Natalie turned to al-Rabia.
'What's going to happen to us and to these people?' she asked.
The physician received a silent answer from his minister before he responded.
'Contrary to what you might believe, senseless violence is not our way,' he said. 'Minister al-Thani is sad and angry, but not at you. The prince's body will be placed on one of the helicopters and flown back to the airport. After we return to our country, he will be buried as the hero he was.'
They all waited somberly as the soldiers wheeled the prince out across the patio, followed by al-Rabia and the minister.
Finally, Natalie turned to Father Francisco.
'Once the flight crew is in working order, we'll hitch a ride with them back to Rio and get Sandy into a hospital. Then I'll get in touch with the American Embassy and set up a meeting with them and this Military Police detective I met in Botafogo. He didn't treat me with any great interest, but I sensed he took pride in his work and his position. Plus Rodrigo Vargas disliked him, and that's recommendation enough for me. His name is Perreira.'
'I will check with some friends of mine to see if he is someone you can trust.'
'Thank you, Father Francisco. Today you behaved like a true man of God.'
The priest shook her hand, then embraced her and thanked her for helping to free their town.
'You know,' he said, 'this man has some way with words. He wore me away — absolutely wore me down like waves pounding at the shore. Hey, you know what I think, Mr. Callahan? I think maybe you should consider becoming a lawyer, or maybe even a priest.'
'No chance, Father,' Ben said, putting his arm around Natalie's shoulders to brace himself. 'I'm going to be too busy writing my first detective novel.'
EPILOGUE
The soul of man is immortal and imperishable.
'I can see why you love autumn in New England so much,' Ben said. 'I'm really happy to be here again.'
Natalie squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. Four weeks had passed since Dom Angelo, and this was Ben's second trip to be with her. Their embryonic connection, forged initially in the rain forest, was growing stronger and more passionate, although neither of them was anxious to push things too hard too fast.
'I have something to share with you,' Natalie said as they passed the Esplanade where just a few months before she had gone with friends to watch the Pops celebrate the Fourth of July, 'but first tell me about Texas.
'It was kind of a surreal trip,' he said. 'The cops knew who I was and didn't charge me anything for towing and storing my car. Then I started out of town, but almost before I knew it, I was heading out John Hamman Highway to see the place one last time. The gate was chained and padlocked, and the Oasis inside looked totally deserted. I got out and hung for a time, just taking in the whole scene.'
'That had to have been intense.'
'Oh, it was. I stood there wondering about how many. How many unsuspecting clients were tissue-typed there? Millions, I guess. How many perfect matches had they chosen? How many had died as a result?'
'Ben, you helped put an end to it all.'
'I hope. So, how do you feel about taking a leave from school?'
'It's the right thing to do. I'm not mentally or physically in shape to go back yet, but I will if I can. Maybe next year. Meanwhile, I'm getting to spend some quality time with my niece, Jenny. With her CP and my sister's death, she's really had a raw deal of it and I want to be sure she gets as much as life owes her. Plus I really am enjoying the time we spend together.'
'And your residency?'
'First things first, Ben.'
'I understand. I'm still angry and frustrated for you, that's all.'
'I don't have a hell of a lot to look forward to in terms of my health, but at least I'm not walking around all day thinking about solving my problems with a bunch of pills and a plastic bag.'
'I sure hope not.' Mindless of the runners and roller bladers passing by, Ben lifted her chin and kissed her gently. 'Wanna sit down for a bit?' he asked.
'Why, am I breathing weird again?'
'Hey, hey, no touchiness, now. Remember our deal. You stay cool about your lung and I'll stay cool about having no career, no interests aside from you and the illicit organ trade, and no immediate job prospects. Job or no job, good lung or bad, we still have what everyone else has — we have today. Now, what did you want to share with me?'
Natalie didn't respond immediately. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder, trying to purge any unpleasant thoughts from her mind. Finally, she reached in her pocket and extracted a letter.
'This came yesterday,' she said. 'You watch the boats. I'll read it to you.' She was unable to cull the melancholy from her voice. 'Sorry for sounding down. I'm still lacking closure in this whole business, and from time to time notions about the future just hit me.'
'Hey, read and don't worry. My scars are almost gone. Yours is slightly more permanent.' He ran his fingertips along her right side. 'Anything that brings closure a little nearer, do it.'
Natalie pressed his hand to her lips.
The letter was folded in quarters and already dog-eared.
'It's from Detective Perreira,' she said, opening it.
Dear Senhorita Reyes,
This letter, like my first one, is being translated by an American friend who teaches English and can be counted upon to be absolutely discreet. I first want to tell you that the attorney you have hired here has been most active and seems to us all to be extremely competent. I believe that ultimately there will be no formal charges pressed against you in connection with any of the matters related to Dom Angelo.
I also wish to thank you and Mr. Callahan for referring your friend Alice Gustafson to me. I find her to be a charming, thoughtful woman, who only yesterday was a guest at our home for dinner. She and I have traveled together to Dom Angelo (my third trip) for picture-taking and for her to examine the hospital and the village. With the help of information from someone in the town, several bodies have been unearthed. It may be difficult if not impossible to identify them, but Professor Gustafson believes the answers to that mystery are in London, and she will be flying there when she leaves here. Scotland Yard has been investigating their end of this case and are eagerly awaiting her arrival. Although it will take some time to identify all of those involved, she believes that some arrests there are imminent. Professor Gustafson is, as I assume you know, a most determined woman.
We here in Rio de Janeiro have great respect for your courage and for the service you and Mr. Callahan have done our country. I hope our aggressive pursuit of this matter, and the arrests we have made, including two of our own, have changed your opinion of the Brazilian Military Police.
If and when you choose to return to our country, please accept my invitation to serve as one of your hosts.
'Power corrupts,' Ben said.
Natalie's reply was cut short by her cell phone, which announced a call with its riff from Vivaldi. With no one around to disturb, she let the melody play through twice before answering.
'Hello?'
'Is this Natalie Reyes?' a woman's voice asked.
'Are you selling something? Because — '
'Please indulge me for a moment and I'll explain everything.'
'All right, I'm Natalie. Now, what is this? Who are you?'
