‘Senorita, senorita. With the greatest respect, you still don’t understand our country. Simon Bolivar himself, our great liberator, said that reforming countries like ours is ‘like ploughing the sea.’ The president of Venezuela, Perez Jimenez, was driven into exile by a popular revolution, but ended his days as a senator. Here, as in all Latin America, injustice is necessary to drive out injustice.’
‘Two injustices do not make for justice.’
‘We can make an injustice look like justice.’
‘As long as you benefit from the injustice?’
‘Perhaps. I am sorry that you are leaving us to return to England.’
‘Yes; my mother is too ill to take care of herself, and I am an only child.’
‘I know.’
‘How do you know? I never said…’
‘Senorita. Carolina.’ His dark eyes grew sad. ‘There are many things you do not see. You do not wear sunglasses. The sun is strong here. Even we who were born here need them to see clearly. Who do you think is paying Enrique’s fees?’
‘A foundation is paying them. You know that. We discussed it at the time.’
‘The foundation receives monthly cheques. I see to that. They come from Teddy Anderson. He doesn’t like to support a pinko foundation, but he has no choice.’ Gutierrez chuckled. ‘What I found in his house is a regular reminder to him that I have him by the cojones. If he ever balks at paying, I will squeeze his cojones. If I leave him alone, he helps my son. But we could not have done this without your help. So thank you, from both of us, again. And now I must deal with a policeman,’ he was looking out of the window, ‘who is writing a ticket for my car. Madre de Dios!’
And he was gone.
