Chapter Thirty-six: Blame game

“He was only trying to help a father find his son. Riley didn’t know Logan’s father wanted to – ” Mina’s voice trailed off.

“Perhaps my daughter and Riley should wait in the other room,” said Eduardo Reyes.

“No. They stay where I can see them.” The Pater did not use his social voice. He used the one that scared people.

“They’re just children. You must understand.”

“I do. Youth and stupidity are no excuse for murder. That boy, a known drug-dealer, whom you allowed into your home and to date your oldest daughter – that child conspired to kill the only person in the world my daughter cared for. And Ramona let him. You let him by not asking where he got the money to help you keep this bloody, dirty piece of land. You’re old enough to know better. I know about the things you did in South America. Desperation is just another form of greed.” My father’s words were like hollow point bullets. Eduardo paled, Mina flinched as if struck, and her lover folded over in his chair.

Mina took a deep breath and counter-attacked. “Don’t talk to my father like that! What are you? Nothing but a janitor. We fed your daughter and looked after her. Maybe she led those men here. Maybe it’s Alice’s fault that Logan is dead!”

The sound of Eduardo’s hand slapping Mina’s face cracked the air. “Silencio! I cannot allow you to talk that way about someone who has saved this entire family.” He bent a shamed, red face to her. “She saved your life more than once. Dios, that boy died because she saved your life. We will never be able to repay her for what she did for us – and for what we did to her.”

Mina backed away from her father, crying as she hugged herself with her arms. Riley’s face continued to bleed from my beating earlier. The Pater stood just inside the closed door to the sitting room, making certain no once could leave or enter without his permission. He pulled the ammunition clip from the Lugar I had carried earlier. He checked the rounds and slid the clip back inside the gun.

“You will take your family to Switzerland tonight. A flight tonight from LAX to London, then a connection to Zurich. No need to pack anything. Buy what you need at the other end. Just get out of the country if you want your family to live.”

When Eduardo turned a look of fear at him, my father pointed out, “Logan’s father will come back for you once he hears there was a witness.”

“But the witness was your daughter – ” began Eduardo.

“Uh uh uh,” said the Pater in his very scary voice. “Anyone who mentions my daughter, tries to describe my daughter – that person will have a very short and extremely painful life.”

He waited a moment for that to sink in before continuing, “When the FBI and U.S. Marshalls arrive, Riley will admit to contacting Logan’s father. Riley will offer to testify that he saw Michael de Martine kill his own son.”

“No!” Mina shouted. “They’ll kill him!”

“If he doesn’t, I will kill him,” promised my father. He chambered a round in the gun. “My way, he gets to live a few more years in Witness Protection.”

Before Mina could protest further, Riley said, “I’ll do it. Besides, I have to be next on De Martine’s hit list. He doesn’t like loose ends. Even if I didn’t see him shoot, I set up the meeting.” He turned to me, a shine in his eyes I might have thought were real tears, if I stilled believed in humanity. “I’m sorry, Alice. I tried to call it off. I really tried.”

The tranquilizer my father had used was still in my system. I wasn’t fast enough to kick Riley’s nose through the back of his head. My father hooked an arm around me as I lunged at Riley with a feral hiss. He held me until I stilled.

“You don’t call off things with killers. Not unless you kill them first.” My father’s words of wisdom.

He gave more orders, “Reyes, phone your wife. Tell her to remain at the church with your children and other relatives until you tell her to return. I called the emergency number from Logan’s phone. The police will arrive in anther twelve minutes. The FBI and U.S. Marshalls soon after. Now, take your daughter away and make certain she understands what she must do. I need a few moments alone with Riley.”

Eduardo was strong from his work on the farm. He easily restrained his struggling daughter and carried her from the room. Her cries and protests could be heard a few moments longer until there was abrupt silence. I hoped her father hit her again, this time with a closed fist.

Mina was right to be afraid for Riley. I wouldn’t stop my father if he decided to kill him right there. I could do it myself. But I realized why he had to stay alive, for now at least.

“Riley is our guarantee that Mina will toe the line and keep silent. That’s why you won’t let me kill him,” I said to my father while keeping a homicidal gaze on Riley.

He didn’t confirm or deny. “Wait on the porch for me. You don’t need to be here for this,” said my father.

I looked at the only person I had ever wanted to murder. Riley’s eyes darted between my father and me. He knew better than to think I would prevent any further physical pain for him. He could only be certain that I would want to do far worse. I left obediently.

I left because I had things to do.