The Fountains of Silence(39)

“Doesn’t matter. There were other problems.” Daniel seizes the opportunity. “And what about you? Your dad said you’re sweet on Ana. Are you guys an item?”

“Nah. I don’t like to be tied down. Diplomats move around every couple years. Why get attached when I’ll just have to leave? Besides, she’s not exactly an accepted girl on the Social Register.”

“So you and Ana never dated?”

Nick sets down his glass. “Why are you so curious about Ana?”

“No reason. She’s assigned to help my family here at the hotel. She seems interesting.”

Nick stares into his emptied glass. A smile suddenly curls at the corners of his mouth. “She is interesting. Actually, Ana lives in a very unique part of Madrid. It’s a great place to take pictures. You should stop by her house.”

“Really? Wouldn’t that be an imposition?”

“Nah, she’d love it. She can’t really socialize at work. There’s always someone looking over her shoulder, you know?”

Daniel thinks back to his exchange with Ana. Maybe Nick is right. She said the hotel keeps her busy. She can’t enter his room without an assigned task.

“Do you have a pen?” asks Nick. “I’ll give you directions.”

Nick scratches information on a cocktail napkin and tosses the pen on the table. “I’m thirsty. You thirsty?”

Daniel looks at the cocktail napkin. “Nah, I think I’ll turn in soon.”

Nick nods and disappears into the crowd. Daniel spends another fifteen minutes snapping photos and declining invitations to dance. He’s making his way to the door when Ben grabs him.

“Dan, hurry. It’s Nick.” Ben pulls Daniel through a back door into an alley behind the hotel. Nick writhes on the cobbled ground while two men hover above kicking and punching.

“Hey!” yells Ben, approaching. “Knock it off.”

“Not your business, culón. Go back inside.”

The assailant, charged with adrenaline, shoves Ben while the other continues to punch Nick. His fist makes an awful cracking noise across Nick’s jaw.

“Oh Christ,” says Ben, stumbling, “they’re gonna kill the kid. I said, knock it off!”

Nick has clearly surrendered, overpowered by the two men. Daniel hands Ben his camera. “Come on. That’s enough,” he says, advancing between them. He pulls the man off Nick. As soon as he does, they both turn their attention to Daniel.

“Look, I have no problem with you,” says Daniel. “You should leave.”

One man nods to the other. “Nenaza.”

The word creates a strange pulse at the base of Daniel’s throat. He doesn’t want trouble with his father. He doesn’t want trouble with the guards. But, no, he’s no sissy. Daniel’s feet move into stance.

The men lunge toward him, fists swinging. His coach’s voice is in his ear.

Hands up. Elbows low. Move your head.

Left-hand jab to the face, right-hand punch to the body. Dodge. Breathe out when you punch. They’re brawlers, not boxers.

Broken nose. First man down. Keep your feet moving. Always look at your target. Pivot. Stay alert but stay calm.

Throw the hard punch when you’re sure you can land it.

He lands it.



* * *





Ben grumbles from the back seat of the taxi. “Jiminy Christmas, Nicky. What did you get yourself into this time? What a pounding. And the night was just getting started. It’s barely three a.m.” Ben lights a cigarette. “Hey, Dan. Dan! You okay up there?”

Daniel turns around from the front seat. His face is streaked with sweat. “I’m fine, but will they call the police?”

“Don’t worry, the hotel knows to call Shep with Americans, not the police,” says Ben.

“Really, they can’t call the police,” stresses Daniel.

“You got a rap sheet, cowboy? Relax, they won’t call the cops,” says Ben.

Nick groans. He’s slumped next to Ben in a heap of bloody towels. His face is battered and swelling. Daniel raises his camera and looks through the viewfinder.

Ben nods. “It’s a good shot. He won’t mind. Not after what you did, Matheson.”

Daniel snaps a picture as they speed to the hospital.





42



Ana turns and looks over her shoulder. Her wavy, dark curls swing gently, taking flight. The crystal flowers on her pink gown create shards of colored light, as if glowing through a prism. They glisten upon her bare back. Daniel snaps a picture.

“Dan. Wake up, fella.”

Daniel opens his eyes. Shep Van Dorn stands in front of him. Crisp blue suit, red tie, shoes with high shine. Daniel rubs his eyes.

“Where’s Ben?”

“He left. You were sound asleep,” says Shep.

“Is Nick okay?”

“He’ll recover.” Shep sits down. “Dan, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you did. The doctors said one more blow and the damage could have been permanent or fatal. Ben said you fought hard to defend Nick.”

“Why did they go after him?”

Shep lowers his voice. “Nick’s had a rough couple of years. It’s difficult being a diplomat’s kid, hard to make true friends when you’re moving so often. But sometimes Nick’s his own worst enemy. He recently fell into some gambling debt. Of course I never imagined it would come to this and that you’d be dragged into it.”