Mystery by the Sea Read Online Free PDF Page A

innocent.”
    “Oh, you’re not sure?” questioned
Edgar with surprise.
    This was precisely the question
running through Lorenzo’s head, like a hamster running on a wheel. He knew that
in the very back of his mind he was wondering the same thing, but he had not
wanted to go there yet. The fact that Doris hid being fired, along with her
other lies, did not exactly fill him with confidence that there was another
reasonable explanation.
    “Yes, of course,” he replied, skirting
the issue.
    For a few seconds Edgar’s gaze froze
on a man walking toward them. He was still a considerable distance away,
approaching them from the opposite side of where everyone usually climbed up to
the area. He was a tall man, dressed in black denim, a light blue shirt, and
dark sunglasses. 
    “I think we’d better take off,” suggested
Edgar, taking a few steps back.
    “What’s going on? Do you know him?”
asked Lorenzo, trying to distinguish the man in the distance.
    “They shouldn’t see me with you.
It’s not safe. Let’s go,” replied Edgar, picking up his pace.  As Lorenzo
followed him, Edgar took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and gave
it to Lorenzo.  
    “Take it. It’s a list of the people
that were at Pedroza’s house the night of the crime. All of them would benefit
from Doris and Pedroza being taken out of the picture. Alongside each name
you’ll find their contact information. Call me if you need additional
information,” finished Edgar when his walk turned into a jog.
    “Thanks, yeah, but...” Lorenzo
tried to say, but Edgar was already running away.
    “See you later!” said Edgar,
running downhill. He continued his jagged path down the trail until Lorenzo
lost sight of him.
    Lorenzo opened the paper and examined
it briefly. Three names. He was sure he had heard Doris say the names at one
point or another. He may have even met them at one of the office functions he
attended with her.
    He once again fixed his gaze upon
the man approaching him who had caused such a fright in Edgar. Now he could
distinguish him better. He was running and laughing next to a woman with two
little girls. Tourists…without a care in the world, except for making the most
of their limited time.
    Just then, Lorenzo realized that
Doris also had limited time and he did not see how the suspicions of some man
with a persecution complex would help her in that respect. The people on that list
had certainly already been interviewed by the police or soon would be.
Likewise, his attorney would conduct interviews if he deemed it appropriate.
Thinking that it was too good to be true, he crumpled up the paper and stuck it
in his right pants pocket.
    His cellphone rang twice before he
could react and answer it. It was the call he had been waiting for from his
attorney Alexis Mojica. Alexis and Detective Zayas wanted him at court to meet
with the district attorney. Hoping that his doubts would finally be cleared up,
he headed over there, unaware that the very foundation of his life would be
shaken like never before.

Chapter 4
     
    District Attorney Francisco Cruzado’s office was tastefully
decorated and looked very official. Heavy curtains shut out the outside light,
leaving the three table lamps to introduce warmth into the space. It was a
spacious office, with overstuffed furniture upholstered in refined leather. A
dark wine-colored rug imparted the distinguished final touch. Cruzado was
seated behind his wooden desk, adorned with large stacks of documents and
folders that rose up on either side. He was a man nearing 50 years old with
white skin and white hair. With a lot of experience in murder cases unrelated to
drug trafficking, he considered Doris’ case a mere formality. He needed to
quickly get rid of this obligation to move on to the next one.
    Seated in the armchairs facing
Cruzado were Alexis and Detective Zayas. With two knocks on the door, Lorenzo
made his entrance, greeting each person in the room with a handshake.