She ran to Topo’s side but knew there was nothing she could do. She took his hand, gazed into his terrified eyes. She didn’t care that she wasn’t a priest or even truly a nun. He’d been shot trying to protect her. She would do all she could to ease his passing. “What is his real name?”
“Miguel!” someone shouted.
“Sor-ry!” He managed to croak.
“Don’t be afraid, Miguel. You’re in God’s hands now.” She began to pray. “Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may Almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May He open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.”
Topo/Miguel seemed to relax—or maybe that was just blood loss.
With her free hand, she made the sign of the cross over him. “May God forgive you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
He shuddered—and was gone.
Gabriela closed her eyes, fought to control her shock—and her rage.
Behind her, thatmalparidoPitón was doing damage control. “It was an accident. You all saw that. It was an accident.”
Gabriela closed Topo’s lifeless eyes, her gaze falling on a chain that had hung around his neck. The bullet had split it. Lying on the floor in a pool of blood was the key. She’d seen him use it to unlock the main doors.
Did she dare take it?
If they found the broken chain, they would suspect her, and then God only knew what they’d do. With Topo gone, Pitón would be more of a threat, and Gabriela didn’t want to do anything to put the other hostages at risk. Then again, if she could get it to the guys across the street, they might all get out of this hell hole sooner.
Keeping her head bowed so her veil would conceal her actions, she took the chain and the key and slipped them both inside her tunic.
Then she crossed herself with a bloody hand and stood to face Pitón. “Someone needs to tell his family and call for a priest to—”
“¡Cállate!”Shut up!Pitón slipped his pistol back into his jeans. “We’ll drive his body to the river. Find plastic bags or a tarp.”
“Pitón, man, we don’t have those things. We’ll have to go find some tomorrow.”
Gabriela spoke on impulse. “Those men who sold me the tampons also had plastic bags. You could try to find them. I saw them walk around the corner. They can’t be far.”
She was sure the spec ops guys would be watching, but getting Pitón to ask for their help wouldn’t be easy. Getting close enough to hand them the key—that was going to take a miracle.
* * *
Dylan stoodwith the others at the window, the lights in the apartment turned off. “What the fuck is going on in there?”
Jones had been on duty at the camera when the three of them heard what sounded like a gunshot. “They’re opening the doors. I see Sister María.”
Click. Click. Click.
Dylan moved into action, grabbing his SIG. “Segal, you take the camera. Jones and I will head down to the street and see if we can overhear anything and figure out what’s going on. Jones, grab the soccer ball and some smokes.”
Needing to look like smugglers, they tucked their firearms in their jeans and took the stairs as fast as they could, stepping into the warm, humid night. They sat on the stairs, ball between them, and lit up a cigarette.
“Did you see her ass?” Dylan wanted it to seem like they’d been sitting there for hours, just two guys shooting the shit.
The bastard called Pitón came around the corner, followed by two of his men.
Dylan didn’t acknowledge him. They were strangers, after all.
Pitón stopped. “Were you selling things in the street today?”
Pitón had come looking for them?
“Is there something you need?” Dylan stood, handed the cigarette to Jones, who pretended to take a drag.