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With great pride, Segundo replied, “We have limited access due to safety concerns, but I would be happy to point out the important features. I must warn you, though—you may get dust on your lovely suit.”
Alexis placed her hand on his arm. “I think my suit can handle it.”
He grabbed two N95 masks and waited to hand one to her while she secured her phone in a pouch on her belt. “This is for your lungs,” Segundo said. He sounded almost giddy at the prospect of the tour.
They took the elevator to the first floor and walked toward the plant. The noise of trucks, forklifts, mixers, and conveyor belts was deafening. Segundo handed Alexis a set of plugs, which she gladly stuffed into her ears. He took her by the elbow and began to point out the various machines, but she couldn’t hear a word he said. She hoped the microphone on her cell phone could pick up his monologue as it was being sent to Charles and Fergus.
Segundo was thrilled to have an audience. Rarely did he see anyone from outside, with the exception of Mr. Fielder coming once a month, and Mr. Walsh periodically. Therefore having Estelle to speak to was a refreshing change. He rambled on about the raw materials: Portland cement, water, gravel, sand. The concrete was formed when the raw materials were mixed together. Depending on the ratios, the finished blocks could range from lightweight to high density. Once the batching was complete the cement went through the molding process, then curing and packaging. After the show-and-tell, Segundo and Alexis moved back inside. Segundo offered her an espresso, which she accepted.
Alexis was well aware they were now on an accelerated timeline. “Since I’m already here, why don’t I familiarize myself with the filing system?”
“That would be wonderful!” Segundo exclaimed. “Come. I’ll explain.” They moved to the back wall and he told her that they kept a paper copy of every job file. There was a lot of computer hacking going on and a paper copy was good insurance.
Alexis bit her lip to stifle a smile. Computer hacking, indeed. When Segundo finished giving her an introduction to their filing system, he excused himself and went to his area of the floor. Confident she was out of his sight line, Alexis went to the appropriate drawer and began to look for a file with the name El Cemento.
Grand Cayman
Myra and Annie were up before the crack of dawn. They wanted to watch the sunrise. The hotel packed a basket with pastries and a thermos of coffee, and one of the porters set two lounge chairs at the water’s edge. The sky began to shed the darkness, illuminating the horizon. They sat in silence as the waves gently lapped at the sand. Soon a bright orange ball of fire crested in the distance, signaling the dawn of a new day.
Annie checked her cell phone. It wasn’t quite five A.M. There was a message waiting from Zoe about the shipment. Shortly after came a message from Charles. “Things are moving fast,” she said and then read the messages to Myra.
“Good thing we’re meeting Mac today.”
“Alexis has her interview this morning, and Maggie and Eileen will go back to the plant tonight.” Annie ticked off her list. “Charles and Fergus are looking into Fielder’s and Walsh’s financials. If everything goes well, we should be able to wrap this up by Saturday.”
“We haven’t come up with a plan for Walsh and Fielder yet.” Myra was referring to the justice they would impart.
Annie raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I have an idea, my sister!” She put her arm around Myra as they headed back to their hotel suite.
Later that morning, as they were about to leave for the Lobster Pot, they got a message from Alexis:
Secured job. Starting today. Sent recording and photos to Charles, Fergus, Maggie, and Eileen.
“Maybe Charles and Fergus will get some background on Fielder and Walsh today, too,” Myra said as she crossed her fingers on both hands.
When the two women arrived, Mac was already at the restaurant, leaning on a railing and enjoying the ocean view.
“Mac! Darlin’,” Annie called out.
They all kissed on both cheeks, and then Mac also kissed the backs of each of the women’s hands. “Lovely to see you, Countess.” He was grinning from ear to ear. “And you, too, Mrs. Rutledge. What a pleasure to be able to spend a little time with you.”
The restaurant hostess approached them and asked that they follow her. After she showed them to their table, Mac pulled out chairs for both Annie and Myra. He had the finest of manners.
Annie ordered a bottle of sparkling rosé, Billecart-Salmon Brut, for the table. She wanted to loosen Mac up a bit. She knew he wouldn’t get plastered, but one glass of wine was often enough to cause a person to shed their outer layer. The atmosphere and conversation were delightful. Mac had the perfect personality for dealing with the public. He was charming, yet exacting; confident and polite at the same time.
Annie was contemplating her timing before she started to interrogate him. The opportunity came when he said, “Countess, I know we have a long history, but there must be another reason you wanted to meet. You are a busy woman and rarely do you take lunch. Am I right?”
“You are very intuitive.” Annie took his hand. “I am going to show you photos of two men. I just need to know if you have ever seen them.”
Mac smiled. “Is that all? I wouldn’t be violating any customer’s trust or anonymity. And who said they even were customers?”
“I certainly didn’t say it, did I?” Annie was playing along. She held her purse on her lap and pulled out the photos so only Mac could see them.
“The one on the left,” Mac said, indicating Fielder. “He comes in about once a month.” Mac looked at the second photo again. “I’ve never seen the other one.”
Annie and Myra were about to burst. “Mac, you are a love.” Annie gave him a kiss on the cheek and Myra planted one on the other side.
Lunch had lasted for two hours when Mac began to say his goodbyes. “I do hope to see you again soon. You two always brighten my day. My most sincere gratitude for a divine afternoon.” He tipped his Panama hat and left.
