Digital Fortress Chapter 35

Becker stargond in blast at Rocio. You sold the ring?The cleaning woman no.ded, her silky red hair falling around her shoulders.Becker willed it non to be true. Pero unlessShe shrugged and said in Spanish, A little female childfriend near the park.Becker felt his legs go weak. This cant beRocio smiled coyly and moti 1d to the German. El queria que lo guardara. He treasured to keep it, scarce I told him no. Ive got Gitana stock in me, Gypsy blood we Gitanas, in addition to having red hair, are very superstitious. A ring stretch forthed by a dying man is non a good sign.Did you know the girl? Becker interrogated.Rocio arched her eyebrows. Vaya. You really want this ring, dont you?Becker nodded sternly. Who did you swap it to?The enormous German sat fuddle on the bed. His romantic evening was be ruined, and he apparently had no judgment why. Was passiert? he asked nervously. Whats happening?Becker ignored him.I didnt actually sell it, Rocio said. I seek to, but she w as reasonable a shaver and had no money. I ended up giving it to her. Had I known close your generous sullener, I would have saved it for you.Why did you leave the park? Becker demanded. somebody had betterd. Why didnt you wait for the police? And introduce them the ring?I solicit numerous things, Mr. Becker, but trouble is not one of them. Be statuss, that old man seemed to have things beneath control.The Canadian?Yes, he called the ambulance. We decided to leave. I saw no reason to see my date or myself with the police.Becker nodded absently. He was quieten trying to accept this cruel turn away of fate. She gave the damn thing awayI tried to help the dying man, Rocio explained. notwithstanding he didnt seem to want it. He started with the ring- unbroken pushing it in our faces. He had these trine crippled fingers sticking up. He kept pushing his hand at us-like we were supposititious to take the ring. I didnt want to, but my friend here finally did. so the guy died .And you tried m discloseh-to-mouth resuscitation? Becker guessed. no. We didnt touch him. My friend got scared. Hes braggy, but hes a wimp. She smiled seductively at Becker. Dont worry-he cant speak a word of Spanish.Becker frowned. He was wondering over again about the bruises on Tankados chest. Did the paramedics give CPR?I have no idea. As I told you, we left before they arrived.You concoct after you stole the ring. Becker scowled.Rocio glared at him. We did not steal the ring. The man was dying. His intentions were clear. We gave him his last wish.Becker softened. Rocio was veracious he probably would have make the same damn thing. still and so you gave the ring to some girl?I told you. The ring made me nervous. The girl had rafts of jewelry on. I legal opinion she top executive like it.And she didnt conceive it was strange? That youd however give her a ring? none I told her I found it in the park. I thought she might asideer to pay me for it, but she didnt. I did nt care. I just wanted to get dislodge of it.When did you give it to her?Rocio shrugged. This afternoon. About an hour after I got it. Becker checked his watch 1148 p.m. The trail was eight hours old. What the nether sphere am I doing here? Im alleged(a) to be in the Smokys. He sighed and asked the alone question he could think of. What did the girl look like?Era un punki, Rocio replied.Becker looked up, puzzled. Un punki?Si. Punki.A punk?Yes, a punk, she said in rough English, and whence immediately switched okay to Spanish. Mucha joyeria. Lots of jewelry. A weird subject in one ear. A skull, I think. in that respect are punk bikers in Seville?Rocio smiled. Todo bajo el sol. Everything under the sun. It was the guide word of Sevilles Tourism Bureau.Did she give you her name? noDid she say where she was going?No. Her Spanish was poor.She wasnt Spanish? Becker asked.No. She was English, I think. She had unwarrantable hair-red, white, and lively.Becker winced at the bizarre image. Maybe she was American, he offered.I dont think so, Rocio said. She was wearing a T-shirt that looked like the British flag.Becker nodded dumbly. Okay. Red, white, and blue hair, a British flag T-shirt, a skull pendant in her ear. What else?Nothing. Just your median(a) punk.Average punk? Becker was from a world of collegiate sweatshirts and conservative haircuts-he couldnt even impression what the woman was talking about. Can you think of anything else at all? he pressed.Rocio thought a moment. No. Thats it.Just thusly the bed creaked loudly. Rocios client shifted his weight uncomfortably. Becker move to him and spoke influent German. Noch et was? Anything else? Anything to help me notice the punk rocker with the ring?There was a long silence. It was as if the jumbo man had something he wanted to say, but he wasnt sure how to say it. His depress lip quivered momentarily, there was a pause, and then he spoke. The four words that came out were definitely English, but the y were barely distinct beneath his thick German accent. Fock off und die.Becker gaped in shock. I beg your justify?Fock off und die, the man repeated, patting his left care against his fleshy right forearm-a crude contiguity of the Italian gesture for fuck you.Becker was alike drained to be offended. Fuck off and die? What happened to Das Wimp? He turned back to Rocio and spoke in Spanish. Sounds like Ive overstayed my welcome.Dont worry about him. She laughed. Hes just a little frustrated. Hell get whats coming to him. She tossed her hair and winked.Is there anything else? Becker asked. Anything you can branch me that might help?Rocio shook her head. Thats all. But youll never find her. Seville is a big city-it can be very deceptive.Ill do the best I can. Its a outlet of national securityIf you have no luck, Rocio said, eyeing the bulging envelope in Beckers pocket, revel stop back. My friend will be sleeping, no doubt. Knock quietly. Ill find us an extra room. Youll see a side of Spain youll never forget. She pouted lusciously.Becker forced a well-bred smile. I should be going. He apologized to the German for interrupting his evening.The giant smiled timidly. Keine Ursache.Becker headed out the door. No bother? Whatever happened to Fuck off and die?