Sidney Sheldon - The sands of time

"When we were going to blow up the dam at Puente la Reina,

Acoña was tipped off." He looked at Felix. "He set a trap and caught you and Ricardo and Zamora. If I hadn't been delayed,

I would have been captured with you. And look what happened at the parador."

"You heard the clerk telephoning the police," Amparo pointed out.

Jaime nodded. "Right. Because I had a feeling that something was wrong."

Amparo's face was somber. "Who do you think it is?"

Jaime shook his head. "I'm not sure. Someone who knows all our plans."

"Then let's change our plans," Amparo said. "We'll meet the others at Logroño and skip Mendavia."

Jaime glanced at Megan. "We can't do that. We have to get the sisters to their convent."

Megan looked at him and thought: He's already done enough for me. I mustn't put him in greater danger than he's already in.

"Jaime, I can—"

But he knew what she was going to say. "Don't worry,

Megan. We're all going to get there safely."

He's changed, Amparo thought. In the beginning he wanted nothing to do with any of them. Now he's willing to risk his life for her. And he calls her Megan. It's no longer Sister.

Jaime was going on. "There are at least fifteen people who know our plans."

"We have to find out which one it is," Amparo insisted.

"How do we do that?" Felix asked. He was nervously picking at the edges of the tablecloth.

Jaime said, "Paco is in Madrid doing some checking for me.

I've arranged for him to telephone me here." He looked at

Felix for a moment, then looked away.

What he had not said was that no more than half a dozen people knew the exact route that the three groups were taking. It was true that Felix Carpio had been imprisoned by

Acoña. It was also true that that would have provided a perfect alibi for Felix. At the propitious moment, an escape could have been planned for him. Except that I got him out first, Jaime thought. Paco is checking on him. I hope he calls soon.

Amparo rose and turned to Megan. "Help me with the dishes."

The two women began to clear the table and the men went into the living room.

"The nun—she's holding up well," Felix said.

"Yes."

"You like her, don't you?"

Jaime found it difficult to look at Felix. "Yes. I like her." And you would betray her along with the rest of us.

"What about you and Amparo?"

"We're cut from the same cloth. She believes in the cause as much as I do. Her entire family was killed by Franco's Falangists." Jaime rose and stretched. "Time to turn in."

"I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. Are you certain there's a spy?"

Jaime looked at him and said, "I'm certain."

When Jaime came downstairs for breakfast in the morning,

Megan did not recognize him. His face had been darkened, he was wearing a wig and a moustache, and he was dressed in scruffy clothes. He looked ten years older.

"Good morning," he said. His voice coming out of that body startled her.

"Where did you—?"

"This is a house I use from time to time. I keep an assortment of things here that I need."

He said it casually, but it gave Megan a sudden insight into the kind of life he led. How many other houses and disguises did he need to stay alive? How many other close calls had he had that she knew nothing about? She remembered the ruthlessness of the men who had attacked the convent and thought: If they catch Jaime, they'll show him no mercy. I wish I knew how to protect him.

Megan's mind was filled with thoughts she had no right to be thinking.

Amparo prepared breakfast: bacalao—steamed, salted codfish—goat's milk, cheese, and thick, hot chocolate with churros.

As they were eating, Felix asked, "How long are we going to stay here?"

Jaime replied casually, "We'll leave when it gets dark."

But he had no intention of letting Felix use that information.

"I have some errands to do," he told Felix. "I'll need your help."

"Right."

Jaime called Amparo aside. "When Paco calls, tell him I'll be back shortly. Take a message."

She nodded. "Be careful."

"Don't worry." He turned to Megan. "Your last day.

Tomorrow you'll be at the convent. You must be eager to get there."

She looked at him a long moment. "Yes." Not eager, Megan thought. Anxious. I wish I weren't anxious. I'm going to shut myself away from this, but for the rest of my life I'm going to wonder what happened to Jaime and Felix and the others.

Megan stood there watching as Jaime and Felix left. She sensed a tension between the two men that she did not understand.

Amparo was studying her, and Megan remembered her words:

Jaime is much too much man for you.

Amparo said curtly, "Make up the beds. I'll prepare lunch."

"All right."

Megan went toward the bedrooms. Amparo stood there watching her, then walked into the kitchen.

For the next hour, Megan worked, busily concentrating on cleaning and dusting and polishing, trying not to think,

trying to keep her mind off what was bothering her.

I must put him out of my mind, she thought.

It was impossible. He was like a force of nature, taking over everything in his path.

She polished harder.

When Jaime and Felix returned, Amparo was waiting for them at the door. Felix looked pale.

"I'm not feeling too well. I think I'll lie down for a bit."

They watched him disappear into a bedroom.

"Paco called," Amparo said excitedly.

"What did he say?"

"He has some information for you, but he didn't want to discuss it on the phone. He's sending someone to meet you.

This person will be at the village square at noon."

Jaime frowned, thoughtful. "He didn't say who it is?"

"No. Just that it was urgent."

"Damn it. I—never mind. All right. I'll go meet him. I want you to keep an eye on Felix."

She looked at him, puzzled. "I don't un—?"

"I don't want him using the telephone."

A flash of understanding crossed her face. "You think that

Felix is—?"

"Please. Just do as I ask." He looked at his watch. "It's almost noon. I'll leave now. I should be back in an hour.

Take care, querida."

"Don't worry."

Megan heard their voices.

I don't want him using the telephone.

You think that Felix is—?

Please. Just do as I ask.

So Felix is the traitor, Megan thought. She had seen him go into his bedroom and close the door. She heard Jaime leave.

Megan walked into the living room.

Amparo turned. "Have you finished?"

"Not quite. I—" She wanted to ask where Jaime had gone,

what they were going to do with Felix, what was going to happen next, but she did not want to discuss that with this woman. I'll wait until Jaime returns.

"Finish up," Amparo said.

Megan turned and went back into the bedroom. She thought about Felix. He had seemed so friendly, so warm. He had asked her many questions, but now that seeming act of friendliness took on a different meaning. The bearded man was looking for information that he could pass on to Colonel Acoña. All their lives were in danger.

Amparo may need help, Megan thought. She started toward the living room, then stopped.

A voice was saying, "Jaime just left. He will be alone on a bench in the main plaza. He's disguised in a wig and mustache. Your men should have no trouble picking him up."

Megan stood there, frozen.

"He's walking, so it should take him about fifteen minutes to get there."

Megan listened with growing horror.

"Remember our deal, Colonel," Amparo said into the telephone. "You promised not to kill him."

Megan backed into the hallway. Her mind was in a turmoil.

So Amparo was the traitor. And she had sent Jaime into a trap.

Backing away quietly so Amparo would not hear her, Megan turned and ran out the back door. She had no idea how she was going to help Jaime. She knew only that she had to do something. She stepped outside the gate and started down the street, moving as fast as she could without attracting attention, heading toward the center of the city.