Rick looked up and nodded, understanding what he was asking. “Yeah, he passed away. It’s been almost two years now.”
“Lo siento,” Luis said in a quiet voice.
“I’m sorry to hear that, too,” Sofia added.
“Gracias,” Rick replied, averting his eyes. “I guess I’m still trying to earn his respect, even though he’s gone. That’s why I’m here, in Cuenca.”
“We are always trying to make our parents proud,” Sofia offered. “It doesn’t change in death. We keep trying.” Her thoughts ventured to her mother. She missed her so much still. That longing for connection never went away. “Mi madre, she is always on my mind.”
Luis squeezed her hand. “Mine, too.”
Sofia smiled sadly and squeezed his hand back.
Luis turned his attention back to Rick. “You wish to do something important, something en memoria de tu padre.”
Rick gave him a soft smile. “Yes, more than anything. In his memory and to feel as though I could do something that would’ve gained his approval, as silly as that might sound.”
“It’s not silly,” Sofia replied, “our parents are our whole world when we’re young. Where else, who else, in our lives has that kind of impact on us?”
Rick shifted in his chair, letting out a long breath. This was the first time he’d shared these feelings with someone and felt truly understood. He’d kept things pretty bottled up since his dad died. In fact, the way she phrased her response helped him understand it even better himself. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.
“Gracias,” he said, with a nod.
Feeling introspective, Rick got up to get them all some water and polvorones, a sweet almond cookie he’d found at a local bakery, and to process his thoughts.
They sat around for a while, eating the soft, sugar-coated cookies, and reflecting on the night’s unexpected turn of events.
Finally, they all grew quiet. It was getting quite late.
What a night, Rick thought. He was looking forward to getting some shut-eye and coming at their problems with fresh eyes tomorrow. He didn’t know what they were going to do, but he hoped something would come to mind.
Feeling exhausted, they were all about to turn in for the night when Sofia’s cell phone suddenly buzzed. “Hang on,” she said, “I want to take this.”
It was a number she didn’t recognize, but as a journalist, she always picked up her calls, especially this kind, no matter the hour. Those often produced useful, newsworthy tips.
She grabbed her bag, then walked to the kitchen to speak privately. She sat down at the kitchen table and fished out her notebook and pen.
At first, she spoke in hushed tones in Spanish, then her voice started rising in alarm.
Rick and Luis watched as she furiously scribbled down notes.
She hung up the phone. She turned to face them. “You’re not going to believe this.”
CHAPTER 6
“That was someone with information related to my article,” Sofia said, wide-eyed. She looked to Luis. “He thinks he might know where Papa is being held.”
“What?” Luis asked, jumping up from the sofa.
Rick stood up as well, surprised at the sudden turn of events.
She nodded. “He also knows about the Tayos Caves system and Ares Worldwide. He said that he must speak with us urgently. His name is Javier and he wants to meet in person.”
“Hang on, could this be some kind of trap?” Rick asked. “To draw you out?”
“Oh,” Luis muttered, his hopefulness deflating. He hadn’t thought of that.
Sofia shook her head. “It didn’t sound like it to me. He said he has three friends who’ve gone missing as well, just a couple of days ago in fact, and that he was attacked the same night they went missing.” She looked at Luis, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Very similar to what happened to you. He’s hoping we can help each other.”
“Why were he and his friends attacked?” Rick asked.
“For the same reason as Luis, for information. They wanted access to the metal library. They believe it’s hidden somewhere in the Tayos Caves system and they thought he could tell them.”
“Why did those goons think he could help them with that?” Rick pressed.
Sofia shook her head. “I didn’t get that far in the conversation.”
Rick frowned. “Still, it could be a trap, don’t you think?” he asked, worried about this late night turn of events with a stranger stepping into the mix.
Sofia pursed her lips as she thought for a moment. “You know, it was his voice. He sounded just as desperate, exhausted, and scared as we are.”
“Well, where is your father being held?” Rick asked.
“He didn’t want to say, over the phone,” Sofia replied.
Rick raised his eyebrows. “Kinda suspicious, don’t you think?”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Sofia said, holding up her hand, “but as a journalist you develop an instinct for people and situations. Something about the way he spoke, the fear that was clearly in his voice, told me I can trust what he’s saying. At least to an extent.”
She paused, giving Rick a funny look.
“What?” he asked.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I asked him to come here to speak with us. He doesn’t know whose place this is. He’ll probably assume it’s mine.”
“Oh, right,” he said, being momentarily caught off-guard. But then he quickly realized that he would’ve suggested it, if she hadn’t. “Smart thinking. He won’t be expecting me here.”
“Gracias,” she said, feeling relieved.
Luis stepped closer to his sister. “Are you sure this is wise? He could be dangerous.”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure of anything at this point, but we have to do something to find Papa. This is our only lead.”
“A leap of faith?” Rick offered.
She smiled, her eyes conveying deep worry mixed with relief at being understood. “Si. If there is any possibility he can help, I have to try.”
Rick thought for a moment. “I have an idea. As a precaution, I’ll go outside and watch the entrance to the building. If
