‘Mauricio Valls. What have you got to do with him?’
My face was so close to his I could see my reflection in his pupils. The capillaries in his eyes were starting to burst and a web of black lines opened up towards the iris. Realising I was choking him, I let go of him abruptly. Cascos made a rasping sound as he took in air and felt his neck. I sat down on the bed opposite him. My hands were trembling and covered in blood. I went into the bathroom and washed them. I splashed my face and hair with cold water and when I saw my reflection in the mirror I barely recognised myself. I’d been on the point of killing a man.
11
When I returned to the room, Cascos was still slumped on the chair, panting. I filled a glass with water and handed it to him. Seeing me approach again he moved to one side, expecting another blow.
‘Here,’ I said.
He opened his eyes and when he saw the glass he seemed uncertain for a moment or two.
‘Here,’ I repeated. ‘It’s only water.’
He accepted the glass with a trembling hand and took it to his lips. I noticed that I’d broken some of his teeth. Cascos groaned and his eyes filled with tears from the pain when the cold water touched the dental pulp exposed beneath the enamel. We remained silent for over a minute.
‘Shall I call a doctor?’ I asked at last.
He looked up and shook his head.
‘Go away before I call the police.’
‘Tell me what you have to do with Mauricio Valls and I’ll go.’
I looked at him coldly.
‘He’s … he’s one of the partners of the publishing house where I work.’
‘Did he ask you to write that letter?’
Cascos hesitated. I stood up and took a step towards him. I grabbed his hair and pulled hard.
‘Don’t hit me again,’ he pleaded.
‘Did Valls ask you to write that letter?’
Cascos was avoiding my eyes.
‘It wasn’t him,’ he managed to say.
‘Who, then?’
‘One of his secretaries, Armero.’
‘Who?’
‘Paco Armero. He’s an employee at the firm. He told me to renew contact with Beatriz. He said that if I did there would be something for me. A reward.’
‘Why did you have to renew contact with Bea?’
‘I don’t know.’
I made as if to hit him again.
‘I don’t know,’ whimpered Cascos. ‘It’s the truth.’
‘And that’s why you asked her to meet you here?’
‘I still love Beatriz.’