When the Owl Cries Part 36

"I left some of my men at the rancheria. We're on the lookout for Pedro. You feel sure that he murdered your man, here at the hacienda?"

"There's not much doubt about that," said Raul.

"Ana Paz came to me while you were at the rancheria," said Gabriel to Raul. "She saw Pedro leave Farias' place early that morning. She's been at the hacienda for years, Captain."

Raul laughed angrily.

"You'd think we needed proof that this Pedro is a murderer. There are any number of witnesses to his killings, at Petaca. Father Storni, Manuel Boaz, Salvador Vega, Luis."

"But I understand he committed these ... ah ... crimes ... under orders," said Cerro.

His remark stopped Raul.

"If so, who is guilty?" asked Gabriel, propping himself on his elbow.

"The person who gave the orders," said the captain.

"My father," said Raul.

Embarra.s.sed, Cerro shoved his gloves under his belt and moved toward the door.

"I'll send men to del Valle," he said. "Pedro may be there. I must return to Colima. I'm glad to have met you, Senor Medina. I hoped you might have better luck on your hunt.... I hope you are well soon, Father."

"Stay overnight, Captain. It's a long trip. I don't want you to leave at this hour; you won't get in till very late. Come, meet my wife, have supper with us."

"I have met the senora. She has been very kind. I'm leaving because I have to be at court in the morning. Thank you. I'm sure there will be another time."

Raul saw him outside and then returned to Gabriel.

"Well, I see you didn't take care of yourself while I was away."

"I'm on the mend--now that you're back."

"How is the fever, bad?"

"It comes and goes, not too severe."

"Has Dr. Velas...o...b..en helping?"

"Both he and Hernandez. Everyone's kind, especially Angelina."

Cerro's horse and the mounts of his rurales clattered out of the court.

"I hated to lose Farias," Raul said, sitting wearily at the desk.

"I can't see why things like that have to happen," Gabriel said. "Men have no right to a.s.sume the law. I didn't want you to go after Pedro."

"These disturbances..." Raul said, but he was too tired to finish his sentence.

"Don't become a killer, whatever happens," said Gabriel pa.s.sionately.

"In all your program here at Petaca you have avoided violence. Let's do our best to keep it that way."

The high alt.i.tude crucifix hung in a streak of candlelight and attracted Raul's eye. He studied Father Gabriel's face. It had such a sickly pallor; there were rings under his eyes. Poor Italian, so far from home!

"Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"

"Let me have a couple of those pills, in the paper on the desk. And some water."

"Get better soon," said Raul, helping him.

"Before you leave, let me say ... how good it is to see you. I know you're tired but you're all right." He s.h.i.+vered under his blankets, but smiled.

"You'd better get some rest," Raul said. "I'm getting cleaned up."

"Will you put my gla.s.ses on my desk?"

"Of course. I'll send someone with a supper tray. In the morning I'll talk with my father."

Raul went to his room, glad to be home, glad to hear the voices of his servants. When he had washed and changed, Angelina came in. She wore a blue dress and white henequen slippers. It was such a change from the mourning clothes that he started to comment, but checked himself.

She waited, in the middle of the room, holding a vase of bougainvillaea in her hands.

"It's so good, your being back," she said agreeably.

"It's good to be back."

"Pedro?"

"He's still at large." He unfolded an ironed handkerchief and put it into his pocket. "Luis and I got his guns.... It's up to Captain Cerro and his rurales now."

"I'm sure they'll get him," she said, and set the flowers on her dressing table where they doubled in the mirror. "I met Captain Cerro.

Has he gone back to Colima?" Arranging her flowers, she said: "I like the captain and wanted him to stay.... Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

She walked across the room toward Raul. It was as if she had something unusual to say. She was smiling. But suddenly the floor began to shake, at first slightly, then with marked undulation. She reached out for him and they held each other. Raul waited for the underearth rumbling. She began to sob.

"Take me away. Yes ... yes ... I'll go to Guadalajara and live. Take me away, Raul. Raul ... I have to go. I can't bear it here. All these quakes, these killings." She paused and caught her breath.

"Will there be ashes and lava and smoke again?"

He kissed her forehead.

"You know it wasn't a bad quake," he said.

She held to him, as she had during her grinding pains before Vicente had been born: those tortures had made a groveling animal of her. Oh, to be in love again, to be treasured, to be kissed every morning and every night.... "Raul, I feel another quake!"

Terrified, she broke away and went to the door leading to the stair and stood under the door frame.

"I think there won't be another one," he said calmly.