Tormented: Day 19

Word Count: 114,006

Summary of Events: 

Esperanza watched the sunrise because Hercules' snoring kept her awake and worried that his frequent nights in her bedroom might cause the escape to be found out sooner. Riel officially gave up on Esperanza's case and was staying in Mar del Plata only to keep an eye on Patricia, from whom he received an odd call. Zeus came to visit and discovered Esperanza's shins were bruised as a result of Hercules also thrashing in his sleep, which Hercules denied, prompting Zeus to plan a test. Riel was surprised to receive a phone call from the restaurant Patricia, and Xavier, worked at confirming a reservation he'd never made; he guessed either Patricia or Xavier had set it up. Zeus' test confirmed Esperanza had been telling the truth, Hercules looked displeased with her, causing Esperanza to be worried she'd face retribution. Riel got ready and went to the restaurant for his reservation where he was served his apparent usual of lobster — which he didn't actually like — and discovered a piece of paper in the claw . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

"Quickly he looked up to see if anyone was watching him before he opened the note, and he saw Patricia standing in the patio doorway, looking directly at him and shaking her head.

He raised the note and put it toward his pocket. Patricia nodded.

Riel pocketed the note and turned to finish his meal. As soon as he was done he headed back to his apartment, he wanted to see what was in the note.

He was grateful that it'd been Patricia's setup and not Xavier's — or at least he was pretty sure it had been because she'd been the one he'd seen — and that his sidearm had been an unnecessary precaution.

When he got back to his apartment he locked the door and decided to open the note in the bathroom, there were no windows there, so he wouldn't have anyone readying over his shoulder — much less knowing that he was back from where he'd been.

Only after he closed the bathroom door did he turn on the light. He also locked the bathroom door, and stood in front of it.

Slipping the note out of his pocket, he found it was written on a pieces of paper like that which was used by waitresses to take orders.

Tomorrow night, at the beach, there's a large cluster of trees not far from where I kissed you. As soon as it's dark, Xavier wants to meet me there without anyone knowing. He looked at me differently than usual otherwise I wouldn't have thought anything of it. I don't think it's a tryst, I don't know what I think it is, but I'm worried, and I'm starting to think you were right.

Patricia.

Riel shifted his jaw. He wasn't sure if he was pleased at the fact that Patricia was finally coming to the realisation that he was right, or not, as the way things were worded, and the way things had been carried out, made him worry that there was danger about.

Refolding the note, he was going to pocket it, but the had a better idea.

He turned out the bathroom light and slipped out of the room. All he had to remember was where she'd kissed him, and find a cluster of trees not far from there, and then wait until it was dark.

Going into the kitchen, he felt around for the stove and then found the knob he was pretty sure was for the left front burner.

The igniter clicked several times before a ring of flame lit up. Riel pinched the note between his fingernails and held it over the flames until it caught.

He dropped it and watched as it was quickly consumed before he turned off the burner. That way it wouldn't be found, just in case there were other men, friends of Xavier, who might be keeping an eye on him."