Trash - Andy Mulligan [39]
He nodded at the house and the police cars.
‘And they’re just standing around, I bet. No idea where it’s gone. What a boy! I just wish I’d got to shake his hand.’
He stopped smiling.
‘How did they get him?’ I said.
‘I don’t know. The papers don’t say.’ He threw his cigarette into the grass. ‘I know he had a little girl, so they could have traced her, maybe.’
Raphael spoke for the first time. ‘His name was José Angelico, wasn’t it?’ he said.
The old man looked up and stared. Then he nodded. ‘You read about it, huh? You know they found the fridge? I guess they’re asking where he put the cash – that’s what they want. I tell you, boys, I hope he gave it away before they killed him, because I believe that son of a bitch in there’s been stealing for years. Stealing even from me and you – can you believe that?’
He was shaking his head.
‘Vice-president,’ he said, and he spat on the grass. ‘I hope he never gets it back – not a cent of it. And I hope the shock kills him.’
10
Olivia’s story – last section.
‘José Angelico was my grandson,’ said the old man.
Gardo held the cup to his mouth again. The old man drank and wiped his eyes.
He laughed briefly. ‘I have many grandchildren,’ he said. ‘Shall I tell you why? Because Dante – you asked about him, Dante Jerome – that’s my son: he adopted thirteen boys and nineteen girls.’ He smiled, but it was a tired smile. ‘I know that sounds impossible, but it was some government programme. You could adopt children then as easily as … hail a taxi. Dante started a school, you see – probably like the one you work in, Miss Olivia. And he had four children of his own, and he found that it was safest to adopt the children in his care. Every time I saw him, I’d say …’ His voice trailed off. ‘Oh my.’ He scratched his head. ‘Little José, little José … What a way to end.’
Gardo spoke again in his own language.
The old man groaned, and then he coughed and fought for breath. We waited.
‘José was a favourite. One should not, I know, have favourites. But José Angelico … He was the sweetest boy. He was clever too, and he did not sleep – he was always working! “I will be a doctor,” he would say – so many of them say that. But … Oh my, we thought for a while it would come true. Olivia, is this making sense to you?’
I nodded. ‘Yes,’ I said. It was a lie, because I was totally confused.
‘Oh, Gardo … you didn’t bring the letter,’ he said. He looked at the boy. ‘Is there something in it that … is dangerous, perhaps?’
‘We think so,’ said Gardo. ‘I thought the police might take it away. My friend was arrested, so we know they’re looking.’
‘What about his daughter? Where is Pia Dante?’
‘We don’t know, sir.’
‘She will have nobody.’ He was lost in thought for a moment, and then he said to me: ‘He wrote to me every year, José. On my birthday and at Christmas. Once he wanted to be a doctor, then a lawyer. Dante would have found the money – he had ways of getting money! So many deals, the boys he put into college – if they were clever, I mean. But little José …’ He winced and wiped his eyes. ‘Not so little any more. I saw him last year – he was a man, of course. He wanted me to see his daughter – she also is my god-daughter. Oh …’ He wiped his eyes. ‘He gave up his studies years ago – he was just a houseboy, you know. Better than many jobs, I have no doubt of that, but we had hoped for better things … I think he lost patience.’
‘Patience with what?’ I said.
The old man paused. ‘You cannot wait for ever. How long they keep us waiting: for ever. We knock on the door for ever? José lost patience, lost ambition, dropped out of the school. He didn’t tell me where he was working. Boy,’ he said, turning to Gardo. ‘Please – we had better do this business. I am so tired.’
‘Sir,’ said Gardo.
‘You asked me what It is accomplished meant – that was in the letter. Speak truthfully.’
‘Yes,’ said Gardo.
‘Can you remember exactly what he said? Is this why you’re here?’
‘Sir,’ said Gardo, ‘I memorized all of the letter. If you like …’ He looked at the door.