Digital Fortress Chapter 35

Becker stared in shock at Rocio. You sold the tintinnabulation?The woman nodded, her silky red fuzz falling around her shoulders.Becker willed it not to be true. Pero butShe shrugged and said in Spanish, A young woman near the park.Becker snarl his legs go weak. This cant beRocio smiled coyly and motioned to the German. El queria que lo guardara. He expected to go forward it, but I told him no. Ive got Gitana transmission line in me, Gypsy blood we Gitanas, in addition to having red hair, are precise superstitious. A ring adviseed by a dying man is not a satisfactory sign.Did you know the girl? Becker interrogated.Rocio arched her eyebrows. Vaya. You really want this ring, dont you?Becker nodded sternly. Who did you sell it to?The capacious German sat bewildered on the bed. His romantic evening was existence ruined, and he apparently had no idea why. Was passiert? he asked nervously. Whats happening?Becker treat him.I didnt actually sell it, Rocio said. I tried to, but she was fair a kid and had no money. I ended up bountiful it to her. Had I known ab go forth your generous offer, I would have salvage it for you.Why did you leave the park? Becker demanded. Somebody had died. Why didnt you wait for the police? And give them the ring?I solicit many things, Mr. Becker, but scuffle is not one of them. Besides, that old man seemed to have things under control.The Canadian?Yes, he called the ambulance. We decided to leave. I saw no reason to sham my date or myself with the police.Becker nodded absently. He was still trying to accept this cruel twist of fate. She gave the damn thing awayI tried to religious service the dying man, Rocio explained. however he didnt seem to want it. He started with the ring- unbroken force it in our faces. He had these three crippled fingers sticking up. He kept pushing his hand at us-like we were supposed to take the ring. I didnt want to, but my friend here finally did. Then the guy died.And you tried CPR? Becker guessed. nary(prenominal) We didnt touch him. My friend got scared. Hes big, but hes a wimp. She smiled temptingly at Becker. Dont business concern-he cant speak a word of Spanish.Becker frowned. He was wondering over again about the bruises on Tankados chest. Did the paramedics give CPR?I have no idea. As I told you, we left before they arrived.You mean after you steal the ring. Becker scowled.Rocio glared at him. We did not steal the ring. The man was dying. His intentions were clear. We gave him his last wish.Becker softened. Rocio was right he probably would have done the same damn thing. But hencece(prenominal) you gave the ring to some girl?I told you. The ring made me nervous. The girl had lots of jewelry on. I thought she might like it.And she didnt forecast it was strange? That youd just give her a ring?No. I told her I found it in the park. I thought she might offer to pay me for it, but she didnt. I didnt care. I just wanted to follow rid of it.When did you give i t to her?Rocio shrugged. This afternoon. About an hour after I got it. Becker check up on his watch 1148 p.m. The trail was eight hours old. What the hell am I doing here? Im supposed to be in the Smokys. He sighed and asked the besides question he could think of. What did the girl look like? succession un punki, Rocio replied.Becker looked up, puzzled. Un punki?Si. Punki.A punk?Yes, a punk, she said in rough English, and then immediately switched back to Spanish. Mucha joyeria. Lots of jewelry. A weird pendant in one ear. A skull, I think.There are punk bikers in Seville?Rocio smiled. Todo bajo el sol. Everything under the sun. It was the motto of Sevilles Tourism Bureau.Did she give you her pull in?No.Did she say where she was going?No. Her Spanish was poor.She wasnt Spanish? Becker asked.No. She was English, I think. She had wild hair-red, white, and drear.Becker winced at the bizarre image. Maybe she was American, he offered.I dont think so, Rocio said. She was wearing a T-s hirt that looked like the British flag.Becker nodded dumbly. Okay. Red, white, and blue hair, a British flag T-shirt, a skull pendant in her ear. What else?Nothing. good your average punk.Average punk? Becker was from a world of collegiate sweatshirts and bourgeois haircuts-he couldnt even picture what the woman was talking about. Can you think of anything else at all? he pressed.Rocio thought a moment. No. Thats it.Just then the bed creaked loudly. Rocios client shifted his weight uncomfortably. Becker turned to him and spoke influent German. Noch et was? Anything else? Anything to serve up me find the punk rocker with the ring?There was a prospicient silence. It was as if the giant man had something he wanted to say, but he wasnt sure how to say it. His lower lip quivered momentarily, there was a pause, and then he spoke. The four words that came out were definitely English, but they were scantily intelligible beneath his thick German accent. Fock off und die.Becker gaped in s hock. I beg your pardon?Fock off und die, the man repeated, patting his left palm against his wakeless right forearm-a crude approximation of the Italian gesture for fuck you.Becker was to a fault drained to be offended. Fuck off and die? What happened to Das poulet? He turned back to Rocio and spoke in Spanish. Sounds like Ive overstayed my welcome.Dont worry about him. She laughed. Hes just a little frustrated. Hell get whats coming to him. She tossed her hair and winked.Is there anything else? Becker asked. Anything you can tell me that might help?Rocio shook her head. Thats all. But youll never find her. Seville is a big city-it can be very deceptive.Ill do the best I can. Its a matter of national security systemIf you have no luck, Rocio said, eyeing the bulging envelope in Beckers pocket, please ensure back. My friend will be sleeping, no doubt. Knock quietly. Ill find us an extra room. Youll see a side of Spain youll never forget. She pouted lusciously.Becker forced a po lite smile. I should be going. He apologized to the German for interrupting his evening.The giant smiled timidly. Keine Ursache.Becker headed out the door. No problem? Whatever happened to Fuck off and die?