All Is Silence by Manuel Rivas Read Free Book Online

‘Jennifer Jones in
Duel in the Sun
.’
    ‘Now that’s a topic of conversation! Personally I would go for the glorious body of St Teresa, by which I mean Aurora Bautista.’
    He let them chew over the unexpected billing in order to cap it off, ‘Though let’s not forget the bodies in
Ben-Hur
!’
    The others laughed, but Vargas was confused. ‘
Ben-Hur
?’
    The younger guard followed the movement of Mariscal’s arms as he demonstrated the to-and-fro motion of galley rowers.
    ‘Why don’t you ever take your gloves off?’ asked the guard abruptly.
    Sergeant Montes feigned a cough and pretended to pay particular attention to what was going on outside the window. That simpleton Belvís was walking along the road, imitating the sound of a motorbike.
Vroom vroom
. Which was how he went about his errands. Mariscal ignored Vargas’ question and instead carried on rowing in a roundabout motion, till he clapped his hands together to signal the end.
    ‘
Mutatis mutandis
. There’s no one like John Wayne!’
    Rumbo agreed, gestured OK and served him a glass of Johnnie Walker.
    ‘With him and a horse, you can make a film,’ Mariscal went on, blessing his statement with a swig. ‘You don’t even need a woman. What’s more, you don’t even need a horse. But a weapon, yes. You need a weapon, that’s for sure.’
    In ceremonial style he clanked the ice cubes against his glass. ‘A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.’
    ‘And keep on doing so for many years!’ said Montes, raising his glass.
    Brinco stood up and walked towards the front door. This insipid exit drew the men’s attention. Rumbo immediately fired a warning shot. ‘Víctor, I don’t want to see you in the ruins of that school.’
    ‘Lame goes there. I saw him,’ replied Brinco, referring to the schoolteacher Barbeito.
    ‘He knows where to step.’
    ‘Your father’s right,’ said Mariscal solemnly. ‘That place is bewitched. Always has been!’
    After this, everyone waited for him to add something. Mariscal realised at once that his statement had been a key and not a lock. Instead of bringing the matter to a close, he had just opened or reopened the mystery. He suddenly changed subject, with a mocking expression. He had that ability. One face concealed another. ‘Listen, boys. Talking of school, I want to teach you something useful.’
    As he addressed the two boys, he winked at the guards. ‘Never forget this saying: when you’re working, you’re not earning any money.’
    He chucked a coin, which landed at Brinco’s feet. The boy stared at it, with contempt to start with. He didn’t even bend down. The group of men carried on watching him. Fins as well, sitting next to him. Through the half-open door the wind danced inside the curtains, not pushing them very far. Finally Brinco bent down and picked up the coin.
    Mariscal smiled, turned to the bar and rang the ice cubes in his glass, ‘Another spiritual, Rumbo, if you don’t mind!’

10
    LEDA GRABBED THE door knocker. She liked this hand made of metal and green rust. It was cold and hot at the same time. Then she knocked insistently at the door of the Malpicas’ home. Three and one. Three and one. Fins went to answer the door. Nine Moons stared at him. Laughingly to begin with, then more seriously. She had a collection of different expressions. She pulled at him imperiously. ‘Come on, move!’
    This time she picked a short cut through the old dunes, jumping from side to side to avoid the sea holly. They ran to the top of the primary dune, from where they contemplated the beach’s Dantesque spectacle. The sea had now vomited up mannequins, of the kind used in shop windows for displaying the latest fashions. Wooden corpses. Mostly disjointed. The waves nuzzled amputated bodies, loose extremities. Arms, bare feet, heads twisting and turning in the sand.
    Nine Moons and Fins trudged their way through the field of casualties, unearthing and lifting up members they then returned to