I walked into my study and approached the desk full of my latest discoveries and research. I had been investigating likely suspects and motives tied to Meteo's death for a really long time. It had all paid off, and I had finally cracked it, but not all of it.
Just the fools who thought it wise to double-cross me. No motives for the action have been deduced yet.
Over the years, I had made sure to set public examples of anyone who crossed the line with me. While some had seen, heard, and later adhered, a few had stirred up the hornet's nest and therefore received my complimentary packages.
Someone was sent by one of my business opponents to take me out the day Meteo was killed, seeing that I had been the country's biggest kingpin when it came to businesses, both handled legally and illegally. And I had managed to keep my shit tight enough to be the baddest, meanest tiger worldwide.
Not to brag, but I had power and influence in very influential and controversial places.
I looked toward the door leading to the balcony, wondering what Alice could be doing. She was just another hard nut I would like to crack, but in a different way. I looked back at my study door and inhaled. I smelled her scent the moment I stepped in.
Maybe I was imagining it. I picked up my bottle of whiskey and poured myself a drink. This Alice girl has been occupying my thoughts lately, especially during the moments I needed to calm myself. I chuckled into the emptiness of the room. Even now, while I was thinking of the culprits behind Meteo's death and how they were going to pay, she had unconsciously slipped back into my mind.
Her scent of baby perfume and innocence filled the room strongly, as if she were here. After I scared her last night, she would only be a fool to return.
I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed a number. It rang for a long while and then stopped. I tried again, and it connected.
"Sergio… I found the one who messed up, but he's in prison. Yeah, I need you to listen to me carefully, Sergio. I'll send you the prison location. I want you to go over there, bail him out, and bring him here," I paused for a bit, listening to what he had to say.
"Okay. Keep him bound and locked up. When you're done, give me a call; my sicaria and I will be there. Do it this evening and be fast about it," I said and cut the call.
I drank from my glass again. The scent of Alice was heavily intoxicating in the study, so I stepped out onto the balcony. The fresh evening air brushed past my face.
When I had caught her in front of this door yesterday, I had involuntarily made the move to close the distance between us just to get a whiff of her scent. And her eyes? I leaned against the balcony rail, staring out at the fading sunlight and the expanse of my estate, and I allowed the thought of Alice to calm me once again before I was called by Sergio to commence the grueling session tonight.
Just then, I heard a faint sound coming from the study. From past experiences, I knew not to ignore even the faintest of impulses. I moved towards the study and brought out the handgun I always kept handy. When I entered the study, nothing looked tampered with or out of place.
I took a look at my investigation board, and it was still intact. Lowering my handgun, I noticed a small green piece of clothing on the floor.
I picked it up and spread it out. Then I brought it to my nose and sniffed it. She was here! All the while, I had perceived her scent strongly because she was actually HERE! She had dropped her handkerchief. She must be very foolish after all. I took out my phone and dialed Lucy.
"Good evening, Big Gun. What's up?" her young, eager voice sounded immediately.
"Where's Alice?" I asked calmly.
"She should be at the East Wing cleaning the rest of the place she didn't get cleaned out yesterday. Why'd you ask?" she said.
"She was snooping," I replied simply.
"Damn it. What the hell? She knows that study was off-limits. What's her problem? Want me to take care of it for you?" she asked.
I knew what she meant, and I didn't want that kind of help or any kind of help at all.
"Oh no, never mind. I'll handle this one. Just keep a close eye on her. But I'll need you later tonight. I don't know if Sergio has contacted and briefed you," I said.
"No, Boss, Sergio didn't call me. Is it the usuals?" she asked. I could hear the smile in her voice. What a productive sick child.
"Yes, of course, Lucy," I answered.
"Okay, good. What time?" she asked.
"As soon as Sergio gets in touch, I'll call you."
"No problem. Are you sure about Alice?" she asked, just to confirm.
"I'm sure. I'll handle her. Prepare for tonight; it's going to be long and grueling," I instructed.
"Yes, Big Gun," she said, and I disconnected the call.
I left the study and locked the door with the key. There were no cameras in the study itself. I valued my privacy too much, but the hallway feed told the whole story. No loose ends, no risks.
As the video from earlier this evening played, I saw her sneak in. Then I saw when I entered, and a few minutes later, when I was on the balcony, she snuck out. Could she be a spy? If she was, then she was definitely sloppy at it.
It had skipped my mind to ask Doña Esperanza about Alice's surname. I was letting my feelings for a potential spy get the better of me. My phone rang; thinking it was Sergio, I picked it up.
"Hey, little bro. What's up? I'll be dropping in tomorrow if you don't mind. I've been thinking about you lately. And the kids too." It was Sebastian, my older brother.
"Hey, Seb, tomorrow's not a good time. I'll be traveling for business," I lied.
"No, no. Cancel it; I'll pay for the damages. Don't you get it? I want to see you and the kids. Oh, how's Doña Esperanza? How are the kids, by the way? Have you heard anything from Brenda?" he asked. I noticed he forgot to ask about Lucy, but I didn't call him out for it.
"When you come around tomorrow, I'll answer every sane question you have about my personal life. Sounds good?"
He's quiet for a while.
"Sure. Okay. My regards to the kids," he said, and the light went off. Just great.
I called my personal assistant to make an appointment with a very good and discreet network engineer because the last one I had hired was a snitch, and he paid the price. I left the control house and drove to Doña Esperanza's house.
When I got to Doña Esperanza's house, I knocked and waited for a reply. The door was opened by Doña Esperanza, but Lucy was inside when I walked in.
"Big gun," Lucy greeted and sprang up from the chair she was sitting on.
"Thank goodness you're here, Gordito. Will you tell Lucy to stop watching all this horror movie shit? It's messing with her head, and she isn't thinking straight, considering she's a sick girl already?" she exclaimed.
When I looked at Lucy, she was snickering.
"Doña, you know that I keep doing this to keep my imagination alive, and Big Gun needs it, right, Big Gun?" she turned to ask me.
"Mami Buela, she's still young. Let the girl live a little," I said.
Lucy has always been a weird child since we found her, and she has a unique kind of kink for entertainment.
"You always spoil her," Doña Esperanza said, raising her hands dramatically in feigned surrender. She went into the kitchen, and Lucy and I followed behind her.
"Seb's dropping in tomorrow," I announced.
"Oh, that's lovely. I'll instruct that his favorite dishes be prepared right away," Doña Esperanza clasped her hands together and smiled.
I looked at Lucy, who immediately wore a long face. That's when I knew something had transpired again between Sebastian and Lucy. They have always had this weird kind of relationship since Lucy turned seventeen.
"Lucy, I need you to specifically have eyes on Alice," I instructed.
"You mean to say I should babysit a twenty-two-year-old?" she asked.
"How'd you know her age?" I asked.
"I went through her file on Doña Esperanza's shelf," she replied, trying to hide a grin from Doña Esperanza but failing.
"'Qué burrita tan mensa,'" Doña Esperanza said to Lucy, who burst into laughter.
"Can I see it?" I asked Doña Esperanza.
"Sure, but why? Is there a problem?" she asked.
"Nothing serious, Doña, I just want to check her surname," I answered.
Doña Esperanza stepped out of the kitchen to get the file, and Lucy went back to continue her movie. I stayed in the kitchen until Doña brought in the file, and I saw what I was looking for.
Alice, daughter of Diego Ramírez. Dang it.