The Forbidden Promise (30 page)

   
That night, Federico on his return from the brothel, did not find Marisol
waiting for him and went on a rampage. None of the servants knew where she had
gone.
He imagined that she had returned to her parents' house, but he was too drunk
to be able to get to their home.
In a fit of rage he began to break everything that happened to be at hand until
he fell asleep on the couch while Raquel watched him silently from the upper
floor.
The next morning he woke up with a terrible headache and realized that Marisol
was actually not there.
He went to look for her at his in-laws' house but the maid told him that Don
Miguel and
Doña
Clara had left early that morning for a visit to
Ciudad
Madero and that
Doña
Marisol was not there. Federico thought that the
only other place where she could be hiding was in Mexico City with her cousin
Aurora.
I’ll not let that damn whore make fun of me and cover me with ridicule...
I'm a Navarra y Reyes and will bring my wife back to this hacienda even if I
have to drag her by her hair!
Federico, in the throes of unbridled anger, left immediately. He wanted to
resolve the issue as soon as possible. He was already looking forward to the
moment when he would give that stupid Marisol a sound lesson.
I’ll leave her
bleeding on the ground ... She won’t even be able to get out of bed for a long
time! She’ll learn quickly what it means to tarnish the honor of a Navarra y
Reyes!
The train from Tampico to Mexico City had already left, so he went
galloping towards Veracruz, where he could catch one of the many trains leaving
for Mexico City.
He arrived at dusk and immediately rushed to Dolores’ home. He remembered the
way very well as he had gone there many times during the period that he had
spent in Mexico City when he had tried to seduce Aurora, unfortunately without
success.
He rang the doorbell, impatiently.
Cristobal opened the door. Federico was not surprised to see him there, he
already knew that Cristobal was trying to win Aurora and for this purpose, had
blackmailed his mother in exchange for silence about Federico’s true origins
and the legacy of the Navarra y Reyes.
Cristobal, however, could not hide his surprise.
"Good evening, Don Federico, come in, we didn’t know you were in Mexico
City too."
"Thank you. I'm here to talk to Aurora," said Federico, rather
roughly.
He had not finished speaking when he saw her sitting on a couch.
He walked quickly towards her, while Cristobal stared at him undecided what to
do. Aurora looked at him astonished, wondering the purpose of his visit.
Without pleasantries, Federico asked rudely,
"Where is Marisol? Where is she hiding?"
"Marisol?" Repeated Aurora perturbed, "She's not with you? I
don’t know where she is ... I’ve been here for days, how can I know where my
cousin is?"
"Don’t lie!" Yelled Federico grasping her arm, "I'm not going to
let you make fun of me!"
Cristobal felt anger rise inside him. He ran to the couch and grabbed Federico
by the shoulders, forcing him to move away from Aurora, who frightened, shrank
back against the back of the couch.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Cristobal yelled, "Get out of
here!"
He pushed him out the door while Federico tried in vain to resist.
When the door closed, Federico started to violently bang on it with his fists,
ordering them to open it but no one gave heed to him.
"How are you Aurora?" Asked Cristobal worried, taking her hands.
"I'm fine, thank you, it was nothing. I'm just wondering what’s happened
to my cousin Marisol," said Aurora upset. "Why is he looking for her
here?"
Cristobal shook his head uncertainly.
"I don’t know, but the question is suspicious. I just hope that your
cousin’s is all right."
Aurora nodded.
"I hope so too, and given Federico’s state of mind, I hope he doesn’t find
her, I fear that he’ll hurt her."
Cristobal remained silent, worried.
Federico is a brute ... poor pretty
Marisol
...
He could not explain why, but he felt untold pain for Aurora’s cousin, he
remembered the time when he had met her, beautiful, lively and intelligent,
with a cheerful smile.
I just hope she isn’t in danger

In Tampico,
unfortunately, Lucas’ situation remained worrying. Don José was working hard on
the investigation and had circulated everywhere the description of the banker
Lucas had met on the night of the double murder at
La Virgen del Mar
chapel.
But no one had information that could be used in the investigation and Lucas
remained the only suspect.
Pablo moved through the streets of the coastal town, trying to help Lucas as
best he could, he was in constant contact with the court appointed lawyer, and
accomplished every task entrusted to him.
While he was on his way to the Fisherman’s Tavern to buy food to take into the
prison for Lucas, Pablo recognized Carmen, the Vargas de Coronado’s maid, busy
shopping at the market with her wicker basket.
Immediately he rushed to help her and gallantly offered to carry her basket for
her, he could not afford to miss the opportunity to chat with
Doña
Viviana’s maid. He might learn something useful about
Doña
Aurora and
knew that Lucas would be pleased.
Carmen gladly accepted Pablo’s offer of help. Walking side by side, they
chatted as they headed towards the Vargas de Coronado’s house.
"Has your mistress already returned from Mexico City?" Pablo asked
innocently.
"Not yet, I don’t even know when they plan to return." Replied
Carmen, "I hope at least that they let me know a few days in advance ...
But you'll see that it won’t be so. You know how noblemen are, they don’t
bother to inform us, and we poor maids are always forced to rush around!"
"Your mistress seems good to me…" Commented Pablo.
"Oh yes, I can’t complain," exclaimed Carmen. "In particular,
Doña
Aurora is always so kind, it’s a pity that she is having a bad time..."
Carmen bit her lip, hesitant, but curiosity overcame her reluctance and
discretion.
"Tell me, what happened between Don Lucas and
Doña
Aurora?"
She asked curious. "Why hasn’t she gone even once to see him while he’s
been imprisoned?"
"I don’t know, Don Lucas doesn’t tell me all his business..." said
Pablo cautiously. "Probably he wants to keep
Doña
Aurora at a
distance until he clarifies this situation with the law. "
"Do you believe that Don Lucas is innocent?" queried Carmen.
"Of course he is!" said Pablo raising his voice. "The day of the
murder he was in the old country house on the road to Ciudad Victoria, to meet
an important man from Veracruz."
Carmen remained thoughtful for a moment in silence, recalling an incident that
had occurred on that day.
"You know, now that I think about it, the day that Don Costantino died,
while I was out shopping, I met a man whom I had never seen before in the town,
a distinct type, in his fifties, he asked me for directions to that old country
house. I told him that no one lived there anymore but he insisted that I
explained the way as he said he had a meeting with someone."
Pablo's eyes widened, he could not believe his ears.
"Carmen" he said grabbing her by the shoulders, "you must go and
report to Don José Pereira what you’ve just told me! Immediately!"
" You say it's important?" Asked Carmen.
" Of course it is! Come on, quick!" insisted Pablo.
"But ... I don’t know ... maybe I should wait for my mistress and ask her
what she thinks ..."
Carmen hesitated, like any good simple girl, she had grown up in holy fear of
the police. The thought of going to Captain Pereira left her frightened.
" What will
Doña
Viviana say to me? Nobody wants to have in their
service someone who has had to deal with the police ... "
But Pablo ignored all of Carmen’s protests. He took her by the arm and almost
dragged her towards the barracks, without giving her time to protest further.
They were immediately admitted into Don José’s study.
"Good morning, Don José, Miss Carmen has come to make a statement,"
announced Pablo.
Don José looked with interest at the two visitors. He frowned and stared at
them.
" About what?" He asked curiously
"Mr. Lucas Navarra y Reyes’ alibi..." Explained Pablo.
Don José dropped the pen that was in his hand and closed the file in front of
him.
"Sit down," he said, indicating the chair opposite the desk.
"Thank you," Carmen said, clutching her shawl fearful.
Don José sent for the typist to record Carmen’s declaration. Carmen became
agitated even more at the thought that her every word would be transcribed, but
Pablo reassured her and asked her to repeat what she knew.
The typist started to type with constancy on the typewriter’s noisy keyboard
and transcribed word for word Carmen’s story, while Don José, with his fingers
interlinked under his chin, listened in silence.
"Well," he said when she had finished. "Your statement
corresponds with that provided by Mr. Navarra y Reyes and therefore I believe
that while we will continue with the investigation we could release him, now
his position is lightened."
"Will you acquit him?" Pablo asked hopefully.
" Not entirely," said Don José dryly. "To definitely verify his
alibi, we must track down and interrogate this mysterious banker. Of course,
Miss Carmen’s testimony has undoubtedly helped your master."
" Can I go sir?" Interrupted Carmen.
" Yes, sign here and then you're free to go."
Carmen signed her name with an uncertain calligraphy, trying hard not to give a
bad impression. Then, sighing with relief she said goodbye and went out,
followed by Pablo.
Pablo full of joy picked her up and spun her around.
"Thank you Carmen, you were fantastic!"
"Let me go at once!" She said, blushing.
Pablo let her go and, feeling happy, accompanied her home.
Don José, meanwhile, lost no time and within a few hours issued orders for
Lucas’ release. Then he went personally to the prison. The prison guards
immediately stood to attention and Don José went to the cells.
"Good morning, Don Lucas."
Lucas responded, looking out through the bars.
"I’ve good news for you, a witness has partially corroborated your
alibi." Said Don José.
"What?" Asked Lucas surprised.
"Your mother-in-law’s maid testified that she gave directions on how to
get to the Navarra y Reyes’ uninhabited villa to a man fitting the description
of your mysterious banker from Veracruz. For the first time we’ve found a
statement that agrees with yours."
Lucas smiled happily.
"Will you release me straight away? "
Don José nodded.
"I don’t like detaining people without reason, you’re free, but remember
that you must continue to be available.”
"Thank you." Lucas said, relieved.
Don José smiled.
" You shouldn’t thank me. Moreover, as I’ve already said, you can’t
consider yourself completely disconnected from the investigation, we have to
clarify how one of your cufflinks ended up at the crime scene."
"I lost that cufflink, I told you Captain..."
"Yes, but unfortunately you don’t remember how and when. However, for now
don’t worry about it, celebrate your freedom. For my part, I assure you that
I’ll do everything to completely uncover the truth and restore your
honor."
Lucas nodded, admiring the honesty and moral character of Captain Pereira.
"I'll try to help you, Captain. "
"The key to the mystery is your uncle I am convinced of this now, your
father in law was just in the wrong place at the wrong time ..."
"I can’t believe my uncle Hector had returned to Mexico after all those
years and then died in this horrible way. I still have the objects that he gave
me the day of his departure."
"Your uncle came back to Mexico in secret, it’s clear that he wanted to
protect himself from someone, someone who, despite everything, tracked him down
and executed him."
Don José smiled.
"But now, get your things and get out of here. I imagine that someone out
there is already waiting for you.
Yes, there is someone waiting for me, but not the person that I wish was
here more than anybody else,
Lucas thought
, but now I am free and I can
fight for her
.
Outside the prison, the faithful Pablo was waiting for him and a group of
friends had come to congratulate him, as well as the usual crowd of onlookers
attracted by every story that had to do with a Navarra y Reyes and in
particular with Lucas.
"Finally," said Pablo shaking hands with Lucas.
"Let's go to the tavern, we have to celebrate. You must tell me how you
managed to get me out. Don José came in person to release me. He's an honest
official, there should be more like him in our country." Said Lucas.
Pablo nodded proudly.
"First however you have to go to Father Julian, when I went to tell him
the good news, he told me that he needed to talk to you urgently... I think
it's something to do with your wife."
The smile faded on Lucas’ face.
"Wait with the others at the Tavern, I’ll go and see Father Julian and
then join you there later."
" All right, see you later!" Replied Pablo.
Lucas set off thoughtfully.
Aurora, I’m free and I can now fight for our
love
,..
He ran down the road to the church taking deep breaths of fresh air and feeling
the caress of the sun’s rays that for so long he had been denied in that dark,
damp prison.
He entered the rectory and the maid immediately let him enter Father Julian’s
study.
"Good morning, Father Julian."
" Son, I'm glad you have been released ..." Father Julian stood up to
embrace Lucas warmly "The charges against you have been dropped at
last?"
"Actually no Father, my alibi has been partially corroborated, however the
investigation continues, though I've been released." Replied Lucas.
" Good, I hope they discover the true culprit soon. Anyone who knows you
even a little, knows you're incapable of committing such depravation!"
Lucas nodded and sat down in a chair.
"Pablo told me that you wanted to talk to me."
Father Julian sighed.
"Son, it’s punishment for me to tell you this right now with everything
that you've been through ... But I’ve received the application for the
annulment of your marriage by your wife made to the Archbishop of Mexico
City."
Lucas clenched his fists.
So this is the end ...
Aurora is asserting
the pact that we made
. He felt his heart stop due to the pain.
I can’t
live without her
...
"They asked me if I had performed your wedding and for information to take
the procedure forward," continued Father Julian.
"Can you give an opposing opinion, Father?" Lucas asked hopefully.
Yes,
but with the existence of that damn pact what can I do?
"Of course, and I will! Your wedding was consecrated before God and
whatever has happened between you, man can’t divide what God has joined
together. I don’t know what is going on in that blessed girl’s head, but when I
see her, she’ll tell me!”
Father Julian looked at Lucas’ sad face; he was still the same boy whom he had
seen grow up and whom he had personally supervised during all the years of
loneliness and misery.
"However, the final decision does not depend on me. There’ll be a hearing
in which both spouses must be heard and only then the final decision will be
taken directly by the Court of Appeal."
Lucas was still for a few minutes in silence, meditating on what Father Julian
had just said.
"How can I find out what the reasons are for the annulment request?"
he asked.
"I wasn’t told, for this you will need to go to the archbishop of Mexico
City."
"Fine," Lucas said, standing up and shaking Father Julian’s hands.
"Thank you and see you soon!"
" See you soon ... And may God bless you son!"
Lucas left the church deeply saddened. The extraordinary and immense love he
felt for Aurora was turning into a constant source of pain. He loved her more
than his own life, but he was going to lose her forever.
He quickened his pace and reached the tavern, where he was offered a beer to
toast his health. While everyone else continued to celebrate, he sat on the
side with Pablo.
"I have to go to Mexico City," Lucas whispered in confidence
"First I’ll go to Zacatecas to make sure that everything is going well at
the
hacienda
and from there I’ll go directly to Mexico City."
"You’re going to bring back
Doña
Aurora?" Queried Pablo.
Lucas nodded.
"Yes. Meanwhile, you stay in Tampico and keep your eyes and ears
open."
He finished his beer in one gulp and stood up.
"Well, good luck," said Pablo shaking his hand.
"The person responsible for all this will be more in need of luck when I
manage to get my hands on him!" Lucas said.