Pearls (6 page)

“Good, you do that.”

Because of the way he spoke the phrase, Isabel couldn’t be certain whether he’d said it to be polite, or if he sincerely wanted her to pray.
Lord, if You want us to work together during the next few months, please provide a sponsor. And more importantly, give me the opportunity to talk to him about You.

June 24, 1505

I spent the entire day with Karwa, enjoying the sweet sound of her voice, the curve of her full lips, the peacefulness that emanates from deep within her. This afternoon, as we walked hand in hand along the shore, we encountered an old boat hidden by the sea oats and tall grasses. After a quick examination I realized, with a little work, I could make the boat seaworthy again. Karwa and I dragged it back to her hut and began repairing it. A day may come when we will wish to leave Cubagua, and we will need a vessel to carry us over the sea.

June 30, 1505

Karwa has become my addiction. The smile she reserves for me alone lends purpose to my days and brings sweet dreams to my nights. My chest is heavy with the need to see her daily, though my visits to her hut grow more perilous, bringing danger to us both.

My departures from the naval camp have aroused suspicions. The men ask what activity draws me from their midst and causes me to spend hours in solitude. I have thus far concealed my activities with tales of a fishing hole that I visit, but they grow insistent in their requests to accompany me on my treks. I must exercise caution when I journey to see her now. At times, the men follow me, and I am forced to abandon my plans in order to lead them astray.

When I am able to visit her, I do not walk the same path twice for fear my daily treks will wear a path into the ground and lead the enemy to my love. Strange, I have come to think of my own people as the enemy. I feel less and less a part of their ranks as I see the torture inflicted upon Karwa’s people. I no longer desire to harvest the treasure from the coastal waters. I have found a treasure infinitely more valuable.

Manuel rubbed his sweaty palms on his pant legs as he followed Isabel into the classy restaurant. After three weeks of translating the journal, the location of the pearls remained a mystery. His final paycheck from the university had been spent, and he’d moved out of his campus office and set up work in his apartment. Bill collectors called daily, and he’d not made a payment on his larger debt, the one he didn’t like to think about, in months.

He knew he needed to find a sponsor immediately, but all his contacts had turned him away. He’d resigned himself to taking work as a dishwasher or menial laborer when Isabel surprised him with the invitation to lunch. “I think I found a sponsor, but he wants to talk with you,” she’d told him. “Wear something nice. The restaurant is fancy.”

His stomach knotted as he followed Isabel and the maitre d’ to a table in a private room. She looked stunning in a vivid blue dress that matched her eyes. The cut was flattering without being revealing. Classy and conservative—like her. The more time he spent with her, the more he realized she was a quality woman, the kind with some depth and integrity. When their professional relationship came to an end, he would consider extending it into something more personal if she gave any indication she’d be interested in him.

As they entered the private dining area, a well-dressed man rose to greet them, his tailored suit and snakeskin shoes announcing his wealth as assuredly as a statement from his bank. The man smiled at Isabel and bent to kiss her cheek. “
Mi amor
, how lovely you look today.”

Isabel blushed under his praise.

A boyfriend?
The intimate glances passing between them caught Manuel off guard.
In all the hours we’ve worked together, she never mentioned another man.

“Manuel, I’d like you to meet Raúl Guerrero. Raúl, this is Professor of Archaeology, Manuel Santiago.”

Manuel accepted Raúl’s hand and gave it a perfunctory shake. “Mr. Guerrero, good to meet you.”

He endured Raúl’s scrutiny for a moment, willing himself not to shrink from the man’s intimidating gaze. He couldn’t decide whether he’d passed or failed the examination when Raúl turned his back to him and fawned over Isabel.

“Let me seat you,
mi amor
.” With a hand on her back, Raúl guided her to the circular table and pulled out a chair. He then took the seat next to her, making no invitation to Manuel.

So that’s how this is going to work. I’ll play
el peón
to his
rey
. Servant and king. Well, I’ll let him feel important if it gives me access to his bank account.
Manuel easily recognized the type of man he was dealing with. Raúl needed to feel in control, to make the decisions, to be superior. If he couldn’t coerce a person with his charm and wit, he’d resort to using money and power for leverage. Manuel took the chair on the other side of Isabel and asked for a menu.

“I have already ordered for you both,” Raúl informed them.

Of course you have, Your Majesty.
Manuel forced himself to smile and nod.

Raúl’s penetrating stare drilled into Manuel. “Isabel has told me of this journal and the translating you two have done. I am interested in this project and would be willing to fund a search for the pearls if you can find evidence of their location. Has the journal provided you with this information?”

“Not yet. But we’re less than half done with the translation.”

“Do you expect to find proof of the pearls’ whereabouts?”

Manuel paused to choose his words carefully. He could not afford to damage his chances of securing Raúl’s sponsorship with a dismal report, but he didn’t want to lie either. “If not the exact location, then definitely some solid clues about where to look.”

Isabel cleared her throat. “As Manuel mentioned, we’re only half done with the translating. We’re just coming to the part where he steals the pearls and leaves the island. If he’s written the pearls’ hiding place in the journal, it would be in the second half.”

“How long will it take you to finish the translating?” Raúl asked, glancing between Manuel and Isabel.

“A couple of weeks,” Isabel answered.

“Longer than that,” Manuel disagreed. “The new semester is starting. With classes you won’t be able to spend as much time.”

Isabel shook her head. “I’ve already canceled my classes for the semester. I’m not going to miss out on this opportunity. Besides, we’re entering the dry season. If we find the information we need, we’ll want to launch the expedition while the weather is good.”

Manuel stared at the tablecloth and tried to decide how to explain his lack of funds without sounding desperate. “Then you will have to work on the translation alone during the days, Isabel. I’ll be taking a job.”

Isabel’s eyes narrowed, and a crease appeared on her brow. “Why, Manuel? You promised to help me through this, and now you’re abandoning me?”

He felt his face warm as he tried to make her understand. The elegant setting of the restaurant and the arrogance of the rich man sitting across from him made his admission of poverty seem even more embarrassing. “I’m not wealthy. I need income to pay my bills. Without a teaching job or work supervising a dig, I’ll have to take whatever work I can get.”

Isabel pursed her lips. “That won’t do. I need your help.” She glanced at Raúl as if to ask for assistance, but he offered no suggestions. He wore a look of indifference, as if he found the financial struggles of the common man tedious and boring.

Shrugging her shoulders, she sighed. “Do what you have to, Manuel, and maybe we’ll think of something along the way.”

The waiter arrived and set plates of steaming lobster in front of them.

Manuel placed his napkin over his lap and plucked a succulent piece of white meat from the shell.
If nothing else, I’ve gained a decent meal from this meeting.
As they ate, a heavy silence surrounded them, and Manuel felt certain his chances were sinking by the moment.

The waiter refilled Raúl’s wineglass. Holding the stem of the glass, he swirled the pale golden liquid in hypnotic circles. “Though your evidence is sketchy and the project is obviously a risk, I can afford the gamble. I will fund your project.”

Isabel squealed and smiled ear-to-ear. “Wonderful!” She leaned to offer Raúl a kiss.

“Yes, wonderful,” Manuel echoed with less enthusiasm.
I need the job and the money, but do I need it this badly?
An American woman and a self-important stuffed shirt for partners. This just keeps getting more ridiculous.

He dialed the number with apprehension, hoping his gamble would pay off. A click on the other end of the line interrupted his reverie.

“Yes?”

“It’s me.”

“You have my money?”

He willed his heartbeat to slow down. “Not yet. I’m calling to make you a deal.”

“I don’t deal. You know that.”

“Please, hear me out. This could work in your favor.”

Silence. He gripped the telephone, cold sweat trickling down the side of his face. “I just made a business connection that could bring in millions. If you’ll extend my loan for a few more months, I’ll pay you double what I owe.”

“Triple.”

“That’s criminal!” he shouted, then reined in his temper. They would not hesitate to take his life for his failure to pay the debt he owed them now. He needed to buy some time. “Fine. Triple.”

“Good. You know where to find me.”

The click in his ear signaled the close of a deal with
el Diablo
.

Weary from a long day, Isabel climbed the stairs leading from the subway to the street. Though
el metro
was well maintained and convenient, she missed the luxury of owning a car. But the streets of Caracas suffered overcrowding, and driving meant long and frustrating delays in traffic. Riding the subway allowed her time to study or daydream. Her favorite fantasy involved a flowing white dress and a dimpled groom waiting at the end of the aisle. She smiled. Raúl would look so handsome in a black tuxedo.

The wail of a fire engine interrupted her pleasant musings. She turned and watched a large truck scream past, sending up a gust of wind that lifted her hair from her shoulders and sent it whirling in disarray
. I wonder what that’s all about?
Following the path of the truck, she rounded the next corner and headed toward her apartment building. Police barricades and flashing lights filled the street. Squinting, she peered through the haze and saw the flames and smoke pouring from the windows of her building.

“No!” Adrenaline coursing through her, she broke into a run.

A policeman stepped into her path and grabbed her by the arms. “You can’t go down there,” he stated firmly in Spanish. “
Es peligroso
.”

“I know it’s dangerous, but that’s my apartment building.” She spoke English in her frustration, bringing a frown to the officer’s face. Forcing herself to calm down, she repeated her reply in his language.

“The fire has been burning for an hour. The firemen have given up trying to save the building. Now they are attempting to keep the fire from spreading to the surrounding structures.”

“So all my stuff is gone?” Tears pooled in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,
señorita
.” The policeman returned to his duties, restraining the crowd and maintaining a safe perimeter.

Swiping at a tear, Isabel clutched the bag she carried with her.
Thank goodness I had the journal with me.
She walked a block to a payphone and dialed. “
Abuela
, can I come stay with you?”

Isabel hurried to the ringing telephone, hoping to answer before the noise awakened her grandmother. Doña Montez had stayed up long into the night to comfort Isabel and help her settle into her room at the hacienda. Getting on in years, the old woman needed her rest, and Isabel didn’t want to disturb her.

Grasping the receiver, Isabel lifted it to her ear. “
Hola
.”

“Isabel, is that you?”

“Yes, Raúl.”

“
Gracias, Dios
. I have been worried sick since I heard of the fire in your building. Several died in the blaze, and I was devastated to think you might have been one of the casualties.”

“I was out doing a little shopping and taking care of some errands. When I came home at dusk, the fire had already destroyed my building. I’m safe, but everything I owned is gone.”

“Everything, Isabel? Even the journal?”

His concern touched her. He realized how much this project meant to her. “No, not that. I had been working on the translation at Manuel’s apartment most of the day. I had errands to run before I went home, so I had it in my bag while I was shopping.”