Chapter 26
William checked the roast beef and closed the oven. He was nervous as a schoolboy. After the most painful weeks of his life, the woman he loved and hurt was coming to his home and he dared to hope again. He recalled the agony that his existence had been since he returned from Encarnación, the pain, the anger and the emptiness that forced nights of wakefulness and sorrowful isolation. But now he was given another chance and he would not waste it. She looked so pretty. I've never seen her looking so pretty. Well, I have, she is beautiful, but she is even more now. She looked so surprised when she saw me, with those big brown eyes wide open. It seems that she didn't expect to find me there. Perhaps she didn't expect to see me at all. What if she didn't want to see me at all? What if she still hates me? He shook his head and dismissed the possibility. No, she said she didn't, and she is always sincere and direct, very direct. And she accepted the invitation for the weekend. God, I was such a brute in asking that way, but I love her, I couldn't help it. Will this fucking can open or not? I liked her family, they seem to be very nice people. I didn't know she had family in England. That could be an advantage. She might come back in the future and I will see her, if she wants to see me, of course. He was fidgeting with a can of mini-carrots when the doorbell rang and he jumped in surprise, cutting his thumb in the process.
"Fuck!" He put his thumb in his mouth and walked to the door.
William opened the door, finger in mouth, much to his guests surprise. "Hello, I … cut my finger. Please come in." He gestured them inside.
Maddy laughed. "Hello, William. Don't worry, Joseph is so useless in the kitchen that if I let him in he would burn the house down."
"Maddy, that is not true." Joseph shot her a dark look.
"Hi." Elizabeth looked at him. He was looking so cute, with his hair neatly cut and pressing the fingertip of his thumb against his teeth. "Let me see that." She walked to him.
William shuddered slightly when she took his hand and kept his eyes down. "It's just a small cut."
Jumpy, aren't we? She smiled. "Do you have any Band-Aids?"
"In the bathroom."
Neither of them moved, they remained rooted to their spots, looking at each other.
"Will, dear," Maddy called them, "why don't you show her the way and put some peroxide on that?"
"Please, make yourself at home. I … we'll be right back."
"You have a pretty large place," Elizabeth commented as she followed him. "Very handsome and neat."
"Thank you. Uhmm, we'll have to go to my bedroom's bathroom. There is no Band-Aid in the other one."
Elizabeth blushed and looked down. "It's fine."
They walked into the bedroom and went to the bathroom. Everything was in perfect order, except for 4 shirts that were carelessly forgotten over the bed. William hurried her into the bathroom, not wanting her to notice that he changed 5 times before she arrived.
Elizabeth washed his finger and covered the small wound in silence. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest that she was afraid he could hear it. William wouldn't hear it anyway because his was beating so loudly that it was resounding in his ears.
She was concentrated on keeping her eyes down when she noticed his belt. "You still have it?" she whispered.
"Yes," he said with a shy smile. "I always wear it." Then he looked at the pendant on her chest and repressed the need to trace the thin gold chain with his forefinger. "And you still have this."
"Yes. I never take it off." She raised her eyes for the first time.
He looked at her silently for a while, not sure of what to do. He wanted to kiss her and drop to his knees begging for forgiveness but knew this wasn't the correct place or time.
"Thank you, for this." He showed her his bandaged finger and continued in a rather hoarse voice, "I think we should go, dinner must be burnt by now."
I know I'm burning. "Yes. I'll help you in the kitchen. I don't want you to cut your hand off."
William grinned and pretended to be offended. "I'm capable of cooking!" he said as they walked together into the living room, the initial awkwardness now replaced by the usual friendly manners they always had when in each other's company.
"No, William, you are just helpful in the kitchen, not useful, and that thumb is the proof of it; so I'll finish dinner before we have a real accident."
William grabbed her by the back of her neck and shook her softly. "Why is that you always have your way in everything?"
She turned to him impertinently. "Because I'm right."
"You better get used to those kind of replies, son," Joseph commented on seeing their playful exchange. "Women always have their way in everything."
Dinner was delicious -it did not burn- and proved the point that William was capable of cooking. Conversation was pleasant and amiable, William told Elizabeth's relatives the origin of his belt and everyone laughed when Elizabeth mimicked his fainting expression on seeing the decapitated snake. Elizabeth related some of her misfortunes during her European tour, her heated argument with an Italian waiter because of the non-filled ravioli and the strike in Belgium that made her miss the train and sleep one night at the station. Then, Joseph filled them with stories about his youth in Encarnación, his fishing trips when the girls and his children and his own encounters with yararás, hilarious, but not as dramatic as William's.
Too soon it was time to leave. The guests thanked their host and William walked them to the door. Tactfully, Maddy and Joseph walked ahead and left the couple to say goodbye in some privacy.
They walked arm in arm behind them in awkward silence. William wanted to tell her so many things but didn't know how to begin so he just put his hands on his back and waited for the agony to end.
"I had a wonderful time. Thank you." Elizabeth smiled timidly.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. Is 9 all right?"
"Fine."
William looked around him, unsure of how to proceed. Should he kiss her on the cheek? Would she allow him to do it? Don't risk your luck, William, she might slap you this time. Not wanting to ruin everything with an impulsive action, he preferred to maintain the distance and muttered a polite 'good night'.
Elizabeth bit her lip and looked at him, trying to keep her emotions in check. Everything was so difficult. Why did he have to behave so nicely? Was he still in love with her? Would she be able to forgive him? Could they have a relationship while they lived in different continents? A relationship? Where did that come from?
He moved closer to open the door of the car for her and her perfume intoxicated his senses. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it."
You are? "Elizabeth, I …"
She shook her head and cupped his cheek. "Good night." One more look and she stepped into the car.
Chapter 27
Elizabeth was looking at the closet wondering what to put in the small bag she was preparing. She was more anxious than she had been in years. God! I'm just going out for a weekend! Should I take a silk nightgown? She smiled and shook her head. If he is as decided as he was the last time I will not need a nightgown at all, and if he is not, I'll sleep by myself anyway, so who cares if I'm wearing a t-shirt with holes on the back? She paused and pondered what she had just thought. Do I want to sleep with him? She finally put a spare t-shirt, jeans, a denim jacket and underwear.
"Liz! William is here!" Maddy called her from the stairs.
She checked herself in the mirror and ran down the stairs.
William was standing at the door, his tall frame illuminated from the outside, looking incredibly handsome in his faded jeans and polo shirt, with a sweater carelessly tied over his shoulders.
"Good morning." He smiled and took the bag from her hand. She was looking so pretty, with her hair tied in a loose ponytail that same floral skirt that drove him crazy when he just met her.
"Hello. You are early," she said with smiling eyes.
"No. I'm perfectly punctual." He looked at his watch. "Ready?"
"Do you mind if I drink a cup of tea? I haven't had breakfast yet and …"
"Neither did I. We can have something once we are outside of town if you don't mind, I would like to avoid the traffic."
"Fine for me. Let's go." She turned and kissed her aunt's cheek. "Bye. See you tomorrow."
"Enjoy yourselves!" Maddy waved from the door.
"Is this your car?" Elizabeth pointed to an impressive black Lexus parked on the street.
"Yes, why?"
"It's bigger than my pickup. And it looks like a black space shuttle."
William opened the passenger's door, which happened to be the driver's door for her. "So?"
"How can you drive such a big car in a city with so much traffic?" She said as she sat on the leather seat. Elizabeth was really impressed, she had never been in such a luxurious car before.
"I'm used to it," he answered as he sat behind the wheel. "Fasten your seat belt."
"Why, this thing flies too?" She raised her eyebrows and made no attempt to do it.
"Yes, the wings are hidden under the car. Come on, fasten it." William's lips were twisting up.
"Which button pushes the wings out? I want to see them."
"This one." He pointed at the air conditioner command. "But I'm not allowed to use them in the city. Are you going to use the seat belt or not?"
"I only use seat belts when I'm flying."
"Put it on or I'm doing it for you." He tried to sound serious.
She looked him under her lashes. "William, you can be sooo commanding sometimes."
William shook his head and rested it on the wheel. "Why? Why me?"
Elizabeth laughed and stroked his back. "I'm just teasing you. You lack patience. I thought you would improve with time but you didn't, you are even worse."
William held her gaze with a tender smile and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. At that time the only thing that crossed his mind was to kiss her, love her and marry her, but he knew he should take things slowly this time, and though he knew she wasn't rejecting him, he wanted to show her that he could behave like a gentleman. He started the car and they drove away. As soon as they reached the M1, Elizabeth took a mate from her bag and began to ready it.
"What are you doing?"
"Mate."
"I know it's mate. I thought we were stopping at a coffee shop," he replied.
"I told you that I can't start my day without it." She poured hot water inside and drank the first one. She refilled it and offered it to William. "Be careful, it's hot."
He took the mate from her hand. "Then we'll stop for some croissants. Did you carry this around during your trip through the continent?"
"Yes, but I didn't have much time to drink it. Mate requires time to enjoy it, and a certain atmosphere. And it's much better when it is shared. It is a very social beverage."
"How is that?"
"Well, it is kind of weird if you don't know the tradition. When you drink it by yourself, it keeps you company." She laughed at William's raised eyebrow. "I usually drink mate when I'm alone, working at the lab or just sitting in the garden. I can do it for hours, it helps me to pass the time. The herb has an effect similar to tea or coffee, it wakes you up. But when in company, it increases the union of the group, it cheers up the party. Did you notice that it is always the same cup that goes from one person to another, that I place it in your hand and you return it in the same manner and that we drink from the same straw? You don't offer your mate to just anyone, you share it only with people that mean something to you." She handed it to him.
William sipped it in silence. "Thank you."
Elizabeth laughed softly. "You only say 'thank you' after your last mate, when you don't want to drink any more."
He looked at her. "Thank you for saying that I mean something for you, because you mean everything to me."
The comment was followed by a long and intense silence, where both knew that too much had been said but still not enough. Wisely, and not wanting to ruin the amiable atmosphere, they turned the conversation onto much safer topics. With the mate going from hand to hand in friendly companionship, they chatted about the landscape and traditions of the places they visited. They drove for a couple of hours, stopped for lunch and continued to tour the countryside. William showed her his favorite spots, stopping now and then to walk or visit an interesting site, and soon they were so at ease with each other that it seemed that the past had never existed.
"You said your family was from Derbyshire."
"Yes, near Lambton. Though I wasn't born here, my father was. It's a beautiful town."
"My father told me that his father was from Herfordshire."
"It's very nice too. I can take a few days off and drive you there, if you want."
"I wouldn't wish to distract you from your work." She looked down.
"That won't be a problem. I'd like to take you." He paused as he pulled out of the main road. "We are almost there." The road made a turn and a beautiful stone building appeared from behind a grove of ancient oaks. "Look. There. Pemberley. That was the family home before the war."
Elizabeth gasped. "It's magnificent."
William smiled proudly and parked the car near the front gate. "I think they won't allow us to go into the house now, it's kind of late, but we can see the gardens."
They walked through the park, Elizabeth marveling at the beauty of the hills and groves and William marveling at her. He could only watch her and wait for the right moment to come, but as they spent more time together, it was more difficult for him to hold his feelings back. She was looking radiant, beautiful, with that spontaneous liveliness that had enamoured him from the beginning, almost dancing around him when she showed him a special view, making him want to forget everything and just take her in his arms.
Suddenly she took his hand and pulled him near the lake. "Have you ever seen anything more lovely?"
William followed her a few steps and stopped, pulling her gently back to him. "Yes, I have. You."
Elizabeth looked at him with big and unsure eyes. She knew this would happen at one point of her stay in England but she didn't imagine it would be so soon. Though she knew she loved him, and she understood his reasons, she was not ready to forget what had happened, so she tried to remain strong and allowed him to go on.
William didn't know what to do about her expression. There was no taking back what he just said so he decided to play his last card and see if she would accept him. If everything went wrong, at least they could remain friends. "Elizabeth, I …" he paused and looked down at her hand on his. "I can't go on pretending that nothing happened, that I didn't do what I did, and that I don't feel what I feel. I never wanted to hurt you, you are too precious to me and I really …" He swallowed hard and searched for the appropriate words, words of repentance, but he couldn't he find them, so he said the words he denied for so long. "I love you, Liz, I know that I'm not worthy of you, but I love you." He raised his eyes and searched for hers. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness or your friendship back, but I want you to know that you are what I love most, that I want to make a new start, and that I'll understand if you don't want to see me again. But please forgive me."
It was done. He said it. Now his only hope was that she would accept his apology. He didn't want anything back, just another chance.
Elizabeth bit her lip. This was more than she expected. He was truly sorry, and he loved her. She was moved by his letter before, but having him in front of her, witnessing his struggle only made harder the difficult task she had ahead.
The silence was deafening and William began to dread the worst.
"I'm sorry, William." She tightened the hold in his hand when he tried to withdraw it. "But I'm not ready." She saw him look away. "Just give me time. This is all so sudden, and I don't want to be hurt again."
William took a deep breath and tried to disguise the pain that was wrenching his heart, but she was right, he didn't deserve her acceptance, he would have to earn it. He looked at her with the most pleading eyes she had ever seen.
"As you wish, Elizabeth, please just give me another opportunity."
"You have it." She smiled and squeezed his hand.
William squeezed it back and smiled faintly. "It's time to go. It's getting dark."
Elizabeth released the breath she was holding. "Right. Where are we going now?"
William eyes were still lost in the horizon but his hand remained on hers. "We can go to the Inn to freshen up and then have some dinner." He paused and decided to stop feeling sorry for himself. A smile came to his lips and he looked at her with confident and hopeful eyes. "I know a very nice place."
Elizabeth smiled brightly at his new disposition. He was trying, and he would not lose this battle. "Great."
They walked hand in hand to the car. The temperature had dropped a little and Elizabeth released William's hand to brace herself, as she had left the jacket in the car and was wearing a sleeveless turtleneck.
"Are you cold?" He didn't have his sweater either to offer.
"Not much. I didn't realize the car was so far away."
"It is. Come, I won't bite." He smiled and put his arm around her shoulder.
"I'm not afraid of you." She encircled his waist and snuggled into his warm embrace.
"You shouldn't be." He stroked her arm and kissed her hair. "I'll prove you that even if it takes me the rest of my life."
William opened the door of her bedroom and remained in the hall. "Do you like it?"
"This place is incredible!" Elizabeth looked around the lovely suite. "I never slept in a four poster bed. And the bathroom, it's obscene! Will, this will cost a fortune."
He left her bag on the floor and followed her enthusiastic tour with a smile. "No, it won't. And that isn't a problem anyway. I want you to feel comfortable."
She turned to look at him. "Thank you."
William held her gaze and decided it was time to leave. "I'll come for you in ... fifteen minutes?" he raised his eyebrows.
"We are not going to an exclusive place, aren't we? I don't have anything to wear."
He laughed and shook his head. "No. It's a very nice little restaurant. It's very close to the Inn, so we can walk there."
"Fine."
As promised, William came for her fifteen minutes later and they walked together the short distance to the restaurant. Elizabeth was really impressed with the place, it was small, quaint, with a few tables illuminated by little candle-lights and an intimate and cozy atmosphere. As time passed they felt more comfortable with each other. William was relaxed, funny, charming and Elizabeth, well, she was just the same lovely and spontaneous Elizabeth that William fell in love with.
"Cold again?" William smiled crookedly as they walked under the moonlight.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and slid her arm around his waist. "Not any more."
He tightened his hold around her. They continued to walk in silence, exchanging a knowing smile now and then, just enjoying the proximity and warmth of the other until they reached the Inn.
Once again, William walked her to the door and remained outside the bedroom. They were smiling at each other and he bit his lip and grinned wickedly.
"What?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at the sight of his impertinent dimples.
"I was wondering if I … could kiss you goodnight." He tried to remain serious and failed.
Elizabeth's color raised immediately. "If you wish."
William put his hands on each side of the door-frame and leaned in decidedly. In five seconds he managed to press his mouth against hers, part her lips slightly, tease her upper lip with his tongue and released her in a noisy and mouth-sucking kiss.
"Good night." He turned and went to his room.
Elizabeth remained there, mouth open. This was not what she expected. She didn't know what was she was expecting, but it surely wasn't this. She grinned and went to bed.
Chapter 28
"Elizabeth! Wake up!" William's voice was heard from the other side of the door.
"Go away! It's midnight!" She didn't open her eyes.
"No, it's 8.30, time to get up."
She raised from the bed and walked to the door with sleepy eyes and her hair in a complete mess. "I will never forgive you for this."
William chuckled at her appearance. He swept his eyes up and down her body but he averted them immediately when he realized she was wearing only a small tank top and very small knickers. "Come on, don't be lazy, I'll wait for you in the lobby."
Why is that you always look gorgeous in the mornings? "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
Half an hour later, a refreshed Elizabeth appeared in the lobby but William wasn't there. She searched around and walked outside, only to find him reclined on the car, with his arms crossed over his chest, facing the sun with closed eyes.
What a sight. "You said you would wait for me in the lobby, sir." She tried to sound offended.
"And you said fifteen minutes, young lady." He grinned.
Oh, Will, don't call me that. "What are we doing now?"
"We are going to Nottingham."
"Like in Robin Hood?"
"Yes. The woods are spectacular."
"Look!" She pointed out. "A fruit market! Why don't we buy some fruit and sandwiches and have a little picnic?" She took his hand and dragged him there.
William allowed her to lead the way and followed her with a grin.
"Do you want to take something else?" Elizabeth asked, looking around the fruit.
"We have apples, pears and strawberries. I think that's enough," William answered while looking inside the shopping bag.
"Grapes are delicious, miss. You should take some," the lady told her.
William and Elizabeth exchanged knowing smiles.
"Grapes too, thank you," Elizabeth answered.
"You threw your dish across the restaurant?" William laughed when she retold him the waiter incident in Rome. He was lying on the grass, leaning on his elbows and his long legs outstretched and crossed.
"Yes, like a flying saucer." Elizabeth crunched a grape inside her mouth. "He deserved it. After arguing for half an hour about the ravioli with his eyes fixed on my tits I was ready to kill the guy. You should have seen the face of that German tourist when the it crashed against the wall."
"What do you mean with his eyes on your … tits?" He didn't like that part of the story.
Elizabeth picked another grape, but this time she threw it in the air and caught it with her mouth. "Exactly that. What an asshole. I told you, I can turn violent when I'm hungry."
William raised his eyebrows at the epithet. "It's good to know that in advance. I'll have to feed you frequently." He took two grapes and put them one after another into her mouth. "At least you learned to spit the seeds out."
"No, I'm just doing so because you are watching me." She spat the seeds on her hand and put them on a paper napkin.
He grinned and pulled her down, so she was lying on the grass beside him. "So you are doing that only to keep me from saying something to you, aren't you?"
She grinned broadly and nodded.
William looked at her tenderly and smoothed the hair from her face. "I love you so much, Elizabeth."
His eyes left hers and went to her mouth and then up again, asking for permission. She smiled in consent and the knot on her stomach tightened when he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. It was lovely, magical. William pulled back a little and returned with more intensity, nibbling her upper lip, tasting with the tip of his tongue, gently exploring her mouth with his. Elizabeth moaned softly and caressed his hair. He was delicious, strong and sweet. His hand remained on her cheek and his body chastely apart. She smiled at his determination to respect her wishes. Thank God that at least he was resolved to behave because she would give in at any moment.
Another brush on her lips, a kiss on her nose and he pulled back with a smile. But the smile didn't last long and he looked away with a troubled expression.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nothing."
"William, tell me." She grabbed his chin and forced his face to hers.
He looked back at her. "When are you going back?
"In a week." She realized the reason of his change of mood.
"That won't give me enough time."
"Time for what?"
"Time to court you and make you fall in love with me."
Elizabeth held her breath. "It isn't necessary. I already am."
Now it was his time to hold his breath. He blinked and swallowed. Crikey. He began to laugh and rolled on the grass twice, pulling her with him, showering her face and neck with deliriously happy kisses.
He finished his playful outburst with Elizabeth lying over him and his face turned solemn. "Liz, I know you have to go." He paused. "But I love you and I don't want to lose you. I want to go on with this, to do things properly. I want this to last forever, to convince you that I'm worthy of you. We live in different continents now but I can go there and you could come here and stay with me." He corrected himself immediately. "I mean, with your relatives. I don't want to put any pressure on you, just allow me to see you, will you?"
Will, I want to trust you, don't disappoint me. She bit her lip. "We'll see. We have a week ahead to decide what we are going to do."
I'm not forgiven yet. "All right." He tried to look unaffected.
Elizabeth sensed that he needed reassurance and searched his lips for a comforting and loving kiss. He embraced her now, caressing her back and face, not too boldly, but with the confidence that they were on their way to happiness. She pulled back abruptly when she heard his mobile ringing somewhere under her hips.
"Bloody cell phones." William rolled his eyes.
Elizabeth removed herself from over him and sat on the grass.
William sat too and frowned when he recognized the caller ID. "Isn't that your uncle's number?" He showed her the display.
Now it was her time to frown. "Yes."
"Hello?" William answered the call.
"William? It's Joseph. Please forgive me for importuning you on your mobile, but Charles Bingley gave me the number. Is Elizabeth there with you?"
"Yes, she is. Is there a problem?"
"Well, yes. Charles called, it seems that thieves broke into the farm. Jane wants to talk to Elizabeth. She is at Charles's house."
William shot her a quick glance. "We'll find a phone and call them."
"Thank you William. Good bye."
"Bye." He closed the phone and looked at her.
"What happened?" William's expression was worrying her.
"Thieves broke into the farm."
She gasped. "What?"
"Perhaps it isn't serious. Let's call back."
Without saying a word, Elizabeth stood up and began to pack the food in silence. In five minutes they were on their way to the nearest village looking for a pay phone.
"Charles, it's William." He called him from the lobby of a small hotel.
"Will, Thank God you called." Charles sounded distressed.
"What happened? Elizabeth told me you and Jane were travelling to San Ignacio this weekend."
"Bad news, someone entered into the farm last night and robbed the house. Jane is beside herself, she wants to talk to Elizabeth."
"I'll put her on." He handed her the phone. "Jane wants to talk to you."
She took the phone with trembling hands. "Jane? What happened?"
"Liz!" she said between sobs. "We were in San Ignacio and the police called us. Someone came into the house and the lab during the night and they stole everything!"
"But Anselmo was staying there to look after the house."
Jane began to cry in earnest and William could hear her from where he was.
"They beat him and tied him up to a tree. He is in the hospital with a broken arm."
"Oh, no." Elizabeth's knees weakened and she collapsed on the chair. William began to pace while nervously running his hand through his hair.
"They took the TV, the stereo, jewelry, they stole your computer, plants from the lab, the orange trees, everything!"
"Why would they want those?"
"I don't know. But they did." Jane paused and swallowed. "Liz, they shot Attila."
Elizabeth gasped and covered her mouth. "They killed him?"
"Who? Good god, tell me what happened!" William exploded in anxiety.
"No. He is still alive. The police took him to the vet and he believes he will survive."
Unable to control her sobs, Elizabeth handed the phone to William.
"Jane, it's William. Would you put Charles on the line, please?"
"Will." Charles took the phone again.
"Tell me everything."
Charles related him all that happened in the farm, what was missing and what the police had found so far. He listened with a frown, with an occasional look in Elizabeth's direction, who was in front of him crying.
"Thank you, Charles. We are on our way to London. I'll call you back once we are there." He hanged the phone and knelt in front of Elizabeth. "My love, don't cry. Try to stay calm."
She pulled back when he extended his arms to embrace her. "Why did they do that?"
He was desperate to comfort her. "Shhhh. Everything will turn out right. You'll see."
"I don't understand," she sobbed. "Why the lab? And Anselmo, and Attila? Why did they have to take the trees, my father's trees?"
"Liz ..." He smoothed her hair. "The police will investigate. They'll find them."
"It's Santo Domingo, don't you remember? You are used to living in a first world country. Here crimes are investigated and justice works! You don't have an idea of how it is there. They don't even have computers! Encarnación doesn't have a jail, less a courtroom." She was on the verge of losing control. "They'll send the case to Misiones and in about six months maybe somebody will look at it!"
"I have a cousin in the government. Perhaps he can be of some help."
"Of course," she said sarcastically. "I'm sure Scotland Yard will be interested in investigating the robbery of a TV and some orange trees in South America."
You deserved that one, William, that was a stupid suggestion. "I'm sorry. Let's go back." He rose and helped her up.
He didn't deserve that one. He was just trying to be helpful. "Yes, I want to return home in the next flight." She walked ahead of him.
William ran his hand through his hair. Why? Why now?
They drove back in silence, each one lost in their own thoughts. Elizabeth made almost all the trip with her eyes fixed on the outside, without muttering a word. William would occasionally touch her hand and take it to his lips, obtaining no response from her, wishing he could go back in time and turn things as they were a few hours ago.
Once they reached her uncle's house, Elizabeth immediately called the airline and changed her ticket. She was fortunate enough to find a seat in a late night flight and, much to William's distress, she was leaving the country in less than four hours.
"You are still here." Elizabeth descended the stairs after packing her stuff.
William rose from the couch, where he was drinking coffee with her uncle. "Yes, I am." He knew she had good reasons to be upset and overlooked her tone of voice.
She looked away, incapable of holding his stare. What's wrong with me?
"I'll go for more coffee." Joseph tactfully excused himself.
Elizabeth began to walk around the room, bracing herself, trying to control her anxiety. Torn between the necessity to comfort her and the fear of being rejected, William walked to her and stood behind, placing his hands on her shoulders. He was about to embrace her when she pulled away.
"There is no need for you to stay, Will," she said coldly. "I'm sure you have more important things to do than to see me cry."
William turned her around. "Elizabeth, if you want me to leave, say it directly, but don't invent excuses to push me away. I'm here because I want to be with you." He sounded harsher that he intended.
She looked at him, eyes wide open, and her lower lip began to tremble.
William cursed himself for that comment. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her but he feared that she would think he was taking advantage of her vulnerability, so he kept his emotions in check. But he had to be sincere, and though she wasn't responsive or open to his affection, he wanted her to know that he was there for her.
"Liz..." He held her face in his hands. "I love you, and I will not leave you. I'll fly down there as soon as I can."
"You don't have to." She faced him squarely.
"I want to," he replied in earnest.
Elizabeth continued looking at him, too distressed by her own problems to accept his love and comfort. "Do as you wish."
Frustrated, he leaned his forehead against hers and remained that way for a while. "Come on, I'll drive you to the airport."
The separation was hard, for both of them. After a kiss in which William tried to transmit all the force and reassurance she needed to feel, Elizabeth walked into the plane sensing she was leaving a part of her behind. She realized she had been harsh on him, unresponsive, but she couldn't help it. He had said he wanted to go on, that he loved her but somehow she sensed that their incipient relationship had changed in the last few hours. Perhaps she was too upset because of the robbery to seek his warmth, perhaps she didn't think he was sincere, or maybe she thought she would never see him again. Too troubled to know what to do or think about that, she decided to allow matters flow by themselves and forget any expectation she had towards him.
William saw her parting with his heart breaking into pieces, wanting to do or say something that would comfort her but everything seemed stupid and vain. Exhausted and lonely, he returned to his apartment and tried to figure out all that had happened the past days. He found her, she accepted him back, and she left.
Drink in hand, he walked around the flat looking at places she had been not three days ago. Conversing enthusiastically on the couch, helping him in the kitchen, bandaging his finger, walking into his bedroom. This was the place she should be, with him, his woman, his wife. He looked outside the window. It was Sunday, there was nothing he could do now to help her. Tomorrow he would fix everything at the office and make arrangements to fly as soon as possible. He wanted to be there with and for her.
But this matter of the robbery was very strange. Encarnación was a very quiet place and the girls didn't have many valuable things at the farm. He could understand the TV and the stereo, and the computer, but the trees? It didn't make any sense.
Suddenly it became clear.
The web site.
The web site of a citrus plantation and the other sites he saw that night in his computer. He had thought at the time that George was interested in pornography, but he was searching for buyers, buyers for the trees.
"Son of a bitch."
He walked to the phone and called his cousin. "Rich? It's William. I need to ask you a big favor."
Chapter 29
"So you think George stole the trees to sell them in the US market." Richard reviewed the information at William's flat.
"Yes." William rose and went to the window. "I can't believe I didn't suspect anything before. It surprised me to see those sites on the computer at the time but I was too involved in other matters to realize what was going on."
"Don't blame yourself, Will. Now, try to remember the name of the company. If you don't we'll have to search all the Web."
"I only saw the one on the US. I didn't pay attention to the others."
"Our only hope is that he contacted that one. It would be impossible to find them in Brazil or Argentina."
"What really bothers me is that I always thought George to be harmless and too stupid to be dangerous."
"Neither did I, even after ..." he trailed off.
William looked at Richard with a frown. "After what?"
"I continued to investigate after what happened with Caroline."
William paled. "Don't tell me that ..."
Richard looked away. "I'm sorry. I thought it better not to tell anyone at the time. It was all too painful for you to add more fuel to the fire. You would have killed him."
William sat on his armchair and ran his hands through his hair. "Bastard." He would have strangled Richard for that in the past but somehow it didn't seem important now. He felt as if his marriage to Caroline had never existed.
"He was using her to obtain money and make contacts, but I never thought he would be able to commit a crime like this. He is a second class gigolo that exchanges his 'services' to improve his income. Caroline wasn't the only one that spent so much money on him, he had other targets too. George has a talent to look stupid and manipulate people, he seduces bored wives with his charms and obtains what he wants. But as he left her soon after you two broke up, I let the matter die."
"He manipulated all of us. He managed to be my employee and shag my wife at the same time."
"Your father asked you to employ him and he didn't do anything that Caroline didn't allow him to do. Anyway, in the end it was beneficial for you. You got rid of that bitch." He observed William's pensive look and tried to change the subject. "Back on the other matter, tell me about this little town, how …"
"Florida Citrus Company!" William said abruptly.
Richard grinned. "That's my cousin."
"Cousin, I have news." Richard walked into William's office and closed the door behind him. "I called Leslie Young two days ago -she is a friend of mine in the US that works for the Secretary of Agriculture- and told her the whole thing."
"A good friend?" William smiled.
"We have some pleasant moments together in the past." Richard pursed his lips. "Anyway, she called the Citrus Company. It seems that they were negotiating, but when they heard the words 'sanitary' and 'inspection' they said they would transfer her the call."
"Our only hope is that they contact her soon."
At that moment Richard's cell phone rang. "Fitzwilliam," he answered. "Hi, Jean, any news?" Richard raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Great, thank you, transfer the call to my mobile." He paused until the secretary transferred the overseas phone call. "Hello, beauty. What do you have for me?" Richard used his most charming voice. He leaned back on the armchair and listened to her information. "You are a treasure, I don't know how is that I didn't take you more seriously." William rolled his eyes. "Will you fax me the details? Thank you, Less. I'll see you when in DC. Bye."
"So?" William waited expectantly.
"She contacted them. The bastards called her today."
"And?"
"She said she is interested in closing the deal and that she'll send someone down there to negotiate and see the trees. They are pressing to finish this quickly, perhaps they are afraid to be discovered. They mentioned a place called Ramallo."
"That's sixty kilometers away from Encarnación. But we can't go, George knows both of us."
"We can ask Chris Brandon, that guy that is in charge of Security of DID in the US. He worked with me in Intelligence a couple of years ago. He is terribly smart."
"Yes, you're right. But we still need to work closely with the local authorities. I'll call Eduardo Giardino, our lawyer at Celulosa, and ask him to contact the police and inform them what we found out. I want to put that bastard to rot in the Santo Domingo jail." William leaned back and bit his lip. Something was still puzzling him.
"What?"
"George has been in Encarnación for little more than three months, he couldn't do this on his own. He needed local help to accomplish the robbery. You can't just break into someone's house and steal everything without help from someone who knows the place, and who can clear the way and hide you."
"You are right. Did he made any friends there?"
"Very few, Colina from Sales and Denny from security. And he was shagging the maid."
Richard raised his eyebrows.
William laughed. "You don't know her. She has a body that can put Pamela Anderson into shame. I met her at Elizabeth's house, she cleans there too." William smacked his forehead. "Lydia."
"I guess we found a connection to her house. But I don't think the maid could clear the way for him, unless she belongs to a family of thieves. A robbery of that magnitude needs a truck, help and equipment. This guy from security, Denny, is he trustworthy?
"I don't know. He resolved some matters for us in a rather obscure way when we just started to build the plant. We were robbed every night and the police of our district couldn't find out anything. Someone told us that this Denny was the only one that could resolve it, that he had very good contacts, and as he belonged to another district, we hired him free lance. As far as I know, he acted in a very unofficial way." William smiled at Richard's amused expression. "Things are rather different down there, they are a little savage in some aspects. I believe that he made a deal with the thieves and cleared their way in other places. Anyway, we were not robbed after that and as he wanted to quit the police, he made us a proposition and now he works for us full time. We preferred to have him on our side. He was the former chief of the Ramallo … shit!"
Richard frowned. "That could mean that the local police were involved in the robbery. This Eduardo should be extremely careful with whom he contacts."
"The girls have a cousin that is a sergeant at the Federal Police. I met him before I came back to England. He might be of some help in making some safe contacts." William took his palmtop and searched for Eduardo's number. "Tomorrow I'll see if Brandon is available. If he is, I'll fly down in two days to meet him there and ask Eduardo to see us in Santo Domingo city. I don't want anyone in Encarnación to know I'm there until this is resolved."
"I'll go with you. I need some action."
Chapter 30
"No, they don't have any news. The police said they would call if they find something, but I'm not very optimistic." Elizabeth was curled in her bed with the cordless on her ear, wearing William's black T-shirt, ecstatic that he was calling her every night since she left. Perhaps things would be different this time.
"You should be. Don't lose your hope, things will be all right before you know it. What are you doing?" He was determined to raise her spirits and show her he wouldn't fail her this time.
"Now?"
"Yes."
"I'm lying on the bed, wearing your T-shirt, and it feels very good." She smiled. "They stole the TV so there is nothing I can do but exercise my imagination."
"Mmmm, nice picture. Wait a minute, what T-shirt?"
"The black one you gave me when you were still here, don't you remember?"
"One with a little Mickey Mouse on the front and a tiny hole in a sleeve?"
"The same one."
"I didn't give it to you, I just allowed you to use it. I've been looking for it for almost two months and it happened to be with you!" He was grinning on the other end.
"Yes. And I'm planning to keep it."
"We'll see, young lady. I want it back."
"You know I like it when you say those words."
"What, young lady?" He said with a smooth voice.
"Oh my, you are sooo sexy when you talk like that." She said in a low and seductive tone. Anyway, you are one million miles away.
William laughed. "I think I envy that T-shirt right now. I miss you so much."
She felt herself blush. "It's warm and comfy, I'll keep it."
"As you wish, my love." William didn't want to change the subject now that she was in better spirits but he had to. "Liz, Charles told me that Anselmo and Attila were doing better."
He was right, her expression darkened immediately. "Yes. They are recovering well."
"Love, I must travel outside the country tomorrow and I'm not sure if I'll be able to call you for a couple of days."
Again, William? "I see." She voice turned cold.
"Elizabeth, erase that silly idea from your head this instant!" He protested. "I'm not vanishing. It's just that I'm not sure when I'll be near a phone."
We'll see. "I'm sorry. Call me when you are able."
"I will. I love you, so much you can't imagine."
She bit her lip and whispered, "I love you too."
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."
"Nothing, I didn't say anything."
"I have to go now. Please take care of yourself."
"You too. Bye."
"Goodbye."
"Eduardo, Enrique, good to see you." William shook their hands. "This is Chris Brandon from our US office and my cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, he works for the MI-6."
"Your suspicions were right, Mr. Darcy," Enrique proceeded. "I talked to a couple of officers that asked to be transferred from Ramallo and they confirmed some of the information. Though neither of them is willing to make a statement, they commented that this Denny has organized a small gang that robs with impunity in that district and threatens everyone that is not willing to join them. When they don't participate directly, they cover up the operation of the thieves and keep part of the loot. That district depends on the Misiones Region and as the robberies are small and usually involve only farms and houses, cases aren't investigated and closed immediately. The problem is that our department doesn't have resources to investigate in the provinces."
"Call me William. So you think they would not help us?"
"Chief Ramirez allowed me to go together with two officers from the Federal Brigade just for a couple of days. As valuable as they might be, the department isn't interested in investigating the robbery of a few trees. I'm doing this for Liz, but if we can prove that the local police covered up the robbery we all might have a promotion."
"I know you are risking your reputation in this and I appreciate it," William said heartily.
"I talked to the judge of that district. He was my professor at the University," Eduardo commented. "He will extend any kind of order we might need."
"Do you think they could be dangerous?" Richard asked Enrique.
"Santo Domingo isn't a rich or developed country. The Police in the provinces are very primitive, if you compare it with your country or the US. Most of the officers attended only the first grades at school and they have a salary of about 150 dollars, so you can imagine that they have very little to lose if they are caught. I'm not saying they are all corrupt, but when they are, they are ignorant and ambitious people with a gun. If they think they can obtain good money for those trees they might do many stupid things in order to keep them."
"They are dangerous," Richard concluded.
"Well," William continued, "we'll leave tomorrow at five. Let's have something to eat and we'll continue to plan everything during dinner."