Chapter 19 - The Interrogation

We watched as Stephan and Diego wriggled about trying in vane to free themselves. That was fine since it wore them down further. The loss of blood from the bullet holes in their knees would hasten the fatigue. I did not appreciate the blood on my carpet, but it was much more tolerable since it was theirs and not Andy's or mine.

Jake stood there about six-two, 230 pounds of solid rock. Jake's smooth, bald head added to the menacing presence of this experienced black soldier. His arms were folded and prepared to inflict more pain if required. The police issue 38 had been returned to his holster, which was part of his uniform.

I approached Diego, and with one motion removed the tape from his mouth, taking as much outer skin and nubs as the adhesive would tear. He yelled something in Spanish. As a kid I never saw the point in learning Spanish at school and opted for French, the language of love. In the new millennium, I regretted that decision as the United States rapidly became a bi-lingual nation. I knew that his words held no interest for me right now, and I would get the answers needed in English.

I left the tape on Stephan's face. He would be of no use, He could have been killed for all I cared, but I would not have wanted to be the one ordering the death. He was the brains, and Diego the brawn. The big dumb ones are much easier to get to slip up than the cunning types. "Did Carlos send you here?" I asked.

Diego looked surprised that I knew Carlos' name, and it was a guess, albeit educated. The one thing Pete the Dwarf knew was that Carlos, the Dade County councilman was the man Rachel was married to. These thugs were definitely from an international community, and Miami was the closest. "Carlos Encinosa," I clarified.

Diego looked towards Stephan whose eyes could have thrown daggers back at his partner, the weaker mental link of this duo. I looked to Jake "turn him away," I said, indicating Stephan with my eyes. He complied.

Andrea had found a dining chair and moved it to the far back of great room. She sat and watched. Her back was to the wall to ensure no surprises from behind. She was obviously uncomfortable with observing. I thought about offering her the opportunity for a shower, but that would probably make her feel more vulnerable, and she would not want to be alone. She had abdicated her fate to being present for the interrogation.

"I'm waiting for your answer," I said to Diego.
"I don't know who you are talking about," he said unconvincingly.
"Rachel's husband. The councilman. I am sure you have heard of him," I said.
"Sure, sure, I know who he is, and I have seen her on T.V. with him, but I don't know him," he tried to deceive.
"Then who sent you?" I asked.
"Um, ah. I don't know."

Jake stepped over and kicked his left knee, which was already soaked in crimson ooze, which turned purple from the blend with blue jeans.

"Oh Fuck!" Diego screamed.
"Do you remember now!" I asked.
"Fuck you!"

Jake kicked the right knee, to which Diego ranted and screamed in Spanish. Not knowing a word, I had now idea if he was cursing or begging for mercy.

"We can do this all night, and you will certainly be paralyzed when we are finished," I said, having now idea if he would or not.

"Okay, okay, I tell you," he acquiesced.

At this news, Stephan began wriggling around, making the dining chair dance from leg to leg. Jake always knew what to do in these situations. He casually sauntered to Stephan while removing his pistol and introduced the butt of the firearm to Stephan's cranium, instantly rendering him unconscious.

"He won't hear you now. Talk," I demanded.
"Carlos sent us here."
"Why?"
"That bitch invested money from his last campaign in your company and lost half. She was supposed to build it back up before the new campaign which starts in a few weeks, but that never happened. We followed her up here when she left after a fight with Carlos and saw what happened to her on the beach. Stephan got your tag number and the boss hatched the plan this morning."

"That's it?" I asked.
Diego looked sincere, flexed his lips, raised his brow and said,"Yep."
"You saw that she had the gun on me?"
"Uh Huh."
"You saw her shoot herself?"
"We were in the dunes man, we heard everything," Diego confessed. "You calling the cops?" he asked.
"I have no choice. Will you tell them what you just told me?" I asked, hoping that there was some glimmer of compassion and the ability for this apparent life criminal to do the right thing.
"If I can make a plea, and they toast that German bastard. You got some balls for a suit. I like that."
"Thanks," I said to the backhanded compliment.

"My knees is fuckin' killing me man. You think you can call an ambulance now. Your phone's in that case over there." Diego pointed with his eyes over to the Tumi brief case next to the chair facing the television.
"Yeah," I said halfway to the phone, my beloved Berry, my lifeline.