The Fountains of Silence (36 page)

95

Daniel rushes to the hotel lobby. Of course Ana took the pictures, but why? He spots Carlitos near the entrance of the hotel.

“Buttons, I need a favor. It’s important.”

“
Sí
,
señor
. Tell me.”

“Find Ana and give her this message. Tell her, ‘Room 760 needs towels.’”

“
Ay
,
señor
, but I see Lorenza just over there. She can get one for you now.”

“No, tell Ana only. Just Ana.”

Carlitos’s small mouth puckers in an attempt to understand.

Daniel hands a one-dollar bill to Carlitos. The boy’s eyes expand.

“
Sí
,” nods Daniel. “This is an important one, Buttons. Just tell Ana that I need towels.”

Carlitos quickly crunches the bill in his palm, so it can’t escape. “Room 760 needs towels. Tell Ana only.” He takes off running, as if the building is on fire.

Daniel returns to his room. The phone rings. It’s Nick.

“I’m having people over for lunch at the villa. Join us.”

“Yeah, I got your message.” Daniel hesitates. Everything with Nick feels like a trap.

“It’s casual. No ties.” He then adds, “And no parents. C’mon, it’s my birthday!”

There’s a knock at Daniel’s door.

“Maybe I’ll stop by.” He hangs up and heads for the door.

Ana stands in the hallway, glowing and radiant. “I was told you needed towels,
señor
?”

“Sí.”

She steps into the room and Daniel quickly closes the door.

“You received my message?” she asks.

“Yes, and I saw that the pictures are gone.”

The smile slips from Ana’s face. “What do you mean?”

“You took a few of the pictures.”

“No, I didn’t.” She sets down the towels and runs to the wall. She lifts her hand, fingers scanning across the images. She turns to Daniel. “One photo of Rafa, one photo of Fuga, and . . . the nun with the baby.”

“You didn’t take them?”

“No.” Ana’s face blanches with concern. “I was here in your room until after ten. All of the photos and captions were still here.” She goes to Daniel’s jeans, folded on the bench. She reaches into the pocket and removes a note.

“Is that for me?”

She nods and takes a step back. Her fist closes tightly around the paper, her voice drops to a whisper. “
Señor
, this is very bad. Someone has been in your room. The captions that I—that Tom wrote. They were too honest.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m the only one assigned to your room unless you call downstairs. Did you request anything?”

“I wasn’t here. I just got back.”

Daniel runs to the closet. He grabs his cowboy boot and reaches inside. His hand reappears, holding the negatives. His shoulders exhale in relief.

“No one knows you wrote the captions, Ana. They’ll think I wrote them.”

“Who is ‘they’?”

“Whoever’s been in my room.”

Tears pop and stream down Ana’s face.

“No, hey, don’t cry.” He moves to Ana and reaches for her hand. “They’re just photos. I have the negatives and I’ll reprint them. Ben probably took them. He mentioned he could use them. Really. Please, don’t cry.”

“But this is dangerous.”

“Dangerous? You mean it’s dangerous for you to help me?”

“Yes . . . and no. It’s not just the photos.” She extends the crumpled note to Daniel.

Can I talk to you?

He reads the message; his eyes shift to her. “Ana,” he says quietly.

“Not here,” she whispers, as if someone were listening. “I have a break at five. Meet me in the garden of the Sorolla Museum.” Ana looks up at him. “I’ll be on the bench near the secret fountain.”

“The secret fountain?”

“
Sí
, look for the fountain of whispers.”

She squeezes his hand and runs from the room.

96

Puri looks at the clock in Sister Hortensia’s office. After lunch she is to report to the clinic. But first, she hopes to get to the file room.

Sister sifts through notes in front of her. “20 123, 20 121, and 20 116. Make sure they are all clean and fed before you go to the clinic.”

20 116. Clover.

“What for, Sister?”

Sister Hortensia stares at her, stone-faced.

“I’m sorry. I meant, right away, Sister.” Puri flees from the office.

Puri sees to Clover first. She recalls the note in the file. One hundred fifty thousand
pesetas
. Pending. “Maybe,” she whispers to the baby, kissing her head. She wants Clover to have the right parents, but are the right parents only paying parents?

The other two orphans are boys. Also
sin datos
. Neither came in from the
torno
, the box on the street.

Puri bathes the infants. She takes them to the mothers who live at the Inclusa and serve as wet nurses.

“Someone coming to see these three?” asks one of the mothers.

“I guess so,” says Puri. She watches the young woman feed Clover.

“They’ll take the boy I just fed,” says the mother. “He’s the youngest and cutest.”

Puri exhales in defense. “He is not the cutest. She is. Maybe they’ll want a girl.”

“No. People prefer boys. Boys are easier to raise. They can work and help as they get older.”

“Girls can be helpful too!”

“But they’re not considered providers.” She sighs. “If you love this one so much, why don’t you take her?”

Puri stares at the young woman in shock. “I’m a single girl,” whispers Puri.

“So am I,” says the young mother. “And I love my daughter just as much as any couple would.”

How could the young mother who lives at the Inclusa compare herself to Puri? Should she be offended? Once Clover has finished feeding, Puri returns her to the nursery, wrapped in a fresh pink blanket.

“Ah, there she is.” Sister Hortensia stands with an elegant couple near the ruffled bassinet of 20 123. “Purificación, bring the darling girl to us.”

Sister’s voice leaks exaggerated sweetness. The couple is well dressed and the father has a warm smile.

Puri looks down at Clover. “Look, we have visitors.” She carries Clover across the room and makes popping noises with her mouth. By the time she reaches the couple, Clover’s face is alive with joy.

“
¡Oh, qué chiquitita!
” exclaims the woman.

“Yes, she’s still tiny,” replies Sister Hortensia. Sister puts 20 123 back in his bassinet.

Without asking, Puri hands Clover to the woman. She eagerly accepts the child.

“She’s such a sweet girl with a very calm disposition,” whispers Puri. “She loves to smile and giggle. Make this sound and you’ll see her react.”

The woman imitates Puri and Clover immediately responds. Her tiny hand appears from beneath the blanket. The man leans in and Clover grasps on to his finger.

“
¡Cúcú!
” says the husband.

“She loves peek-a-boo,” says Puri.

The couple is clearly comfortable with an infant. Do they have children of their own? The pair not only looks lovingly at Clover, they look lovingly at each other. The woman wears the largest emerald ring Puri has ever seen. They are elegant, wealthy, kind, and in love. And they are Catholic. They wouldn’t be here otherwise.

Puri sees Sister across the nursery, picking up 20 121, the other little boy. She feels time slipping.

Puri speaks quickly, almost blurting. “She is a sweet one. She’s the sweetest one. She’s engaged, alert, and so affectionate. She’s the very best child here and I know all of them, I promise. You should choose her. Good day.”

Puri bobs and turns from the couple. Sister Hortensia stands, holding the other baby boy, giving a questioning glare to Puri.

“Have a nice afternoon, Sister. I’m on my way to the clinic.” Puri smiles, suddenly feeling like a very good Spaniard.

97

“Look who’s here.
Hola
, cowboy!” says Nick, rising from the table. He greets Daniel in the entry to the breezy villa dining room.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thanks. You remember these folks from the event at the embassy, don’t you?” Daniel eyes the girls in dresses and the young men in ties. Once again, Nick has led him astray. “I thought you said it was casual,” he whispers.

“It is! Look at me. I’m not wearing a tie. I can’t help that they did.” Nick walks to the table and makes an announcement. “My friend feels he’s underdressed. Would you please assure him that his Dallas ranch wear is just fine?” Nick lifts a glass in a toast. “To comfort, Daniel Matheson.”

A girl at the table perks up. “Your people are the Mathesons from Dallas?”

“My people? Uh, yes,” he says.

The girl gives an immature squeal. “Then you must know my parents’ dear friends? The Joyce family from Preston Hollow? They have a daughter our age, Laura Beth.”

Society’s noose casts long shadows. Half a world away and this girl knows his family and also Laura Beth’s? His mother would be thrilled. Of course they know the Joyce family. Everyone does.

“I’m sorry,” says the girl. “Did I say something to offend?”

“Not at all,” recovers Daniel, realizing that his face gave him away. “Just looking for a place to put my camera.”

“Unlike the rest of us loafers, my pal Dan’s been on assignment this morning. He’s an award-winning photographer and a finalist for a big photography prize.”

Nick actually sounds proud. His mention of Daniel as a pal feels genuine.

“Holy cow, that’s impressive,” says one of the guys. “What did you photograph this morning?”

Five faces stare at him from the fancy lunch table, waiting for a response.

“I photographed Franco,” says Daniel quietly.

The table erupts with impressed chatter.

“I see you’ve got the press badge to prove it,” whispers Nick. “How’d you swing that? Shep says those are worth gold.”

“I’ll be returning it to Ben after I leave here,” says Daniel.

“Sure you will.” Nick nods with a grin.

Daniel moves to place his camera on a nearby table. Behind is a wall of shelves holding dozens of framed photos—Nick with his Le Rosey rowing team, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dorn with President Eisenhower, Mr. Van Dorn with Conrad Hilton. There are also several group photos and family photos. One image catches his eye. He moves closer. Standing in the back row of the group is Nick. Standing next to him is Ana.

Nick approaches from behind. “Evaluating the photo technique?”

“Nope. The people in the photo.” Daniel points to Ana. He looks at Nick.

“I told you, we’re friends. Nothing more,” whispers Nick. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

But Daniel has lost his appetite.