Chapter Five (copyright 2000, USA. Stephen C. Clark)  

 

Chapter   5
December 29, 2011
Greenfield, California
 

    Belinda was up at 4:00 a.m. watching an old movie, though not paying too much attention to anything.  She was grateful for the help that Vic and Etienne had given her, but she wasn't so happy with her sister.  Sofia had used Rodolfo's name on the air.   Now the whole world would be watching him.  She just wanted the whole thing to go away.
    Belinda was trying to sort out the events of last evening.  The doctor had come around about eleven in the evening and pronounced Rodolfo fit.  He was amazed that nothing more serious had happened to Rodolfo.  He commented, "I think your boy must have a guardian angel, Mrs. Robles.  Nothing but a couple of tiny scratches on his forehead.  Like the strings of a guitar had been pressed against his head."  Etienne and Sofia had turned away from her gaze when she looked at them.  Why would Sofia keep secrets from her own sister she wondered.  Sofia had only stayed about 15 minutes after the doctor left and then returned to her broadcast.  It was like she was making money off of Belinda's misery.
    A knock on the door about 4:15 brought her out of her daydream.  She opened the door and peaked out and saw Vic and Etienne.  She opened the door to let them in and saw the huge crowd that had gathered across the street.  "I thought you were going to keep them away Vic.  What the hell is going on?" asked Belinda nervously.  She looked back and forth at Vic and Etienne and almost shouted,  "I want to know what you know.  What both of you know.  Right now."
    Vic started.  "Well Belinda, it's what we were afraid of.  From everything we know Rodolfo is the key to a thousand machines in California.  They won't start for the day until he uses the machine here in Greenfield.   The ATM's are coming in groups of a thousand, and every thousand machines has a child like Rodolfo.  The media already has a name for them.  They're calling them ‘first children'.  The first ATM in an area is the key machine, and each key machine has a first child.  The key machines come into an area where there are no ATMs.  They are opened the first day by a child.  When that child uses them on the second day, 999 other machines spring up around them, and they are all dependent on the same child using them everyday after that in order to activate them.  Rodolfo is the ticket to about three and a half billion dollars everyday.  This is serious business."
    Etienne added, "All the reports tell us that the first children are between the ages of ten and twelve.  Rodolfo was the second one, and like Vic said, every ATM in California is keyed to him."
    "The first first child was a little girl named Esperanza in Mexico.  The major news services have picked up on this.  It's public knowledge that no one gets their money until Rodolfo gets his.  So that crowd is a fact now Belinda.  I don't have the manpower to get rid of them unless I start shooting, but I'm not even sure that would do it.  They would just overpower us.  The best thing is to get Rodolfo down there early and get the ATMs working.  That'll give us another day to work out a plan,"  Vic suggested.
    Belinda sat taking it all in, thinking how utterly silly these matter of fact statements and practical solutions sounded in a world gone completely mad.
 

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

    Esperanza was a princess in a foreign court, a resident of a world she had only glimpsed on television.  Not that she had never seen nice things.  She had relatives and friends in Oaxaca who lived close to a middle class existence in terms of material wealth.  It was the manners and the form of speech that were foreign to her.
    For all their claims to a mestizo culture, the ruling elite of Mexico was as white and European as any other country in the Americas.  In spite of their 500 years in the southern portion of North America, the upper classes were more Spanish in their customs and traditions than the current residents of Spain.
    Esperanza and her father found it difficult to relax in these surroundings.  The attorney general had sensed this and had taken steps to make them comfortable.  He had sent for his daughter, just a year older than Esperanza, as a playmate.  He had also allowed some of Esperanza's friends from Arrazola to come up and visit her.  This had helped considerably.
    President Zorillo had returned to Mexico city the day before and left the attorney general in charge.  It was a post he heartily accepted.  He had privately worried over Mexico's many contradictions all his life.   A person in his echelon was not permitted to openly question the status quo.  But he now hoped that this strange manifestation would be the catalyst to fruition of many of his private dreams.
    The Attorney General believed that destiny had brought him to Monte Alban to bring Mexico to its place on the world stage.  He was convinced that the Blessed Virgen of Guadalupe was behind this, and that he was doing God's will in protecting this child.  Mexico was undergoing a transformation of tremendous significance and he was its guardian.
 

Greenfield, California
 

    Preston Witt was a wreck.  He had hardly slept.  The nagging notion that he was now a criminal jabbed him all night like a broken spring in his bed.  He dreaded a knock at the door, but his only real regret was that the damn cash machine was still standing when he left.  He had knocked around his house until the wee hours of the morning.  He just kept wondering what the hell was wrong with the world.  Preston felt nostalgic, a sentiment he had never experienced.  He had always loved his life.  It had been full and understandable until three days ago, and now nothing seemed to make sense.
    He hadn't seen his son Aaron since the day before yesterday.  He wanted to know where that good for nothing so and so was.  He lay there in his bed trying to convince himself that he'd done this all for Aaron, but he knew that wasn't the truth.  Aaron had hated Preston ever since he came back to Greenfield.  It all began over that Mexican girl.  Why couldn't Aaron just get himself married so Preston could get some grand kids.  Hell, he didn't even really mind if he married the Mexican girl.  He'd seen lots of half Mexicans you couldn't tell from white.  And what a looker she was.  If Preston was younger he'd probably do the same thing himself.
    Preston broke out of his reverie.  What the hell was he wasting time thinking about this for.  He better get himself together.  He got up and pulled the curtains back to see the day.  He saw Noe's truck pull up out front.  "That damn Ernie better not be far behind," he thought.
 
 

    Tanzini geared up for a second day of humming business.  He had more laborers than he needed today.  He actually had to turn a hundred or so away.  Word had spread fast about his new deal with the workers.  He pondered how long he would have the field to himself, so to speak.  He doubted if any other farmers would be back in production today.   He'd personally met a hundred guys looking for work.  If they were willing to take less than he was paying, somebody could undercut him.
    It really didn't matter to him.  He had made so much money yesterday that he only needed two or three more like it and he could retire from farming.  Prices for broccoli were still shooting up, and buyers were flocking to him.  He was the only real game in town.  So what the heck.  It was a wild ride, but he was still in the saddle.
 

    Hector and Lupe sat at the end of the Tanzini's field warming their hands beside an open fire.  They were both stiff from the amount of work they had done the day before.  It was the fastest they had ever moved in the fields, but the pain was worth it.  Not only were they getting money from the ATM, they had more than doubled their wages.
    Lupe had wanted to go back to work the first day after the machine had arrived.  Hector had cautioned him, and anyone who would listen, to wait.  He had told them that things would change fast, that the powerful farmers were nothing without the whip of poverty.  Almost everyone had listened to Hector and they were glad they had.  Things had changed fast and drastically.   The machine had given them the ability and courage to wait just a little.
 

    When Ernie got to Preston's house about 5:30, he looked like death warmed over.  He was worried.  Preston and Noe watched him walk hesitantly up to the front door.  Ernie looked at Noe and thought about what it would be like to be in jail with him and almost passed out thinking about it.
    "Sit your ass down Ernie."  Preston patted Ernie on the back and guided him to a seat at the kitchen table.  "Here drink this."  Preston poured him a cup of coffee and added a shot of bourbon.  Ernie hesitated but he knew that if he didn't drink it they would raz him.
    "Nobody paid you a visit yet Ernie?" asked Preston.
    "No Preston.  Why, did somebody come by here already?" asked Ernie who turned even paler.
    "Settle down young fella.  Nah, nobody saw us.  I told you last night.  We're in the clear.  Nothing to tie any of us to that bomb.  We just got to cover for each other.  Why don't you go on up Carmel Valley road and check out the cattle today Ernie.  Hell, just go on up and stay the night.  Give you a chance to get your legs back boy.  You gotta get a handle on this Ernie.  The drive'll do you some good.  By the time you get back things'll have blown over."  Preston was trying his best to reassure him.
    "If you say so boss.  I wouldn't mind getting out of here.  Could you give my wife a call to let her know."  Ernie didn't care where he went, as long as it was away from here.
 

    Sofia let herself into Belinda's house about a quarter to six.  She walked over and sat on the couch without saying a word.  A knock on the door came a few seconds later.  Vic Castenada offered to answer it and Belinda nodded to go ahead.  There were three men there and one asked sheepishly if this was where Rodolfo lived, and if he was going to the machine soon.  Castenada told them to get lost, but he knew no one was going anywhere without Rodolfo.  He closed the door and turned to look at everybody in the room.  Rodolfo walked out of the bedroom in his pajamas.
    "Why did those men want to know if I lived here Mami?" asked Rodolfo who went and sat next to his mom.
    "It's the machine Rodolfo.  The people can't get their money until you get yours."  Belinda had always told Rodolfo the truth.  She didn't see any reason to stop now.
    "What if I don't want to go?" asked Rodolfo.  Belinda looked at Vic and then Etienne.  She waited for them to answer.
    "We really don't know what would happen Rodolfo.  But one thing we do know is that a whole bunch of people would be real upset.  We just don't know what they might do."  Vic tried his best to tell it straight without scaring Rodolfo.
    "We better go then, huh Mami."  Rodolfo said.
    "Yeah you guys better go."  It was Sofia's first comment.
    "So you can get him on TV again.  Increase your ratings."  Belinda was fuming.
    "Belinda, you know that isn't true.  I would never use Rodolfo like that."  Sofia was hurt.
    "I don't know anything of the kind.  Why did you have to use his name on the TV last night.  Now everybody knows him.  We're like some damn fish in a bowl, and you did it."  Belinda was flushed and her nerves were frayed.
    "Mami, Tia Sofia loves me.  Tia loves me."  Rodolfo hugged his mom again.
    "I love you both Belinda.  And I'm sorry if I hurt you.  I would never do anything to hurt Rodolfo."  Sofia started to cry.  She went into the bathroom and everybody else just sat silent.
    "Mami let's go get some money, so the men won't come back."  Rodolfo brought them all back to the moment.
    Sofia returned from the bathroom looking more composed.  Sofia's poise was trained, but it was a strain.  Belinda sent Rodolfo to get dressed and when he came out of  his room, they rose together and headed out the back door.
 

    Preston and Noe drove out in their respective pick-ups to check on their crews.  They both found the same thing, not enough people to keep the packing machine moving through the field.  There was also a lot of grumbling among the workers who did show up.  The foremen informed them that there had been people coming by looking for work, but they had left when they heard that Preston was not prepared offer a raise in pay.
    "We could get people for less than Tanzini is paying but we'd have to pay more than we're paying now," one foreman told them.   Preston told the man to mind his own business and get back to work.
    "You stay on here Noe.  Shut down the crew on Central and send them down to Teague Avenue.  I'm gonna head  in and see what the company line is down at the Estellita.  We gotta act regular.  Capiche?"  Preston gave Noe a steady gaze.
    "You know you can count on me boss."  Noe was stoic.  Preston just nodded and headed to his truck.
 

    Rodolfo got to the ATM and was first in the official line once again.  The sun popped up, the money popped out, and Castenada shuffled him off center stage as soon as possible.
    As they huddled around Vic's patrol car as soon as Rodolfo was finished, Vic asked Belinda, "Why don't you let Etienne take you and the kids up to Arroyo Seco.  Nobody'll be around.  You can relax."
    "What you're really saying is that I'm not really safe in my own house Vic."  Belinda couldn't disguise bitterness that was growing.
    "I need a guide Belinda," Etienne interjected trying to get the mood upbeat.  "Sofia showed me up to the Green Bridge.  You show me the rest of the Arroyo Seco.  Vic tells me there's a place to have breakfast further up.  We all had a good time at the park, didn't we.  Come on Belinda, let's go," said Etienne trying not to sound like he was pleading.
    Belinda looked at Rodolfo and that made up her mind.  His eyes told her he wanted to be miles away from here.  "OK Etienne, we'll go up in the damn hills.  But when we get back the same damn problem's gonna be facing me and my kid.  I know you and Vic are trying your best.  I know your hearts are in the right place.  But sometimes a good try isn't enough.  It's Rodolfo who's facing....   Oh what the hell, let's get going."
    Sofia stayed out of the conversation.  She looked on silently until Belinda flashed her a steely stare.  She started to mist up again, and just turned and left.
 

    Aaron woke up in his bed today.   At least he had made it that far last night, a big improvement over the night before.  He was hung over, but a bit of perspective was starting to return.  He didn't know what was going on in Greenfield and he didn't really care.  Seeing Sofia again had sent him over the edge, but now he almost felt grateful for the push.  He had been hating his life for a long time.  Whatever it was that was going on down deep in his soul, a break had occurred.
    He felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.  Maybe he didn't need to keep doing what he was doing every day, obliterating his consciousness.  Maybe he was more than Preston Witt's son.  Maybe there was no chance with Sofia, but one thing was for sure, she had loved him once.   If someone as wonderful as Sofia had loved him, maybe he was worth something.  Maybe he was worth saving.
    Today he started the fire and instead of a beer, he had a cup of coffee.  He turned on CNN and caught the news of the prior evenings blast.  There was Sofia.  Since the other networks had left, Sofia had an exclusive, and every other network in the world was carrying her tape of the explosion and its aftermath.
    Aaron felt funny, not funny weird, funny ha ha.   If he couldn't escape what was going on at least he could laugh at it.   And for the first time he could remember his mood was not one of dull acceptance, but of hope.  Hope was a word he had not considered in years.  Aaron Witt was hopeful,  full of hope.
    He decided to take a walk along the river and think things through.  He stuck the pint of whiskey in his pocket.  "Medicinal purposes," he thought, "just to keep the cold at bay."
 

    Preston hit the Estrellita Cafe about 8:30 in the morning.  Gil Tanzini was already there.  He had been hoping that Preston would show up.  Gil Tanzini was happy to be making money, but he was almost as happy to stick it to Preston Witt.  He resented Preston and the way the bastard thought he was Greenfield, the guardian of a way of life.
    Tanzini loved farming, as much or more than Preston.  But Gil Tanzini had not always been a big shot.  He had come to Greenfield with nothing more than the clothes on his back.  This gave him some perspective on what the field workers were facing.  He was no bleeding heart, but Tanzini saw further into the future than most.  You either had to get real big like Preston Witt, or get out, or go broke.  Gil knew this was his opportunity.  In the next week he was either going to get real big or get out of the farming business all together.
    Preston held a close reign on his temper when he walked up to Tanzini's table.  "How you boys doin?  Guess you're doing pretty well, huh Gil?"
    "Yeah, yesterday was a good one.  And you Preston?  How's thing's going with you?" Tanzini couldn't resist rubbing it in.
    "Well we're not shipping much, but what we're shipping is doing pretty good.  And our payroll is way down.  And your payroll Gil?  How the hell is your payroll doing?"  Preston was proud of his self control, because he wanted more than anything than to knock that smile off of Gil Tanzini's face.
    "Well we're paying a little more, but we're doing OK Preston.  Thanks for asking," Tanzini answered while taking refuge behind a poker face so solid that even Preston had to admire it.
 

    Belinda and Etienne loaded up the kids in Vic's truck and headed out.  Rodolfo and Mango were excited to begin with, but by the time they had passed over the Green Bridge those eyes were heavy.   They were snoozing as they hit the long straight at Sycamore Flats.
    "We'll go eat breakfast at Miller's Lodge. Then we can go on up to the picnic area at the old CCC camp.  The Civilian Conservation Corps built almost everything in the Arroyo Seco, and most of the other parks in America.  It's funny, most of the big things around here and the whole country that everybody can use were built in thirties," said Belinda.
    They drove on in silence for a few minutes, Etienne enjoying the scenery.  "How come you know so much about the CCC Belinda.  I thought your family came from Mexico?"  Etienne asked.
    "Well my Mom's father was born in New Mexico.  He went to live in Mexico in the late thirties, but before going he was in the CCC.  He was up in Idaho on the Clearwater River.  He liked it a lot.   All the guys were poor.  Some of them didn't like Mexicans much, but he said mostly they treated them pretty well.  He told me they were just getting him ready for the war.  He was going to go in the army when he got out, but then he met my grandmother on a trip to Mexico and never came back.  My Mom was born there and never came here until her and Dad brought me and Sofia in the early seventies."  Belinda stopped talking for a moment and pointed to a road that veered to the right.  "That road goes up to Carmel Valley, and then on to the Peninsula.  For being so close, there's probably no two places on earth more different than the Monterey Peninsula and Greenfield."
    They pulled up to Millers Lodge and got out.  It was a scattered group of old buildings that had obviously seen better days.  They almost left the kids sleeping in the back seat, but they knew Rodolfo and Mango needed to eat.  Rodolfo was awake in a flash, but Mango was a little grumpy about being awakened.
    "Don't worry Etienne, I know this place looks a little run down, but they serve a good breakfast," Belinda reassured him.
    "Mom, next time we go somewhere, can I bring Javier with me?  I haven't seen any of my friends in a long time," Rodolfo said as nicely as he knew how.  He didn't want to hurt Etienne or his Mom's feelings.
    They went inside and sat at the lunch counter.  A waitress came and they ordered the works; ham and eggs all around.
    "It's on me today Belinda," offered Etienne.  "I think I've eaten half my meals at your house since I got here."
    "Mami, can I play a video game," asked Rodolfo.
    "If you take your sister with you," said Belinda.
    "OK," was all he said and Rodolfo was on his way.  There was a tall stool nearby and he pulled it over to the video game and lifted Mango up on it.  She felt so big sitting on a level with her big brother.
    "So you ready to spill the beans Mr. Mysterious.  Who are you and why are you really here?"  Belinda pressed Etienne.
    Etienne looked all around the room, leaned over and said real quietly,  "Not in here Belinda.  Let's wait until we get to the river.  I'll tell you whatever you want to know."
    "Deal," said Belinda toasting Etienne with her coffee.
    Etienne looked at the surroundings and commented, "This place is right out of the 40's."
    "Well, from what I've heard, that's when it used to be a really big deal.  The had a dance floor, a full bar, and it was, how you say, elegant," said Belinda.
    "So what happened?" asked Etienne.
    "I don't really know. It's been like this since the first time I ever came here.  Not all of us remember the 40's Etienne."  Sofia laughed.  "I think the rich people quit coming.  Too many Mexicans for them probably."
    The waitress brought the food and Belinda called the kids back.  They devoured their meals and then returned to the truck to resume their trek.
 

    Lana Carson was on roll.  The new found wealth of the citizenry of Greenfield had opened up great opportunities for her.  She had two part time jobs.  One was hosting parties for a line of children's toys.  The other was hosting parties for women's lingerie, "toys of a different nature," she called them.
    She had been on the phone non-stop since the machine had made its appearance and wasn't encountering the normal resistance she had to her products.  In fact, people were actually calling her to set up appointments for parties.  She had a party the night before, and it was her biggest monetary gross ever.
    Michael Carson was elated.  He was her main supporter, especially when Lana had the lingerie parties at their own little house.  He'd always find some reason to show up in the middle of things.  He particularly loved some of the games they played and was always ready to participate, if asked.  Officer Carson was loving the machine more all the time.
 

    Etienne drove the final six miles up to the Arroyo Seco picnic area.  Belinda told Etienne, "Turn right just after the bridge."  Although they were all enjoying the scenery, no one saw Aaron Witt walking toward the bridge.  But Aaron saw them.
    They pulled up in the parking lot and parked facing the river.  Belinda went over and paid the fee at the entrance to the picnic ground.  The river was less than a hundred feet from them and Rodolfo went running.  Mango toddled behind.  "You and Vic told me what you knew about Rodolfo and the machine this morning, but I think you left out a thing or two.  What's going on Etienne.  I think you know."
    Etienne told Belinda about Jasper.  Afterward she just sat and watched the children for a while.  They both fell silent a while.
    "Sofia knew all this stuff  yesterday, huh Etienne?"  Belinda was mulling it all over.  She didn't know what to think about this.
    "She did Belinda, but I asked her not to tell anyone.  We kept you up on the stuff that relates to Rodolfo.  We just didn't tell you the other stuff we weren't one hundred percent sure about.  Hell Belinda, if we told you every suspicion we had we'd drive you crazy.  I'm not sure what the connection is between Jasper and Rodolfo is.  I just know that we all seem thrown together in this situation.  The only secret Sofia kept from you was about Jasper, so don't blame her for keeping you in the dark Belinda.  Blame me and Vic."  Etienne was trying to tread as lightly as possible.
    "She's not your sister Etienne.  I just feel like you're all treating me like some stupid child.  Too helpless and weak to be trusted with the truth."  Belinda paused, then continued.  "The marks on Rodolfo's forehead, you think they're from Jasper's violin, huh?  You think Jasper is looking after Dolfi.  You don't think that's important for me to know?"  Belinda asked.
    "Yes, I think it's him, and I think we should have told you.  But even if it is him, what does that mean anyway?  We're on your side Belinda.  I'm sorry we kept anything from you," said Etienne.
    Belinda was more sad than mad.  She wanted to hate Sofia, but she knew she needed her sister more now than she had ever needed her in her life.  She couldn't let petty anger separate them.  She needed Vic and Etienne too.  Everything was so intense and so confusing.  "Look Etienne, I forgive everything up to this point.  But don't leave me in the dark again.  If you do... well just don't.
    "We won't Belinda," apologized Etienne.
    "So if this Jasper is doing this thing, why?  He was nuts huh Etienne?"  Belinda looked to see if she had offended Etienne, but she saw Etienne's bemused look and knew things were OK.
    "Well maybe Jasper was a little nuts.  Crazy like a fox would be more like it.  He was just somebody special Belinda.  He was quick with a fiddle, and quicker with a joke.  You never knew with him.   He was so intense that people were kind of scared of him.   He'd catch on when you were, well, taking him real serious, and then he'd spring a joke on you."  Etienne smiled remembering his times with Jasper.
    Rodolfo was entertaining Mango by skimming stones on the river.  Etienne and Belinda joined them.  They passed a good portion of the morning along the river.  They ate their lunch and then hiked up to the campground and later over to the Abbot Lakes.  After their hike the day was just about spent and Belinda and the kids were tiring, so they headed back to the truck in the late afternoon.
    Belinda was in a tranquil mood as they got in the cab of the truck, started the motor and pulled out of the parking lot.  None of them noticed as Aaron Witt started picking his way through the rocks on his way back to his cabin.
 

    Gil Tanzini was wrapping up his single greatest day in farming.  His crews had worked late and hard.  A few other farmers started showing up a
little before dusk.  They all just wanted to chat.  What they really wanted was to get the exact details of Gil's deal.  They wanted to be part of the new united front and they didn't want to be alone when Preston Witt found out they were going to follow Gil's lead and offer raises.

 
    Belinda, Etienne and the kids got back into town a half hour after sundown.  Etienne had talked her into going by Vic's house.  Vic and Sofia were both there already.
    Vic started.  "Why don't you stay here tonight.  That way there won't be any crowd following you in the morning."
    "Yeah Bel, if they think you're staying somewhere else, maybe they'll leave the house alone."  Sofia knew she should have stayed out of it when she saw the look on Belinda's face.
    "You been out of Greenfield too long if you think there are any secrets around here Sis.  The only thing that'll change is that everybody will think I'm sleeping with the town cop.  My status might even improve.  I might be more than Sofia Robles' pitiful older sister."  Belinda was hurt and confused.  She didn't want to lash out at these people, but she couldn't help herself.
    Sofia started to cry and Belinda saw it.  Belinda felt ashamed of all the feelings she had kept bottled up against her sister all these years.  If it weren't for the danger to Rodolfo she would have loved this opportunity to spend time with her.  But now everything was getting so mixed up and jumbled.  Belinda was at her wits end.  She didn't want to hurt her sister, but she needed to be angry at someone.  As tears came to her eyes, Belinda moved towards Sofia and sat down next to her.
    "I've tried to be a good sister."  Sofia choked out.  "But Belinda I hate even coming to this town.  And now all this.  You know how hard I worked to get away from here.  And now my first real break comes here in Greenfield.  It's overwhelming for me too.  You know all just want Rodolfo safe."
    Vic broke the silence, "Etienne and I will bunk down at my office.  We'll be by to get you early, take you to the machine, and then figure out a long range plan for keeping Rodolfo safe then." Castenada was steady and reserved.  Belinda felt the strength and calm that exuded from him.  She knew this was no time to get silly and sentimental.  She needed to trust these people.
 

    Noe and Preston drove by the machine at nine in the evening.  They slowed way down to get a good look.  The lines were short, four or five people in each one.  "We gotta shut this thing down or we're gonna be field workers ourselves in a couple of days," Preston almost moaned.
    "Hey Boss.  Whoever's doing this has got to run out of money soon.  It can't keep up.  Things'll get back to normal."  Noe didn't know if he was trying to convince himself or Preston.   "There's that damn police chief boss.  You think he's on to anything about last night?"
 

    Vic and Etienne were making a last check on the machine before turning in.  Vic saw Preston driving by.  "I should pull him over and ask him where his son is.  I'm sure Preston knows.  Aaron may not have stolen that little wagon from Belinda, but he knows who did.  And I bet whoever it was, was driving in that pick-up."
    "You think Aaron Witt would be involved with the blast?  I mean, I know I don't know Sofia too well, but I can't see how she could be involved with somebody who could do that."  Etienne had turned dead serious.
    Vic laughed at him, "For the last couple days I thought it was just like old times, but I see you got quite a dose.  I don't ever remember you being love sick Etienne.  I can't say I blame you though.  That Sofia really is something.  A little young for you though, eh fellah."
    "And I suppose you're just doing your job.  No feelings for Belinda, just professional interest right?" Etienne had to laugh too.
    "I guess we're quite a pair then, huh.  Maybe we'll end up related after all.  The Robles brothers-in-law."  Vic flipped an abrupt u-turn and headed to his office.
 

    Aaron Witt had sobered up after overhearing the conversation between Belinda and Duvall.  He had gone to the cabin, cooked a dinner and ate it.  He knew now that he had to head back to town, get back into life or Sofia would be lost to him forever.  That Duvall fellow was full of crap, old Okies in pick-ups, switched at birth bastard.  Aaron Witt would show Sofia who was the better man.  His family had a story or two to tell as well, though he doubted he could top universal cash machines.
    Aaron sat in the big chair and looked out the picture window towards the river.  Maybe just a joint before he went to sleep.  His mind started to drift.  He was going to get Sofia back.  He didn't know what it would take, but the first thing he was going to do was find a little red wagon that his father had stolen from Sofia's sister.