Percival Everett - The Body of Martin Aguilera

“Why didn’t you tell the sheriff?” Ignacio asked.

“I did’t think Manny would let me see Martin. Something’s going on and I don’t know enough about it to make any sense. I do need to see Martin’s body. I don’t mean any disrespect.”

The men sat quietly for a few seconds. Salvador jumped at the sound of a firm knock on the window of the door. Ignacio was up and standing in the doorway to the back room. He waved for Lewis to come too. Salvador peeked through the blinds.

“It’s the delivery man,” he said and opened up.

“Botas, botas, botas , “the skinny man said and wheeled in a stack of boxes of boots. “What are you doing all locked up in here, Salvador?” He smiled at Lewis and Ignacio. “Having a private boot party?” He laughed. He slipped the boxes off the dolly at the counter and handed his clipboard to Salvador. “Sign line fifty-eight. I’ll get the rest.”

Salvador hurriedly put his name on the paper and almost bumped into the delivery man at the door. The second load standing next to the first, the skinny man left, Salvador pushing the door after him. The old man stopped before the door was closed.

“It’s Manny,” he said.

Lewis followed Ignacio into the back and behind a wall of boxes. Lewis listened.

“Manny,” Salvador said, “what brings you back?”

“You about to lock up or something?”

“Me? No, just closing the door. Just got a delivery. See.”

The delivery truck shook the store as it pulled away.

“I thought I saw Lewis Mason come in here.”

“No, no. He was in here earlier, but that was some time ago. You want me to tell him something if I see him.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. You all right, Salvador?”

“Si, bien.”

“You mind if I use your restroom?”

“Uh, no. It’s dirty.”

The sheriff laughed. “Not that dirty.”

“Sure, you can use the restroom,” Salvador said loudly. Ignacio winced. It was hot in the back and the two men’s faces were beaded with perspiration.

“Why’d you do that?” Manny asked.

“What?”

“Talk loud like that.”

Salvador said nothing.

Lewis could hear Manny come through the doorway. He went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Ignacio looked at Lewis’ eyes. Lewis turned a bit and bumped a stack of boxes. He grabbed them but could not balance them, so he pressed down on them to keep them still. Ignacio frowned. The toilet flushed and Manny came out.

“Your bathroom isn’t dirty,” the sheriff said.

“Oh, I guess Gloria must have cleaned it,” Salvador said.

“You should see the one at the station. That’s where I put suspects to make them confess.”

Salvador offered a weak chuckle.

Lewis was sweating profusely now, holding the boxes steady.

“Well, I can see you’ve got a lot of boots to unpack,” Manny said. “Hasta luego, Salvador.” The bell on the door sounded his leaving.

Lewis relaxed and the boxes spilled onto the floor. Salvador came running to the back.

“He’s gone,” the merchant said.

“None too soon.” Lewis bent to collect the boxes.

“Forget those,” Salvador told him. “We have Martin’s body.”

Lewis looked him in the eye.

“It’s our religion,” the old man said.

“It’s secret,” said Ignacio.

Lewis nodded.

“You have to promise you won’t tell anyone,” Salvador said and quickly glanced out front.

“Just one person. Martin’s grandson is in town.”

Salvador and Ignacio exchanged looks.

“He was with me in Fonda’s.”

Ignacio hadn’t liked any of the business and he liked this even less. “Martin never talked about no grandson.”

“He just showed up.”

“Okay,” Salvador agreed. “Tonight, you meet me and Ignacio beind the shop and we’ll take you to see Martin. Some of our people are not going to like it.”

“Listen, all I want to do is examine the body. You won’t even know I’m there.”

“We’ll know,” Ignacio said.

“What time?” Lewis asked.

“Nine. It will be dark, then.” Salvador looked into the front of the store again. “You’d better leave out the back.”

Lewis did.

Lewis was hot, sticky, and breathing heavily in the alley. He leaned against the adobe wall of the shop in a shadow to try to cool off and calm down. He was in there hiding from the sheriff and it just didn’t make sense to him. He wasn’t a criminal. He stood up, straightened, and took deep breaths. He wasn’t getting any cooler or drier. He walked to the end of the alley. At the street, he saw two men pushing a pickup into the Shell station. Thinking he might at any moment come across Manny, Lewis ran to help them. A young woman was behind the wheel and she smiled at him. He pushed and walked away once the vehicle was at the garage door. He went into the ice cream parlor where he knew it would be cool. He sat and nursed a vanilla cone slowly until it was gone. His shirt dry, he left.

Fat Leroi Hireles was behind the desk in the office of the Best Western. Lewis could see him through the window and was glad he didn’t have to go in and talk to him. Leroi talked non-stop and was famous for not bathing. The blue, rental Camaro was parked in the lot.

Lewis knocked.

“Who is it?”

“Lewis Mason.”

Taylor opened the door and stepped away.

“How are you doing?” Lewis asked.

“I’m fine.” Taylor sat on the bed and looked at the television.

“What are you watching?”

“Some talk show. People on here would rather be with their pets than other people.” He wouldn’t look at Lewis. “This guy wants to marry his cat.”

“Takes all kinds,” Lewis said.

“Listen, about last night. I’m sorry I got you into this.” Lewis looked at the people on television. “I’m going to see Martin’s body tonight. Your grandfather was a Penitente. It’s a religious group.”

“My grandfather was Catholic.”

“It’s a Catholic group. I’ll come by here just before nine.”

Taylor nodded.

Lewis felt awful, like a bad man trying to pull a scared man deeper into trouble. He got up and went to the door. “You don’t have to go, you know.”

“I know.”

“See you later.”

Maggie and Laura arrived at the post office shortly after Lewis. Laura sat between the adults during the ride home. The child ate a chocolate bar. Lewis was quiet and Maggie asked no questions. Laura looked at her grandfather with candy on her lips. Lewis smiled and gave her his handkerchief.

“I had fun today, Papa.”

“I’m glad, honey.” He put his arm around her.

“Maggie and I have a surprise for you.”

“You do? What is it?”

“I can’t tell.”

“I’ll have to wait then, won’t I?”

“Yep.”

“Did you get your business taken care of?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, some of it. I have to go into town and finish it up tonight.”

Silence.

“I put some gas in the car,” Maggie said.

“Thanks.” Lewis was looking out the window again. They had started up the mountain. Down on the flat, Lewis could see smoke rising from the dump. There was not supposed to be burning in the fill, but a fire always raged. He used to like going down there when the county could afford a guard, even if it was fat Leroi. Now, the smoke irritated his eyes and the heat was disturbing.

“Whose car is that?” Maggie asked.

Lewis looked at the strange car parked in front of his cabin. He didn’t know anyone who owned a new, bright green Jeep. Maggie stopped beside it.

“Stay in the car,” Lewis said and got out. He closed the door and turned back. “Roll up the windows and lock the doors.”