PART 4

CHAPTER 31

Even though there was an ongoing war in the suburbs of Miami, most people in the suburbs knew nothing about it. You see, a lot of people went about their usual activities, suspecting nothing. The streets as usual was boisterous with activities. And folks went about their normal activities; People buying, and offering services on the offices, walkways, and streets. Offices opened for normal day activities, folks gist and talked about their day, couples go out to have a good time at the movies. Everyone just went about their activities.

But like every district, there are basically two categories of residents. The first are the residents who suspect nothing even when the evidence is placed right in front of them. These ones are unsuspecting of the evils going on around them. Most kids fall into this category. Some of these children suspects nothing of the beautiful smiles their parents bestow them to hide their pains. They fail to see the lies in the hugs, and the stifled “I love you” said through gritted teeth, and forced by their presence. The children do not see the strange darkness in their parents’ bright eyes. The darkness brought on for the joy they derive in robbing their neighbours to look good. Yes, these kids are residents who suspect nothing even when the evidences are boldly smiling at them.

Unfortunately, like these kids, there are some adult neighbors who are so busy minding their businesses that they suspect nothing too. These unsuspecting neighbors are the ones who eventually get to know the man living right next to them had two fancy cars they never knew about even though they passed by the cars every day. If their neighbors get locked up for any crime, they wouldn’t know. If asked if they suspected these neighbors of any frivolous activities, they would look right at you and say, “I never really knew her.” And they’d be right; they didn’t know. They are just residents who live and breathe for themselves alone, unconcerned by what goes on around them.

The second sets of residents are the observant ones. The ones who could pick up just something out of place, and sense danger. People generally assume it takes working for law enforcement agents to notice these things. While this may be true. But most times, that neighbor who has nothing to do with upholding the law might be the very ones who catch on with the drama faster even before the officers notice anything. These residents are unlike little kids who could never see the tears behind the smiles, they are naturally curious about what goes on around them. They come in different shades. They might be the teenage boy always looking out for fun, or the housewife whose only job is to cook, and see what everyone else does in the neighborhood.

One neighbor guilty of this trait is the old widow, Mrs. Moore. A lonesome woman living in the quiet neighborhood where the Swiss had their fancy home. She had lost her husband to a fatal heart attack when she had barely turned fifty. Her kids lived far away and she was the only one at home. This woman had nothing to do than tend her garden, clean, and cook. Her days were so boring that she always looks for ways to fill it up with almost anything. The only friend she managed to have, lived on the second street. And ones in a while, she comes over for some chats. Mrs. Moore lived for the gossips. Though she wasn’t an officer, or in any form of law enforcement agency, she could pick up something from little scrabs, and get suspicious.

Her interest was piqued the instant Robert Swiss came back to town. She had been outside spreading her clothes when the man came back home. And when the kids welcome him to an item thrown to the face, Mrs. Moore laughed out, and said, “Oops, that must hurt.” Since then, she began to pay attention to her neighbors. But it wasn’t because she had any suspicion about them, no. Who would suspect a family of lawyers anyway? They were law abiding citizens; people who know and uphold the law. She paid attention because this family was about to get her days more interesting.

For one, her friend had told her about the nasty way in which the old couple parted. Everyone lived for that kind of gossip. “Did she cheat on him?” she asked her friend “Oh, for a man to walk out of the house.” Her friend said with a quirked brow, “Of course, he must have cheated on her.” Then smiling, she had added, “If she were to leave on the other hand, then she cheated.”

Seeing Robert back in town, it was just as expected that she picks up her phone, and call her friend, “Guess who’s back in town?” she smiled as her friend asked who. “Robert Swiss.” she said, “I’ll bet the drama is about to get started.” she laughed.

Few minutes later, Mrs. Moore’s friend came rushing over, ready for the gist. The two ladies sat outside on the lawn which was closer to the Swiss’ front porch. Here, they could hear the glasses being smashed on the wall, even if they couldn’t grasp the conversation. But the old ladies waited in vain. There was no crashing sound, no muffled voices indicating argument, no stamping of door, nothing to indicate anyone fighting violently as they had anticipated. Instead, all was silent inside. “Well, that’s strange. It’s awfully quiet” said Mrs. Moore.

Her friend touched her chest, “Poor dears, the woman must have been so shocked out of her brains.” she said suggestively.

“You think that’s why all is silent?” asked Mrs. Moore, clipping off a thread on her hems. She was busy tacking buttons on some old clothes. Beside her, her friend leaned back in her chair, knitting a cardigan for her grandchild. Her first daughter would be visiting soon with the baby, and she wanted to have a gift for them.

“Why else isn’t any sound heard? Even the kids stopped playing” said the friend, flexing her ears dramatically. She strained her ears hoping to catch just any sound.

“You might be right there.”

Shrugging, both women leaned back in their chair, gi sting about their children. Occasionally, one of them would peer at the building at the slightest movement. Since then, Mrs. Moore’s friend found every reason to visit. And the old widow, who needed gossip and some company never complained.

These two women had been home that Sunday, having their home baked muffins the day the security men started parading the Swiss’ home. They had mixed the flour until it was fluffy, and mixed the ingredients. When the buns were shaped, and arranged in the baking pan, safely tucked in the oven, and timed, the women went to the lawn for their chitchat.

“How’s your daughter now?” asked her friend, “Did she get the job?”

Nodding her head affirmatively, Mrs. Moore was full of smiles. Her daughter had applied for the city job most young people of Miami were applying for. Somewhere in the middle of the excuses though, Mrs. Moore believed it was a way to get herself farther from her mother like her two siblings had. “She got in.”

Staring excitedly at her friend, she said “Oh, that must have made you happy” Mrs. Moore dragged her response, making her friend look up at her. “You are not happy about that? Beth’s son never made it that far.”

“He didn’t?” asked a shocked Mrs. Moore. “Beth’s son is brilliant, and always top of the class. If anyone qualified for the post, it would be him.”

“Heard he’s too smart for the company”

“That’s absurd” Mrs. Moore looked bewildered. She had never heard of anyone being smarter than the company before. “The things that happens to young people these days, it’s despicable. Imagine, being too smart?” she laughed hysterically, “Never heard of that line before.”

“Well, it’s the truth. So, be thankful yours got in” said her friend, sniffing her roses. She had just picked some from the garden and was going to plant them in hers when she got home.

“It’s not that I’m not happy.” she stated frankly, “I was hoping she’d stay in Miami here with me. What’s so bad in living here anyway?” she shrugged, “We have good jobs, and nice scenery. But my kids, it’s like they just want to stay far away from me” she lamented “Poor dear.” said her friend, pulling Mrs. Moore for a warm hug. “I don’t think it’s what you are thinking. They’ve been here all their lives. It’s normal they’d want to explore the world”

“What’s wrong with the kids anyway? We lived in Miami all our lives. We grew up here, got married here, watched our kids go to school here…so?”

“Things have changed” said her friend, sitting down in her chair. Smelling something, she sniffed the air to be sure. “I think the muffins smell nicely. We better go check.” The women went inside, and sure enough, their bun was ready. They took out the tray, served some in the plates, and headed out again. While her friend sat down, Mrs. Moore went to get some drinks.

“I heard some cars pull over the house” said her friend as she took the wine from Mrs. Moore so she could be able to put down the cups in her hands safely.

“You don’t say.” said Mrs. Moore. They both went towards the fence for a clearer view. Sure enough, there were some men coming out of the car, all in black suit, looking so well built. “Got to love those muscles” she teased.

“I’ll bet there are some guns in their pockets.” her friend insinuated. This got Mrs. Moore moving away from the fence. “Oh, they’re just security men.” she waved off her anxious look “And you know because?”

“Look at the second car, the one behind the tree” she pointed at the car where MILESTONE SECURITY was boldly written.

“Ok, okay” said Mrs. Moore, walking back to her seat. “Why do they need those men?”

Sitting beside her, her friend pondered about it, “The family walks with all kinds of criminal. Of course, they’d need security men around. Maybe there’s a big case going on”

“Right after Robert comes to town?” They both sigh. Sitting down to enjoy their muffins and wine, the women began to talk again about their personal lives. “So, how’s the cardigan going?”

“It’s done. I’m on the stockings now, and the hand gloves.” her friend replied. She took another bite of the muffins, and closed her eyes in pure ecstasy.

“Sweet, Hun?” asked Mrs. Moore “Delicious” said her friend as she munched happily. “I might take some home.”

The day Adriana moved in with her kids, Mrs. Moore didn’t see anything strange in that. the lawyer lady had always come visiting with her family. But after some days, and Adriana didn’t go back home, Mrs. Moore began to suspect that something was amiss. She raised the issue with her friend. “Do you suppose she fought with her man?”

“Don’t we always?” said her friend sarcastically. “The other day, I found out my husband is getting too comfy with our neighbor. Told him about it and he flared up”

“Oh dear, that’s not good” said Mrs. Moore.

“But that’s the point. It’s bad” she scoffed. “Doesn’t mean I’d leave the house and move in with my parents” she explained, watching as Adriana drove past them with the kids. Both women waved with a smile plastered sweetly on their faces.

“Then something more is going on” commented Mrs. Moore. The two women brought their knitting bags out, sat down, and began to talk “I think so” her friend said, suddenly high pitched. Even though she was replying Mrs. Moore, she was suddenly thinking of her own predicament. Her husband was getting too close with the young woman staying beside them, and the shameless lady see nothing wrong in carrying on with the charade. Even when she was home, her husband would step outside the instant he sighted her.

“What’s that tone?” asked Mrs. Moore of her friend. Like always, she could pick something suspicious merely by picking up a slight change in the way her friend usually responds.

“My husband isn’t seeing anything wrong in unoiling with my young chatty neighbor” complained her friend, “I expected him to be embarrassed about it, and back off. Instead, he’s all defensive.”

“The Dave I know wouldn’t do that unless you said it with a suggestive tone.” she laughed weirdly. Faking her friend’s high pitched tone, she said, “Let me see, did you say, ‘oh David stop flirting with the young woman with her boobs out?” smiling at her friend, “Did you say it that way?”

“Well, I might have mentioned her boobs, which are gorgeous by the way. She’s young, and pretty. And that’s why I’m worried.” Her husband getting too close to the young blood was making her feel so old, which by the way she was. At 55, the woman was still in good shape. But nothing could wipe off the wrinkled skin, and the grey hair that was now becoming more prominent.

“I know it all boils down to her youthfulness. But trust your man” Mrs. Moore said to her friend “She’s all flirty with him. I don’t trust her”

“Then fighting him would only push them closer. Get him back. Try to be there when this lady starts her flirting”

“You’re so sweet with your words.” her friend laughed, “You think I’d be able to stand the slut throwing herself at him?”

“I have a good feeling her throwing herself at Dave is all in your head.” said Mrs. Moore, “And what better way to keep her out of his hair than securing yourself rigidly between them when they start their chitchatting”

“Well, you might be right there” agreed her friend.

Just then, Evangeline’s car pulled across from them. The ladies ran to the window to see who it was. They watched as Evan got down from the car, and stormed into the building. “And that’s her sister.” Mrs. Moore nodded at Evangeline has she got down from her car and went into the compound hurriedly. It was the day she had come looking for answers from her parents after Jason told her about his parents’ death.

“Oh, I know her.” her friend said, “She’s the one who moved to LA shortly after their father left. And she’s not a lawyer like them all.”

“You do know her.” Mrs. Moore smiled, then said, “I noticed she has this unusual glow.” pausing, they waited until Evan was inside before going back to their work, “I suspect she’s pregnant. I’ve been seeing her with the Valdez’s boy”

“Wow, that’s a good catch” said her friend.

“Still, I can’t shake off the feeling that something big is going on with this family” she said, shaking her head as she went about doing her chores. But it wasn’t long that they got distracted again, because Adriana soon drove in too.

Yes, there are indeed some people who are not in the law agencies, but have keen eyes. These people pick up little fractions of details, piece it together, and come up with a theory closer to the truth than anyone could imagine. These neighbors are the ones you can count on when an incident happens such as an attack, a fight, a murder, or robbery. They are the ones with good eye for details and would describe the assailant to the last of details.

*****

Later that evening, since Gaby insisted the man in his lair was half way dead, Jason and his men were in the unused Monterey building on the outskirt of the county. With James’ dad already helping out with his theory, Jason tabled what they knew to Mathew Swiss, who confirmed that they had the facts but were only half way in. Then he told his side of the story. “The day we learnt she was a spy; my dad was furious” Mathew Swiss spat out. His hatred for the Valdez was evident in the way he looked at the man standing in front of him. “But he was even more furious when he learnt she worked for your mother.”

Jason was furious. “But she didn’t” he yelled.

“Stupid little son. What do you know? You were about what age then? Seven?” he mocked.

James held down a very angry Jason as he charged towards the almost dead man. Gaby had been torturing him for days now. He had been cutting him piece by piece. His two hands had been chopped off, and he was bleeding profusely. All his toes were also gone, clipped off methodically. There were other injuries on his body, and Jason could tell he had been electrocuted countless times. His death was inevitable. It was better they got out all the information they could get from him before letting nature take its course. “What then happened?” he asked.

“We found the coded messages she’s being sending them over the years. The stench of betrayal” he squashed his nose as if served something disgusting, “And even when we found out, she tried to warn your parents; telling them to back off, that she had been found. But they wouldn’t let her rot alone.” he moved slightly, “Of course she had to go” he said slowly. “We captured her, but your parents came for her rescue. They send in their men, and got her out.” he shrugged nonchalantly again before spitting out another lump of blood. “They had to die.” he spat out again, and coughed badly. “The night they left, we got the pilot, paid him off…” he coughed again, “You know the rest.”

For a long while, nobody said anything. Jason struggled with himself to go hit the man. But wasn’t this rage what Evangeline had warned him about? So, he resisted the urge to strike the man. He wasn’t going to give the dying blow. He would tell Evan that he could finally resist the rage.

“Do you have anything else to ask him?” Gaby said, stepping forward. He had been waiting patiently to end the man who had cost him another bout of pain.

“That will be all” James said when his boss nodded.

“Then, for Nate” Gaby reached for his gun, “Say hello to him when you meet” he said, and shot the man in the head. It was an instant death. He beaconed on his men to clean up the place while they all exited the building.

“I’m sorry we lost Nate” Jason said, shaking Gaby as they all went out.

“It’s fine. Revenge has been served hot” though he laughed, tears fell down his face.

And that night, Jason got home and called Evangeline. He was desperate to talk now. So he dialed her number, and kept dialing, but she wouldn’t pick his call. He smashed the phone on the wall, and sat down frustrated. That’s when it hit him. She wouldn’t speak with him. He had gone ahead to see Mathew Smith even though she had begged him not to. But now, he was ready to explain why he had to. Then he also realized that somewhere in the midst of the war, he had started to develop feelings for his baby mama.

*****

Some days later, Adriana and her family moved back into their home. “Welcome home guys” she said, opening door. She stepped aside and everyone went inside. Her husband took care of the luggage while the kids ran everywhere. The twins were doing much better now, and Adriana knew she just wanted her family whole again. They had gotten a therapist who came in once a week for their evaluation too.

“You changed our room paintings” exclaimed Elizabeth. She ran to hug her parents happily. “Thank you”

“Thanks dad, mom” Ethan said too, hugging both his parents. They were each holding a parcel which they hurriedly unwrapped. The two exclaimed at the toys they got this time. They hugged their parents, gratefully and ran inside to play.

Adriana and her husband hugged happily. It was good to be back home. Noah leaned down to kiss her, and she welcomed the warmth his lips offered. A knock on the door distracted the parents. They had forgotten their therapist would be meeting with them today. Adriana opened the door with a smile. “Hello Ms. Barthian” she greeted, “Please come on in.”

The lady walked in with a smile, “Hi Adriana, hello Noah” she said, taking the seat Adriana offered with her hand pointing at it.

“I’ll go get the kids” Adriana said, offering her a drink served in a tray alongside some snacks. The therapist held her hand.

“No, I think I’ve done enough talking to the kids. Today, let’s just talk about you two.” she said, looking from Adriana to her husband standing by the window, staring out. Though they had gotten the help for the entire family, both parents had been avoiding a private session with the woman. It made it difficult talking about their feelings as the kids were always around. “Don’t you think so?”

Adriana turned to look at Noah. Since Nate died, he had been withdrawn. She believed they had gotten a bit closer during the last few days. But that seem to vanish when he heard the news of his cousin’s demise. Nate’s burial had been done privately, and though the Montereys were all present, afterwards, they had taken a break from everyone. Samantha had insisted she was going to Paris. And Adriana knew she wasn’t going because of the beauty of the country, she was going to hide away. She wished she could help, but then again, she had her own bunch of trouble. Every now and then, she communicated with the lady, and she could tell that Sam was unhappy. Getting over Nate was going to take a while. Gaby on the other end had shut everyone out. He wasn’t reply mails, and wasn’t taking his calls. They had left several messages on his answering machine hoping that someday, he would get out of the darkness he’s plunged in, and get back to them. Not even Noah knows where he was.

As Adriana looked at her husband, she noticed he had shed so much weight. And it hit her hard. Noah hadn’t been eating. Why didn’t I notice this earlier? She asked herself. Now, he reached for a wine bottle, pour himself a full glass, and drank it in a gulp. Then she knew why he wasn’t eating. He had replaced food with drinks. If this goes on for long, they were all in trouble.

She remembered ones when Noah had taken to drinking. There had been no sane reason for it at the time. His explanation had been that he was been pressured. His exact words were that he couldn’t meet the demands placed on him. She remembered thinking; What demands? Now that she knows more about him, it doesn’t seem so unclear. She could understand it better. He had been drinking because he couldn’t go on with the revenge, and his family, majorly Gaby was mounting pressure on him to live up to agreement. He must have been having a bad time then.

When it started was unclear. All Adriana could say was her husband had started having a glass of wine at dinner. From there, it graduated to taking another glass before bed time, and finally, it became full blown. It had gotten so out of hand that she had insisted on rehab. The kids were barely three years then, and the toll of taking care of them had kept her so busy she didn’t know it was so bad.

The day she knew something urgent had to be done was the day he had almost gotten himself killed along with their kids. She had gone out shopping for the weekend, and left the kids with him. The shopping had taken unusually long because she branched at the salon for a quick fix of her hair. Her husband was barely home on week days, so she did all she had to do outside whenever he was around. Noah had managed to get the kids asleep in their room, before he started drinking. By the time she came back three hours later, he was so drunk that he had fallen asleep on the kitchen floor.

While he slept, he had knocked down the gasoline keg in the corner with his leg. When she got home, Adriana immediately could smell the odd gas in their home. Had anyone lighted a match, the whole apartment would have gone up in flames. She had quickly gotten the kids out, and stayed outside a while with them. Then she went back in and opened the ventilations to let the gas out, and let in fresh air. She deliberated on waking him up. It wouldn’t be an easy task to drag him out. And because she didn’t want any gossip, she couldn’t ask the neighbors for help.

If she however let him sleep off his drunkenness, it would be easier. But she couldn’t risk it. So, she cleared the kitchen to be sure nothing could ignite any spark. She even called the power office to disconnect their power for two hours. Then she waited it out with the kids. Soon as she was sure the house had been rid of gas, she proceeded to wake him up. It took almost an hour to get him to be in his right state of mind. In those few hours, Adriana imagined all; sort of devastating scenario where her family would have ended up dead. None of it made for a pleasant sight.

“You almost burnt down the house.” she yelled at him soon as he was sober. She showed him the now empty gas tank which he had let out. “With the kids in it” she had yelled at him. “This is out of hands. You need help.” Because he had almost killed his kids, Noah had sobered up. For some days since his wife noticed, he had been denying that he was no longer able to control his drinking habit. With every evidence pointing at the danger he could have put them in, he had finally agreed to go to rehab.

He was in rehab for three months. And while he was there, Adriana lied to her mother that he had gone on a trip. Some days, she lied he was home for the weekend but couldn’t come to work because he was exhausted, and would be travelling again soon.

After rehab, her husband had promised her never to touch any drink again. Except the occasion sip they take here and there, he had made good that promise, until now. As Noah reached for another cup, Adriana looked at the therapist, alarmed. How had he started again and she had missed the sign? Was it when she asked him to move out? If he was indulging in little cups of wine now, he would soon end in that dark pit as before. And who knows, they might not be lucky to come out unscratched this time. She turned away from him, and faced the therapist with a resolve, “Yes, we should have our sessions now” she agreed with the woman, “But first, let me check on the kids for their nap. That way, you can have our undivided attention.”