Read Online The Antiquarian by Julián Sánchez - Free Book Online Page B

convey what had transpired with any coherence. She too was grieving for Artur and was having trouble assimilating his violent death. In truth, she had loved him nearly as much as her own parents. Her relationship with Artur went beyond the formalities of that between most in-laws, thanks to the antiquarian’s unique kindheartedness.
    â€œI’m not exactly sure. When they couldn’t reach you, the police found me, through Samuel Horowitz. You were Artur’s only direct next of kin, and since they couldn’t find you, Samuel got in touch with me to tell me what had happened. He didn’t have my phone number, but he got it from the university secretary’s office.”
    â€œNo, don’t tell me about that. Tell me how they killed him.”
    â€œFine. Samuel was the first to see his body through the window. The investigation is underway, and they haven’t said anything officially. But he told me that they had clubbed him over the head and stabbed him in the back with a knife.”
    â€œJesus! That’s it? You don’t know anything else?”
    â€œDo you really think they feel a need to tell his adopted son’s ex much more? They used me to find you, that’s all.”
    â€œYes, of course, I understand,” said Enrique, though that wasn’t true; the truth was he didn’t understand a thing.
    He rubbed his eyes. They were puffy, and they were practically closing on their own from fatigue. He had never felt so disoriented. Not even the memory of Bety telling him she was leaving him that long-ago night had been so awful, so capable of altering the order of his small and perfect world.
    â€œWhy would anyone want to kill someone like Artur?” Enrique wondered.
    â€œWhat was that?” asked Bety, surprised.
    â€œSorry, I was just thinking aloud. I can’t understand why anyone would want to kill an antiquarian.”
    â€œWho knows? Maybe to rob him,” Bety speculated.
    â€œAny thief, even a small-timer, knows that antiquarians don’t handle cash. The prices are too high for anyone to carry those amounts on them.”
    â€œWhatever the reason, you should get to Barcelona as soon as you can. Captain Fornells is handling the case; apparently he’s an old friend of Artur’s, and he wants to talk to you. You were missing and I couldn’t travel. Even so, I was ready to go; I’d even canceled my classes at school. And it’s the worst time of year since we’ve just finished with the lectures, and exams are right around the corner. I even had a ticket for this afternoon’s flight. Now …”
    â€œI’ll go. What time is the flight?”
    â€œFive o’clock sharp. Can I give you a ride? You look really tired. Maybe you shouldn’t drive to the airport.”
    â€œYeah, thanks, I haven’t slept in three days.”
    â€œYou look like you’ve been sailing. Have you?”
    â€œI have. Let me tell you, I’m exhausted. And now …”
    â€œSome things never change,” Bety said with a soft smile. “If you want, I could stay with you.”
    â€œNo, no. I don’t want to bother you. You’ve done enough already.”
    â€œYou’re wrong about that. I haven’t done anything. Enrique, I know how you must feel. Artur practically raised you from the time you were just an eleven-year-old kid. He was your father, and later, your friend. I loved him too. Even after we broke up, he and I stayed more or less in touch. He wanted me to think of him as a friend, not just a relative of yours. I say this with all my heart: if I can help you, just let me know.”
    The offer was sincere, Enrique didn’t doubt it. But still, an arrogant frostiness was rising inside him, keeping him from asking for the support he needed from the one person who could really give it to him. Their separation wasn’t recent, but the wounds it had left in both of them were still fresh