The Forbidden Promise (42 page)

Meanwhile in Zacatecas
Penelope had completely failed to convince Santos to help her. She had then
decided to disappear during the night to seek refuge elsewhere. She could not
allow them to lock her up in jail!
She cautiously fled from the house and reached the main road. In an instant,
the two henchmen who were patiently waiting saw her in the moonlight and began
to pursue her.
One of them opened fire with his revolver, but the bullet narrowly missed
Penelope. Terrified, Penelope who was now convinced that the two henchmen would
not give up until they saw her dead, managed to take refuge back in the
hacienda
.
She looked for safety among the estate guards, crying. One of them offered to
take her back to the house and she gladly accepted.
There she found Santos who was angry and wanted to know what had happened.
Penelope, trying to control her fear, told him of the attempted murder that she
had just escaped.
"Aunt, you’ve made me weary! You’ve no other choice you understand? Death
or prison! I won’t give you asylum here a minute longer! "
Penelope burst into tears, surrendering.
“All right! I’ll go to the police and tell them everything ...
everything..." She said between sobs, "I’m no longer safe..."
Yolanda, attracted by the shouting, came and saw the two arguing. She heard
that her aunt would finally turn herself in and came to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, but Santos is right, it’s the best solution. Go to the police
and tell them the whole truth about
Doña
Raquel. You may also get a
reduction in your sentence."
Penelope, desperate and finally defeated, hugged Yolanda, crying on her
shoulder.
The next day, at dawn, protected by Pablo and Santos, Penelope managed to leave
the
hacienda
and caught the first train to Tampico.

The day on which the
first hearing for the Navarra y Reyes inheritance was conducted came to an end.
In the city, this was the only topic of conversation,
Doña
Raquel’s
adultery, the probable relationship between the beautiful
Doña
Viviana
and the chief of police, and the fact that the sole heir of Navarra y Reyes was
actually Lucas.
As the particulars passed by word of mouth, the stories were enriched with
details and now everyone  had their own opinion on how things had happened.
Penelope presented herself to Don José as he was putting on his hat to go home
after a long day full of events and emotions.
"I'm Penelope Robles, I’ve come to give myself up," explained
Penelope, staring at him blankly. She was accompanied by Santos Robles, her
nephew.
Don José recovered from his astonishment, sat down at his desk and called the
secretary so that Penelope’s statements could be recorded.
Penelope, apathetic, told him everything in detail, while Don José listened
incredulously. He had spent many years in the police, but he had never heard
such treachery in two women before.
Everything became clear: Don Eduardo’s false will, Don Costantino and Don
Hector’s murder, the staged adultery with the involvement of poor Alma and the
attempted kidnapping of Aurora.
When Penelope ended her confession, Don José called a policeman to lead her
into a cell.
"Will the judge take into account my collaboration?" She asked as the
policeman took her out.
Don José could only look at her in disgust.
"I'm sorry about your aunt," he said to Santos, but Santos just
shrugged.
"I’ve always known what kind of woman she was, my sister has been most
affected by learning of Penelope’s wickedness. She does nothing but torment
herself with remorse for having discovered that it was only due to her words
that Penelope knew that Don Hector was in town and was able to arrange the
murder in which
Doña
Aurora’s poor father died too."
Don José shook his head.
"Your sister was just naïve, tell her not to worry. She was exploited by a
wicked woman who will pay for all the atrocities she has committed."
He dismissed Santos and sent two policemen to
Doña
Raquel home, with
orders to bring her to his office for questioning.
About an hour later,
Doña
Raquel entered the office, dressed in an
elegant black dress and accompanied by her lawyer and the two policemen.
As soon as she found herself in front of Don José, she began to shout, barely
containing her anger.
"Can you explain me all this? Am I the victim of a stupid joke,
perhaps?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Don José, standing up and indicating to
them the two chairs in front of him.
Doña
Raquel, haughty, sat next to her lawyer, who with a voice anything
but calm immediately attacked Don José.
"I hope you know that all this will cost you your position! Tomorrow I’ll
send a telegram to your superiors; it is inconceivable that a lady should be
treated as a petty criminal and questioned at this unseemly hour!"
Don José did not appear intimidated by the lawyer’s words and in turn raised
his voice.
"Mrs. Penelope Robles has given herself up and indicated gross accusations
against you."
He pulled out the typewritten document that contained Penelope’s statements and
handed it to Raquel. Raquel grabbed it, read it quickly and then passed it to
her lawyer " I refuse to believe that I’ve been called upon to defend
myself against accusations of a crazy woman who reads tarot cards at
fairs...I'm curious to know whose words will be considered more credible in a
courtroom," she exclaimed furiously. "And all without a shred of
proof! ... And now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve spent too much time in this
dump."
She stood up and walked towards the door.
"I have already two witnesses who accuse you: Don Gonzalo Sanchez, whom
you remember was spotted leaving from your
hacienda
by my men, and
Penelope Robles!" Said Don José.
"Don’t say anything else! Don José has no evidence against you, and
tomorrow he’ll understand what a dangerous game he’s involved in," said
the lawyer, following Raquel. The two went out without giving Don José the time
to reply. However, they were right, without material evidence, no court of law
in Mexico would condemned the illustrious
Doña
Raquel Navarra y Reyes,
based only on the statements of two swindlers.
Tired and bitter due to the helplessness he felt, José decided to go and see
Viviana before returning home. Viviana’s company would make him forget his
thoughts for a while.
Viviana received him very warmly, happy to see him again so soon. She wore, as
usual, a black dress that enhanced her body still feminine and desirable.
Don José could not help admiring her and, seeing this, she blushed.
"Don’t look at me so, I beg you!"
"Your beauty doesn’t allow me to do otherwise," said Don José kissing
her hand.
When they were seated Don José told Viviana what had happened at the barracks.
" I can’t believe that she’ll escape this time too, she must pay for her
misdeeds," exclaimed Viviana, after hearing the whole story.
"Unfortunately without absolute proof we run the risk that the words of
these two criminals are not enough to indict a woman so highly placed."
Replied Don José.
"Yet there must be something we can do!" Viviana could not resign
herself to seeing Raquel go unpunished. She thought back to that terrible night
when her husband had died and she had noticed that figure cloaked in black
running away from the burning chapel.
If only I'd stop her then! I would
have been able to unmask her...
then all of a sudden a memory, like a flash
went through her mind.
"Wait," said Viviana, standing up. "Wait here for me for a
moment."
José looked puzzled while Viviana went into the kitchen before going up the
stairs to the bedrooms.
She returned a few minutes later with a piece of dark fabric in her hand and
handed it to Don José.
" What is it?"
"I don’t know why, but I was reminded just now ... of the night of the
fire. When I saw the figure leaving the crime scene I noticed a piece of black
fabric, I picked it up almost inadvertently and thought no more of it because
of everything that happened after. When I got home and realized that my husband
was the other victim, I passed out, and didn’t know what had happened to this
piece of fabric. I’ve just asked Carmen who helped me that evening, where she
had placed it... I'm sure it’s a fragment torn from the murderer’s black
cloak."
"This may be an important clue, whoever has the garment that this piece of
fabric comes from, is the person that caused Don Costantino and Don Hector’s
deaths ... And I already know where I’ll start my search."
Viviana took one of Don José’s hands in hers.
" José, I trust you!"
" And I trust in justice," Don José replied gently squeezing her
hands.

On the day of the new
hearing Don José arrived at the courtroom early, it was packed with spectators
that had been arriving since the first light of the morning to grab the best
seats. Those who came later were not able to enter.
When Lucas came in with Aurora on his arm, most of the crowd shouted words of
encouragement to them. Marisol arrived accompanied by Cristobal and Viviana.
Last to make their entrance in the courtroom were Federico,
Doña
Raquel
and their lawyer, elegant in his impeccable suit.
The judge was punctual as always, took his place in his imposing chair and gave
a quick glance at the courtroom full people.
He turned immediately to the two  lawyers.
"I’ve listened to both your positions and carefully read the submitted
documents," said the judge clearing his throat.
"Although the account of
Doña
Raquel’s defense was very convincing,
I  decided  to have a handwriting expert study the will and other documents
written by Don Eduardo that were registered in the civil office. The result
that has emerged is that ...."
There was absolute silence in the courtroom.
The judge put on his glasses and began to read.
" ...The writing is compatible and no doubt written by the same
person."
The audience cheered and the judge struggled to restore order.
"In the light of this evidence, this Court recognizes as valid the will
produced by Don Lucas Navarra y Reyes, and declares him Don Eduardo Navarra y
Reyes’ sole heir." The public’s joy became overwhelming. Lucas hugged
Cristobal, while the judge left the courtroom. Many people came up  to
congratulate Lucas as the new most powerful man in town if not in all Mexico.
Raquel, stunned, was unable to move, she gave no sign of listening to her
lawyer who was trying to console her.
"We’ll appeal, don’t worry ..." he said in a smarmy way, although
even he did not believe he would have any hope of victory against the
confirmation of the handwriting expert.
"Leave you time-waster!" She shouted, unable to contain her anger any
longer.
Federico who was struggling to grasp the defeat immediately stood up and
attacked Lucas.
A violent scuffle began between the two of them, quashed only by the intervention
of some of the people present who were able to separate them.
Federico with a bloody lip shouted in anger, "Don’t believe it ends here!
You are and you'll always be a bastard! I won’t let you touch a penny of my
fortune!"
"It seems that it’s not so! I’ll take everything that is mine and will
cast you out onto the street!" Retorted Lucas. "As you did to
me!"
Federico tried to free himself from the hold that immobilized his arms, but he
could not.
"You'll pay for this... it’s not over yet ... if I fall I'll take you all
with me!"
Federico gave a furious look in Aurora’s direction.
Instinctively Lucas used his body to shield Aurora.
"Throw him out of here, before I decide to smash his face in," he
ordered.
Doña
Raquel, who had witnessed the painful scene, left as soon as
Federico was thrown out of the courtroom.
Dejected the two returned in their carriage to the Navarra
hacienda
that
now no longer belonged to them. As soon as they got home, Federico closed
himself in the study with a bottle of Cognac, while Raquel tried in vain to
reason with him.
Locked in a stubborn silence Federico did not answer her, and even at the end,
in the throes of a nervous breakdown, Raquel found herself beating violently on
the door, until her energy spent she slumped to the ground crying. But no words
of comfort reached her from inside the study, Federico was too busy trying to
find comfort in alcohol.

The next morning Aurora
got ready early to go to the clinic.
She was combing her long, flowing hair in front of the mirror when Lucas came
up to her kissing her graceful neck.
" You're up early," he said smiling.
"I want to get to the clinic before the new delivery of drugs
arrives," she replied.
Lucas became serious and looked at her intently. He knew he was on the verge of
unleashing a storm.
"I don’t want you to go to the clinic, not without me."
"What?" Aurora exclaimed incredulously, turning to Lucas.
"Yes, you understand, I don’t want you to go anywhere without me, I'm
afraid that Federico will hurt you."
" If it’s because of the threat yesterday, I'm sure..."
" I said no!" He interrupted her firmly.
" I don’t care, I'll go where I want without worrying about the threat of
a drunkard!"
" You’ll do what I say, and I don’t want to hear any more about it, I'll
put two men on guard outside the house in case you get the idea to
escape."
"You can’t imprison me in this house ... I won’t forgive you Lucas, the
agreement wasn’t this..."
But Lucas did not stay to listen and was already leaving for the bank.
He did not like arguing with Aurora, but after all the hardships they had
suffered, not least the attempt of violence by Gonzalo, Lucas feared for
Aurora’s safety. Federico was a mortally wounded animal, and as such could
prove to be extremely dangerous.
He arrived at the bank’s elegant building and entered without hesitation.
The bank manager, Don Guadalupe, was giving instructions to a clerk at the
counter. As soon as he saw Lucas, he immediately ran to welcome him, the news
of his new fortune, had already reached his ears.
He didn’t seem so helpful the last time I came here
, Lucas thought,
looking disgusted at Don Guadalupe.
"What can I do for you Don Lucas?" Stammered Don Guadalupe, wiping
sweat from his brow, "Please take a seat in my office! Do you want a
coffee or something cool?"
"No thank you, I came to check the balance of my father’s account.
I
want you to show me the list of all the Navarra’s
investments and properties!"
" Yes, sure, it will take a little time but please, have a seat!"
Lucas took a seat in one of the armchairs while Don Guadalupe wiped the drops
of sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"I'll be back in a minute! Please make yourself at home," he said in
sickly sweet tone.
He went breathlessly to open files and drawers, and after about a quarter of an
hour, he returned with a stack of documents that he placed on the desk, and
then took a seat in his chair.
He showed them one by one to Lucas. It took more than an hour, the Navarra y
Reyes’ property and assets were more extensive than Lucas had imagined.
"First," he said when Don Guadalupe had finished. "I want the
loan to be paid off immediately and the mortgage canceled on my
hacienda
in Zacatecas. Second, I want all the assets registered in my name only.
Federico and Raquel  must be denied : access, use, and availability to any of
my assets, including of course any withdrawal of money from my account. This is
the court’s judgment that recognizes me as the sole heir to the Navarra y Reyes
property." Lucas handed a document to Don Gonzalo who read it avidly and
put it among the documents in front of him.
" Good, Don Lucas, I think this will be a blow to
Doña
Raquel," he said considerately. Lucas ignored the comment.
Until
yesterday, you used to eat from her hand like a faithful little dog and now
you're here licking my feet, wagging your tail and spitting venom at her ...
he thought in disgust.
" Adhere religiously to my orders, and if I find out that you’re plotting
something with
Doña
Raquel, I’ll throw you out of the bank immediately.
I was right in thinking that the majority shareholder couldn’t be anyone else
other than the Navarra y Reyes family! You were too busy to ruin my
hacienda
so it could only have been her pulling the strings. From now on it is I who
command so keep that in mind!"
" Yes Sir, certainly," said Don Gonzalo, wiping the sweat from his
forehead again.
" Ah, one last thing," Lucas said as he was leaving through door,
"I want you to give a twenty per cent pay increase to this lad!" He
pointed to the young employee at the counter.
"Of course Don Lucas!" Confirmed Don Gonzalo.
" Thank you, Sir," said the boy smiling.