Chapter Six

Chapter 6
December 30, 2011
Greenfield, California

    Belinda and company got up early at Vic's house and prepared for the morning sojourn.   The daily ritual had taken on an air of regularity. Get up and go to the cash machine. Belinda just washed the kids hands and faces, they could take a bath later. It was chilly outside and she didn't want them catching a cold. She peeked out the window and saw Vic sitting in his patrol car and no crowd. The ruse had worked. They would get on their way without attracting attention. They walked out and got in the patrol car with Vic. Everyone was all smiles. The day was getting off to a good start.
    Things started to unravel as they approached the Bank of Fortunatus ATM. There was no way that Vic Castenada was going to get away with quietly putting Rodolfo in the official line on this particular morning. Sofia and crew had company again, the four other news networks had returned to Greenfield and they all had their cameras trained on Rodolfo the minute he came into view.
    It wasn't just the networks focusing on Rodolfo either. When word reached the crowd that had been waiting for Rodolfo in front of Belinda's house that they had been snookered, they came running toward the machine. They were an odd mix of anger, uncertainty, and joy that just seemed to boil over. As they crossed the El Camino, the front section of the crowd caught a glimpse of him, the shouts began. "Rodolfo, Rodolfo, Rodolfo..."
    Belinda was horrified. Her worst fears were being realized. Rodolfo was the center of a circus of cameras and hundreds of strangers all pressing in, trying to touch her son. The moving mass of humanity coming from her house collided with the stationary mass that were waiting in line at the ATM's. Waves of shove and counter shove began to ripple in all directions. Vic Castenada got Rodolfo behind him and backed toward one of the screens. Rodolfo knew the drill, and got his money quickly, but the crowd was out of control. The Chief put his hand on his revolver and contemplated a shot in the air, but decided that the ensueing panic would have made matters worse. Then something he could not explain began to happen. A line began to form. A cordon of men and women began to array itself and push the rest of the crowd back, away from Rodolfo.   The protective cocoon they formed for the town's favorite sun would come to known as "The Loyal Order for the Protection of Rodolfo."

    Preston sat watching the entire episode on television in his house. He was so disheartened that his efforts had not succeeded that he was home again today. Preston was in such a state of depression that he had no desire to even check on the state of his operations. He started to hear some names he recognized so he paid a little closer attention. He finally got the drift of the broadcast.   "So that little snot-nosed kid of Belinda Robles is the key to the whole thing. I know how to take care of that problem," Preston thought to himself. He saw Noe driving up and almost jumped out of bed. He wasn't dead yet. Preston rushed out to meet Noe.
    Noe's expression said it all, but he spoke anyway, "I don't know how to say it, but Boss, we can barely keep one crew going. And that ain't the worst thing. We can't get nobody to haul what we produce. All our regular truckers are carrying other stuff. There's two other farmers back in production already. And some men tell me there'll be more tomorrow. We gotta make a move Boss. Maybe we offer a raise." Noe was trying to be realistic.
    Preston replied with a long dead pan stare and then said, "If I didn't know you better I'd say you was losing your nerve Noe. Maybe things ain't that bad. Let's go do a little reconnoiter."
    As Noe and Preston started to pull away Aaron drove his pickup into the ranch yard. The two trucks parked in the driveway, side by side, facing in opposite directions.
    Preston laid into his son, "Where the hell you been?"
    "Up at the cabin in Arroyo Seco. I need to talk to you Dad. Alone," replied Aaron, who surprised himself with his boldness.
    "Well I'm a little busy now, you lazy pissant. But if you feel like talking to me, just wait around a bit and I'll be back. If you can't, well that's just too damned bad. We got a crisis here in case you didn't know. I'm busy trying to save the ranch and you're up in the hills," almost before the words were out, Preston left Aaron sitting in a cloud of dust.

Vic, Belinda and Rodolfo found themselves seperated from Vic'c patrol car by a crowd that verged on a mob. One of the group of people that had stopped the earlier onrush motioned over his shoulder. Vic looked to the area between the corner of the Washington Mutual Bank and the apartments just north of the Bank of Fortunatus cash machine. The crowd was thin there so Vic took Belinda's hand and led her and Rodolfo that way. The cordon of protectors moved with them, clearing people out of their path with ease.
They ended up walking all the way to Belinda's house. Their escort kept a respectful distance, but conversation eventually ensued. Belinda thanked them for their help. She was amazed at their comments. "Your Rodolfo must be a very special boy to be honored the way he is." Said one woman. "God sent this machine to us, but you gave us Rodolfo. Thank you." Belinda could only knod in amazement, not knowing how to respond.

Hector and Lupe had never been a part of anything like what was happening in their broccoli crew. They were developing the finely tuned coordination of a sport's team. They were nearing their peak in efficiency. The hard hand of the overseer was replaced with a sense of common interest. Everybody had the same goal; production. There was no slacking. Everyone was a boss. Everyone was a worker. They hummed.

Noe and Preston got to the machine just as all the action was winding down. Noe had asked a couple of his workers still loyal to him to just hang around the ATM and let him know what they saw. Noe left Preston in the truck and went to talk to them. They told Noe of the near riot. Noe told them to go to Belinda's and see what happened there. "Just stay in the crowd. One of you pay me a visit tonight. Let me know what comes off."
Noe reported all that had transpired to Preston. Preston stroked his chin. "You bring that fellow by my house as soon as he gets to your place. You tell him we got a job for him."

It was ad hoc to begin with, but the outlines of an organization was formed on the walk back to Belinda's house. This group was not about to leave anything to chance. They would be the protectors of Rodolfo. Some started to talk about who would be in charge and if there should be rank, but that was shouted down by the group. When Randy Walker suggested the notion of the universal rank of Private General, it was acclaimed with a loud cheer. The discussion shifted to what they should call themselves. Someone yelled out "Loyal Order for the Protection of Rodolfo"and it was likewise acclaimed without further discussion. They all knew the purpose of the group. No harm to Rodolfo, period. They settled in for the duration. Someone pulled out paper and pencil and they had a list of who would take what shift made up in a jiff. That way they could all take scheduled breaks, without a gap in coverage. They intended to created a 24 hour a day security blanket. They were on a mission.

    Sofia went to Belinda's on her first break from broadcasting. She helped straighten up the house. She had come to ask Belinda to let her interview Rodolfo. By Belinda's mood she knew it was not the time to broach the subject, so she offered to take them all to lunch.
    "Let's go to Arroyo Seco again Mami. I love it up there. Can we go Tia." Rodolfo was beginning to feel the pressure too.
    "Dolfi, let's see how the day goes. Sure we'll go to lunch Sis, but I don't know about Arroyo Seco." Belinda was tiring of all the attention. She'd lived her whole life in quiet anonymity, seen her sister every few months, and now this. She missed her peace and quiet.
    "You just let me know what I can dow for you need Bel. If you need a break I'm here." Sofia meant it. She motioned them all towards the door and said, "Now, let's go eat."

    Castenada and Duvall sat in the police station taking the morning into account. Vic was getting tired of Etienne's moping. He needed some help with this thing, and Etienne just got quieter and more reserved. Not at all like the Etienne he knew. "If I would of known this would turn you into some kind of a philosopher I wouldn't have phoned you Etienne. Wake up man. I could use a side kick, not a kick in the side." Vic was frustrated.
    "I know Vic. But think about it for a minute. I'm not sure you had a choice to call me or not. Maybe it was, .... well, predestined. I've pretty much got it worked out in my own mind Vic. The only thing I have to decide now is when." Etienne went back into his reverie.
    "When what, Etienne. You're just talking riddles all the time and I got enough of those," said Vic exasperated.
    "When I tell the whole story," replied Etienne hesitantly.
    "But I guess you're still figuring how much of the whole story to tell?.... Am I right Etienne." Castenada pressed.
    "Damn I'm glad it's you here. I never could b.s. you. Even when I was fooling myself, I couldn't fool you. I guess I'd sound pretty funny on TV, huh. How should I phrase it ‘Well I'm not really a reporter as I've told people over the years, I'm a spy. Not spying on the U.S. Well yes, spying on the U.S., but for our own government. But I'm not here as a spy. Well I am here as a spy, but not for my regular employer, the CIA. I'm here at the direct request of the president, who doesn't know I work for the CIA. But that's not the real story folks. The real facts are that my cousin's dead grandfather is behind the whole thing.' They'd laugh me into the looney bin. What the hell am I gonna do Vic?" Etienne pleaded.
    "I don't know buddy. I guess all we can do is just stick together. We can't go wrong that way. Let's go give another look see for Aaron Witt." Vic lead the way out the door.

Randy Walters and Dick Barnes were put in nominal charge of the first shift of "The Loyal Order for the Porotection of Rodolfo." Their authority was more like that of an Indian chief. They could give all the orders they wanted, but nobody had to listen unless they wanted to. People came and went, rubber neckers who just wanted to get a look at Rodolfo's house, newsmen who wanted to catch a glimpse of California's "first child," and a few others of unknown origin who could best be described as lurking.

     Aaron Witt was taking something out of the back of his pick-up as Vic and Etienne pulled into Preston Witt's yard. They pulled up beside him and got out. Aaron remained silent so Castenada broke the ice. "You haven't happened to have run into that little red wagon I asked you about the other day, did you Witt?" Castenada knew by Aaron's reaction that he had hit a nerve, a pretty raw nerve. When Aaron didn't respond Vic kept up the questioning. "I thought you might want to know that we stopped looking for it since it got blown to bits at the ATM the other night. Damn near killed Belinda Robles' little boy. You wouldn't know anything about that would you Mr. Witt?" Castenada stopped talking and stared at Aaron.
    "I'd like to help you chief, but I never saw any red wagon so I don't know what I can do for you." Aaron was blushing and couldn't help it. He was steaming at his father. He should just turn him in. His own father had almost killed Sofia's nephew. But something held him back, family loyalty or cowardice. He winced, but didn't utter a word.
    "You know it's a funny thing Witt, I saw you at Belinda's house just about the time the wagon went missing. Then somebody loads up that same wagon with explosives and tries to blow up the new ATM, and you're nowhere to be found for a couple of days." Vic could see the beads of sweat start to form on Witt's forehead.
    "I told why I went by that night Chief, and I had nothing to do with stealing the wagon. I'm not a mad bomber either, and the last thing I would ever do would be to hurt Belinda's kid. You're barking up the wrong tree." Aaron thought he should just shut up now. But he was thinking about his father. That bastard.
    "Well, I heard the fruit don't fall far from the tree. How's your Dad taking all the changes that been occurring lately? I'd guess that he'd be pretty upset over the new situation in town." Vic thought he knew what he needed now.
    "I haven't seen him in a couple of days. So if you got any thing to say to him I suggest you find him and say it to him." Aaron could hardly keep his voice from breaking under the strain.
    "Maybe I'll do just that Mr. Witt." Vic and Etienne got back in Vic's car and left Aaron to stew things over by himself.

    Preston Witt was surprised to see Aaron waiting for him when he got back from town. He couldn't remember Aaron ever waiting around for anyone. "So what the hell's eatin you?" Preston asked.
    "It was you who tried to blow up that machine wasn't it Dad?" Aaron pressed.
    "What if it was?" replied Preston. "It's destroying everything I've worked my whole life for. If you think I'm gonna stand still for that, you don't know me very well. It's your ranch too, or have you forgotten where your bread gets buttered, you ungrateful little snot."
    "Well you damn near killed Belinda's kid is what. I saw you and Noe taking Belinda's red wagon. You could go to jail Dad. Hell, you should go to jail." Aaron wanted to hate his father, but he found it difficult. Preston had lived one way his whole life and Aaron knew he couldn't change, even if he wanted to.
    "I ain't goin nowhere if you keep your mouth shut. You and that damned Ernie. Afraid of your own damned shadows." Preston paused to watch Aaron's reaction.
    "I'm not scared Dad. I'm ashamed of your sorry ass. And mine too for putting up with you for so long."   Aaron turned on his heal, jumped in his truck and pealed out.

    Aaron popped open a beer as he headed for the ATM machine, but on second thought threw it out the window. He was on his way to talk to Sofia. He had no idea what he was going to say, but he was going to say something. Somehow he had to let her know how much he still cared for her, and that he was going to change, and he didn't want to be drunk when he said it.
   He cruised down the El Camino trying to compose himself. He had to be careful not to say anything about his father. As he passed Apple Avenue he could see up ahead that the crowd at the ATM was small compared to the last time he had seen it. He pulled up to the stop sign at Walnut and saw her. She saw him too. He knew she did. He drove past Walnut about a half a block and parked on the El Camino. He walked by the vendors and stood watching the ATM as a steady stream of people got their money. He saw Sofia was on the air so he decided to get in line himself. He only had to wait about three minutes and he was a hundred dollars richer. He saw Sofia sign off and walked right over to her.
    "So what's up with the oldest frat boy in America?" Sofia wasn't about to cut him any slack.
    "Look Sofia, I just want to talk to you. I'm not loaded, so just give me a minute all right. I heard about Rodolfo. I just wanted to let you know I hope he's O.K. and tell you, if there is anything I could do, just let me know. I'd like to sit down and talk to you some time, I miss you Sofia. You and I meant a lot to each other at one time. I care what happens to you and your family." Aaron choked up and stopped.
    Sofia was ready for just about anything but this. She looked at Aaron. The first time she had looked at him in years. "Thank you Aaron. Rodolfo's O.K, and me too." Sofia paused and then asked "Are you O.K.?" because surprisingly, she really wanted to know.
    "You know Sofia, I think I am. I'm staying up at the cabin until I can move into my own place. I quit working for my Dad. That's one of the things you were right about. I got a ways to go, but I'm going to be a person," Aaron stated firmly.
    "I'm glad for you Aaron. I hope you follow through. I don't know if I'm ready for a heart to heart talk right now Aaron. Things are pretty hectic here. But I'm glad you stopped today. You take care of yourself." Sofia was giving Aaron her programmed sign off, but she wasn't sure she wanted to. She did sense that something had changed in Aaron, but then again everything had changed.
    "I'll let you go Sof. This thing is pretty wild. And you are going to get what you wanted in your career. I'm real glad for you." Aaron had grown more composed.
    "Thanks Aaron," she replied, and almost involuntarily Sofia gave him a big hug.

    Vic and Etienne went over to Belinda's in the early evening. Everybody's nerves were frayed and getting more so. The emotional roller coaster of the last few days continued to take its toll. They knew that Belinda was getting angry at everyone and they were going to try to cheer her up.
    Sofia answered the door. She was glad to see them. She wanted someone to back her up when she tried to persuade Belinda to let her interview Rodolfo. "Come on in guys. What's the mood out there?"
    "Pretty quiet. The beast has been fed and now it's sleeping." Castenada did his best at a joke.
    "Not so much a beast as a blob. A beast has a mind, that crowd just has an appetite. Feed me. Feed me." Etienne got them chuckling.
    Then Sofia struck her sexiest pose. "Nothing comes between me and my ATM. Nothing." And they were all laughing out loud.
    "Who's ready for a beer?" Belinda asked.
    Rodolfo raised his hand and Sofia hit him with a pillow, and they all laughed again.
    Sofia thought she saw her opening. "Belinda, I wanted to ask you something. After what happened this morning, maybe it's time Rodolfo make an appearance on television. Everyone obviously knows who he is. Maybe we should get your side of the story out."
    "Who the hell is we Sofia? You want him on your show. So you can promote your damn career." Belinda was yelling.
    "I don't think she's saying that Belinda." Etienne tried to defend Sofia.
    "You stay out of this you puppy dog in love. I know my own damn sister. She'd walk over all of us to get a leg up in her damn career," yelled Belinda as she paced the room.
    Sofia and Belinda were both seething and Rodolfo was standing with his mouth wide open. Vic tried to mediate. "Belinda, let's just all calm down and think about this."
    Belinda responded by walking firmly to the door and throwing it open. "Get out. All of you. Just get the hell out. I retire from this whole damn circus." Belinda waited until they all left and slammed the door behind them.