Free Mystery by the Sea by David Sal

from Doris, could have done it. We didn’t have opportunity or
motive,” Javier said, crossing his arms with confidence.
    “But now you’ll be president,”
suggested Lorenzo, fixing his gaze on Javier. He knew he was entering dangerous
territory, but he figured he had nothing to lose.
    “Does it look to you like I need to
be president?” said Javier, opening his arms wide to his magnificent property.
“I guarantee you that I can no longer escape to swim as often as I would like.
Being president gives me more responsibilities and fills up my schedule. Besides,
why bite the hand that feeds you?”
    “Why let someone else feed you when
you could do it yourself?” suggested Lorenzo, pushing his point.
    “You’re grasping for straws, and
you know it. Why are you doing this? Don’t you know that it’ll only hurt you?
Tell me, you have to have a reason,” said Javier, trying to show personal
interest.
    Lorenzo knew full well why he was
doing it. But he did not want to share something so intimate and personal with
someone he saw as an annoying task to be crossed off his ‘to do’ list as soon
as possible.  
    “It’s what I have to do. It’s my
duty. Wouldn’t you do the same?”
    “I’d like to think so. But I’d only
know for sure if I were in that situation. Allow me to congratulate you on
fulfilling your duty,” expressed Javier, patting him on the shoulder.
    “Thank you.”
    “Look,” said Javier, lowering his
voice, “I know someone who was on Pedroza’s bad side both inside and outside
the office. I don’t know if that will help you with anything.”
    “Who?” asked Lorenzo eagerly.
    “A week ago,” said Javier
cryptically while leaning toward Lorenzo, “Pedroza had a bitter quarrel with his
attorney over the phone. Pretty ugly. His door was closed, but you could hear
Pedroza screaming very clearly, over and over again: ‘You’re finished, I’m
going to destroy you!’ And if Pedroza was known for anything, it was that he
always, always followed through on his threats. Well, at least until now.”
    “And who was his attorney? What’s
his name?” probed Lorenzo.
    “Oh, no, no, no,” said Javier,
smiling and leaning back in his seat. “I think I’ve already told you too much.
It wouldn’t be a good idea for me to cross that line. You’re the one playing
detective. Figure it out.”
    Lorenzo smiled at Javier’s
comparison. He also heard the mocking tone that accompanied the supposed inside
information. Was he trying to help him? Maybe he wanted to mislead him even
further. Or, worse yet, he was just throwing him a bone so he would not bother
him anymore. Lorenzo knew it was time to go.
    “I guess I should say thanks,” said
Lorenzo, standing up.
    “I have a lot of respect for
Doris,” said Javier, opening his arms and displaying his million dollar smile,
which Lorenzo felt was the most sincere smile of the entire meeting, even
though he knew that of all the witnesses, he was the least close to Doris.
Maybe the smile was because the visit was over.
    Lorenzo said goodbye with a
handshake. Javier’s wife appeared to show him to the door. She had not smiled
once during the entire visit, which shocked Lorenzo. If she was so proud of her
mansion and she loved taking care of visitors, she certainly had not
demonstrated it this afternoon. Lorenzo expected her to at least give him a
smile when it was time for him to head out. While crossing the living room,
Lorenzo looked back at the pool through the crystal window one last time. He
was able to see Javier talking on the phone while vehemently gesturing with his
arm. It made him suspicious that Javier was already on the phone with someone
so quickly. Who could he be talking to and why? Lorenzo wondered before
Mrs. Estrada opened the door for him. Lorenzo kindly said goodbye, but she did
not offer a smile even then.
    As soon as Lorenzo got into his
car, he picked up his cell phone to make a call, but he had to put it right back
down and