Lost Cities of Argentina - Chapter 4
Younger Quizzical set the saucer of milk on the open windowsill as he always did after work. He stripped down to his shorts and opened the icebox, but lost interest thanks to fatigue and instead sat at the table and lit a cigarette.
He was certain his partner’s advice was good. Taller Wider had experience and while he had no particular career aspirations, he knew the unspoken rules and politics of the job better than anyone. Wider’s uncanny ability to size up a situation with little concrete information could be unnerving. Quizzical often felt his partner had some kind of invisible antennae. He worked harder at keeping his thoughts impenetrable than he did at spotting infractions committed by locals. He would rather Wider think he wanted to meet a girl than have him know the truth.
He heard soft lapping and turned to see his skinny feline friend on the sill. “Hello, Puss.” Quizzical often spoke to the cat, who seemed to listen to him even while refusing to come in or be touched. This was their daily routine. He smoked and spoke softly while the cat drank free milk and listened to him. It was the most satisfying relationship he had ever experienced.
***
To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.
Jorge Luis Borges
***
Taller Wider smirked knowingly. “I hear your leave was approved. Good for you.”
“Yes. Your advice was sound as always. I have to fill out a few short reports on the locals, but it is a small price to pay for some time away.” Quizzical stared off into the distance for a moment before he caught himself. He had no doubt that if pressed for information Wider would use any momentary lapse to save himself. That was the reality of the times.
Wider and Quizzical sauntered down the street, continuously scanning doorways and alleys for curfew violators. It was rare for them to find anyone out at this hour. The consequences were severe, and the locals knew it. The job had become more of a quiet, leisurely saunter than the old type of enforcement work. Neither of them minded. They were the type of men who spent more time in their own thoughts than out, and the hours of walking gave them ample time for their mental diversions. Patience was the most important quality in an officer these days.
“Odd case with that man the other night, wasn’t it?” Quizzical turned toward Wider. “Everything seemed in order, yet…”
“Yes.” Wider searched his face. “It was strange, but not the first time I’ve seen something like that. If I have not seen them before, I take them at their word. I’d rather let someone with documents go than deal with the alternative.”
Quizzical shuddered. “Indeed.” he said. “Better than the alternative for them and for us.” He looked ahead again but saw a flash out of the corner of his eye. He looked at the storefront only to see the reflection of finned, chrome detailed Cadillac go by. He eyes widened when he said the beautiful red hair of the woman behind the wheel. As he spun to look at the street, he found it empty.
His partner was eyeing him closely. “Did you see something?” he asked. “No, nothing. I thought I saw a reflection, but I guess I am just a little overtired.” Wider met his gaze. He was not convinced.
