Hector sat with his feet up on the large desk in Alcalde Sanchez’s office, his hat covering his eyes as he enjoyed his small siesta waiting for his boss to return. He was woken abruptly when his feet were suddenly shoved to the floor.
“You scuff my desk and it will cost you a year’s salary, my friend,” Ignacio barked as he made his way around the highly polished desk to sit.
“So you found the drifter,” Ignacio continued.
“Si. He was camped down by the river,” Hector said, pushing his hat back up on his head. “He claims his innocence. Says he doesn’t even know where the Galvez family lives.”
“Of course he would say these things. He is being accused of murder, multiple murders! Can he account for his whereabouts on the day of the murders?”
Hector pulled out a piece of paper and a pouch of tobacco out of his vest pocket, expertly rolling a cigarette while he spoke. “No. He said he was by himself, trying to catch fish in the stream.”
“And what of Mario?” Sanchez asked.
“His story has not changed.”
Hector reached the cigarette out to Ignacio but he waved him off, so he lit it for himself.
“Has he identified this drifter?”
Hector blew out a long plume of smoke. “No. I thought you might like to be there to watch. Sometimes what a man does says more than what comes out of his mouth. Mario plays the grieving man well, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t kill his family.”
Ignacio leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingertips together. “Indeed. Where are they now?”
“They are both in the stables,” Hector said. “Roberto is guarding them.”
Ignacio stood. “Well, let’s get this over with. My wife’s family has come from out of town for the hanging, so she is planning a large gathering this evening and I need to get home to prepare.”
Hector put out his cigarette on the heel of his boot and tucked the remaining butt in his vest before he stood and followed the alcalde out of his office.
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