* * *

Alicia.

Fermín felt her in her absence, with no need to see her, and blessed the heavens, or whoever had taken those clouds to other pastures, for having returned her to him one more time. Perhaps Bernarda was right after all, and in this lousy world, sometimes, some things did end the way they should.

He grabbed his raincoat and leaned toward Bea, who was just accepting payment for a whole set of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books from a young boy with very thick glasses.

“Listen, boss, Junior here has cleared out my ammo, and my blood sugar has plunged to Russian Revolution levels. In view of the fact that everyone here, except for that halfwit Merceditas, is overqualified for the job at hand, I’m going off to see if I find some quality confectioner’s to top up my provisions. And while I’m out and about, I’ll buy a rose for Bernarda.”

“I have some roses reserved at the florists by the entrance to the church,” said Bea.

“What you don’t think of . . .”

Bea watched him hurry off and frowned.

“Where’s Fermín going?” asked Daniel.

“God knows . . .”

4

He found her at the far end of the docks, sitting on a suitcase. She was smoking in the sun, watching a crew loading trunks and boxes onto a liner that cast its whiteness over the waters of the port. He settled down next to her. They sat in silence for a while, enjoying each other’s company without having to say anything.

“Big suitcase,” he said at last. “And there was I thinking that of all women, you must be the only one who knows how to travel light.”

“It’s easier to leave bad memories behind than good shoes.”

“Well, as I’ve only got one pair . . .”

“You’re an ascetic.”

“Who collected them for you? Fernandito? The rascal, he’s certainly learning to keep things to himself.”

“I made him swear he wouldn’t say anything.”

“How did you bribe him? With a French kiss?”

“Fernandito only has kisses for Sofía, and so it should be. I’ve handed him the keys of the flat, so he can live there and sin at will.”

“We’ll leave that piece of information away from Señor Sempere’s ears. He’s the girl’s legal guardian.”

“Good idea.”

Alicia looked at him. Fermín became lost in those feline eyes, deep and unfathomable. A well of darkness. She took his hand and kissed it.

“Where on earth were you?” asked Fermín.

“Here and there. Tying up loose ends.”

“Around someone’s neck?”

Alicia proffered an icy smile. “There were things that had to be resolved. Stories to piece together. I’ve been doing my job.”

“I thought you’d retired.”

“I only wanted to leave my slate clean,” she said. “I don’t like leaving things unfinished.”

“And weren’t you going to come and say good-bye?”

“You know that I’m not one for farewells, Fermín.”

“It would have been good to know that you were still alive and in one piece.”