A Sorority of Angels (9 page)

Marichal and Steinerman engaged in conversation until they disappeared behind the house headed for the front garden.

“Pilar, my best physician will examine you,” he said with tremor in his voice, holding her hand tight.

“Please don’t be alarmed. You know I love you and always looked to you as the father I lost.” He nodded. “And I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I did want to talk to you alone.”

He continued to nod. She weighed wisdom of waiting for Tomayo. Maybe it’s best if Tomayo or both told him. The opportunity was now. She leaned over, kissed his cheek, and sat closer to him.

“I lied to you about my health.”

He stopped nodding and looked at her nonplussed. Relief echoed in his exhale.

“Why? You mean you’re all right?”

She nodded.

“Why lie?”

“I want to have private time with you without having to apologize to Steinerman and Marichal.”

“You scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Rafael. I have important subjects we must discuss.”

“It’s not about health or the children?”

She felt bolder to tell him the truth, convinced he’d believe her.

“No, it’s about you.”

That came as a surprise. “What is it? What about?”

“Since returning, I heard good and negative things about you. The negative ones frighten me.”

“What have you heard, and from whom? All that I do is in the best interest of our country. Without question, I can’t please everybody. Malcontents are ever present.”

“Let’s talk about Tomayo first. He has difficulty getting through to you because Steinerman prevents him. He wrote you letters. He telephoned but nothing. Did you ever receive his letters?”

“No. That’s surprising.” He looked perplexed. “Or his calls.”

“I wrote you several times. Did you ever get my letters?”

“Yes, and I answered them.”

“I never received them in the last six months. Steinerman is keeping Tomayo from you. Tomayo also said his business hasn’t improved much since you became president. Obviously, he’s disappointed, disenchanted.”

“His industry is vital to this country. I told Klaus to assure he received fair share bids. I’ll check into that with him.”

“Then Steinerman had me followed.”

“He explained…concerned for your safety and mine.”

“I don’t think so. I think he’s worried we are talking alone.”

“Are you making a case against Klaus?”

“Yes, I’m making a case against the bastard.”

“Why? Why do you think so harshly of him? He doesn’t deserve your acrimony.”

“He does. He killed Carlos!”

“Pilar, that’s absurd!” he said shocked.

“Steinerman had him killed by his German officers. Tomayo has proof, a witness.”

Speechless, he then said, “I…I can’t believe that!”

“Steinerman killed him so he could become your senior advisor. He knew Carlos was destined for that position. They murdered him! They shot him six times!”

“Tomayo told you this?”

“Yes. And Senator Federico Luis Quintero.”

Silence.

“Was there a purpose to telling you, an ulterior motive?”

Pilar sat up and shifted in her chair.

“You are used by Steinerman and General Marichal in order for them to control Argentina.”

“Absurd!”

“I know you’re doing your best but if you allow Steinerman to operate in secret, Argentina will be at war in one year. By secret I mean they’re building an army with the plan to invade Chile using the jointly owned islands by Cape Horn as the excuse.”

To her surprise, her uncle reverted to calm. His expression changed to suspicious. He leaned back as he evaluated.

“What else did they tell you?” His voice lacked alarm, confusing Pilar.

“That a secret police group exists, abusing human rights. There is oppression and suppression below the surface, the democracy promised is turning into a dictatorship. You are criticized for delaying free elections.”

“Damning words, Pilar. Hear my side before you make any final judgments. You’re wrong.”

Pilar stared incredulous, his rebuttal unexpected.

“Yes…yes, but what about Carlos?”

“I don’t believe Carlos was murdered. Why all of a sudden a secret witness comes out? Klaus Steinerman would never do that. He suggested I make Carlos my senior advisor. My investigation was thorough and painful. Those I talked to said he died doing his duty.”

“You mean you aren’t going to do anything, you won’t investigate his murder? There’s a witness.”

“If there’s a witness let him come forward. His statement will be difficult to accept by our courts because of political motives – those who prefer a change in government and will go to extremes. At least four officers, honorable men, will testify Carlos died in the line of duty, a national hero.”

“What about Steinerman and the army infiltration and the rest?” Her eyes tried to penetrate his reasoning.

“Haven’t heard of any secret police units or oppression on the people. I trust Klaus. I don’t believe he’s deceiving me. Marichal is the best military mind in South America. Yes, we’re strengthening, but the invasion of Chile is a fantasy Pilar, a fantasy. Marichal has excellent information. Chile plans to invade us using our jointly owned islands as the excuse, why I authorized an increase in military spending for defense, enough to protect us.”

His response unsettled Pilar. She lost the debate without gaining any points, a disastrous performance, and a total defeat.

“Pilar, I’ll make quiet inquiries about your statements. I will investigate. I assure you, you are wrong. Carlos wasn’t murdered. As far as free elections, they will happen in a few months once I’m satisfied we’re stronger militarily and economically and the invasion threat ends. I must be certain for stability.

“I work diligently to salvage and reform our chaotic economy. Our national currency has improved on the exchange markets when once on the verge of disappearing and interest rates lowered. The Merval, the market index for the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is rising. I supported the Head of Household Plan instituted to provide the needy with a monthly allowance. We’re cutting government spending. I assume political risks with initiatives to have economic strategies work. We face a staggering national debt and restive labor unions. We are the second largest grain exporter. I’m trying to revive Argentina. Again, I will reinvestigate Carlo’s death. To make you feel better, the head of the Presidential Intelligence Service is of Spanish ancestry. You might’ve heard of him, Julio Cavallo Toledo.”

His argument crushed Pilar, almost convincing.

“Yes, always held him in high regard.”

“I’ll ask him to assist in my investigation. Will that make you feel better? No one of German ancestry will participate in this investigation. The years of the ‘dirty war’ and secret terrorism and inquisitions by the military and police are over. We are a democracy, what we’ll be as long as I’m alive.”

Pilar felt hopeless to continue the discussion. His continued resistance would demean her and the subject’s credibility. She failed. She decided to have Tomayo bring it up again tomorrow. She sighed theatrical.

“Well I must say it’s a relief to hear you say what you said. Forgive me but I’m still confused.”

“Politics is a two-faced animal and you’ve been gone a long time. Your uncle is no fool. Carlos died a hero. He wasn’t murdered.” She pretended to agree by nodding. “As far as Tomayo unable to get to me, we’ll talk about that tomorrow. Satisfied?”

Pilar nodded again. Awkwardness developed between them.

“Uncle Rafael, don’t mention this to Steinerman.”

“You believe what you told me?”

“Yes, I do. I think you will also if you listen to Tomayo tomorrow. I realize it’s difficult to accept it from me, but tomorrow please talk to Tomayo.”

“I promise you this. I won’t tell Klaus anything, and probe. You aroused my suspicions. About the military build-up? I will hear it from Tomayo and give the subject a good airing. I will not offend Klaus and Ludwig on innuendo. Never have they given me reason to believe their actions are anti Argentina. Pilar.” His voice assumed a pleading tone. “Forget politics. I assure you Argentina will prosper. The beef embargo by Europe is hurting but surmountable. We will get around that. France pledged to assist. Let’s stop talking about this and tell me about you and New York.”

The subject changed, her argument sinking in an endless abyss. Steinerman and Marichal entered the area again by the glass doors and waited for a signal to return. Pilar waved an approval. She thanked them for their understanding. For the next half-hour, she stayed cordial. Steinerman and Marichal looked relaxed. She excused herself for the lounge chair to sunbathe. She lay on her stomach, the top undone to expose her back.

Esmeralda and Bernardo fed the children and received Pilar’s permission to take the children horseback riding. Rafael decided to join them. So did Steinerman and Marichal.

Pilar felt depressed and annoyed with herself for failing to present a persuasive case against Steinerman. She placed her confidence on Tomayo convinced he could persuade. She recalled the unnerving options discussed at the Cathedral at Lujan. Reality of the other solutions was painful.

What if Tomayo fails?

Steinerman would create excuses to justify why Tomayo never received an audience with Uncle Rafael. Steinerman would excuse the letters. Mistakes were made Steinerman would say and then ‘investigate’, fire people, and offer assurances it would never happen again, and suggest Tomayo call him or the President direct in the future.

The thought of Steinerman killing Tomayo by a convenient accident came as a tremor. Her reasoning for withholding Rafael’s private number to Tomayo and Senator Quintero was no longer valid. Tomayo gets the number tomorrow.

Failure massaged her mind. She failed to bring Steinerman down. If failure triumphed, could she persuade herself to bring him down by other means?

Her eyes stared at the ground as her mind probed a maze of options searching for the perfect solution.

Morning.

Pilar awakened at 5:45.

Roberto snuggled next to her, thumb in mouth, right leg over her stomach. She carefully slid out from under, removed his thumb then opened the balcony sliding door. Life awakened at dawn’s early light heralded by sonorous birds and a soothing breeze.

She leaned against the railing; droplets on the railing wet her hands; moisture signaled possible rain; clouds grew thicker left of the ascending sun; wind had a soft bite stimulating her to fold the robe tighter and wipe her hands at the same time; lights on downstairs reflected a glow on the pool’s surface. Bernardo switched on the pool lights. The pool sparkled as an aquamarine gem whose gentle movement projected flickering light shadows on the house and trees, its glow diminishing with daylight.

Male laughter emanated from the open kitchen door leading to the terrace. The volleyball and a smaller ball bobbed on the pool. The net floated at the other end, the deep end. Other toys stacked neatly under the diving board.

General Marichal entered the terrace. Pilar retreated inside the room hidden from Marichal. Steinerman and the President followed him. They wore bathing suits. Marichal bent and felt the water with a fast sweep of his hand. She heard him say, “It’s nice and warm, perfect.” He dove in. Her uncle and Steinerman followed.

Pilar withdrew into the room and watched as they swam, their voices lowered for Pilar and the children. Marichal dog paddled, pushing the floating net to the middle. Bernardo picked up the volleyball and threw it to the President then left the area. The President tossed the ball at the net and missed. Marichal and Steinerman had turns. The three played at that game.

Pilar’s eyes cast knives at Steinerman hoping for a miracle to drown him. Steinerman was an excellent swimmer. She wished for the power to give him the evil eye, a curse of suffering then granted Marichal equal attention. If Steinerman plotted Carlos’s death, so did Marichal. If Steinerman was the number one, Marichal was number two. Marichal, a swimmer, also plotted the military takeover. She smiled at the bathroom numbers, fitting.

Pilar then watched them tossing the ball at the net then to each: deLorenzo to Steinerman to Marichal to deLorenzo to Steinerman to…She watched the ball thrown from hand to hand comparing the action to watching the bouncing ball in a musical movie short. That’s what it reminded because she always sang along as a child following the ball bouncing on words.

She marveled at their boyishness. Steinerman and Marichal: violent men playing a child’s game.

At ten minutes to ten, she strolled to the gate to wait for Tomayo. Rain threatened. The forecast promised sunshine later. From the gate, she saw the blue Cadillac in the distance. When the car stopped at the gate, she asked Tomayo to walk to the house with her. Alejandro, cleared after a search, drove through to park by the front entrance. By the time they reached the house, Pilar had replayed events and conversation with their uncle. She stressed his responses urging Tomayo to overcome his reasoning and rebuttals.

When they entered the enclosed patio, the President’s enthusiastic greeting worried Steinerman. They stayed indoors conversing until gray clouds passed. Sun soon turned the day to pleasant. During the conversation, the President made light of Tomayo’s business by asking about the business and turning to Steinerman to suggest he should help Tomayo. Steinerman responded he would review the present workflow and attempt to increase the business to a level where the President’s opponents cannot claim nepotism, protecting him. The President made a jesting comment about Steinerman protecting family interests again…an uneasy forced gathering.

They settled outdoors. Tomayo changed into his swimsuit. When he returned, his uncle suggested he join him for a walk around the grounds reminding Pilar he promised her a tour as well. Pilar refused saying she preferred to stay and enjoy Mr. Steinerman and General Marichal’s pleasant company. The children dominated the area again. Marichal assumed Pilar would rather be with him.

When an hour passed, Pilar turned uneasy, a good sign that her men talked for a long time but felt uncomfortable.

Steinerman looked visibly disturbed, nervous. His impatient eyes searched. Pilar enjoyed his plight, a situation out of his control. Another hour passed. Conversation had centered on New York, the children, and the President.

Steinerman excused himself and headed inside. The opportunity alone with Pilar pleased Marichal. He suggested the possibility having dinner together when they return to Buenos Aires. Pilar reacted positively, but noncommittal. His first offensive at Pilar satisfied Marichal. He reasoned that two more offenses and she was his.

In ten minutes, Steinerman returned. His driver, Guenther, appeared at the corner of the house. When Steinerman noticed him, Guenther shrugged. Steinerman looked distressed. Pilar reveled in his discomfort deciding to salt the wound.

“Mr. Steinerman, I can’t help noticing you’re behaving like an expectant father. Why so nervous? You must learn to relax.”

He tried to change his image. Boisterous laughter from behind announced the President and Tomayo’s return. They continued when reaching the table and dove into the pool exclaiming relief. Their laughter continued.

“What were you two up to?” called out Pilar. Their joy heartened her.

“Uncle Rafael decided to go horseback riding. Do you know what it feels like to ride a horse for hours in a bathing suit?”

President deLorenzo continued laughing as he put his arm around Tomayo. They came to the table. Tomayo sat with caution.

“Did you miss us?”

“Not for a minute,” said Pilar, winking.

“I’ll have food brought out,” offered her uncle.

After the late lunch, Pilar switched to a lounge chair at the other end. As she lay on her stomach with dress unzipped in the back and straps unbuttoned, she called to Tomayo to spread lotion on her. Tomayo excused from the table then poured the white cream in his palm and gently massaged Pilar’s back.

“How did it go, Tomayo? Good?” she said, enthused to hear.

“I don’t think so.”

Pilar bolted up forgetting her dress was undone. She quickly lowered and readjusted.

“You mean he didn’t believe you?”

“Can’t come to a conclusion. He said the same arguments he told you.”

“O God, Tomayo, did you tell him everything?” She sounded desperate.

“I talked myself blue in the face. He’s definitely convinced Carlos died a hero with witnesses attesting to his death and that Chile is the potential aggressor. I begged him to meet with Quintero and our group. He saw no value in the meeting. As far as civil rights, he’ll conduct a private investigation. He trusts Steinerman and Marichal. The positive my coming here did is the possibility of improving my electronics business. Any other time, I’d be elated. We failed, Pilar. Maybe his private investigation will yield convincing evidence. Will he learn the truth? Who knows how long that will take? The problem must revert to the committee.”

“No!” came as a restrained shout. “I don’t want Uncle Rafael hurt. There must be a better solution. We must keep trying! If we can’t, you must persuade the committee to go after Steinerman.”

“You know I can’t guarantee that. I’m sure they’ll consider it.”

“Tomayo, are you sure my talking further to Uncle Rafael won’t help?”

“A waste of time.”

He rubbed her shoulders.

“Do my sides also. If it’s the last thing we do, we must save him from your committee, from Steinerman, from himself. I don’t want to lose anyone else I love.”

He rubbed her sides.

“You’re done.”

“Zipper me.”

He did. She sat up, buttoned the straps, and faced him. He dried his hands with a towel.

“Tomayo, what should we do? We must do something. The way you two were getting along, I thought you won.”

“When the argument stalled, we talked about old times, foreign affairs, the economy, and you; no sense beating a dead horse. You’re right that he’s the same old lovable bastard. They did a good job brainwashing him. Too bad.”

“Don’t talk like that! Sounds like an irreversible death sentence pronouncement.”

“Not yet. Maybe we reached him. He cannot ignore what we told him. He’s alerted, so the outcome is up to him.”

“I cannot let it end like this. I won’t!”

“Pilar, it’s out of our hands.”