that set for the children in the village? Especially when the murder occurred at the school. Don't you agree, Señora?"
"Yes, Anna, I do agree and I hope the authorities catch the person, especially because I want you out of danger. I'm worried you'll be caught up in matters that aren't your concern. Please leave this affair to those who are kinsmen of the Director. They'll decide what should be done to avenge his death. My advice is to turn over your video to the proper authorities tomorrow and let them handle the investigation. Concentrate on your research and leave well enough alone."
"I hear you, Señora, and I'm glad your spouse is duplicating my DVD so I have an extra to give the police. Once the video is in their hands I'll quit worrying about it. And now I need to go home, take a shower and change my clothes before Miguel arrives. Thanks again for your support, your advice, and your good food. I know everything will seem better in the morning, as my mother always tells me."
"Anna, I think you should sleep here tonight where I know you'll be safe."
"Thanks, Señora, but I'm not worried. Art's house is a fortress. The only window on the main floor is covered with bars, and the masses of bougainvillea across the top of the patio wall discourage anyone from climbing over. Those long sharp thorns are better than concertina wire." Anna knew she would sleep better in the quiet of her own room. Marianna's role as the village curer meant people came and went all hours of the day and night. She wouldn't sleep a wink if she stayed at the Portillo's.
"Miguel can visit you here, Maestra, if that's the problem."
Surprised at the implication of Marianna's suggestion Anna laughed and reassured her, both about her own safety and about her relationship with Miguel, until her friend finally relented.
"Okay, Anna, but I'll wait in the courtyard. Go inside and survey the house, then come up to the roof and let me know you're okay."
"Will do," Anna promised. "And will you ask David to bring over my DVD when he gets back?"
"Yes, Anna. Maybe he can change your mind about sleeping here after Miguel leaves." Marianna gave her a knowing smile, which Anna pretended not to notice.
"Please don't worry about me," she said, "I'll be fine. I talked with Malinche earlier. She said everything's fine and urged me to get a good night's sleep."
Chapter 22
O utside the Portillo's house, Anna stood for a minute surveying the porch light casting its beam across the short path to her front door. In her morning rush she'd forgotten to turn it off. Now she was glad for the illumination. She inserted her key into the rusty lock. The handle complained, releasing with a noisy clang that disquieted her. The front door opened easily if not quietly, and she squeezed herself into the house through as narrow an opening as possible. Everything gave her the jitters.
Unlike neighboring houses where front doors led into courtyards, Anna's front door opened directly into the largest room of the shotgun style house, Art's study. She reached over and flicked up the wall switch turning on the overhead light and breathing a sigh of relief. The ceiling fixture lit all three downstairs rooms assuring her of an empty house even if she couldn't see into every corner. Dropping her backpack on the desk she reflected on this most bizarre of days hoping the night would bring a calm close.
Before leaving the study she checked the bars on the only downstairs window. After securing the lock, she made her way through the bedroom switching on the courtyard light and lighting up the patio, the small yard, and the stairs to the roof. A steel rod anchored the metal courtyard doors in her bedroom making them impossible to open from the outside. She walked into the kitchen and checked the remaining door. Now for the bathroom and the room on the roof, she thought, lifting the bar on the kitchen door.
The outside bathroom shared a wall with the kitchen but opened off the patio.
"Yes, Anna, I do agree and I hope the authorities catch the person, especially because I want you out of danger. I'm worried you'll be caught up in matters that aren't your concern. Please leave this affair to those who are kinsmen of the Director. They'll decide what should be done to avenge his death. My advice is to turn over your video to the proper authorities tomorrow and let them handle the investigation. Concentrate on your research and leave well enough alone."
"I hear you, Señora, and I'm glad your spouse is duplicating my DVD so I have an extra to give the police. Once the video is in their hands I'll quit worrying about it. And now I need to go home, take a shower and change my clothes before Miguel arrives. Thanks again for your support, your advice, and your good food. I know everything will seem better in the morning, as my mother always tells me."
"Anna, I think you should sleep here tonight where I know you'll be safe."
"Thanks, Señora, but I'm not worried. Art's house is a fortress. The only window on the main floor is covered with bars, and the masses of bougainvillea across the top of the patio wall discourage anyone from climbing over. Those long sharp thorns are better than concertina wire." Anna knew she would sleep better in the quiet of her own room. Marianna's role as the village curer meant people came and went all hours of the day and night. She wouldn't sleep a wink if she stayed at the Portillo's.
"Miguel can visit you here, Maestra, if that's the problem."
Surprised at the implication of Marianna's suggestion Anna laughed and reassured her, both about her own safety and about her relationship with Miguel, until her friend finally relented.
"Okay, Anna, but I'll wait in the courtyard. Go inside and survey the house, then come up to the roof and let me know you're okay."
"Will do," Anna promised. "And will you ask David to bring over my DVD when he gets back?"
"Yes, Anna. Maybe he can change your mind about sleeping here after Miguel leaves." Marianna gave her a knowing smile, which Anna pretended not to notice.
"Please don't worry about me," she said, "I'll be fine. I talked with Malinche earlier. She said everything's fine and urged me to get a good night's sleep."
Chapter 22
O utside the Portillo's house, Anna stood for a minute surveying the porch light casting its beam across the short path to her front door. In her morning rush she'd forgotten to turn it off. Now she was glad for the illumination. She inserted her key into the rusty lock. The handle complained, releasing with a noisy clang that disquieted her. The front door opened easily if not quietly, and she squeezed herself into the house through as narrow an opening as possible. Everything gave her the jitters.
Unlike neighboring houses where front doors led into courtyards, Anna's front door opened directly into the largest room of the shotgun style house, Art's study. She reached over and flicked up the wall switch turning on the overhead light and breathing a sigh of relief. The ceiling fixture lit all three downstairs rooms assuring her of an empty house even if she couldn't see into every corner. Dropping her backpack on the desk she reflected on this most bizarre of days hoping the night would bring a calm close.
Before leaving the study she checked the bars on the only downstairs window. After securing the lock, she made her way through the bedroom switching on the courtyard light and lighting up the patio, the small yard, and the stairs to the roof. A steel rod anchored the metal courtyard doors in her bedroom making them impossible to open from the outside. She walked into the kitchen and checked the remaining door. Now for the bathroom and the room on the roof, she thought, lifting the bar on the kitchen door.
The outside bathroom shared a wall with the kitchen but opened off the patio.
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