Page 76 of Embedded
“He’s gone,” the man whispered in Spanish, “but they are everywhere. You should go back to the house.”
He was right. I had gotten out my message and said what I needed to, and the rest could wait. I realized I hadn’t ended the call and wondered how long it had continued to record. I quickly deleted the number, and the text Bruno sent about Chili. I stood and felt lightheaded. The man studied my face then seemed to make a decision.
“There are no cameras inside the barn, and they cannot see you if you head southeast toward the forest.”
“How do you know that?” If he worked with the avocado trees, he wouldn’t necessarily work with the animals.
“My wife, Camila, she cleans the security room. If you ever get a chance to leave, don’t hesitate, run.”
His kind smile showed some of his own pain. I could only imagine what he’d lived through in his own captivity on Perez land.
“Here.” I held out the phone.
He refused it. “No use for me. Drop it somewhere you can get the owner in trouble.” He winked, and I liked the way he thought.
“Thank you.” I squeezed his arm.
“No, thank you, Ms. Winter.”
“You know who I am?” I figured he wouldn’t have access to a TV in this place.
He nodded then patted his heart. “You bring hope, and hope is all we have.”
“I won’t forget that,” I promised. It continually amazed me that so many knew my face, but the power of technology was a double-edged sword.
I turned off the phone and was about to put it back in the bag but changed my mind and tucked it into my bra. I knew it was the only place the soldiers wouldn’t spot it right away and made my way down the hillside. I could see the entourage of vehicles driving up toward the house and wondered what shitstorm I was about to be greeted with once I got back.
“Why are you here?” Someone’s voice made me whirl around. I had almost made it to the house and hoped I could slip back inside without anyone the wiser. The voice belonged to a rather handsome man in a dark blue jacket. He held some papers and looked very surprised to see me. A cigarette dangled from behind his cauliflower-shaped ear. He looked to be a mix of Hispanic and Caucasian, but given his accent, I’d guess he’d spent time in the US. A bag hung from his arm, and I recognized the same logo as the one from before, a half a lemon sitting in a grocery cart. Interesting.
“Why are you?” I shot back. I didn’t need some new person to figure out. I could feel the phone that burned its existence against my chest.
He swung his arm up so fast I didn’t have time to react, and he stuck his phone in my face. He tapped the screen. “This is too good not to get on camera.”
“My eyes were probably closed.” I snickered. “Let me give you another try.” I held up my middle finger then turned my back to him and continued on my way. Never would I act so rude in front of a camera—or anyone, really—but I was at my max with this place and my job. Giving a shit about my professional persona was long gone. If I didn’t act strong, I’d be swallowed whole.
“Be ready, Ms. Winter, because she wants you dead,” he called, and I knew then exactly who he referred to. Esmeralda. I dropped the bag with the peelings in it in the trash by the door and slipped inside.
I heard voices at the front of the house and could tell Bruno was panicked about something. I headed for his office but smacked right into Armondo, causing him to drop the handful of things he carried. Stuff went flying, and so did Archie’s phone. Shit! I scrambled around like I was trying to help and saw two phones that looked identical. Damn. One had to be Armondo’s. I took a guess and swatted at one of them and sent it through Bruno’s open office door. I saw it slide under the desk and breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived because I was hauled to my feet in Armondo’s nasty grip.
“Ow! I didn’t see you. Let go!” I screamed, and seconds later, Bruno was in his face.
He shoved Armondo back with a puzzled look and then glared at me. “Where were you?” He made a show of looking at my shoes.
“I went for a walk.”
“Where?”
“To see the avocado orchard.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” I made a show of rubbing my arm like it hurt. “What else am I supposed to do with my time?”
“Where’s Archie?”
I stepped back. “The last I saw of him, he was in my room making a pass at me.” His jaw flexed. “Don’t believe me, check the tapes.”
“Armondo, check them,” he ordered. “Did he hurt you?”
