Where Darkness Resides, page 11
“Please do,"
“I’ll be right back.”
Ignoring the discussions in the conference room with Pamela and the other attorneys, Cheryl headed to Lydia’s cubicle down the hallway closer to Daniel’s office. She could see his office was dark and unoccupied.
“Hey, Lydia. I have someone here for Daniel. She says Daniel texted her saying he would be back today. Do you know anything about that?”
Lydia was puzzled by the request but checked her emails and her calendar for any indication Daniel let her know he was coming back early.
“I don’t see anything saying he was headed back early. He normally asks me to change his flight reservations. I never did. Are you sure she understood correctly?”
Remembering the look on Corina’s face, Cheryl replied, “The young lady sincerely believes Daniel was supposed to be in Arizona today.”
“It’s unlike Daniel to change his plans and not let me know.”
Lydia contemplated calling the hotel in Puerto Rico to confirm whether Daniel was still a guest. But she didn’t want to disturb Daniel during his vacation. It was his first vacation in a long time and one he really needed.
“I think you should let her know she’s mistaken,” Lydia suggested.
“Okay. I will.”
Cheryl headed back to the reception area when Pamela exited the conference room as she said goodbye to the other attorneys. Quickly walking passed her, Cheryl sat down at the reception desk and said, “Ms. Walker, Daniel is still in Puerto Rico. He wasn’t supposed to come back early.”
Before Corina reacted to the news, Pamela overhead the conversation on her way out of the office and interrupted.
“I’m sorry, Cheryl. But Daniel told me he was coming back early because of some personal issues I had to deal with.”
“Oh, really,” Cheryl said in disbelief.
Even Corina was surprised at the revelation.
“Now, I’m really confused,” Corina added. “If he’s supposed to be back, where is he? Does anyone know?”
21 DINNER
Phoenix, Arizona
The Same Night
The waiter approached the table just as Carl struggled to push the chair closer to Samantha so she could sit down. Both back wooden legs scratched the marble floor as he pushed making a loud screeching sound resulting in several of the other dinner guests quickly turning their heads, wondering what was going on. Carl was embarrassed. Samantha not so much. She was just happy to be at a fancy restaurant in Scottsdale overlooking the valley.
The waiter originally intended on assisting Carl with his overt, chivalrous act but instead decided it was proper to let the guest take care of his dinner date. He also did not want to upstage the floundering guest or sully the mood.
“Thank you, babe.”
Samantha’s voice was sweet with a hint of glowing love and affection, unlike how she spoke with Carl nearly a year ago after moving back from Florida and leaving a failed budding relationship behind. Then, she was stern and demanding towards Carl, wanting to see their daughter, Senovia, and wanting to be a part of her life, for the good and bad. At the time, she had no idea her and Carl would break down the walls and begin to learn to trust each other again despite their recent divorce and his sordid affairs which ruined their marriage.
Without their daughter’s love, they couldn’t have overcome their various obstacles. Senovia was giddy and innocent. She saw the world with new and refreshing eyes the way young kids do, which helped them to see it that way as well. Senovia was also forgiving and understanding when her father explained to her how mommy was away for work for so long when really it was for adult reasons she was too young to understand. Seeing her mother once more, only brought the joy Senovia needed in her life that her father and her grandmother could not bring without her mother present. There was something special about a mother’s bond with her daughter which Senovia longed for and needed.
At first, Samantha would take Senovia so they could spend time alone together. There were the play times at the trampoline park, Disney movies during an early morning matinee, eating chicken tenders at a fast-food restaurant Senovia loved, or greedily chowing down chocolate ice cream for fun, especially during the hot Arizona summer days. But as the newness of being with her mom again wore off, Senovia began asking why her mom wasn’t there for dinner or why she didn’t sleep overnight. Her mother stayed somewhere else instead of the family home. Senovia yearned for her mother to tuck her in at night, read her a bedtime story, help her with her homework, and just be there for her like mothers are.
Carl agreed to let Samantha move in, especially after Carl’s mother explained that forgiveness breeds contentment and that both former husband and wife needed to forgive each other to move on and to allow Senovia to grow. It wasn’t until one Saturday morning when Senovia was walking hand in hand with her father and then grabbed her mother’s hand did the three of them unite together again. Senovia was in the middle with her little hands squeezing her parents’ hands on each side of her. She was content they were all together again.
At that moment, Carl knew he had lost all animosity and so did Samantha. There was a budding love, a weird romance of sorts from of old like when the two first met. How did it return? He could not explain it. Neither could Samantha. He wondered whether it was the true reason why Samantha returned to Arizona. She could have fought for full custody of Senovia and lived with her daughter in her surrogate state of Florida. But she chose not to. She chose to come back. In some ways, it meant more to Carl than he first realized.
To accommodate the new arrangement, his mother started babysitting Senovia like she did that night so the two of them could have time together alone and rekindle what was lost. They were simple dates at first focused on discussing Senovia rather than truly getting to know each other again. Eventually came the discussions of each other siblings and parents, work, and friends. And then there were gatherings at a local pizza joint downtown near the Heritage Square where they could eat and then walk around the vintage location and reminisce about past times together.
The future was never discussed. Only just the moment. Tonight, however, was different. Carl purposed to breach the subject of his future with Samantha. Now that he was comfortable working at the Mendoza law firm and filled a niche that gave him a sense of security, he could focus more on what he really wanted in life besides raising his daughter.
The dream he let go of so long after graduating from law school returned. The dream of a family. Of one true love. Of sacrifice beyond sacrifice. Of happiness beyond measure. Was it really something he could obtain after having failed at it so miserably? He knew Samantha had no right to forgive him for his overwhelming pride and infidelity. She shouldn’t even under Carl’s own reasoning. Why did she? He could not fully understand.
All he knew, as he sat there in a French restaurant at the Regal Phoenix Resort and Spa with the sparkling lights of the valley echoing into the main dining area and stars twinkling in the distance was that he wanted her in his life again and hoped she loved him too.
“Monsieur. Mademoiselle. It’s a wonderful evening. Isn’t it?” the waiter finally asked once Carl and Samantha were situated.
They both agreed.
“Is tonight a special occasion?” the waiter inquired like he did with every couple who patronized the restaurant.
The question made Carl nervous.
“No. Not really. We’re just enjoying the lovely view and the atmosphere.”
Carl knew his response didn’t make any sense, especially after the weird look Samantha gave him from across the table.
“The view is stunning,” Samantha agreed as her eyes greedily consumed it.
She was impressed with Carl’s choice of restaurant and encouraged that he was willing to spend the time to plan a romantic evening together despite his busy work schedule.
“This is definitely the place for you,” the waiter added. “We have it all here. I can bring you some drinks. If you are ready, I can also order some appetizers for you. Take your time. We are in no hurry.”
The waiter was about to walk away when Samantha said, “I’d like a fruity drink. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Sure. I recommend a Kir Royale. You’d love it.”
“I’ve never heard of it. What is it?’
“It’s a very popular cocktail the French started drinking after the last great war. It’s named after a priest, a hero of the French resistance. It’s made with a blackcurrant liqueur and Champagne. Very delicious.”
“Sounds interesting. Almost like a French mimosa,” Samantha replied with a beaming smile.
“Not quite,” the waiter said not wanting to display any offense at the comparison.
“Well, I’d like to try it. And you, Carl?”
After quickly assessing the situation, Carl said, “I’ll take one too.”
“Good,” the waiter responded. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
Finally alone again, Carl hesitated before breaching the subject he wanted to speak with Samantha about and why he had taken her to one of the most romantic restaurants in Phoenix. Having a professional connection with the hotel owners didn’t hurt. Carl knew the restaurant would go above and beyond as a result and make his date feel special. So far, it was working.
“Samantha,” Carl whispered as he awkwardly and lovingly stared deep into her eyes once she turned her head towards him.
“What? Why are you acting this way?” she asked after recognizing his childlike demeanor. Her facial expression suddenly changed from giddiness to worry. She didn’t understand why. “Is something wrong at work?”
“No. No. It’s nothing like that. I’m happy at work. I’m happy at home too,” he slyly admitted.
His flattering comment brought her smile back.
“I’m happy as well. I can’t believe the time has passed so quickly. Who’d have thought I would be living in the same house as my ex…you.” She corrected herself.
“Yeah, I know. I…”
The night his mother moved out of Carl’s home flashed before his eyes causing him to stutter and lose focus on what he was going to tell Samantha. He’d always imagined his mother moving out would be a difficult night filled with drama. He thought his mother would be embittered especially because Samantha was back in her son’s life and the reason for her displacement from his home. To his surprise, it wasn’t like that. His mother was civil and cordial and even eager to move out. Perhaps, she felt she’d accomplished her goal.
With a renewed spirit, Carl reached across the table to hold Samantha’s hand. He wanted to announce how she meant the world to him, how he deeply loved her and needed her in his life, how he wanted to be a family again, and how this time he would treat her like the queen she was and not take her love for granted like he did before. For a brief moment, he struggled with his own shame for having hurt her so and almost let go of her hand out of despair. She could see it reflecting in his eyes, but he buried it deep inside him again and mustered the strength and fortitude to convey his feelings for her.
“Samantha, I know I’m not the perfect man, far from it. But having you in my life makes me strive to be a good man, a man who can love you the way you deserve. It would do me a great honor if you would marry me again.”
He pulled out a three-carat, Harry Winston emerald-cut engagement ring and was about to get on bended knee when Samantha stopped him.
The older male captor held Daniel’s iPhone in his hand and scanned for various text messages to gather information about his unsuspecting captive. He read about the trial in Phoenix and the many group texts exchanged between Daniel and the other members of the firm. He also saw the text message to Corina letting her know he was on his way back to Phoenix.
Realizing his captive was an attorney and worried the firm and possibly authorities would be looking for Daniel if they considered him missing, the older male sent a group text: “I’m still in Puerto Rico having fun. Don’t worry about me.”
Sweat beaded down his forehead.
Carl’s iPhone vibrated upon receipt of the text message as he was about to get down on one knee to propose to Samantha. The other firm member’s phones also received the group text.
22 COPAS
San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Same Night
Johnny walked into the office of his fellow copa, Luis. On either side of Johnny were two tall, bulky men who were apparently his bodyguards. They both had sidearms at the ready even though this was a meeting with a fellow family member. Johnny was just being cautious. Given the latest developments, Johnny wasn’t sure if a rival mafia or even a disgruntled member of the family would turn on them. For all he knew, Luis may be a turncoat out of fear of their boss, Chango.
He eventually realized Luis wouldn’t betray him out of a sense of loyalty to Chango. Too often, Luis complained about how they did all the work and Chango took all the credit. Both copas organized business deals with other countries and presented them to Chango. They ensured the relationship with any new partners was on the up and up. They vented every possible contingency which could get La Familia in trouble with the authorities, not just the local ones, but also the feds or international authorities. Both Luis and Johnny traveled abroad and risked their lives with dangerous criminals to make these new ventures happen while Chango stayed comfortably in the lap of luxury in his mansion in San Juan.
They reasoned that taking all the risk meant they should have gotten a bigger slice of the pie, but they didn’t. Their cut of the profits of the international ventures was no higher than any other enterprise the mafia was into even if they had little to no involvement in that enterprise. It didn’t make sense not to reward them for their hard work and the expansion of the family business abroad. The repeated slights left a bitter taste in their mouths.
As copas, Luis and Johnny executed Chango’s orders without question. If Chango gave a kill order, the copas had one of their men carry it out and guaranteed the individual would be executed with undeniable proof and no way to trace the murder back to the family. Although Chango was the boss, Luis and Johnny ran the day-to-day activities of the family and commanded the soldiers as well as the castas, the made men of the family. The copas were extremely loyal to Chango. But they had doubts he was just as loyal to them.
Having known Chango since they were little children, Johnny and Luis expected to be bosses one day. Once Chango’s wife got pregnant and had their son, doubts crept in. Chango was secretly grooming his son to take over. The other members of the family explained to the copas it was normal for Chango to want to pass the family business to his son. It’s what all El Grans did. Johnny and Luis, however, felt they started the family with Chango and only coronated him as the El Gran out of respect not because he had any claim to the title.
After the other family members realized Chango’s son was reckless and uncontrollable, it only furthered the copas’ argument he wasn’t qualified to lead the family and they should. In fact, it was Johnny’s idea to send Chango’s son to Arizona to escape the family’s wrath after he stole the mafia money, including his own. Johnny also suggested Chango’s son could take advantage of Johnny’s business connections in Arizona, which included his forte, prostitution, and running guns and drugs to add another source of revenue for the family. Chango was appreciative of Johnny’s proposal. It allowed his son to stay safe and save face.
Chango’s son was expected to use the increased profits to pay back the debt owed to the family members. When the business wasn’t profitable and more money was missing and only a paltry sum of the debt was repaid, the copas feared the worse. Chango’s son had merely taken his shenanigans to the States and hadn’t truly reformed like he’d promised. Chango, however, wouldn’t listen to them when they suggested his son betrayed the family a second time. He insisted they were trying to defame his son and wouldn’t give him the opportunity to redeem himself. When Chango’s son was conveniently missing, it outraged the copas even more. They suspected foul play and some machination secretly orchestrated by Chango.
When Gerald Ravan reported Chango’s son was staying at his hotel, the Regal Isabela, their suspicions were confirmed. Johnny arranged for his capture with two of his more obscure soldiers who Chango wasn’t as familiar with. The two soldiers had no loyalty to Chango. Their sole loyalty was to Johnny. He wanted it that way. But he now needed to loop Luis into the whole affair if it stood any chance of obtaining his long-term goal.
“Welcome. Sit down,” Luis said as he gestured to the seat across his desk. “Can I get you a drink?”
Johnny obliged and sat down. His stare was ominous, but he didn’t want to make Luis feel uncomfortable. He only wanted to suss him out.
“A cold Medalla will hit the spot,” Johnny answered as he watched one of Luis’ men exit the room to obtain his preferred local beer.
“So what is it that my brother needs so late in the evening?”
Although not biological brothers, the two copas were more than just brothers in arms. They had grown up like brothers living next to each other and sacrificed so much together in the name of the family. In some ways, they were more than brothers. Once after a near-fatal encounter, Johnny had to give Luis his blood to save his life. That truth was never brought up between the men. It was an unspoken reality that Luis literally owed his life to Johnny. Johnny never asked for a favor until now.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“A proposition? Which one? I hope it’s not that loco idea you keep mentioning with the Venezuelans. It’s never going to happen. They’re too…out there.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s more serious.”
“I’m all ears,” Luis remarked as he stood up eager to hear it.
“I wanted you to be the first to know I have Chango’s son.”
