Informant #4

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Chapter 18

Lee and Amanda were ready to identify the fourth informant, Jorge Muñoz, who worked as a barber. His shop was located down the Avenue of Hats.

"According to what one of the locals told me, the street we're looking for is three alleyways over from where we're standing," Lee told Amanda, looking towards that direction, "we need to walk pass Cotton Threads Street and Leather Boulevard."

"Really?" Amanda questioned, "Cotton Threads Street? Leather Boulevard? It's not too hard to figure out what merchandise those stores would sell!"

"Agreed," Lee nodded, "'Originality' definitely isn't their middle name!"

They took their time reaching the shop. Again, Lee was thinking how nice it was to just relax and enjoy the surroundings. Every now and then, he couldn't help stealing a glance Amanda's way. She looked absolutely enchanting to him with her cotton embroidered pink blouse. Pink was definitely her color. Not that he would ever tell her.

And then at the beginning of a new street, Lee spotted the sign he was looking for, "There it is, up ahead...The Avenue of Hats!"

Amanda made a sound that to Lee sounded like a chortle.

"Something funny?" Lee tilted his head as he half-smiled at her.

Her smile seemed to make the day sunnier, "It's just so funny that the barbershop is located on The Avenue of Hats, and over there is the Shop of Combs! It seems that all the shops down this particular street have to do with something regarding your head..."

As they continued walking down the street of The Avenue of Hats, they saw in front of one of the shops, a vendor selling oranges.

"A-ha! There goes your theory about merchant's store names on this street having to do with heads!" Lee declared, "That vendor over there is selling oranges! Except for its shape, oranges have nothing to do with heads!"

"There could be; you never know..."

"Oh? So you think you can make a connection between oranges and heads?"

"Hmmm...maybe."

"By all means, have at it, then!" he challenged.

"Wellll..." Amanda theorized, "Maybe there used to an orange tree that grew on that exact spot where the vendor is standing, and the oranges used to fall on people's heads as they walked by!"

Lee forced himself to keep a straight face, "Well, now, that's...quite a stretch…"

"So my theory is a stretch, eh?" she grinned, "I'll take that as a compliment!"

"Really? And how do you figure?"

"Stretching is a good thing," Amanda expertly explained, "For example, in the morning, stretching makes you limber, which prepares you for the rest of the day, and...and when taffy is stretched, it just makes them more delicious!"

Lee laughed, "Okay, I'm convinced! Oranges are perfect for this street! Perhaps we should purchase some of these head-dropping oranges for the road!"

Her smile was wide, "I think that's a fine idea!"

Lee went up to the vendor and bargained in perfect Spanish as Amanda proudly looked on. At one point during the haggling, Lee happened to look over and tender a quick wink her way, causing Amanda to blush and also sending her pulse racing as well.

At last, he purchased an entire bag for a good price (at least that's what he told her). Amanda put the oranges in her large embroidered bag, her cheeks still slightly red. This playful, flirtatious side of Lee was...so new... and, she had to admit, exciting to her.

They walked on, reading all the signs in front of the storefronts. They were almost to the end of the street when they saw a store sign bearing the picture of scissors, criss-crossed with a men's black teeth comb. Underneath it was the word, 'La Barbaria'. It was pretty obvious this was a barber's shop.

They stopped.

"This must be the place," Amanda stated, as trepidation crept into her voice.

Lee's demeanor had also changed to one of seriousness, "Are you sure you remember specifically what Jorge Muñoz looks like?"

"Yes," she confidently nodded, " Mr. Muñoz is younger than our last informant. He looks to be in his early 30's. He has a short trimmed mustache, a pale, long, serious face with a larger nose, and is tall and thin in size."

"Okay, I guess you know." Lee relaxed at her confidence, "So you ready?"

She swallowed, then determinedly answered, "I'm ready."

He held the door open as Amanda first stepped in. The barbershop room was small but bright. A ceiling fan whirled above. Two extremely worn barber chairs were the focus of the room. There were two slightly faded mirrors hanging on a yellow painted wall and a rough bench sat against another wall for waiting customers.

Snip! Snip! The barber could be seen standing, trimming a client's hair, who was seated in one of the main chairs.

Unfortunately, the barber had his back to Lee and Amanda. But he obviously heard them enter.

Without turning around, he stated, "Estaré contigo pronto," to let them know he would be with them soon.

Snip! Snip!

It was the only sound heard in the room.

Amanda leaned into Lee and whispered, "I can't see the barber's face, so I can't tell if it's Jorge Muñoz!"

Lee playfully lifted both his brows up and down at the same time, "The suspense mounts!" he claimed, before responding something back to the barber in Spanish, "Nosotras somos Americanas...do you also speak English?"

"Yes," the barber curtly responded, obviously not enjoying the interruption to his craft. Stopping, he half turned, "You two Americans?"

Amanda almost fell over trying to steal a full view of the man's face, but she was unsuccessful.

"Yes, we are Americans," Lee confirmed.

Snip! Snip! He had resumed his cutting, "Sit on bench," the barber ordered them, gesturing with the comb in his hand, "I am soon done."

They had no choice but to sit and wait on the bench.

It didn't take long for him to finish and the client rose. He removed the white sheet from the client, money exchanged hands, and the customer left.

The barber now turned his full attention at his new arrivals.

When Amanda saw the man's entire face, she took a deep breath in.

She whispered to Lee, "It's him. Jorge Muñoz."

Lee and Amanda both rose from the waiting bench.

The barber looked Amanda over, "Your hair; very nice, Señora," he evaluated, with a critical expression, but with Lee, a frown formed, "Que lastima! Your hair, Señor! It is too long! In Mexico, it is hot here, is it not? I will cut short your hair, very good. Crew cut, you Americans call it. You will like."

Lee was offended. His hair was his pride.

"Look, pal," he warned, wagging his index finger in front of the barber, "I don't care if Mexico is located on the surface of the sun! If you touch one strand-"

"Lee!" Amanda berated Lee, as she placed her hand on his arm to calm him. She then displayed a pleasant smile, "Señor, we are not here for a haircut. We are here to deliver a message for you... from Luis Meñdez."

Jorge looked surprised, "Que? From Luis Meñdez, you say?"

"Yes," Amanda nodded and then stated as carefully as possible, "Do not search the shoes for soles."

Jorge did not show the slightest astonishment at the words. Instead, he immediately went across the room to lock the front door. Then he methodically pulled down the blinds on his windows.

In the dimness of the room, he approached them as his expression turned to one of anxiousness, "Is Luis...safe?" he asked, in almost a whisper.

It was Lee who answered, "Yes, for now. The network is broken, but he was able to get out of town with his son."

Jorge looked relieved, "That is good. Are you here to say my life is in danger too?"

"We think so," Amanda stated, trying not to alarm him, too much, "and we are here to help you in any way we can, Señor Muñoz."

"I see," he contemplatively responded, "You will help me?"

"Yes. How can we help you?" Lee respectfully asked.

"The first thing you must do..." Jorge began, "...is to GET OUT!" there was a scowl on his face, "Never must I see you again!"

Lee and Amanda exchanged baffled looks.

"Señor Muñoz, you must leave this town as soon as possible!" Amanda pleaded, "It is for your own safety!

"No! I cannot leave! I must stay!"

"Do you not understand what we are telling you?" Lee exasperatedly stated, "The operation has been compromised! One informant has already been killed and another one was arrested! You must-"

"IT IS YOU WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND!" Jorge yelled out.

There was a tense silence.

"Perhaps you are right," Amanda calmly stated, "We do not understand your situation. But we are listening now."

"Okay." Taking a calming breath, Jorge explained, "I have wife. She is not well. I love her and will not leave her!" he spoke with total conviction. Then in a softer tone, he added, "You are couple. You must understand."

"Oh, uh," Amanda uncomfortably shifted, "A couple? No, we're not a couple, but-"

This time it was Lee's turn to touch her arm to quiet her. Then he responded with, "I can promise you that we do understand when you fear for the safety of someone you care about."

Amanda stared at Lee before turning back to Jorge, "-and you, Señor, are a good man to stay by your wife's side."

Tears surfaced in Jorge's eyes. Wiping his eyes, he then gestured towards the curtain leading to the backroom, "Come! You must meet my wife!

They went through a curtain and went down a short passageway to a door. This led them to a small dim room. An elderly woman was hovering over someone in bed, applying a wet cloth to the younger woman's forehead. Upon their arrival, the elderly woman left. Lee and Amanda saw who could only be Jorge's wife lying on a simple matted bed.

Jorge said some words in Spanish regarding introductions and the wife weakly nodded. When she looked into Amanda's face, her tired eyes seem to welcome her.

"Hello, Señora Muñoz," Amanda greeted her back. As she gently held the woman's hand, she noticed the woman's face lacked color. Amanda then turned her attention to Jorge, "She is lovely. What happened to her?"

Jorge looked sad, "My wife gave birth three days ago, but sadly we lost baby. It was born upside down and my wife is weak from trying. You can see she cannot travel; it will take time to heal."

Amanda had her big embroidered purse with her. She dug into it and pulled out her container of vitamins she had just purchased, some oranges and one-fourth of her pesos. She knew in a poor village setting, even a little food and money would go a long way.

"Tell her to take two of these every day," Amanda told Jorge, regarding the vitamins, "and she needs some vitamin C. With the money, I think this may be enough to pay for a doctor's visit. Whatever is left, you can spend on food to help her gain her strength back."

At first, Jorge would not accept it, "This is so much! No! I cannot take from you!"

Amanda insisted, "This is mostly for your wife. Use it so that you may continue to love her."

Gratefulness filled his eyes, "T-Thank you. You give us hope," he choked out as he took both, "we will not forget your kindness."

Amanda turned back to look at the weak woman laying on the bed mat. This time the woman miraculously reached a shaky hand up and touched Amanda on the cheek before she dropped her hand again. It seemed to zap her of her strength.

"Do not worry about us," Jorge explained, "With your kindness and the villagers' help, we will be fine."

The door opened and in walked the elderly woman, who silently presented them with a package while speaking some words in very fast Spanish.

It was Lee who translated to Amanda, "This is the wife's mother. She has packed some food for us and wishes us a safe journey."

"Gracias," Amanda worded appreciatively to the old woman, and then told Lee, "Tell her we wish for her daughter's speedy recovery."

Lee translated the thoughts and the woman bowed respectfully.

"With that settled," Lee declared, his voice slightly cracked, "perhaps this would be the time for us to leave."

"One favor I must ask of you, before you go," Jorge announced.

Lee acknowledged, "Of course. We will do whatever we can, Señor."

"We have a little girl," he quickly explained, "It is difficult to care for my wife, her mother, my shop and a child! You must take my Pepita to my sister's home. It is in the town of Zitapan."

Lee looked doubtful, "I don't think we can-"

"Please!" Jorge sounded desperate, "She will be no trouble! I go get her now!"

He left before they could fully protest.

Lee made a frustrated sound. He already knew that no matter WHAT Amanda said, there would be NO way they will travel around a foreign country with a little girl!

It wasn't too long before footsteps could be heard and Jorge reappeared.

Amanda looked all around Jorge, but saw no one, "Where is she?"

Jorge looked behind him and commanded, "Pepita! Sal de detrás de mí! Come out from behind me!"

Slowly, a little girl emerged from Jorge's shadow. When the little girl's eyes fixed shyly on Amanda, her eyes suddenly lit up in recognition, as Amanda gasped.

It was the little girl in the marketplace who had playfully snatched Amanda's pesos.

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