You’ll be going to those places, Lucia thought. And good luck to you. I’ll be in Switzerland my friend
They heard the sound of the falls half an hour before they reached them. The Peñafiel Falls was a beautiful sight cascading down into the swift-moving river. The roar of it was almost deafening.
“I want to bathe,” Lucia said. It seemed years since she had last had a bath.
Rubio Arzano stared at her. “Here?”
No, you idiot, in Rome. “Yes.”
“Be careful. The river is swollen because of the rain.”
“Don’t worry.” She stood there, patiently waiting.
“Oh. I will go away while you undress.”
“Stay nearby,” Lucia said quickly. There were probably wild animals in the woods.
As Lucia started to undress, Rubio hastily walked a few yards away and turned his back.
“Don’t go in too far, Sister,” he called. “The river is treacherous.”
Lucia put down the wrapped cross where she could keep an eye on it. The cool morning air felt wonderful on her naked body. When she had stripped completely, she stepped into the water. It was cold and invigorating. She turned and saw that Rubio was steadfastly looking in the other direction, his back turned to her. She smiled to herself. All the other men she had known would be feasting their eyes.
She stepped in deeper, avoiding the rocks that were all around, and splashed the water over herself, feeling the rushing river tugging hard at her legs.
A few feet away a small tree was being swept downstream. As Lucia turned to watch it, she suddenly lost her balance and slipped, screaming. She fell hard, slamming her head against a boulder.
Rubio turned and watched in horror as Lucia disappeared downstream in the raging waters.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
When Sergeant Florian Santiago replaced the receiver in the police station in Salamanca, his hands were trembling.
I have Jaime Miró and three of his people here. How would you like the honor of capturing them?
The government had posted a large reward for the head of Jaime Miró, and now the Basque outlaw was in his hands. The reward money would change his whole life. He could afford to send his children to a better school, he could buy a washing machine for his wife and jewelry for his mistress. Of course, he would have to share some of the reward money with his uncle. I’ll give him twenty percent, Santiago thought. Or maybe ten percent.
He was well aware of Jaime Miró’s reputation, and he had no intention of risking his life trying to capture the terrorist. Let others face the danger and give me the reward
He sat at his desk deciding the best way to handle the situation. Colonel Acoca’s name immediately sprang to mind. Everybody knew there was a blood vendetta between the colonel and the outlaw. Besides, the colonel had the whole GOE at his command. Yes, that was definitely the way to proceed.
He picked up the telephone, and ten minutes later he was speaking to the colonel himself.
“This is Sergeant Florian Santiago calling from the police station at Salamanca. I have tracked down Jaime Miró.”
Acoca fought to keep his voice even. “Are you certain of this?”
“Yes, Colonel. He is at the Parador Nacional Raimundo de Borgon, just outside of town. He is spending the night. My uncle is the room clerk. He telephoned me himself. There is another man and two women with Miró.”
“Your uncle is positive it is Miró?”
“Yes, Colonel. He and the others are sleeping in the two back rooms on the second floor of the inn.”
Acoca said, “Listen to me very carefully, Sergeant. I want you to go to the parador immediately and stand watch outside to make certain none of them leaves. I should be able to reach there in an hour. You are not to go inside. And stay out of sight. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. I will leave immediately.” He hesitated. “Colonel, about the reward money—”
“When we catch Miró, it’s yours.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I am most—”
“Go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Florian Santiago replaced the receiver. He was tempted to call his mistress to tell her the exciting news, but that could wait. He would surprise her later. Meanwhile, he had a job to do.