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It was late, after eight, and I knocked on the door. The young priest, Father Eduardo Diaz who I knew fairly well from spending time here, answered the door.
“You didn’t ask who it was,” I said.
He pointed to the security hole in the door. “I’m glad you’re here, Margo. Rafe was very concerned about your safety.”
I didn’t want to remind him that I knew how to take care of myself. Instead, I walked over to where Rafe was sitting in the small living room. The only sign that he was concerned was a cocktail glass half-filled with golden liquid on the table next to him. Rafe was known to partake in a shot of Reposado tequila on occasion when relaxing...or worried.
“Uncle Rafe, what happened?”
“I told you on the phone. He came here, tried to intimidate me, I told him I would call the police, and he left.”
Father Diaz cleared his throat, and Rafe shot him a narrowed glare.
“What did you leave out?” I asked.
“He didn’t leave until Ed walked in, but he didn’t make any move toward me. He believes I know where his wife is, and that I should tell him. I told him I couldn’t help him and I wasn’t comfortable with his presence.”
Leave it to Uncle Rafe to get out of a difficult situation without actually lying.
“The man had a threatening presence,” Father Diaz said.
“Did he outright threaten either of you?” I asked.
“No,” Rafe said. “He was angry and he was demanding, but he didn’t verbally threaten me.”
I latched onto the word verbally.
“But?” I asked. “Do not lie to me, what did he do?”
“He was wearing his uniform and he made a point of putting his hand on his gun—I believe to intimidate me.”
I barely refrained from swearing. It was a threat, clear as day, and my uncle was giving Peter Carillo far too much grace.
“I’ll stay here tonight—”
“No,” Rafe said before I could finish my sentence. “I don’t need anyone to watch over me. We will keep the house locked and be mindful of any visitors. I will not live in fear.”
“Did Jack leave?”
I had called Jack as soon as Rafe called me, which was only an hour ago. I was angry that Rafe waited hours to tell me what happened, but he hadn’t wanted to worry me. It was Father Diaz who convinced him to let me know.
I asked Jack to check on things, but I didn’t give him any details, other than someone had come to the church and acted in a threatening manner.
“He’s walking around, making sure everything is secure,” Father Diaz said.
Then Rafe said, “Carillo knows you helped Annie leave him.”
I knew that, but I hadn’t told Rafe. I hadn’t wanted to worry him.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“I’m not.” Lie of omission, maybe, but I didn’t want to put any of this weight on Rafe.
There was a knock at the door and before Father Diaz could get up, I motioned him to sit and walked over, looked out the peephole.
Jack.
I opened the door.
