Black-and-white tiles.
They were waiting for her.
And if she didn’t go to them, she might be afraid for the rest of her life.
And Nicos and Salva would win.
She tossed the bedcovers aside and swung her legs to the floor.
Take it slow.
There was nothing in that room beyond the door but memories.
And it was time that she faced those memories so that she could be strong, not weak.
She moved toward the door.
Just as she’d done that night three years ago.
She’d heard Rosa and Nicos come in from the courtyard and Rosa was crying.
That wasn’t strange. Rosa was always afraid those days and tears came easily to her.
But Nicos didn’t usually bring her back to the guesthouse to “school” her, as he called it. He made her stay at his mansion across the courtyard except when it amused him to shock Margaret by showing her the terrible things he was doing to Rosa. She’d only been able to count on him letting her see Rosa when he brought Margaret back from picking up one of the airport shipments. A “gift,” he called it.
But he hadn’t let her see Rosa that day when they’d returned from picking up the shipment at Santo Domingo. He’d sent Margaret back to the guesthouse and gone with Salva to his office. He’d been so angry.…
And Margaret had been sick with dread when she’d heard him bring Rosa to the guesthouse. She’d been shaking as she opened the door and seen Nicos standing in the center of the room.
Rosa was kneeling at his feet. Her blouse was torn off her shoulders and there were whip marks on her back. Her lower lip was swollen where Nicos had struck her.
“Just in time.” Nicos looked across the room at Margaret. “I wanted to make sure you saw what you did to your little friend. Sit down there against the wall. I haven’t finished with her yet.”
“I didn’t do anything to her. I did everything you wanted me to do. Now don’t hurt her.” She took a step into the room. “Or, if you’re angry with me, whip me instead.”
“Sit down.” His eyes were glittering in his flushed face. “That dog almost tipped his handler off. You didn’t get to him in time.”
“He was difficult. But he didn’t give the signal that there were drugs in that suitcase. You were still able to pick it up.”
“It was too close.” The whip came down on Rosa’s shoulders, cutting into the flesh.
She screamed.
“Shut up, bitch. You speak when I tell you to speak.” The whip came down again.
“Stop it.” Margaret couldn’t stand it. She was across the room, tearing at the whip. “It won’t be close the next time. I’ll find a way to—”
“You know you don’t stop me from doing whatever I want to her. She belongs to me.” His hand lashed out and knocked Margaret to the floor. “Just as you do. I told you that as long as you do what I wish, Rosa won’t be hurt too badly. But you’re becoming a little too defiant. I think you need a lesson.”
“Don’t hurt her.” She lifted a shaking hand to brush back her hair as she sat up. “I’ll do what you want. Why don’t you just punish me? I’m used to it. Rosa wouldn’t ever do anything to make you angry.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Rosa was gazing pleadingly up at Nicos. “She’s right. I’ll do anything for you. Just tell me.”
“But that doesn’t make your friend Margaret as obedient as I’d like. So it was fortunate I found the key to making her as humble as I do you.” His face was flushed with excitement as he looked down at Margaret. “But there comes a time when you have to give the final lesson. I didn’t like you tearing that whip away from me. You have to learn there are consequences.” He took out his phone and hit the number buttons. “Salva, come over to the guesthouse. It’s time I taught Margaret that the patience I’ve shown her has limits. I want you to be here to watch.” He hung up. “Now come here, Margaret. I want you to be close to your dear friend Rosa.”
She didn’t move. “What are you going to do?”
“Come closer. Don’t you want to give Rosa an affectionate embrace. You’re such good friends.”
She slowly got up and crossed to where Rosa was kneeling on the floor. “What are you going to do?”
“Hold her. Tell her how much you care about her. After all, she must know all you’ve gone through for her.”
“She knows.” She knelt beside Rosa and pushed the hair away from her eyes. She said softly, “Hey, it’s going to be okay.” She hoped she was telling the truth, but she was terribly afraid. “He’s only angry with me. But nothing really bad happened. If I do what he says, it will be all right.” She stroked Rosa’s cheek. “Try not to be afraid.”
“I can’t … help it.” The tears were running down her cheeks. “I’m … sorry, Margaret. How did this happen? I know it was all my fault. But it shouldn’t have happened. I never knew what—”
“Shh, just don’t be scared. I’ll try to—”
“Enough.” Nicos was pulling Margaret away. “That was very touching, but I really don’t want Rosa to be too comforted at the moment. And I certainly don’t want you lying to her. It’s not going to be all right. You had a job to do and you didn’t do it. You’ll learn I won’t tolerate that again.”
“I did do my job. Some dogs react differently, just as people do. But the end result was the same. He appeared jumpy and restless, but he didn’t signal anything was actually wrong with the shipment.” She had to convince him. She had seen that expression on his face before, but never around Rosa. There was a wildness, a cruelty to the set of his mouth, an eagerness about his entire demeanor. He’d had that same look when he’d killed one of his men who he’d suspected betrayed him. “But I’ll work on it anyway. Perhaps if you let me go to the airport a day or two earlier, so that the dogs become accustomed to—”
“And tip customs off that you may be casing the area?”
“Maybe you could find a reason. Get me a temp job at one of the—”
“Here I am.” Salva had opened the courtyard door. “I do hope you’re going to make this entertaining, Nicos. I have work to do.” He glanced at Rosa’s huddled figure kneeling on the floor as he came into the room. “This doesn’t look promising. I’ve seen it before.”
“Did you hear that, Margaret?” Nicos asked. “Salva wishes entertainment. Shall we give it to him?” He drew out his 9mm Beretta. “I believe we have to give him something different tonight.”
“No!” Keep calm. He might be only trying to frighten you. “What good would that do? Things have been going well until today. I’ll keep on doing what you want. Just don’t hurt her.”
“What about it, Salva?” Nicos said, not looking at him. “Shall I listen to her?”