Murder With A Splash Of Rum: A Puerto Rican Thriller Read online

  He was in love with Esteban Arroyo.

  He wasn’t afraid anymore. He loved Esteban, and somewhere around Rio Grande decided that further, he didn’t care who knew it. By the time he reached the kiosks, he knew that it was time to come out to his parents. It was time to free himself from fear. If necessary, he would tell his co-workers. His heart suddenly was light, happy, and carefree. It was as if he had awaken from a bad dream that had lasted many years. It was like being born anew. Whatever happened, going back into hiding was now more frightening to him than losing Esteban. He would survive, whatever happened, but he would survive with Esteban at his side.

  He wouldn’t tell Phillip immediately. For now, he just wanted to get the obligatory viewing of the new beach house over with and then, as diplomatically as possible, make his excuses and leave.

  As he approached the kiosks, he passed the main parking area at the entrance and saw that it was already closed. He assumed that he and Phillip would park on the pavement in front of Ely’s Place for a drink, and then go in one car to the new beach house. As he proceeded down the strip towards Ely’s, Phillip’s white Nissan whirled past him and signaled for Fernando to take the dirt road behind the kiosks which ran parallel. It was odd that Phillip wanted to park in the rear. Not only was the sandy unpaved road rough on vehicles, but it would be more difficult to enter Ely’s, which usually had the rear entrance closed and locked.

  Nevertheless, he followed Phillip down the pitted dirt road. Phillip pulled over just before Ely’s at Kiosk 30.

  “Why are we parking here?” Fernando mumbled to himself. “He must not know which kiosk it is.” Fernando pulled past Phillip and beeped his horn to follow. They continued until Fernando reached the pastel iron gate at the rear of Ely’s Place.

  “First one is on me, what are you having?” Fernando cheerfully inquired as Philip exited his car.

  Phillip stared back at Fernando without smiling. “Before we go to the bar I want to go for a walk. Down that way.” Phillip pointed towards the direction from where they had just come. “Remember that spot?” Phillip winked, without smiling, hinting at the secluded area far down the beach where they had had sex only a few weeks ago. It seemed like a distant memory.

  “Oh, Phillip. I don’t want to walk that far. How about if we just stick around here. I want to see your new beach house!” He knew he had to tread carefully and not hurt Phillip’s feelings, but he would not let Phillip corner him into another tryst.

  “Let’s just have a few drinks here,” Fernando suggested.

  Phillip was losing his patience. “I don’t feel like looking at a bunch of losers in a bar,” responded Phillip. “You have cocktails in your cooler, let’s have one on the beach. C’mon.” Phillip marched towards Fernando’s trunk and waited. He wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer.

  Fernando opened his trunk, and put a bottle of vodka, cranberry, ice, and Medallas in a plastic bag. He handed Phillip a plastic cup and closed the trunk with a ‘thud’. Phillip was starting to irritate him. Fernando just wanted the night to come to an end. He wanted to go home and think about what to say to Esteban. Esteban had never owned a cell phone, and Fernando didn’t know how to contact him at work. They obviously had some things to work out. From inside the car, Coco barked excitedly, hoping that his day at the beach was continuing.

  “Leave the dog,” Phillip demanded. It looked like Coco would have to remain in the car. Phillip’s tone was stiff. Fernando considered that the beach house might be located nearby. It could be the reason Phillip had parked behind the kiosks. He tried to visualize the location. The closest houses he knew of were more than a mile away. Perhaps there was a vista Phillip wanted to show him, a view of the beach home from the lagoon. It was getting too late to make out houses on the far shore clearly. He would have to play along, Phillip was obviously very pleased with the gift from his father.

  The two strolled down the dirt road, towards the entrance past where Phillip had pulled over for the first time. Phillip led the way, guiding them to the beach and away from the dirt road and kiosks. As the last rays of evening dwindled, glimmers from the falling sun bounced their final moments across the mirror-like lagoon. Palm trees and sand dunes were becoming dark inseparable mounds. In an instant, the sun fell behind the western horizon. The pale sand along the beach darkened to an eerie half-glow. The only light showing Fernando his way forward was starshine and moonlight. As his eyes adjusted Fernando could start to discern shapes and shadows. This was the ‘in between’ time, where daylight was tomorrow’s dream and darkness had not yet carpeted the sand.

  Phillip chose a spot, a neat cove between the roots of a banyan tree. He seated himself on top of a tall root and waved for Fernando to join. Fernando opened a can of Medalla and mixed Phillip a cocktail.

  As they took turns sipping, Phillip took out a white handkerchief and wrapped it around the cup in his hand to absorb the condensation.

  He turned to Fernando and stared intently. Even under the night sky cloaked and cloaked by the branches of the banyan tree, Fernando could see into the grey stillness of Phillip’s pupils.

  His eyes were no longer icy blue. Under the dim moonlight, Phillip’s eyes were the greyest shade of black.

  ‹32›

  Alexandra Vargas Pounded heavily on Edificio Hoyt number three. “Phillip Winthrop. Police. Open immediately.” Alexandra pounded for several more minutes, recalling how deceptive Phillip had been during their last encounter. The elderly gentleman in apartment number four, who had just let her in downstairs didn’t know where Phillip Winthrop had gone. He hadn’t seen Winthrop for a couple of days.

  She finally gave up. She wouldn’t a leave a note. She needed the element of surprise. She retrieved her cell phone, and after glancing through her notebook dialed a number.

  Commissioner Padilla’s secretary finally answered the telephone after several minutes of negotiations with the desk sergeant, a Lieutenant, and then a department administrator.

  “I need to speak with Commissioner Padilla immediately,” Alexandra demanded when the secretary finally answered.

  “I’m afraid he isn’t in at the moment. I don’t expect him in today.”

  According to his calendar, Commissioner Padilla ostensibly was meeting with the Governor’s Commission at Fortaleza. However, he was in fact in a motel just outside of Loiza with another hooker he’d busted earlier in the morning. His secretary had been instructed to hold all calls until Monday. It was the holidays, after all.

  Alexandra was on her own. Only the Commissioner could order an APB and put boots on the street to locate Winthrop. Her position as lead investigator was unofficial. She still only held the rank of detective. She flipped through her notebook again and dialed another number. This time she met with success.

  “Mrs. Miranda. This is Officer Alexandra Vargas. I need to speak with Fernando. Now.”

  “I’m afraid he isn’t home. He should be back by now,” replied Titi. Titi had spent the last two days in a state of sheer terror. The thought of her son being mixed up in something illegal had torn a hole in her heart, and she had become physically ill with worry. “Why do you need him?” Titi sternly inquired. She was beyond worried, and this call from the police was her worst nightmare.

  “Do you know where he is? It is imperative I speak with him. I am trying to locate his friend Phillip Winthrop. Please, call around and try to find him. That’s all I can tell you right now, but Fernando needs to speak with me immediately.”

  Titi had been nearly hysterical for the last two days, but this call was dangerously close to making her vomit. Her shaking hands could barely hold the telephone, but the strength of a mother’s love for her child is the strongest of all loves. She steeled her nerves and forced herself to take deep breaths. She spoke. “He goes to La Placita on Fridays. He usually comes home to shower and change first after work, but he didn’t work today and didn’t come home. That may be where he is. I’ll call Danny.”

  “No, I’m
going there now. Make some other calls to anyone who might have an idea where he is. I’ll call you back if I find out something.” She hung up and raced to her car.

  Titi collapsed in a chair. Without stopping to cry or think, she pulled up her contact list. She began dialing numbers. She started with Lydia. If anyone knew the location of gay spots where she might find Fernando, it would be Lydia. Lydia answered on the first ring.

  “Titi, don’t worry about today’s delivery. Fernando can stop by tomorrow, I still have plenty of alcapurrias from last week.”

  “Lydia, stop. Fernando is in trouble. Do you know where he could be? Do you have any idea? He didn’t work today, so I have no idea where he goes on his day off. There is a murderer on the loose and I think he may be in danger. I need to find him now!”

  Lydia was silent, stunned. She finally spoke. “Titi, they came by here asking questions. Let me think.” Lydia was nearly as stricken as Titi, but her life on the tough streets of New York had given her extraordinary resilience and strength.

  “Pato Beach! That is where he would be all day. Then La Placita. He lives on Pato Beach on weekends, and then goes to Lila’s. You remember where Danny Prieto works? I’m closing the store and coming over to help, just give me…”

  Titi broke in. “We don’t have time. Where is Pato Beach?”

  Lydia explained the location and then offered again to join in the search.

  “No Lydia. He may come by your bar. I’m hoping and praying that he is safe and is just driving around. He always drops the alcapurrias off on Friday and it’s still early. He promised me he would never be late again with deliveries, so if he is okay he will be there before long. He doesn’t have his cell phone because of that stupid broken window. Call me immediately if you see him. That’s the best thing you can do. I have to go now and try some other people. Why don’t you call around, too. Anyone who might know anything about where he is. I’m going to call the police officer back and let her know about Pato Beach. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”

  Titi couldn’t afford to be in shock. She couldn’t afford to be afraid. She would find her son and no force in the universe would stand in her way. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Alexandra to ask her to check out Pato Beach. The line was busy so she rang Danny.

  A few minutes later Alexandra was hanging up on her telephone call and looking for the next number to dial. Like Titi, she was dialing every number possible to try to locate either Fernando or Phillip. She had contacted every witness she had ever interviewed. If Danny Prieto was a dead end, she would locate the warehouse owner’s telephone number and begin dialing employees in search of Fernando. Fernando Amado was the only person Phillip Winthrop had ever shown any interest in. If Fernando couldn’t help her locate Phillip, at least she could advise him to avoid Phillip Winthrop at all costs. If there was any hope of locating Winthrop, Fernando held the key.

  As she pulled up to Patio de Lila, Danny rushed out to meet her. “Titi called. She said that Lydia thinks he may be at Pato Beach. He goes there on weekends. Do you know that beach? Front of Oceano, near La Concha?”

  Alexandra felt a moment of relief. She might still be able to locate Fernando Amado. “I’m familiar with it. Call me if you see Fernando. Still have my number?”

  Danny nodded and waved her away. “Go, find him.”

  As the Detective turned and began to rush out of the doorway, a figure collided with her, nearly knocking her to ground.

  Esteban Arroyo grabbed her arm to steady her. “Detective, I’m so sorry.”

  “No problem.” She steadied herself, and recognized him. “Mr. Arroyo, have you seen Fernando Amado or Phillip Winthrop? She waved him to walk with her towards her car. Since Esteban didn’t own a cell phone, and because the marina was closed for the holiday, she hadn’t been able to contact him.

  “Not yet, he is supposed to meet me here later tonight. I’m early, though, I want to talk to Danny for a little bit,” replied Esteban. “I would have no idea about Phillip Winthrop. The less I have to do with him the better.”

  Esteban was on vacation, and spending the entire evening at La Placita was his holiday treat to himself. He was dressed in a light straw-colored fedora, guayabera shirt and black pants. He was ready to salsa. He smiled at Alexandra, he had finally arranged to spend an evening with Fernando. He had been in love with Fernando since the first night they met. His dreams were finally coming true.

  “Do you have any idea where he is. It is very, very important.” The Detective’s tone was firm.

  “No, what is the matter. Is he in trouble? What is going on?” Esteban was immediately alarmed. He grabbed her arm to stop her. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to touch you, but what is going on. Please!”

  Alexandra paused. “The person I asked you about, Phillip Winthrop. That is not his real name. His real name is Corey O’Shaughnessy, and he should be avoided. If you see him, contact me immediately but do not attempt to apprehend him or engage him or follow him. Also, it is imperative that I find Fernando Amado. He also needs to be warned. Mr. Amado is supposed to meet you here, correct?”

  Esteban nodded affirmatively. His smile had disappeared. His face had turned ashen white.

  “Please wait here with Danny. He may show up. If he does, please ask him to stay here until you have contacted me.”

  Esteban grabbed her arm again. “I want to help. What can I do?” he pleaded.

  “I’m going to a place called Pato Beach to see if he is there. Call me if Fernando shows up here.”

  “No, I’m going with you. I will follow. Danny!” he shouted. “If Fernando shows up call the police woman, yes?” Danny nodded, and Esteban raced to his truck.

  Alexandra didn’t have time to argue with Esteban Arroyo. She shook her head with frustration and bounced into her police cruiser.

  Within minutes the police cruiser and Esteban’s beat up red truck had arrived at the end of Vendig Street. Esteban had nearly sideswiped several cars and almost hit a pedestrian on the way over. If there weren’t more pressing matters Alexandra would have stopped him and taken his keys.

  The two descended the stairs to the beach towards a small group of individuals who were boisterously enjoying the last few rays of sunlight.

  “Gentlemen. Ladies.” Alexandra nodded, taking a second glance at Brenda. By this time Brenda’s five o’clock shadow had started to betray her cis gender. “I am looking for someone named Fernando Amado. Can any of you help me?” The rowdy crowd had grown quieter when she had approached. By now they were dead silent.

  Esteban approached them from behind. “He is in trouble. Please!”

  Esteban’s appeal produced immediate results. The three drag queens started babbling all at once. “He was here earlier. He was sitting over there.”

  “No, he was here,” Ariel offered, pointing to a different spot in the sand.

  “No, here!” argued Miquel pointing to another spot in the sand.

  Brenda, the only one of the three with a spot of common sense, whirled around at Ariel and Miquel. “It doesn’t fucking matter where he was sitting. Quiet!”

  “He left with that ex of his,” Brenda responded. “About thirty or forty minutes ago.

  “That’s not his ex, is it? I thought they were still together,” challenged Miquel.

  “No, he likes this one!” Ariel offered, pointing at Esteban.

  Brenda raised her hand indicating silence. “Enough!”

  Esteban approached Brenda. “Where did he say he was going?”

  “Luquillo. Phillip, I think that’s his name, has a new house there he was bragging about. He wanted to show Fernando, but Fernando is supposed to be meeting you at La Placita later so they argued about whether he had time to get out there or not. Personally, I don’t think Fernando wanted to go but Phillip was really pushing him. You know how Fernando is, he never says ‘no’, people are always pushing him around. Like I said, they were going to Luquillo.”

  Alexandra interjected. “Ar
e you positive they said Luquillo? Could they have decided on someplace else, or did they mention anything else?” Alexandra wanted to be sure of her destination before leaving San Juan. If Fernando was in Phillip Winthrop’s company, his life was in immediate danger. There would be no second chance.

  “No, Phillip pretty much insisted on Luquillo. I think Fernando wanted to drop his dog off at the house, but Phillip was very insistent. They went in separate cars, that I know. I heard Fernando tell Phillip to just follow him.”

  “Here is my card. If he calls you or you see him, have him call me. Immediately.” Alexandra pressed a card into the grasp of the closest hand, Ariel’s. Brenda seized the card and shook her head. “We will call. I’m programming it into my contacts now.”

  Ariel whined, “but she gave the card to me!”

  As the three drag queens began another round of arguing about who should keep the card, Alexandra thanked them and headed back towards her car.

  Esteban followed behind. “What now,” he demanded.

  “Nothing for you. This is a police matter. You can stand down.”

  “I’m not standing anywhere,” Esteban shot back. “I am going to Luquillo.”

  Alexandra shook her head. “I don’t have time for this. You almost killed a pedestrian on the way over here”

  “Then let me ride with you. I’m going!” Esteban shouted.

  Alexandra didn’t have time to argue. Short of arresting Esteban, which she didn’t have time to do, she couldn’t prevent him from racing to Luquillo and endangering himself and other drivers. She still needed make telephone calls and contact as many people as possible in case Luquillo was a dead end. It might help to have another person dialing numbers while she was driving. It was a serious breach of protocol, but she was the only officer who could identify both Fernando and Phillip, and minutes could make the difference in possibly saving Fernando’s life. And there were no other officers for her to call upon. Manual Quiñones worked all night on the stake out of Edificio Hoyt and was at home asleep. Pablo Desoto had left yesterday to spend Christmas in New York. The entire island would be drunk from coquitos until January. She was on her own.