The Fountains of Silence(77)

“Just say it. You’re falling for him. I saw it from a million miles away, Ana. And he likes you too. Why do you think I sent him to Vallecas?”

Ana looks to the door, making certain she’s alone. “He’s a guest at the hotel, Nick. I can’t lose my job. I’m trying to work my way up. You know that!” she whispers. “Your father claims I led him to believe we had an arrangement, but it’s not true.”

“Of course it’s not true. This is his notch-in-the-belt game. He’s such a child.”

“He’s not a child. He’s a powerful man who could hurt my family. I love my job and we can’t survive without the income. Please, we have to be careful.”

“And what—hope Shep finds someone else to toy with?”

“I won’t mention your father. I just want to tell Daniel that I used to work for your family. That you’re like a brother to me and you saved me from bad circumstances and got me the job at the Hilton. That’s all I’ll tell him.”

Ana hears a deep inhale and exhale through the receiver. “All right. Fine. But I kinda did like Matheson thinking that I was competition.” Nick laughs.

“Well, now he’ll know the truth. That you’re a knight in shining armor.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Are you doing something special for your birthday?”

“Mom’s in New York and Shep forgot. Big surprise, right? I threw a celebratory lunch for myself.”

Ana stares at the receiver of the phone. “Happy birthday, Nick. You’re a true friend.”

“I’m only trying to help. I know your family hates me.”

“They don’t hate you. They’re frightened of what your father could do to us.”

“They’re not the only ones,” says Nick.





99



Daniel steps through the brick-walled archway of the Sorolla Museum. The entry strikes him as an exit, a quiet pause from the bustling outside world. The artist’s villa is margined by a courtyard garden that’s expansive yet intimate. Daniel hesitates to take a photo, as if Sorolla himself puts a finger to his lips for breath and reflection.

He walks quietly around the courtyard. Birds twitter and chirp amidst the ferns and climbing twists of purple wisteria. Pathways of clay tile rowed by box hedges lead to trickling fountains, pergolas, and ponds with hand-painted ceramic tilings. The imagery on each tile tells a story. They could give texture to his photo essay. He takes a picture.

The fountain stands in front of a semicircular room of glass projecting out from the rest of the building. It depicts two figures in long robes. One leans toward the other, as if whispering secrets while the trickling water masks the sound.

A wooden bench, crisped from years of Spanish sun, is tucked into a nearby corner behind a thick banana palm. Hidden from view, Daniel can’t see who is entering the courtyard. So instead of sitting, he stands beside the palm.

Why is Ana in the Van Dorns’ family photos? Is it a game that Nick and Ana are playing with him? Whatever it is, he’s fed up with it.

Ana appears in the courtyard and hurries toward the bench.

“Hola, se?or. I only have a few minutes.”

“Hola.” Daniel moves to sit next to her but she stops him.

“Would you mind standing to keep watch?” she whispers. “My hotel uniform is very recognizable.”

Daniel gives a frustrated exhale.

She raises a hand to stop him. “Please, let me explain. The day I took you to the camera shop, the first day we really spoke, I told you that I used to work for a family in Madrid. The family I worked for was the Van Dorns. They treated me very well, made me feel like I was truly part of their family. I have never dated Nick, nor am I attracted to him. He’s like my brother.”

Like a brother. Daniel attempts to conceal his happiness. “So why the secrecy? Why didn’t either of you just tell me that?”

Ana’s hands bunch, grasping the skirt of her uniform as if it’s a railing and she’s about to fall.

“Because something happened,” says Ana. She looks up from her lap and squarely at Daniel, honesty tumbling forth.

“Someone accused me of something I didn’t do. They threatened me. I had to make changes. Nick offered to help and promised to keep it a secret. He got me the job at the Hilton, where I can work my way up to a better position. I was grateful to you for defending Nick in the fight because he saved me. He gets himself in trouble, but he’s not a bad person. And you, you are a wonderful person. You’re kind and fun and talented. You’ve been very respectful to me, se?or, and you deserve the same.”

Daniel looks at Ana, processing what’s most important to him. She isn’t dating Nick. She’s in trouble. A charge flows to his fists. Who is threatening her?

“Is anyone nearby?” asks Ana.

Daniel peeks around the palms. He shakes his head.

“The dance last night . . .” Ana lowers her voice. “It was special, dancing with you. I just wanted to tell you, well, in case you were wondering.”

He smiles. What he’s wondering is when he can kiss her.

“But the missing photos—I’m frightened,” says Ana. “Who was in your room and why did they take them?”

He’s concerned too but doesn’t want to worry her. “I don’t know. I hope it was Ben. When someone steals a photo, there’s a reason. That’s good news for my contest entry but bad news for hotel security.”