Mayan Star by Howard Allan

Author:Howard Allan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Allan

Chapter 35

Det. Benito Rufino

The forensic science laboratory in Mexico City was a glass and steel building on the Ave. Constituyentes in the Belen de la Flores colonia. Rufino asked the receptionist to call up to Señor Xaviar de Sousa. Moments later Xaviar de Sousa appeared in the lobby. He gave Rufino a hug and said, "Don't talk. Just follow me. We'll talk in my office."

Xaviar’s office was on the second floor. "We’ll take the stairs." Rufino followed. The office was down a long corridor. Inside, he was surprised by the orderliness, the stark contrast to his own cubicle and that of almost every investigator he knew. The surface of Xaviar’s desk was empty. No telephone. No mug of pencils.

Rufino asked "Did you just move in?"

"No. The desktop is a work surface, not a storage area. Now, why are you here my friend?"

Rufino took the evidence bag out of his pocket. "I think this is dried blood. It used to belong to El Gato, our local crime lord. This is the coat of a doctor in Valladolid who examined his remains."

"I heard about this. And a good deal else. You're in trouble, my friend. You know that."

"I know. I'm lucky to have made it this far. Can you get a DNA sample from this? I hope so, I risked my life to get it."

"Probably. But then what?"

Rufino saw something old and resigned in his friend's face. Xavier was in his 50s, but he looked older now: some slackness in his face, perhaps some lines. His hair was gray at the edges. Some weariness in his eyes. It was contagious. Rufino said "I don't know. We prosecute Leon Cortes for ordering the murder?" It came out as a question.

"Sure. Why not?" Then your successor and mine will be tracking a bag just like this one and it’ll be our dried blood inside. Why don't you just shoot the bastard?"

"You're the second person to suggest that."

"Who was the first?"

"The doctor in Valladolid. She shares your concern." Rufino looked at the evidence bag.

Xavier said, "But suppose the blood matches. Then what?"

"It proves El Gato was killed in Leon Cortes's junkyard."

"So?"

"You think just anybody could waltz into Cortes's junkyard and kill somebody there in this elaborate fashion without Cortes's knowledge and consent?"

Xaviar answered: "I don't think El Gato could have been killed at all, anywhere, without Cortes's consent. The difficulty is proving it. It would be better if the jacket with El Gato's blood on it belonged to Cortes."

Rufino nodded. Yes that would be better. It never would happen, but it would be better if it had. "You'll run the tests? As a favor?"

Xavier nodded.

Rufino said, "You look tired, my friend."

"What I look is old. What I look is world-weary. But it's nice of you to say I only look tired."

Rufino said, "I can find my way out. Thank you."

Xavier waved him away. "Use the stairs."

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