It was the first moment of lightness in such a long time, and they were still smiling when the curtain was pulled aside and a doctor entered, still wearing surgical scrubs. His expression was somber, and in Spanish he introduced himself as Doctor Garces, then told them to please wait. As a whole, they expected bad news about Valerie, but remained silent. A long minute later the nurse entered the cubicle and apologized to the doctor for making him wait. In passable English she told them she was there to interpret, that the doctor was concerned his dubious command of English might cause confusion when talking about the patient. They listened closely as each sentence was slowly translated into English. Valerie had survived the surgery—un milagro — he emphasized.
The nurse nodded and said, “Yes, a miracle.”
Doctor Garces continued and she translated. He cautioned them that although Valerie was stable at the moment, her ability to recover remained to be seen. Their relief was peppered with ongoing worry for the outcome. The doctor excused himself, but before he could leave, Paris asked to speak with him privately, along with the nurse who could translate. They stepped outside the cubicle where she asked him how long Olivia should stay in hospital, considering that taking her home would involve travel to England.
He informed Paris that speaking only of Olivia’s physical condition she could be discharged by morning but would be taken to a room if a vacancy opened up. He explained that the hospital was full due to the usual things that happen to tourists at the festival, and that he wasn’t referring only to accidents during the bull runs. She understood and said a room for Olivia wasn’t important, since she would likely leave the next day. Paris was told that the doctor had been contacted by the police commissioner’s office to say Olivia would not be permitted to leave until she had been questioned about her experience and what she may have overheard. She thanked them both and walked back into the cubicle. She told them what had to happen before they could leave. Hugh assured her that Interpol would intercede with the police and arrange for her statement to be taken in her hospital room.
Ana had barely taken her eyes off Ben. She could read the subtle signs that he was in pain. She had seen those same signs after the attack on the first night they met. Finally she spoke up and asked for a vote on how many thought he should be checked into emergency and looked over. He tried to minimize the obvious but was outnumbered. Ana led him away and said she would let them know how he was as soon as she could. A moment after they left, Olivia perked up and looked first at her mother then her father.
“All right, who is Ana? I’ve only been awake a few minutes, but the chemistry between them is too obvious to miss.” Hugh remained stoic, but Paris smiled and nodded her head in agreement. “Why didn’t I know about her?” Olivia asked.
“It’s all quite new,” Paris answered. “It’s a very long story, but basically they met for an interview at a pub in London. Ben was attacked outside as they were leaving—the first kidnap attempt. After some passersby drove the men off, she took charge of him and his injuries. The rest is history, as they say.”
“There’s more to it than that, my darling,” Hugh said. “He was attacked again the next day outside his flat.” Olivia became wide-eyed as he continued. “Ben brought her to the country for a few days—part of a plan to keep them both safe from whoever was after him.” That kidnapping was a failure, but the ‘mastermind’ had set a plan in motion to use you as backup. It wasn’t long until you were abducted and demands were made. Since you and Valerie were together, it was obvious they had to take her as well.” He paused, giving Olivia time to absorb the story. “It was an elaborate plan that was supposed to end with the perpetrators stealing a fortune in Spanish gold that was bound for display at the museum where your mother works. The kidnapping was all about manipulating her to cooperate.”
Paris sat on the bed beside her daughter and took her hand. “The success of their plan was supposed to be your ticket to freedom, but they didn’t succeed. Interpol was there to intercept them as they were caught opening what they thought were crates of antiquities.”
Olivia said, “But I heard that awful man who attacked Ben talking to somebody and telling them that they no longer needed us and that he was going to ‘tie up loose ends.’ I don’t think there was ever any intention to let us go.”
Hugh leaned in and put his hand gently on her shoulder. “The so-called ‘ticket to freedom’ didn’t exist. I believe he was going to kill you both—that it was the intention all along.” He paused while his daughter took in another disturbing fact.
Olivia began to cry softly and Paris reached up to stroke her hair. She seemed to be remembering something important. “What happened to the other man? No one spoke, so she asked again, “The young man? I knew him— in London. Said his name was Clive Warren. I met him through my job and we dated a few times. I really liked him, and he seemed to like me a lot too.” She stared at the ceiling and said, “Oh my God … I was really attracted to him, but I guess he was interested in me for another reason.” She looked up at her mother and said, “Imagine how I felt when he showed up in Spain and turned out to be one of our captors.”
“All part of someone’s elaborate plan—apparently that
