schedule?”
“Tomorrow would be fine. Yes, I’ll be watching for you.”
She set the phone back on the cradle and tried to dismiss the uncomfortable feeling in her gut.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Isabel and Manuel rose early and began work right after breakfast, hoping to translate a fair amount of entries before the police arrived to question Isabel. Excited at having reached the entry about the stolen pearls, Isabel forgot the unpleasantness related to the fire and delved into her work.
July 11, 1505
While I awaited the cover of darkness last night, a terrible and compelling plan filled my mind. As my feelings for Karwa increase, so does my compassion for her people. Simply fleeing the atrocities no longer seems sufficient. I desire to strike at the heart of the greed that drives these men to their evil.
I found the admiral’s cabin unoccupied and unguarded, and it seemed to me that Dios had sanctioned my treachery. I stepped inside and laid hold of that which the admiral finds most dear: his treasure. He has set aside a small chest of pearls, the finest and largest harvested off the coast, to make an impressive gift to the royal court upon his return. He hopes to buy favor and promotion with this gift. Many Indians have been sacrificed to fuel the admiral’s ambition. From the luxury of his well-appointed quarters, he orders the cruelty and carnage around him. He does not deserve to profit from his sins.
The chest is heavy, and the pearls, stained with the blood of thousands of Karwa’s people, hold no value for me. Yet I will take the admiral’s hoarded treasure and steal away with Karwa. May the admiral’s heart fail him when he discovers my treason.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Isabel was helping clear the lunch dishes from the table when she heard the rumble of an approaching vehicle. Her stomach quivered as she went to the door and admitted the two uniformed men. Maria followed them into the living room and set a tray of refreshments on the coffee table. Nerves making her breathless, Isabel offered the men a seat.
While Maria poured glasses of iced tea and urged little dessert cakes on the officers, Isabel used the opportunity to study her visitors. They were an odd pair if ever she’d seen one. The older of the two carried a thick paunch around his middle. Streaks of silver and gray lined his dark hair. The younger officer appeared around thirty years of age. A wide gap separated his two front teeth, and numerous cowlicks turned his hair in disorderly swirls.
As soon as Maria left the room, the older man set his refreshments aside and initiated business. “Miss Palmer, my name is Office Ramirez and this is my partner, Officer Galván. We appreciate your willingness to meet with us. As I’m sure you realize, we are eager to find the person or people who committed the crimes in your apartment building.”
Isabel rested her glass of tea on her blue-jean clad leg. “I’m happy to meet with you, though I’m not sure if I’ll be of any help.”
The men exchanged a glance that sent a jolt of fear through her. They’re hiding something from me.
Officer Galván spoke next. “Where were you the night of the fire, Miss Palmer?”
“Let’s see,” she murmured as she collected her thoughts. “I was working at a colleague’s apartment until 4:30 or so. Then I ran errands, did a little shopping, and got some dinner too. I believe it was just after seven when I got off el metro and found my apartment burning.”
“Can you prove you were out of the apartment around six o’clock?” asked Officer Galván.
Isabel’s stomach tightened at the suspicion evident in his voice. “I think so,” she stammered. “I bought a shirt that night. The bag is still in my room and the receipt is probably inside. Most cash registers record the time of purchase.”
“We’ll need to see that.” The older officer leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his ample belly. He gave Officer Galván a nod. “Go with her
“Tomorrow would be fine. Yes, I’ll be watching for you.”
She set the phone back on the cradle and tried to dismiss the uncomfortable feeling in her gut.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Isabel and Manuel rose early and began work right after breakfast, hoping to translate a fair amount of entries before the police arrived to question Isabel. Excited at having reached the entry about the stolen pearls, Isabel forgot the unpleasantness related to the fire and delved into her work.
July 11, 1505
While I awaited the cover of darkness last night, a terrible and compelling plan filled my mind. As my feelings for Karwa increase, so does my compassion for her people. Simply fleeing the atrocities no longer seems sufficient. I desire to strike at the heart of the greed that drives these men to their evil.
I found the admiral’s cabin unoccupied and unguarded, and it seemed to me that Dios had sanctioned my treachery. I stepped inside and laid hold of that which the admiral finds most dear: his treasure. He has set aside a small chest of pearls, the finest and largest harvested off the coast, to make an impressive gift to the royal court upon his return. He hopes to buy favor and promotion with this gift. Many Indians have been sacrificed to fuel the admiral’s ambition. From the luxury of his well-appointed quarters, he orders the cruelty and carnage around him. He does not deserve to profit from his sins.
The chest is heavy, and the pearls, stained with the blood of thousands of Karwa’s people, hold no value for me. Yet I will take the admiral’s hoarded treasure and steal away with Karwa. May the admiral’s heart fail him when he discovers my treason.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Isabel was helping clear the lunch dishes from the table when she heard the rumble of an approaching vehicle. Her stomach quivered as she went to the door and admitted the two uniformed men. Maria followed them into the living room and set a tray of refreshments on the coffee table. Nerves making her breathless, Isabel offered the men a seat.
While Maria poured glasses of iced tea and urged little dessert cakes on the officers, Isabel used the opportunity to study her visitors. They were an odd pair if ever she’d seen one. The older of the two carried a thick paunch around his middle. Streaks of silver and gray lined his dark hair. The younger officer appeared around thirty years of age. A wide gap separated his two front teeth, and numerous cowlicks turned his hair in disorderly swirls.
As soon as Maria left the room, the older man set his refreshments aside and initiated business. “Miss Palmer, my name is Office Ramirez and this is my partner, Officer Galván. We appreciate your willingness to meet with us. As I’m sure you realize, we are eager to find the person or people who committed the crimes in your apartment building.”
Isabel rested her glass of tea on her blue-jean clad leg. “I’m happy to meet with you, though I’m not sure if I’ll be of any help.”
The men exchanged a glance that sent a jolt of fear through her. They’re hiding something from me.
Officer Galván spoke next. “Where were you the night of the fire, Miss Palmer?”
“Let’s see,” she murmured as she collected her thoughts. “I was working at a colleague’s apartment until 4:30 or so. Then I ran errands, did a little shopping, and got some dinner too. I believe it was just after seven when I got off el metro and found my apartment burning.”
“Can you prove you were out of the apartment around six o’clock?” asked Officer Galván.
Isabel’s stomach tightened at the suspicion evident in his voice. “I think so,” she stammered. “I bought a shirt that night. The bag is still in my room and the receipt is probably inside. Most cash registers record the time of purchase.”
“We’ll need to see that.” The older officer leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his ample belly. He gave Officer Galván a nod. “Go with her
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