila, lost in their thoughts about the day until Anna broached the question puzzling her.

"Why did Rolando try to hurt me? What was the point?" The more she thought about it the more outraged she felt.

"Simple, Maestra. He wanted to scare you into leaving the house for good. Professor Fortin never told Medina you were coming to stay in the house. They learned about your presence the evening Muñoz visited and saw the light on in your upstairs room. Otherwise, he would have let himself into the house with his key instead of knocking on the front door."

"I would have freaked," Anna said.

"I hope he rots in hell," Miguel interjected.

"Well," Cortez smiled wryly, "one of our jails may be nearly as bad."

"What about the person who attacked María and me in Cuamantla last night? Was he part of the smuggling ring?"

"I nearly forgot, Maestra. When I met with the Municipal President to report on the recovery of the
Cédula
, he told me about the assault and the locals already arrested the offender. Finding him was pretty easy. You made a nasty mess of his arm, Maestra."

Anna ignored the men's laughter. She hadn't wanted to hurt him so badly, but she was fighting for her life and María's.

"María told me she reported the incident. She'll be glad to hear he's been caught. He's lucky I broke his arm. María wanted to shoot him once she had control of his gun." The men roared with laughter. Anna rolled her eyes. "Was he connected with Rolando?"

"No, Maestra, he was after María's new car and he didn't care who got hurt in the process. Two women in the dark seemed an easy target, especially with a gun." Cortez and Miguel shook their heads, agreeing with each other over the man's stupidity in choosing his victims.

"I think you've answered all of my questions but one, Commander." Anna's curiosity wouldn't be satisfied until Cortez tied up every loose end. "Why did Rolando kill Pedro after he stole the
Real Cédula
for him? Surely he knew Pedro's family wouldn't tolerate the murder."

"Two reasons. Rolando believed Yolanda wanted Pedro dead knowing she would no longer have to deal with him and could enjoy the financial benefits of widowhood. He got that part wrong. As for the Real Cédula, Pedro not only wouldn't steal the document, but threatened to go to the authorities if Rolando stole it. Rolando tried to reason with Pedro prior to the fiesta, but Pedro wouldn't listen and Rolando couldn't take the risk of Pedro informing the authorities since it would break open the whole smuggling ring. In the end, he decided it was less risky to kill Pedro than to let him live. During the fiesta preparations, he kept out of sight watching for an opportunity to find Pedro alone. When Pedro entered the rose garden Rolando started to follow, but was prevented first by Miguel, then by Yolanda, and finally, by Tomás Bello.

Rolando decided to try his luck from inside the school. He stayed out of sight in a corner of María's classroom pretending to be a parent examining student textbooks. The window was open and he overheard the conversation between Pedro and Yolanda. He was about to confront Pedro when he saw Bello. He waited, and once Bello left, Rolando leaned out the window to threaten Pedro, who wouldn't capitulate. Their argument escalated and Rolando pulled a gun. Apparently Pedro laughed at the threat, daring Rolando to shoot him. Rolando pulled the trigger, assuming correctly the gunshot would sound like another rocket and never be noticed. Rolando fled the classroom, blending into the crowd assembling outside the school. The parade provided him plenty of cover. Even Yolanda never knew he was hanging around in the village looking for Pedro. She thought he was in Apizaco on an errand.

"Did I film him?" Anna asked. "I can't remember seeing him on the video."

"Sí Maestra, he's on your video going into the school, but you can barely see him," Cortez said. "At one point, he passed by one corner of your field of view though his head is turned away from your camera. However, I had written down his description, including the cowboy boots."

"The cowboy boots that did him in," she added.

"Yes," Cortez said, "an after killing Pedro, Rolando drove Yolanda back to Zocatlo then returned to Tlaxcala that evening to hide the Cedula. Arriving in Belén, he parked on the street in back of your house and waited for his opportunity. He knew he couldn't use the key to enter because of your noisy front door, so he climbed over the wall and hid in your courtyard, hoping you would do exactly what you did, go up to the room on the roof leaving a downstairs patio door open."

"That's a bit of a long shot, isn't it, Commander? Hoping I would go up to the roof? He might have had a long wait."

"Oh, he had a backup plan, Maestra, to create a disturbance on the roof by tossing up stones so you would leave to investigate. You simply made his job a little easier, that's all. Once he entered the house, he went straight to the study to unlock the desk drawer and hide the document. Unfortunately, you returned quicker than he expected, interrupting him. He knew he was trapped and decided to fabricate a burglary by rummaging around on your desk and taking the DVDs. He assumed the police would either fail to investigate or at least not open the locked drawer. If they had, Maestra, I'm afraid you might have found yourself in serious trouble."

Anna drew in a sharp breath thinking how close she might have come to being arrested for the theft. "I'm so glad you were the one to open that drawer Commander, and not one of the federales. I'm frightened to think what may have happened to me otherwise."

Miguel groaned. "Maestra, please don't allow this matter to cloud your judgment about our land and our people. Remember, in the end justice prevailed."

"I know, Miguel. Commander, will you be driving Rolando back to Tlaxcala or will they keep him here?"

"The federal officers from Zocatlo will transport him to Tlaxcala to stand trial before the judge. I'm planning to return to Tlaxcala tomorrow morning and will be stopping off in Belén. I could drive you home if you wish. Door to door service?"

"Thank you, Commander, but the four of us have sightseeing plans for tomorrow," she fibbed, avoiding Miguel's quizzical glance. "But, I'll be available later if you need me," she said, feeling a little guilty for lying to Cortez.

If Cortez was disappointed by Anna's response, she never noticed it. "Thank you for agreeing to come to police headquarters on your return," he said, "since we'll need a formal statement from you."

"I can visit your office day after tomorrow, if that's okay."

"Certainly, Maestra. What time should I expect you so I can mark it on my calendar?"

"Mornings are best for me since Miguel's school begins at noon. Say around ten?"

"
Bueno
. I'll make a note of the appointment and expect you at ten."

"Isn't it ironic," she said to him, "that Pedro was killed trying to do a good deed for the community of Cuamantla, despite how much they disliked him? It doesn't seem fair."

"Life isn't fair, Maestra," Cortez said, "and we shouldn't expect otherwise. One of our responsibilities for which we'll be judged most harshly in the afterlife I believe, is to create fairness wherever we can. But that's my priesthood training speaking."

Chapter
65

H
ow did you put all these pieces together, José?" Miguel asked.

"Bueno
.
Once I figured out the business with the Real Cédula," Cortez said
,
"Tomás Bello provided the next key. To tell the truth, his shady reputation made him my number one suspect after Francisco because I felt he might be involved in the black market ring. At the cemetery, I told him I knew about his scheme with Pedro and I knew they argued in the rose garden at the time of the murder. I told him our evidence was sufficient to convict him of Pedro's murder. He realized he was in jeopardy and began telling me everything, even incriminating himself over the kickback scheme for securing jobs for teachers.

After listening to his story, I decided he was telling the truth about not killing Pedro, which put me back to square one. Bello admitted arguing with Pedro but insisted Pedro was alive when he left him. As he left the rose garden, Bello told me he overheard Pedro talking with someone inside the school. He couldn't make out the details, but he provided two important clues. He said he heard mention of the Real Cédula, and the unfamiliar voice belonged to a man. The first fact confirmed the link in my mind between Pedro's murder and the theft, and the second suggested the murderer was not from the school, maybe not even from Cuamantla.

After talking with Bello, I stood for a minute on the hillside puzzling this out when I saw the Maestra disappear behind the truck." Cortez turned to Anna. "I waited for you to come around the other side and when you didn't, I ran to the truck. You gave me quite a start, Maestra."

"What I wonder," Anna said, noticing the Commander's concern, "is what might have happened if I hadn't gone behind the truck. Somehow, Rolando seemed to know about my video and I haven't a clue how he learned about it. He might have come after me later on when I was alone or in a situation where I couldn't protect myself."

Miguel looked sheepish. "I'm afraid it's my fault, Anna, and I may not forgive myself. I told Yolanda about your video at Pedro's wake and she must have passed along the information to Rolando. She asked a lot of questions and I'm afraid I foolishly trusted her. I don't know what more to say than I'm sorry."

"Water over the dam, Miguel," Cortez said. "As the Maestra pointed out, it's better he confronted her tonight when we were around to help."

"Gracias, Comandante," Miguel raised his tequila glass, "but the Maestra managed quite well without our help, wouldn't you say?"

Cortez smiled at Anna. "I believe the credit for solving this case really belongs to you, Maestra--for noticing the missing the rowel on Rolando's spur, and for finding that bit of silver at the crime scene. Wait until my homicide group hears about this, they'll be asking you to join the force."

"I appreciate the compliment, Commander, but you did an amazing investigative job, and I'm eternally grateful to you and Miguel for saving my life tonight. I don't know what Rolando had in mind other than frightening me and I don't want to know, but I'll be glad when my ankle heals so I can be in better shape to defend myself."

"Not a worry, Maestra," Miguel said. "The chances of something like this happening again are slim to none." He looked over at Cortez. "Commander, please accept my congratulations and my gratitude as well." Miguel reached for the tequila bottle. "How about another shot?"

"No thanks, Miguel, I need solid food and a good night's sleep. If there are no more questions, I'll be on my way. Preparing the report on Rolando Múñoz will take me some time and I'm already tired."

"What will happen to Rolando, Commander?" Anna asked.

"I expect the judge will be lenient with him in exchange for the information he's providing on the smuggling ring. He may end up with three or four years in prison, perhaps not that. The shortage of teachers in the State could impact the judge's decision. Rolando is repentant for his recent series of misjudgments and might be able to convince the judge to allow him to serve part of his time in one of the rural mountain schools. Yolanda showed up at police headquarters and is standing by him. She knew nothing about his involvement either in the smuggling ring or the murder. Her public support will help his case."

"And Medina?" Miguel asked, taking the words out of Anna's mouth. "He was one of my professors at the University. I can't recall hearing anything negative about him when I was there."

"Who knows when he decided his university salary would not support his lifestyle? Matters will be more difficult for him, I'm afraid. I expect the State of Tlaxcala will provide him many years to catch up on his reading. The authorities don't look kindly on the treasonous behavior of those who trade away our history in order to enrich themselves, or who lure the young to help with their corrupt activities, and now,
hasta luego
. I look forward to seeing you again day after tomorrow, Maestra, at ten o'clock in the morning."

Anna nodded and Cortez rose, extending his hand first to her and then to Miguel.

"You're a lucky man, amigo, to work with such a lovely lady. Perhaps, Maestra, I may ask you to consider English lessons in the future, if your schedule permits?"

"I'd be honored, Commander." Anna walked Cortez to the hotel room door and they shook hands again while Miguel remained rooted in place.

Chapter 66

O
ut in the hallway, Cortez leaned against the wall for a moment before heading down the corridor lost in thought. Rounding the corner he ran into Juan and María stepping off the elevator. He nodded a brief greeting and kept walking, hoping to avoid another lengthy conversation. The pair greeted him tentatively and turned in the direction of their rooms. Cortez glanced back and saw them holding hands. The four teachers will have a lot to talk about tonight, he thought. That's good
.
He wondered briefly about the relationship between Anna and Miguel but quickly dismissed the thought. He looked forward to meeting with her day after tomorrow for her report on the case, a good time to schedule those English lessons.

§

A
nna closed the hotel room door, her head reeling. Miguel exploded. "English lessons. He isn't interested in learning English, Anna, he's interested in you."

"And you, Miguel?" she asked, slipping her arms around his neck. "What about you?"

He grinned down at her. Tracing his finger along the outline of her lips he came up with a suggestion. "Perhaps we could start with a kiss, mi amor?"

If warning bells sounded in Anna's head she ignored them, satisfied with the pleasure of the moment until a loud rap at the door interrupted their embrace.

"What does Cortez want now?" Miguel muttered reaching for the doorknob, but it wasn't Cortez. Miguel swung open the door to greet a beaming Juan who guided María into the room.

"We're back and we have some news for you." Juan sounded excited about his announcement. A pensive María stood beside him smiling.

"And we have news for you," Miguel replied. The two stared back at him, momentarily disconcerted.

"Sounds like we have a long night ahead of us," Anna said, limping back to the empty bed where she propped herself up with pillows and avoided eye contact with Miguel. Time enough for that another day, she thought, less certain about their relationship than she wanted to be.

Whatever might or might not happen with Miguel, matters appeared to have been settled between María and Juan. Clearly María's affections had turned to Juan now that Pedro no longer dominated her life. Perhaps María would never speak his name again and Pedro could die his third death, allowing everyone to live in peace. Anna had a lot to tell Art when she called him in the morning.

She wondered if he was already in Belén, waiting for her.

###

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