Chapter Four  

 
Chapter 4
December 28, 2011
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
 

    Esperanza and her father awoke to a knock on their door.  She peaked out the window and saw it was still dark outside.  She cautiously opened the door.  It was Sergeant Valdez with a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice.  Esperanza managed to squeak out a good morning.  The sergeant handed her a tray that held the pitcher and two glasses.  Almost apologizing, he let them know that they needed to ready themselves to visit the Bank of Fortunatus ATM.  The Attorney General wanted them there when the first rays of the sun hit the machine.  As soon as they had gotten their Daily Bread, they would have full run of the Monte Alban complex.
 

Greenfield, California
 

    Gil Tanzini had not slept the entire night.  He was parked at the end of a huge field of broccoli just southwest of town, waiting for day break.  He got out about every fifteen minutes to pace, and look for headlights turning off Central Avenue.  In a few minutes he would know if Efrain Mendoza had been able to find enough workers for him.  His foremen were already there.  He'd let them know the night before what he would be doing and cut them a deal along the same lines as everybody else.  This moment could make or break his life.
    The price of broccoli was on the rise.  Seventy-five percent of the broccoli in the country came out of the Salinas Valley this time of year.  If he could hit the market today he didn't care how much he had to pay his labor, he'd make out like a bandit.
 

    Well before sunrise, both Vic and Etienne were sitting in Vic's patrol car in front of Belinda's house waiting.  No need to bother anybody yet.  Etienne had talked to President Benton the previous night.  Benton had hinted that all of the machines in Mexico had been keyed to a particular little girl's use.  As was usual with his conversations with the first executive, Duvall was not sure what he had said, exactly.
    A light came on inside the house and Belinda poked her head out.  Vic rolled down the window and she motioned to them and said,  "Come on in for some coffee fellas," and ducked back in.
    Etienne was already to the door by the time Vic had notified his dispatcher that he would be out of his vehicle for a moment.  Belinda had left it open for them, so Etienne went in and sat down in the living room.  Belinda came in with two steaming cups just as Vic came through the door.      "This ought to wake you up.  The kids are still asleep.  So how you going to do this, I mean how do you get Rodolfo there without any one catching on to what you are doing.  Can you keep him safe?" worried Belinda.
    "I truly believe we can Belinda," replied Vic, "but I don't believe we can keep him anonymous.  Etienne you fill her in on what you know,"
    "Belinda, did you see on the news how the machines in Mexico didn't work until mid-morning yesterday.  Well I have a source who told me it was because a certain girl, a child about Rodolfo's age, had to use the ATM first before the others would start working.  Rodolfo may be the starter for all the machines in California.  If he doesn't show up it may not be just locals who are looking for him, it may be the whole state."  Etienne could not shake his growing feeling of guilt when he saw the look on Belinda's face.
    "Belinda, what we mean is that everybody is going to know about Rodolfo, so the best thing we can do is get him there and get him back, as fast and uncomplicated as possible.  I don't know why we've been thrown together here Belinda, but we are together.  We care what happens to Rodolfo, and we care what happens to you."  Vic fell into a nervous silence.
    It took her a minute but Belinda composed herself and responded.  "I guess I see the point.  Rodolfo is tied to this machine and he's my baby.  I guess the only thing I can say is thank God I'm not alone."  And Belinda started to get slightly teary eyed.
    Rodolfo came into to the room.  "I'm no baby Mom." he said.  But when he saw her tears he went and sat next to her and put his arm around her.            "I know you're not sweetie.  Let's get dressed Dolfi, and go get some of that money." Belinda put on her brave face.
    "Where's Sofia.  She'd better get moving."  Etienne blushed.
    "She went to Salinas to get some clothes.  She should be back soon.  Poor thing only slept four hours.  But you'll see her soon Etienne.  And she'll be dressed to kill."  Belinda giggled and took Rodolfo under her arm and they both went to get dressed.
    "I feel like a teenager Vic.  What the hell is going on with me?"  Etienne asked his old friend.
    "You look like a teenager.  A teenager in love.  You're old enough to remember the song.  You think Sofia is?"  Vic laughed.
 

    Efrain Mendoza decided to go to work with the crews he was sending to Tanzini's fields.  This wasn't his usual practice, but this was no usual job.  His men would be partners now, not just employees.  Mendoza had no opinion about the new addition to the town's banking system, but he was thankful for the push it had given this new arrangement.  And hopefully, whoever or whatever put it there will leave it around long enough for this new relationship to become solidified.
    Efrain and the crews pulled in together about 5:45.  Tanzini was all smiles.  He saw Mendoza and went over to shake his hand.  He grabbed it and started pumping furiously.  "Let's get to work," was all he could manage to get out.  It was enough.  Broccoli was headed to the market in a big way.
 

    Noe couldn't bring himself to even get out of his truck.  What had been three full crews the day before had shrunk to two skeleton crews, barely enough people to keep the harvester running at half speed. And they were all talking raise.  He drove between fields looking for stray workers even though he knew there would be none.  He rounded a bend on Central Avenue and saw one reason why.   Tanzini's operation was in full swing.  Harvesters everywhere.  Trucks already loaded and leaving.  Noe was pissed off, but he knew Preston would go ballistic.
    Noe doubled back on Central and pulled into the middle of one of the last remaining orchards in the valley.  He need a nice quiet place and some time to think.  He didn't want to see Preston for a while.  He didn't know what he would say to him, if he did show up.  This was the first day Noe could remember that Preston was not out in his fields keeping track of everything.  Noe was worried.  He thought Preston was losing it, but he decided he was going to be loyal.  He wanted to blow up that damn cash machine as much or more than Preston, but he was leery of having Ernie play any role in it.  That little jerk would talk at the first sign of trouble.
    One thing Noe had to keep in the front of his mind was that he was the disposable Mexican in the equation.  He knew that if anybody went to jail it would be him.  He'd seen it happen too many times before to kid himself now.  If anybody was going to watch his back, he would have to do it himself.
    Noe decided to bite the bullet, find Preston and let him know what Tanzini was up to.  But the Noe that drove out of the orchard was not the Noe that had driven in a few minutes before.  He and Preston had made a great team, but Noe was now aware that at some point their interests may diverge completely.  Noe would have to watch for that point, and watch carefully.
 

    Sofia was already broadcasting when Belinda, Rodolfo, Mildred, Vic and Etienne arrived at the machine.  It was quite a different scene than the day before.  There was only one other TV crew left.  Most of the outside police forces were gone too.  And the crowd was limited to about a thousand drowsy people.  The tension that had reigned was also absent.  With the twelve ATM screens there was less than a hundred people in each line.  They could all easily be through in less that a half hour.
    Castenada had come in the middle of the night and cordoned off one screen as the quasi-official line.  Carson and a few other troopers, some fire men and medical personal were allowed to cue up there.  It was the closest Castenada could come to a cover for Rodolfo.  When Castenada simply took Rodolfo to the front of this line, no one grumbled.
    As the sun rose Rodolfo walked up to the ATM, got his money and left.  Nobody payed him any particular attention.
 

    Aaron Witt woke up on the floor.  The fire in the cabin was long ago out and Witt was freezing.  He went to the closet and got a quilt to wrap around himself.  He took a swig from his tequila bottle.  That killed the chills long enough for him to throw some newspaper and kindling in the fireplace and get things going.  He thought about some breakfast, but opened a beer instead.  This was no day to take the pledge.  He discovered some bread in the freezer and made some toast and ate it.  He rolled a massive joint, sat down in front of  the TV and he was asleep again within a half hour.
 

    Vic took Belinda and the kids back to the house.  He didn't see anyone following them, but he sensed someone's presence lurking.  He didn't want to alarm Belinda, so he kept it to himself.  He knew, or at least thought he knew, that there were professional spooks in the area.  He wanted to feel that he could actually shield Rodolfo from harm, but sincere effort was all that he had at his disposal.  A grim, or was it light, sort of fatalism had begun to creep over him.  Things had developed completely beyond his control.  Some sort of acceptance had become a necessity, if only for sanity's sake.  While this situation was fraught with potential danger, it was also full of wonderful possibilities.  It seemed some unseen force was guiding and protecting him, protecting them all.  He was not particularly religious, but maybe God was behind all this.  He chuckled to himself as Belinda let Rodolfo into the house and they both sat down on the porch.
    "What's so funny?" asked Belinda who was curious.
    "Well Belinda I used to feel in charge of my life.  I felt like I made decisions.  I felt like I made things happen.  Now I'm not so sure.  I'm not sure how much I ever really did control my own life," wondered Vic.
    "You're making things happen here Vic.  You make me feel like I can count on you.  That's as real as that machine to me.  Don't be such a worry wart."  Belinda was feeling the same sense of drifting and reacting to events beyond her control as Vic was, but it was her turn to be the cheerful one.  "I'm almost ready to go back to work.  I mean we can't let this ATM run our lives."
    "Back to work for Preston Witt?"  Vic asked.
    "No you idiot!  Regardless of what happens here.  I'm through in the broccoli fields.  I'll be selling churros.  I'd never go back with that damn Noe.  I can't believe I worked out there so long.  I quit school after eighth grade, and I thought I couldn't do anything else.  But since that ATM came I found out I could.  I can do anything Vic."  Belinda was starting to believe it.  "So how about that cart you promised me, Rodolfo's wagon never did turn up.  If everything is still OK tomorrow, I think I'll get in the kitchen, load up that cart and see if anybody still has an appetite."
    "Sounds real good to me Belinda.  If you want to, we can go down early this evening and get the cart.  There's no rush, but if you wanted you could have it ready for tomorrow.  I better get back to work myself.  That's Carson pulling up outside.  He'll keep things quiet here til I get back."  Vic stood and awkwardly shook Belinda's hand.  She just smiled and looked him squarely in the eyes.
 
 
    Preston slept in for the first time he could remember.  He was usually up with the birds, but today he just stayed in bed.  Preston had dominated every situation he had ever been in his entire life.  He sat in his bed wondering if he had finally met his match.  The world needed structure, order, someone in charge, and Preston had always been one of those people in charge.  Now everybody thought they were a friggen king.  No respect for quality.  No respect for authority.  This was anarchy.
    Preston had made his living as a big fish in a small pond.  No one in fifty miles had the influence he had.  He employed a hundred and fifty people year round and upward to a thousand during harvest.  The biggest payroll in the southern part of the valley.  He was somebody.  Somebody who had to be reckoned with.  But even he didn't believe it today.  He heard a knock on the door and decided he had had enough of self pity.
    "Get your ass in here Noe.  What's it look like out there.  We got it going today Noe, or what?"  Preston felt a surge of energy.
    "I don't know how else to say it boss, but it's worse than yesterday.  Two pathetic crews Boss, that's all we got.  The rest of our fields are just sitting there.  The broccoli's going to go to go to seed."  Noe stopped short.
    "Well at least we ain't alone.  Those two crews are making as much as five with the damn price so high.  So maybe this ain't so bad.  As long as everyone stays shut down the price'll just go up and up."  Preston motioned Noe into the kitchen.  His appetite was coming back.  He got out the orange juice and poured a couple of glasses.  He offered one to Noe.
    Noe took the juice and decided to get it over with.  "Well not everybody is shut down boss.  Tanzini is harvesting at damn near full strength.  All our crews got the word that he gave anybody who would show up a big raise.  Now our crews are asking for a better deal, or they say they'll leave."
    Preston threw his full glass of orange juice at his refrigerator.  It didn't break there, it bounced back and hit the island in the middle of the kitchen and shattered into a thousand pieces.  Noe stood dumbfounded waiting for Preston to say something, but he just stood there fuming, his hands over his face covered with specks of glass and drops of orange juice.
 

    Sofia's network called at ten in the morning and told her the network was going to switch their main broadcast to the high powered San Francisco crew.  Sofia was being relegated to second string and she was a bit taken aback.  She decided to look at it as an opportunity.  It gave her the chance she needed to get Etienne alone and find out what he really knew about what was going on.  She was sure he knew a lot about what was happening.  She knew the network could chalk up her reporting notoriety as coincidence and beginners luck.  But if she could get the back ground story, she could prove her achievements were no fluke.
    Etienne showed up a few minutes later and she got to him right away. "Let's go get some burgers and I'll show you the most beautiful river in the world."
    Etienne accepted and told her he'd be back around eleven.  He went to Vic's office to make a few calls and a few decisions.  He had to come clean sometime to someone, and maybe Sofia was just the one to hear him out and give him an objective point of view.
 

    Ernie drove into Preston's yard just in time to see Preston's truck pulling out the other side.  He saw Noe's truck parked in front of Preston's house, so he assumed they had left together.
    Ernie got out of his truck and stretched.  He knew he was being left out of the loop and he thought it was Noe's fault.  He didn't understand why Noe hated him so bad, but he knew he did.  He was almost glad about it though.  Ernie had never broken the law before.  Well no real laws.  Dumped a few pesticides where he shouldn't, but nothing that would ever hurt anybody.  He though about the gravity of blowing up the cash machine and the people who might get hurt and hoped Preston was coming to his senses.
 

    Preston and Noe drove by Tanzini's operation and nearly ran down a truck driver who was walking across Central Avenue.  He turned left on Hobson and headed over to the 101 and then south to Greenfield.  He went straight to the Walnut Avenue off ramp and drove by the ATM.  Walnut was being kept clear by a local cop, but the sheriffs and highway patrolmen were gone.  The crowd at the ATM was small in relation to the last two days.  Five or six hundred people.  There was a steady turn over of people getting money and leaving.  The only people who were sticking around were the various vendors.  Only one news camera was left covering the scene.
    "A couple hours after sundown and this place will be practically deserted.  We'll light her up then Noe.  I'll teach these sons-a-bitchen freeloadin bastards a lesson they won't soon forget."  Preston decided that was to be his last burst of anger until they did this.  He sure as hell wasn't afraid of a fight, but doing what he had in mind required a cool head.  Preston knew at that moment that he was really going to go through with it.  Exceptional times called for exceptional efforts.  Hell, he might even be a hero in the history books someday.
 
 

    Sofia took Etienne to the Green Bridge over the Arroyo Seco River about five miles from town.  The river was running wildly and it was truly beautiful.  Duvall was accustomed to the D.C. area and this was a contrast.  A high arched bridged over about a hundred and fifty yard wide canyon.  The sides of the canyon were shear and a hundred feet high.  Upstream, to the west the canyon stayed narrow, but downstream you could see it open up as it started to spill into the long valley it shared with the Salinas River.  The bottom of the canyon was tree lined and rocky.  The river dug into rock wall on the far side of the canyon and churned violently around rocks and sand bars toward the middle.
    Etienne soaked up the scenery for a moment and then concentrated on the day's mission.  He decided to tell Sofia everything he could, even the CIA part.  Maybe it would be helpful to Rodolfo.  He had decided to end his double or was it triple life.  He would come clean to everyone about everything, as soon as this was over.
    "So who's behind this Etienne?  I think you know."  Sofia was sure he did.
    "Well, his name is Jasper."  Etienne hesitated for a moment, but he knew if he didn't tell her now, he might never have a chance to tell anyone else.  The "company" frowned on spur of the moment resignations.
    "You mean you actually know a person who is behind this whole thing, Etienne?" Sofia asked incredulously.
   "Well I think the man who Rodolfo saw that first morning is Jasper Clark.  And as best as I can figure is that Jasper is giving a giant Potlatch. The last time I saw him he told me he'd see me again, at the biggest potlatch of them all.  I think this qualifies."  Etienne took a breath.
    "If this is a big pot luck.  I forgot to bring a dish."  Sofia laughed.
    "Laugh if you want Sofia, but I'm trying to tell it straight.  Do you have any other explanations?"  Etienne asked.
    "Can't you take a little joke, Etienne.  I'll be an attentive listener.  Tell me more about this Jasper fellow," said Sofia, properly chastised.
    "OK, the five minute Jasper story, and I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to whether he's behind this or not. As far as I see it, he's the closest thing to a suspect we have.  He loved the Potlatch, thought it was the only remaining human ritual on earth that followed the teachings of Christ." Opened Etienne.
    "So some guy you know named Jasper has the money to give everybody on half the continent a hundred dollars a day?"  Sofia was trying to suspend disbelief , but having was difficulty.
    "Well, the only way I know to explain this is to begin at the beginning.  Jasper was my grandfather until I was seven."  Etienne stated flatly.
    "Well, either he was your grandfather or he wasn't.  How could he be your grandfather for just seven years?" Sofia complained.
    "If you keep interrupting I'll never get it out.  We both thought we were related until I was seven, and then we found out that we weren't.  See.  I haven't seen him since 1958, over forty years now.  But the last time I saw him was on the Olympic Peninsula at a big Potlatch in ‘58.  Jasper was one of a group that had planned the Potlatch.  He was there with my grandmother Minerva.  They got married after my grandfather died.  He had a daughter with her, my aunt Yolanda.  I lived with my aunt Yolanda for the first seven years of my life.  Jasper thought Yolanda was my mother, and I thought the same thing.  We found out that year that it wasn't true.  Then I went to live with my real mother in North Dakota."
    "You're telling me that you thought your aunt was your mother for seven years.  Pretty wild story Etienne."  Sofia was trying to take it all in.
    "There's a machine not ten miles from here giving money away.  Are you really going to tell me that anything associated with this should push your credibility."  This was sound logic to Etienne.
    "OK, OK, keep going.  Who was your real mother?"
    "My real mother was Christina, Yolanda's half sister.  She was my grandmother's first daughter, from her marriage to my grandfather.  My grandfather died right after Christina was born.  His family was a big deal in North Dakota.  French-Indian Heritage.  Métis, that's French for mestizo.  Minerva was Shawnee.  A lot of the Métis considered her an interloper.  After my grandfather died, a lot of people in the tribe made Minerva's life miserable.  She lasted til my mother was seven, then she tried to leave, with my mom.  They caught her and took Christina away, and then ran her out.  She drifted for a while and ended up in Washington State.  She met Jasper there at a potlatch.  He was playing his violin and Minerva fell for him even though he was an already an old timer.  She married Jasper and they had my aunt Yolanda.  My grandfather's family kept my Christina away from Minerva as long as they could.  But when she went away to college, she made contact with her again, and visited her often.  When Christina was about to have me she went to be with Minerva.  It turned out Yolanda was having a baby at the same time.  They had babies the same night."
    "And somebody switched you two.  This sounds like a Shakespeare play.  Whatever motive could anyone have for switching you and your ... what was he, your cousin?"  Sofia asked.
    "It had something to do with a dream my grandmother had.  She dreamed that when Yolanda's baby was seven someone would kill him.  She made the mistake of tell Yolanda about the dream.  Yolanda believed Minerva.  Minerva had a gift.  A gift of Prophecy.  The two went into labor at the same time and delivered at about the same time.  When my mom was asleep, Yolanda switched us.  I was named Pablo and lived with my aunt Yolanda until I was seven.  And my cousin was named Etienne and lived with my mother in North Dakota.  My real mother came to visit us in Washington when I was about to turn seven, and she found out about the switch." Etienne paused.
    "And so your mother and your aunt switched you back?  That's wild Etienne.  That's the wildest story I've ever heard."  Sofia's head was swimming.
   "We weren't switched back Sofia.  My cousin and my aunt were both killed.  Before my aunt died, she confessed what she had done.  So I just became him, or became myself.  I really don't know how to say it."  Etienne paused.  "But just before I left for North Dakota, Jasper told me we'd meet again at the biggest Potlatch of them all.  And this has to be the biggest Potlatch of them all."
    "So what the heck is a .....Potlatch?...  Do you hear that Etienne?"  Sofia was frozen.  She heard it cleary over the soft roar of the river, a lone fiddle cutting a lively tune that resounded throughout the Arroyo Seco canyon.
    Sofia and Etienne drove back to town making small talk about the beauty of the place.  Neither wanted to get back to the subject at hand.  Sofia dropped Etienne at Vic's and managed to suggest they finish their conversation later.  Sofia had to compose herself.  If she reported a story like this, the public and her bosses were liable to think she'd gone crazy.  But what if it was true?  Sofia had to weigh this carefully.
 

    Vic and Etienne arrived at Belinda's about nine in the evening.  Vic sent his patrolman on home and he and Etienne went up to the door and knocked. Rodolfo answered and yelled back over his shoulder,  "Mom, Vic and Etienne are here.  Can we go get ice cream now?"
    Belinda came up behind him, "Dolfi's got the cabin fever.  Let's go down to the ATM and see if anyone is selling ice cream.  If that's OK with you guys."
    Sofia came to the door too, and Etienne almost shouted, "Sure, let's go."
    Etienne and Sofia walked side by side in silence.  Sofia carried her little niece Mildred, the Mango.  Mildred would hide her head every time Etienne looked her way.  Etienne didn't even notice.  He was absorbed in an inner world that tried to make itself intelligible.  Sofia was still simply dumbfounded.  She did another little probability check, and this was just all too much to believe.  Added to the fact that the first person to use the machine was her nephew, and she was the first to report it, she was now strolling with the ex-grandson of the guy who put it there, who was either dead, or a hundred and twenty years old.  It just was not possible. And this Duvall character.  She liked him, but was he even real?  Was this whole thing real?  She posed the question to herself just as they reached El Camino Real.  And she had to laugh.
    "What's so funny?" Etienne laughed.
    "Well its the road.  El Camino Real.  The royal highway or the real highway, just a little bilingual joke."  Sofia giggled an emotional release.
    "The real road.  Yeah my notions of  reality have been undergoing a little adjustment as well?"  Etienne was glad to not be alone.  He was scared too.  His entire convoluted life was coming together, and apart, in this little California town.  His old pal Vic.  And Jasper.  What was it that Jasper was up to with this?  What would the CIA do when they got ahold of him?  His life would never be the same, but he was also sure that the world wouldn't be the same either, so why not just roll with it.
    "Well not that I want to influence you in any way, but I'd appreciate it if you left Jasper out of your reports until I know for sure its him and I can get a read on what he is up to," asked Etienne.
    "No problem Etienne, I wouldn't know what to say anyway."
    "I'm having this, ‘I'm dreaming' feeling.  I keep thinking I'm going to wake up." Etienne was dreamy around Sofia anyway.
    "I know.  I feel the same thing.  But just do me one favor.  When you are ready to talk on the record, talk to me first."  Sofia was not about to let things slip away.  She may have been relegated to second string, but this story would still be the one that made it for her.
    "Always the reporter.  Sure Sofia, you'll be the first to know anything.  Maybe even before me the way things are going now."  Etienne smiled and and Sofia smiled back.
    Belinda and Vic trailed a bit behind with Rodolfo.  As they approached the machine they could see that the crowd had begun to dwindle.  They no longer had to weave through channels of people.  Vic interrupted Etienne and Sofia from behind.  "Hey you guys, if the kids can go on with you, Belinda and I will meet you back at the machine with the cart."
    "Look Mom, cotton candy.  And oh no...someone else is selling churros.  Does that mean we can't sell anymore?" asked Dolfi worriedly.  He'd go nuts if he had to spend one more day in that house.
    "No Dolfi, we'll be back in business tomorrow, as soon as we get that cart ready," Belinda assured him.
    "Sure Dolfi, everybody's got money to spend.  I think there'll be enough business for everybody," Vic added.
    "I gotta go back on the air sis, but if Etienne doesn't mind watching out for the kids?  Mango'll be able to see me, even if I can't chase her.  And Dolfi can help.  Here Dolfi, you hold on to Mango."  But as soon as Sofia put her in Rodolfo's arms she began to cry.  Rodolfo handed her to Etienne and she smiled for a second, and then remembered that she was playing hide from him and she cried again.
    "We'll take the Mango with us," said Belinda.  "Here is five dollars for you Dolfi.  You listen to your tia and Mr. Duvall.  We'll be right back sis and get these guys to bed.  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.  You sure this is OK with you Etienne?"
    "Hey what could happen to them here?" said Etienne confidently.
 

    Ernie was the button man on the diversionary bomb at the Memorial Hall.  Preston, Noe, and Ernie all drove together to the hall and Preston showed Ernie where to put the bomb.  "Blow it in exactly thirty minutes Ernie.  No slipups.  You better not leave us hanging down there waitin for your fool ass.  Just push the damn button and blow this piece of shit building to kingdom come.  You got it Ernie?" Preston gave Ernie "la mirada dura" (the hard look).
    "No problem boss.  Just don't get yourself caught."  Ernie was so scared he could barely get the words out.
    "Don't you worry ‘bout me.  Just get on over there in those bushes.  And be ready.  All right Ernie?...ALL RIGHT ERNIE?"  Preston was on a mission.
    "All right boss," said Ernie trying to assure Preston that he could handle the task.
    Preston walked back to the pickup and got in with Noe..
    "Preston, I don't trust that little sonofabitch.  If it can be screwed up he'll screw it up.  It's me down there with the dynamite," Noe griped.
    "Well who the hell else we got Noe?  All your buddies is just scared of you.  Give em half a chance and they'd blow you up themselves.  You see Ernie's scared of me but that's not why he's doing this.  Ernie likes me. And we left him in the dark about who's doin what.  All he knows is we're blowing it up.  He'd never cross me Noe.  He ain't got the nerve."  Preston needed Noe to feel confident enough to finish the job.  If Noe didn't get the dynamite in position to blast the machine, everybody would be looking for a gunman on the roof.
    "I knew that little bastard was a queer boss," ranted Noe.
    "For Christ sake Noe, Ernie ain't no queer.  He just wants me to respect him and be his friend.  He's a little pissant I know.  But he'd never turn on me Noe.  He's too... too smart for that."  Preston was feeling the pressure too.
    "If you say so Boss.  Let's go deliver our little present."  Noe had said his piece and was ready for action.
    Preston and Noe drove past the crowd and around to the back side of the school across from the ATM.  They got out a ladder and Preston lumbered up on the roof of the classroom directly across Walnut from the ATM.  As soon as Preston was off the ladder Noe went up a few steps and passed him his rifle.
    "We got about twenty minutes Noe. You go park the truck by the corner store and get into position.  As soon as I hear the blast down at the Memorial Hall, I'll lay in two whole clips around the machine.  As soon as the crowd runs, you get that little wagon right over by that machine and haul ass.  If it's clear enough I'll blow it.  If not I'll just head out myself.  I'll meet you back at the corner store and then we'll go pick up Ernie."   Preston had been over it a dozen times with Noe, but one more wouldn't hurt.
 

    Ernie was shaking so hard he could barely read his watch.  Five minutes left.  Then he would become a criminal.  He felt a hatred growing towards Preston.  Ernie had taken great pride in being supervisor of the biggest farming operation in the valley, but now he wished he was a ditch digger in Bakersfield.  Four minutes.  Ernie froze as he saw two figures approaching.  He almost crapped his pants when he recognized one of them as Chief Castenada.  He crouched down as small as he could and quit breathing.  What if they caught him.
    "So you don't think the carnie who left this cart will get mad if you let me use it?  I mean he might sue you Vic.  Me too.  You could lose your job."  Belinda teased him.
    "You know Belinda, the last worry I have tonight is that that fool will be back.  If, by any chance he does come back you can pay him something.  It's right in here."  Vic opened the door and switched on the light.  "Here we go Belinda.  It's perfect for what you want.  Help me get this other stuff out of the way and we can get back to the kids."
    "And hey, it can double as a baby carriage for this sack potatoes."  Mango was sleeping soundly as Belinda cleaned off a place for her and laid her on the cart.  Then she and Vic moved a lawnmower and several boxes until they had a clear path to the door.
    "That oughta do it, Vic.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.  I loved being my own boss the other day.  It's like being a slave set free.  And now my freedom continues, maybe even gets a little bigger.  Thanks Vic."  Belinda wanted to grab him and give him a big kiss, but she didn't know how Vic would take it.
    "Hey the pleasure is all mine.  I'm the one who oughta be thanking you.   That dinner was great was great last night.  The best I've had since I been in Greenfield.  I'd like to return the favor.  I mean maybe we could go out to dinner some time."  Vic blushed.
    "I'd like that Vic.  Let's just play it by ear.  I gotta feeling that we're both gonna be pretty busy the next few days.  I kinda thought you had your eye on my sister, just like every other man within a hundred miles."  Belinda wanted to be sure what Vic was asking.
    "I can't say I never noticed your sister was beautiful, but that's different than being interested in someone.  Didn't your mother ever tell you that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach.  Just kidding.  You oughta know by this point in your life that your sister doesn't have a monopoly on looks in the Robles family.  I like talking to you, and it really doesn't hurt that you can cook like that."  Vic hadn't said anything like this in a while, but his embarrassment was over.
    "Well that's a nice way to put it Vic.  I'll look forward to it.  And yeah, we better get back."
    They pushed the cart out the door and Vic turned out the light.  They started walking back towards the ATM wearing giant smiles.
    Ernie, however, was another case.  It was time for him to blow the shack but he couldn't do it with the damned chief of police in the building.  Preston was going to be pissed off, but he had to wait until Chief Castenada left and was completely out of sight.
 

    "This is Sofia Robles reporting live from the Bank of Fortunatus ATM, Greenfield, California.  The end of day three has brought with it a sense of normality.  The crowd is almost gone.  The rest of California has its own ATMs, and the world is waiting to see if one will come to their neighborhood.  The source of the machines remains unknown, (Sofia flashes Etienne a big smile) and no one knows for sure how long they will last.  But spirits remain high in most quarters, and regardless of their duration, they have been an eye opener for a good many people."
    Etienne and Rodolfo stood and watched as Sofia went on the air.  Etienne could sense how proud Rodolfo was of his aunt and vice versa.  Etienne let his mind move to other pressing matters.  He figured he could get by without calling Benton again until the next morning.  What was he going to say to him.  Tell him that a dead hillbilly from Arkansas was behind the whole thing.  And oh, by the way, he happens to be my ex-grandfather.  He watched Sofia work and felt a little twinge of pride himself.  Sofia was possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
    "Etienne, I'm gonna get some candy OK?  It's right over there," Rodolfo asked for permission.
    "Just stay where I can see you Rodolfo.  Your mom would skin me alive if I lost you in this crowd."  Etienne looked to make sure Rodolfo was listening, and then nodded for him to go.
 

    Noe parked his pick-up in the empty lot next to the corner store.  He got the wagon out of the back and began the two block walk to the ATM.  As he got closer he began to slowly weave his way through the crowd, pulling Belinda's little red wagon behind him.  He advanced until he got close enough to see the machine.  He stopped there to reconnoiter and check his watch.  He was just a minute or two early.  He snuck a glance up at the roof of the school and saw Preston peaking over the little half wall that ran along the edge of the roof.  Noe wanted to wave, but knew that was a bad idea.  He took a good look around the area and saw Rodolfo at the cotton candy stand.  He back tracked a little to make sure that he and the wagon were behind a few people and Rodolfo couldn't see him.  No slip ups.  Then Noe had to do the one thing he absolutely hated to do, wait.
 

    Vic and Belinda were about halfway back to the ATM when they heard the blast.  They looked back towards the Memorial Hall and saw a rising fire ball.
     "That's right where we were Belinda," worried Vic.  "I better go see what the hell happened.  You go on and get your kids and take them home.  I'll check in as soon as I know what's going on."
    "OK Vic, you be careful.  And you owe me a dinner."  Belinda smiled.
    Vic smiled back as he was trotting backwards towards the Memorial Hall.
 

    Preston sat crouched on the roof vowing to kick that little twit Ernie's ass.  But all that was forgotten when he heard the blast.  That ought to get their attention.  Now its my turn.  First he lobbed a couple of clusters of M-80's as close to the ATM as he could.  As soon as an area around the machine was clear enough, he fired a couple of rounds into the dirt right in front of one of the screens.  The crowd went nuts.  People started running in every direction.
    Noe moved fast.  He walked straight to the machine and left the wagon right where Preston had laid down the first rounds and kept right on going.  Preston threw four more M-80's and got out the radio transmitter to detonate his little package.  The damn TV crew was the last to start moving back, grabbing equipment, stumbling.  When they had gotten as far as El Camino Real, Preston thought it was safe to detonate.  He pressed the button just as he saw a kid running towards the machine.  But it was already too late.  The blast was so powerful it knocked Preston's cap off.
    "Shit," was all that Preston could get out.  He ran stooped over across the roof to where the ladder was waiting.  He left the rifle and climbed down.  Preston was breathing deeply.  He started walking briskly, fighting the urge to break into a run,  to his rendezvous with Noe.
 

    As soon as Etienne heard the first blast in the distance, he ran straight to Rodolfo took him by the hand.  They were hurrying over to Sofia when the M-80's went off next to the ATM.  They all hit the dirt.  When gunfire was heard hitting the ATM people started to jump up and run.  Rodolfo and Etienne crawled the last few feet and began helping Sofia and her crew grab their equipment.  He heard the bullets hitting near.  "To hell with this shit Sofia.  Those are live rounds."  They took what they could carry and followed the crowd heading toward El Camino Real.
    Rodolfo was the only one to notice Noe pulling the wagon and he recognized it.  He had tried to get Etienne and Sofia's attention to tell them that he had found the wagon, but they weren't listening to him.
    As they approached the El Camino, Sofia told the crew to set up on the corner.  She was turning to tell Etienne to take Rodolfo home when she saw him running back toward the machine.  She opened her mouth to yell at him, but the words never made it out.  The bomb went off.  They were all knocked off their feet.  Sofia jumped up first.  She was leaning over Rodolfo on the ground just as Belinda ran up pushing the cart with Mango still sound asleep atop it.
    A small knot of kneeling people quickly encircled Rodolfo.  He lay on the bare ground about a hundred and fifty feet from the machine.  Belinda was weeping uncontrollably, holding Rodolfo's face in her hands, kissing him, and repeating "My baby, my baby.  Mijo, mijo."
    Rodolfo was bleeding slightly from the forehead, but otherwise seemed to be unmarked. Just as Vic Castenada ran up Rodolfo opened his eyes and saw his Mother's tear stained face.  "The wagon, Mami.  My wagon.  It blew up."
    "Dolfi, Dolfi, Dolfi, you're OK.  Oh, thank you Jesus.  Oh, Dolfi.  Thank you Jesus," cried Belinda.
    "What wagon Rodolfo?"  Castenada was livid.  He was sure he already knew what wagon.
    "My Mom's churro wagon," Rodolfo stated firmly.  He then sat up and looked around.  "What happened Mami?"
    Belinda didn't answer so Vic volunteered, "Somebody tried to blow up the machine Dolfi.  But it looks like they failed.  The was quite a blast you survived.  Does it hurt any where?  Your stomach, your legs?  You have a cut on your head."
    "I feel fine.  Somebody jumped on top of me.  I didn't feel anything.  Except they were carrying something that cut my head," offered Rodolfo.
    "OK Rodolfo, We'll get you home," Vic assured him.  "Etienne, you carry Mango.  Belinda, help me put Rodolfo on the cart.  Take him home, and I'll get a doctor over there right away.  He looks alright, but we should get him checked out.  I have a little house call of my own to make.  I'll see you all back there as soon as I can."
 

    Castenada ran the two blocks to his car.  He wasn't 100% sure who had planted the bomb, but he was 100% sure someone knew, and that someone was Aaron Witt.  He made a stop at Dr. Ericson's and got him to pay a visit to Sofia's house, then ran back to his car jumped in and floored it, heading to Aaron's place.
     Aaron Witt had a house on one of his father's ranches at the corner of Oak and 15th.  Castenada made the three mile drive in about a minute and half.  He skidded to a stop in the gravel drive way.  He didn't even bother to knock, he just kicked in the door.
    Aaron Witt was nowhere to be found.  Vic decided to head back to Belinda's and check on Rodolfo.  He'd find Aaron in the morning.  Back in the car, he thought it was probably best he hadn't found him tonight.  He wasn't sure he could have guaranteed his safety
 
 

    Belinda just stared as Sofia and her crew got their cameras ready.  She didn't need to say anything. The look she gave Sofia said it all.  Belinda got behind the cart and started to push.  Sofia swallowed hard and got ready to go back on the air.
    "Rodolfo's OK," Sofia thought.  "They can get by without me."  Belinda needed to understand that this was her job, the greatest opportunity she had ever had.  But then why did she feel so bad.  She could not afford to let her feelings distract her.  She had work to do.
    Her crew had the cameras running almost before the dust had settled.  "This is Sofia Robles reporting live from Greenfield, California where a large bomb has just exploded next to the Bank of Fortunatus ATM.  We witnessed at least one injury, that to my own nephew Rodolfo Robles.  We do not know yet the affect of the bomb on the machine..."
    Sofia's crew turned the camera's on the bomb scene.  People had already returned to the ATM and were getting cash.   "As you can see the ATM continues to function in spite of the efforts of an as yet unknown assailant or assailants.  The blast that rocked this section of Walnut Avenue was preceded by another blast from an as yet unknown location north of here, up El Camino Real in the vicinity of  the Greenfield Memorial Hall.  We also witnessed what we believed to be rifle fire here at the ATM.  That is to say, it seems to have been a coordinated attack.  Local Chief of Police Victor Castenada is now following leads.  As soon as we have information we will pass it on to you.   Stay tuned to Fox News for all further developments."