“He can’t be the man you’re looking for, sir. December of last year, sir, they spent it together, but she told everyone she was staying at our cousin’s house. In reality…”
Inés whispered something. The detective coughed uncomfortably. Ulises was not looking at them, careful to remain hidden, but he could picture the man’s flushed face. He was being made privy to a lady’s intimate romantic life. Men often liked to pretend women had no desires, no need for sexual gratification.
“My aunt is a good woman, sir.”
“Yes, well…” The man cleared his throat. “I thank you for that information. It certainly is relevant. I won’t trouble you again.”
“Have a good day, sir.”
He listened as the door swung open and closed, followed by the soft click of the latch. He emerged from his hiding place feeling as though he might fly right up through the ceiling, his body felt so light. She turned around and hurried to his side.
“How did I do?” she asked.
“You’re the most magnificent liar.”
She smiled, a giddy joy spreading across her face. He smiled too, theanxiety he’d felt moments before turning into relief and this in turn transforming into glee.
“Really?”
“A natural.”
“Thanks. Hey, I don’t know your real name. Are you Leonardo or Ulises or someone else?” she asked, curious and eager as she looked up at him.
“As if I’d tell you.”
“Fine. Keep your secrets,” she said, but without spite, just teasing him.
The rush of adrenaline still coursing through his veins, or the way she pouted, prompted him to lean forward and kiss Inés on the mouth. A dip of the head, a quick peck, almost innocent in its haste, but when he pulled away he felt breathless, and her eyes were wide and stared at him with a fixedness that prompted him to touch her cheek.
That reflexive movement, that gentle caress, seemed to burn her skin, for she slapped away his hand and jumped back.
“You idiot, someone could see,” she said, her voice close to a hiss.
She was correct, and he blushed. He headed to his room, where he washed his hair and removed any traces of shoe polish. Then he tucked away the spectacles he’d been wearing and changed into a different set of clothes.
When he was done, he looked at himself in the mirror and rubbed a hand against his smooth cheeks. Irritated, he flung aside the towel he’d used to dry his hair and fell on the bed with a furious movement, making the bedsprings squeal.
15
The sight of her husbandwithout his mustache and with his cheeks freshly shaved confounded Perla. It made him look less sophisticated, and what she keenly admired in Ulises was his air of sophistication. In a way, she thought of him as a precious stone she’d found by chance at a bazaar. Luxury goods, that was what he represented. The sort of man no one else in town could dream of, for none of the masculine specimens on display were as good-looking, as charming, as urbane.
“It’s that bad, then?” he said when she stared at him.
She took off her hat and shook her head. “It’s a surprise, that is all.”
“I can grow it back.”
“You should.”
She felt he ought to have consulted her if he was determined to undergo a radical change.
She must address the matter of his appearance later. For now, she busied herself with her hair and reapplied her lipstick. It was almost time for supper, and she never ventured into the dining room without her hair looking impeccable and her makeup freshened.
As she was adjusting one last hairpin, Rita stepped into the room.
“Mr. Sotomayor is here to see you,” the maid said.
She disliked it when people came to her house unannounced, disturbing her well-laid plans. She especially loathed when a guest popped in around suppertime, meaning she must consider laying an extra plate for them. Fortunately, this time around it was Cándido without his annoying sister in tow. One plate was enough to make her frown, two was impossible.
